A Path to Pharmacy Rooted in Family, Service and Curiosity

Growing up surrounded by the realities of chronic illness and caregiving sparked an interest in healthcare for Sarkis Sislyan, who graduates with a 4.0 GPA.

Sarkis Sislyan’s path to pharmacy has always been grounded in family, service and curiosity. Raised in a multigenerational Armenian-American household, he grew up in North Hollywood surrounded by the realities of chronic illness and caregiving. His grandfather suffered two strokes—one when Sislyan was a child, the other during his high school years—and his grandmother was diagnosed with ALS.

Sislyan became one of his grandparents’ main caretakers, taking them to doctor’s appointments and helping with their mobility. The experience sparked an interest in medicine and healthcare that he pursued as a physiological science major at UCLA. “I wanted to know more about my grandparents’ medications—what they were taking and why,” he recalls.

As his fascination with chemistry and pharmacology deepened, Sislyan looked toward a future in pharmacy—with USC Mann’s PharmD program an obvious choice. The field of study has made a difference in his grandparents’ lives as well as his own. “I’ve been able to make a meaningful impact in optimizing their regimens,” Sislyan says.

That was just the beginning, as USC Mann expanded his understanding of pharmacy’s many opportunities. “The more I learned, the more I saw how pharmacists play roles in clinical care, conducting research and shaping new therapies,” he says.

For Sislyan, though, USC was about more than learning—it was about community. “I used to be shy, so one of the most noteworthy things I’ve achieved here is forming bonds with my classmates through extracurricular activities, getting involved in leadership and attending events,” he adds.

This includes serving as project director for the American Pharmacy Student Alliance (APSA) and in leadership roles for the Medical and Pharmacy Student Collaboration and the National Community Pharmacists Association at USC. He also co-led the Armenian Affinity Association.

“That was a very proud moment for me because I got to be an ambassador for my culture and people,” he says.

Sislyan also connected with faculty. “They know what your strengths are and try to advocate for you,” he says of his professors, citing Associate Dean of Curriculum Edith Mirzaian as a major influence. He also found mentorship by interning at USC Medical Plaza Pharmacy with Director of Pharmacy Services Rena Charchian and Executive Director of Community Pharmacies Raffi Svadjian, and through research with Professor Paul Beringer.

“Being able to just pick his brain on the way he thinks as a clinician and a scientist has been really remarkable and has helped me become a more well-balanced student and scholar,” Sislyan says of Beringer.

“Sarkis never learns anything at the surface level. He always dives deep into the topic, then absorbs that information and utilizes it to perform well,” Svadjian notes.

Sislyan accomplished all this while maintaining a 4.0 GPA throughout his PharmD studies. His success was rooted in consistency, not cramming.

“I came to class every day. I made sure I was always present. Most of the time, I wouldn’t even take my laptop out,” Sislyan says. “I’m more of an auditory learner.”

He avoided all-nighters and tailored his study sessions around energy levels and clarity. He also chose extracurriculars carefully. “If I felt that I can’t incorporate a role into my schedule without then jeopardizing or cutting back on other things, then I wouldn’t do it,” he says.

This summer, Sislyan will bring his disciplined work ethic to a PGY-1 pharmacy residency at Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center. “My current goal is to be a clinical pharmacist, caring for my patients, adjusting their medications and having clinical conversations with other healthcare disciplines,” he says.

“As we continue to advocate for our scope of practice, I see a lot of room for potential growth,” Sislyan says of his chosen profession.

His advice to future students: “You’re only a student once, so be completely shameless and ask whatever question you might think is a dumb question.” Then he adds, “Make it the best four years you can.”

USC Alfred E. Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
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