Ted Sukhdeo (PharmD ’22) didn’t let a childhood marked by family members’ illness and death deter him from seeking a career in health care. In fact, these circumstances spurred him on to becoming a pharmacist.
When Sukhdeo was just four years old, his mother sustained disabling physical injuries in a serious car accident. Sukhdeo went to live with his grandmother for a time until she succumbed to cancer two weeks after she was diagnosed.
“It struck me pretty hard because my grandmother never missed a doctor’s appointment,” he said. “I could not understand how all the regular doctor visits, lab work and physical examinations did not pick up that my grandmother had cancer.” The cancer was so advanced that his grandmother did not qualify for treatment.
Sukhdeo’s interest in health care ignited. When he was a young man, his uncle suggested that he consider a pharmacy career so he sought work as a pharmacy technician.
“Day in and day out, I saw the direct impact a pharmacist has on patient lives. Pharmacists
are the most accessible healthcare providers,” he said. “And with the vigor of training
pharmacists receive, we can have a great impact on patient health outcomes.”
Following that experience, he decided to apply to pharmacy school, choosing PCOM Georgia due to its location, small campus, class size and faculty.
He recalled, “When I initially visited PCOM Georgia in the fall, I could see the change of seasons first hand and observe how beautiful it was here. Additionally,” he said, “everyone within the school made me feel like I really belonged here. They made me feel like this is where I want to be if I want to be successful and supported.”
When Sukhdeo was a student pharmacist, his mother became ill. They consulted a physician, and Sukhdeo found that he was able to diagnose her appropriately and suggest therapy to improve her condition. “I aspire to not only do that for my loved ones, but for every patient I encounter,” he said.
Following graduation, Sukhdeo will complete a PGY-1 pharmacy residency with the PCOM School of Pharmacy/Wellstar North Fulton residency program. He plans to practice as an ambulatory care pharmacist and become board certified.
Sukhdeo’s mother inspires him. “At a very young age, my mother went through a traumatic ordeal that left her jobless and on government assistance with three young children,” he said. His parents separated, and his family was homeless for a time, living with relatives.
“Nonetheless, with the help of my mother’s family, we were back into a stable home with my mother providing a loving, nurturing and productive household. She always found a way to be there for me,” he said.
Today, Sukhdeo’s sister is a nurse practitioner, his brother is an engineer and he is a pharmacist.
“How did a single mother on government assistance, no car, and physical disabilities raise us?” he mused. “When there is something I feel like I cannot do or when I am down, I think about how hard my mother worked to get us all here in life. Nothing that I go through can compare to how hard she had it and I refuse to complain. I just get it done. If she could do it in her physical shape, why can’t I?”
Sukhdeo believes that his work ethic sets him apart. While attending pharmacy school, he worked 25+ hours a week, volunteered, held leadership roles in professional organizations and kept his grades up. He leaves this advice for incoming student pharmacists. “Pharmacy school is anything but easy, but I can guarantee that if you put in the work, it will pay off. Do not rely on anyone else to get you where you want to be. It is all on you. Speaking from experience, if you put in the work, you will definitely receive the benefits.”
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