Prescribing Possibility 

Pharm.D. Candidate Glory Garcia Combines Clinical Excellence with Research and Real-World Impact

For Glory Anne Garcia, pharmacy is more than a profession; it’s a calling grounded in compassion and curiosity. As a Pharm.D. candidate at the University of Houston College of Pharmacy, her work reflects a patient-centered approach and a strong commitment to leadership.

From her work with underserved populations at Legacy Community Health to her transition into a soon-to-be practicing pharmacist with aspirations in high-acuity clinical care, Garcia embodies the next generation of pharmacists that are dedicated to improving lives.

Her passion for health care began early. Growing up with a father who worked as a nurse, Garcia was naturally drawn to patient care. While volunteering at St. Luke’s Hospital during high school, she shadowed clinical pharmacists during ICU rounds and saw how their evidence-based recommendations could transform patient outcomes.

“It changed the way I viewed pharmacy,” Garcia said. “It wasn’t just about dispensing medication—it was about improving patients’ lives through collaboration and evidence-based care.”

Although she once described herself as quiet and reserved, Garcia’s time at UH helped her find her voice through leadership. Today, she serves as chair of the Texas Society of Health-System Pharmacists Student Section Executive Committee, representing student chapters across the state and ensuring student voices are heard at every level of the organization.

“Leadership isn’t about titles,” Garcia said. “It’s about stepping out of your comfort zone to create opportunities for others and to better the profession.”

Her leadership extends beyond meetings and professional development. Through her internships and rotations, Garcia has demonstrated how compassion and critical thinking intersect in pharmacy practice.

Garcia’s rotation at Vecino's Denver Harbor Family Health Center with Clinical Assistant Professors Jodie Gee, Pharm.D. (’09), and Natalie Rosario, Pharm.D., MPH, BCACP, helped her learn how to navigate unexpected situations in ambulatory care by staying patient, composed and willing to learn. She grew more comfortable asking for guidance and took each challenge as an opportunity to strengthen her clinical judgment.

At Legacy Community Health, she’s worked closely with patients who face financial and social barriers to care, experiences that have shaped her understanding above and beyond of what it truly means to serve and reminded her that trust is the foundation of effective care. Every interaction with patients, whether discussing treatment plans or answering questions, strengthened her belief that empathy and communication are as essential as clinical skill.

“I’ve come to understand that when patients trust you, they allow you into their story,” Garcia said. “That’s when you can truly make a difference; when they feel heard and know you care."

Her experience at Legacy Community Health also inspired her upcoming research project, which she will present at the 2025 American Society of Health-System Pharmacists Midyear Clinical Meeting. The study, “Evaluating Renal Monitoring Practices for Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate-Based Therapies for Patients Living with HIV and Hepatitis B at a Large Federally Qualified Health Center,” evaluates how well renal function is monitored in patients with HIV or hepatitis B.

"Legacy serves a unique and often underserved population,” Garcia said. “Through this research, we hope to ensure patients receive not only access to medication but also the ongoing monitoring they deserve."

Garcia is completing her Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience at Houston Methodist, complemented by clinical rotations at the Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Hospital, HCA Houston Healthcare Clear Lake and Vecino's Denver Harbor Family Health Center. She continues to build clinical confidence while defining the type of pharmacist she aspires to become.

“Each rotation helps me understand where I can make the most impact,” Garcia said. “Seeing pharmacists build trust with patients and guide them toward better health is what inspires me every day.”

Her sights are set on a residency anchored in critical care, cardiology and oncology, but her time at Legacy Community Health also immersed her in ambulatory care and infectious diseases—experiences that broadened her perspective and deepened her appreciation for these practice settings. And while she looks forward to new challenges, her core philosophy remains unchanged.

“I’ve come to understand that leadership is rooted in presence,” Garcia said. “When you show up for your patients, your colleagues and your community, you create the space where meaningful impact can happen.”

— Naqiyah Kantawala