Andre Brown: The Value of Mentorship

As part of American Pharmacists Month, Texas Southern University continues celebrating the journey and formation of pharmacists, who will transform healthcare. On this occasion, we had the pleasure to interview Andre Brown, a graduate whose path to pharmacy was deeply rooted in family influence, academic perseverance, and a commitment to community wellbeing.

His Journey to Pharmacy

Andre’s decision to attend Texas Southern University was shaped by legacy and familiarity. “My father attended Texas Southern as well as his friend that I consider an uncle,” he shared. That personal connection made Texas Southern a natural fit and became the foundation for a meaningful academic journey.

It was also that same family friend — a pharmacist and Texas Southern graduate — who first introduced Andre to the profession. Witnessing his work and the advocacy to help others, inspired Andre to consider pharmacy not just as a career, but as a life path. “He showed me how to help those in need, and the profession is respected,” he explained.

Throughout his time at Texas Southern University’s College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Andre found support and encouragement from both family and faculty. “My family was very encouraging and many professors challenged me to push forward,” he said.

That mentorship extended beyond the classroom. “Many of my preceptors were instrumental to shaping my career path during my rotations,” he shared. The practice during rotations played a pivotal role in solidifying his professional interests.

Like many students, Andre’s path through pharmacy school wasn’t without obstacles. “As many can attest, life is not without overcoming challenges. I’ve had my share during my time in school and after graduation,” he said. Despite these hurdles, his resilience and focus, supported by Texas Southern values, helped him excel his time in college.

A Commitment to Community

Now, Andre is committed to using his pharmacy training to make a difference in the lives of patients. For him, it’s about more than dispensing medications, it’s about education and advocacy. “Keeping patients well informed about their drug therapy and making recommendations to help their overall quality of life” is central to how he sees his role as a pharmacist.

When asked what advice he would give his younger self, Andre was straightforward: “Be more focused in your classes and be more willing to experience other aspects of pharmacy.”

If You Could Give Students One Piece of Advice…

To students considering pharmacy at Texas Southern, he encourages curiosity.

“The profession has many different ways to utilize your degree that you may not be privy to. Seek them out and be willing to explore those other avenues,” he advised.

As we continue to celebrate American Pharmacists Month, Andre Brown’s story is a testament to the power of mentorship and a calling to serve since a young age. Throughout October, we will be sharing more stories from the students, graduates, and faculty who are shaping the future of healthcare through pharmacy at Texas Southern University.