Sadiyya S. Rahaman is a first-generation college graduate whose journey into pharmacy has been shaped by her experiences in public health, student leadership, service, and patient-centered care. Born in Georgetown, Guyana, and raised in New York City, she developed an early appreciation for the power of education and the importance of community. At 17, she earned an associate’s degree in liberal arts through a dual-enrollment program before receiving the Posse Foundation’s Full-Tuition Leadership Scholarship to attend the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacology and Toxicology.

Sadiyya’s interest in pharmacy grew from her work in public health. As a Disease Intervention Specialist with the Wisconsin State Department of Health Services, she worked closely with patients and healthcare providers and gained a firsthand perspective on how healthcare can shape people’s lives. The experience showed her the importance of collaboration, communication, and meeting patients where they are, ultimately leading her to pursue her Doctor of Pharmacy degree at UW–Madison.

During pharmacy school, Sadiyya explored the many ways pharmacists can serve their communities. Through the Wisconsin Student Pharmacy Society, she participated in vaccination clinics, reproductive health education initiatives, and fall risk assessments. Her involvement with SNPhA gave her the opportunity to learn about healthcare practices and systems across different countries and share those perspectives with her peers. These experiences deepened her belief that meaningful patient care begins with understanding people as individuals, including the cultures and communities that shape their lives.

That belief extended beyond the classroom during a Service-Learning Trip to Belize, where Sadiyya worked alongside fellow student pharmacists and physician assistant students to provide care through pop-up pharmacies and clinics in rural communities

Sadiyya’s time as a Duke Hospital Pharmacy Leadership Intern offered another perspective on the profession. Working alongside the Clinical and Patient Care Service Leadership Team, she gained insight into the many factors that shape hospital pharmacy, from patient care and operations to business and finance. More importantly, the experience challenged her to think about leadership not simply as a position, but as an opportunity to listen, collaborate, and create meaningful change. Her time at Duke strengthened her interest in pharmacy leadership and deepened her commitment to advancing patient-centered healthcare.

Outside of pharmacy, Sadiyya is happiest when she is learning something new, connecting with others, or finding time to create and explore, whether that is through her creative art projects, or traveling.