By Abiola "Abbie" Ayodeji
Student Ambassador
College of Pharmacy Class of 2029
abiolaayodeji.cop29@ketchum.edu
When I moved from Maryland to California to begin pharmacy school, one thing came with me: advocacy. Whether I was speaking on Capitol Hill or sitting in pharmacy lectures, my mission stayed the same. Use my voice to push for change. But advocacy doesn’t have to mean standing on a big stage or holding a microphone. Often, it starts with something much simpler: sharing your own story. That’s where mine began.
At seven years old, I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. Along with that diagnosis came a difficult truth. Healthcare isn’t always fair, and access to lifesaving medications and research isn’t guaranteed. Volunteering with Breakthrough T1D, the leading global organization for Type 1 diabetes research and advocacy, gave me a way to turn that reality into action. This past March, I had the opportunity to return to Capitol Hill for Government Day, where I spoke with lawmakers about insulin affordability, funding for diabetes research, and improving access to life-changing technology. Those conversations reminded me that advocacy isn’t just important, it’s a shared responsibility.
Now that I am a first-year pharmacy student, advocacy feels even more meaningful! It’s no longer just about telling my own story, but also about listening to others and learning from their experiences. As a future pharmacist, I’ve come to see that our profession is one of the most accessible in healthcare. With that accessibility comes an incredible opportunity to bridge the gaps that exist in patient care, and in how people view the role of pharmacists. On campus, serving as a Class Liaison, Student Ambassador, and active member of organizations like OCPhA has shown how advocacy can take many forms.
Looking back, I’ve realized that advocacy isn’t just something I do. It’s a part of who I am. Our voices matter, and they can shape the way forward in quiet but impactful ways. What began with speaking up for myself has grown into a journey shaped by listening, learning, and working toward something bigger than me. My journey in pharmacy is just beginning, and so is the work. With every conversation, every story, and every step forward, I’m reminded why advocacy will always be at the heart of it.
