Las Vegas Native Hope Montoya Pursues Pharmacy Degree at UNM

April 9, 2003

Las Vegas Native Hope Montoya Pursues Pharmacy Degree at UNM

Las Vegas native Hope Juliet Montoya, a presidential scholar at the University of New Mexico says her future career as a pharmacist will allow her to be committed to public service, help achieve positive outcomes from the use of medication and improve the quality of life for patients.

Montoya, a freshman with sophomore status, said she chose pharmacy as a major because it presents a world of endless possibilities.

“The medical field and science have always appealed to me,” she said. “Pharmacy offers a pursuit of interest in science, the opportunity to join the NHS [National Health Service] heathcare team and a wide choice of working environments.”

She said the field of pharmacy is increasing at a rapid rate and the importance of such field is phenomenal.

“Pharmacists are essentially the infrastructure that healthcare is built upon,” she said. “In a world that is constantly generating new illnesses and disease, pharmacists are extremely vital. Primary disease prevention, health promotion, drug therapy and patient counseling are some key aspects of a pharmacist’s job.”

Montoya agrees that the education, knowledge and skills pharmacists possess allow them to provide patients with crucial medical information and do so effectively.

“Pharmacists are depended upon, by patients and physicians, for healthcare information and resources of the highest caliber,” she said. “Most importantly, pharmacists are the key to the physical and mental well being of patients.”

Despite the number of students at UNM and the large class sizes, Montoya said she always feels at home at UNM.

“It is a big campus with a small school feel,” she said. “The professors and TAs [Teaching Assistants] provide me with the personal attention and assistance needed to ensure a quality education while making the classes fun at the same time.”

Montoya enjoys the fact that there are always student activities taking place at UNM. “That makes the campus interesting and exciting,” she said.

Montoya based her decision to attend UNM on the strength of the pharmacy program, the cost, the opportunity to stay in New Mexico and close to home, and the scholarship opportunities provided her.
Advice she would give to students who are interested in attending UNM is to prepare a solid foundation for themselves in their secondary education and to take full advantage of the opportunities that come their way.

“I would encourage prospective students to visit the campus, meet with advisors and talk to students to gain a better perspective on what UNM is really about,” she said. “Also, it is important they explore the options at UNM and make sure it best fits their personal needs.”

She said that sufficient words do not exist to emphasize the importance of education, adding that education is priceless and the key to life.

“Society is becoming increasingly complex and is relying heavier on intellectual muscle,” she said. “I believe that, in order to take full advantage of everything that society has to offer, a solid education is necessary. Education is the suitable means to secure the advantages and opportunities in life and allows one to stay ahead of the curve.”

Montoya, daughter of Linda and Nino Montoya, Jr., said she is grateful for growing up in a loving and supportive family.

“My heroes have always been my parents,” she said, adding that her parents taught her the important lessons in life and helped shape her outlook.

Montoya said with her parent’s guidance, she has developed a strong work ethic.

“Growing up, my parents instilled in me lessons of respect, integrity and generosity. They have shown me the true value of education, hard work and determination,” she said. “Through their example, I learned that perseverance and dedication are the key to achieving personal goals and aspirations. Also, I learned that dignity and devotion are the qualities essential to being successful. What they have taught me has guided me through life this far, and will take me as far as I want to go. I am thankful for their constant guidance and support. Without them, I can honestly say that I wouldn’t be the person I am today or be where I am at present.”

In preparation for college, she had enormous amounts of support, encouragement and assistance from family and teachers at Robertson High School.

“Such individuals were committed to the development of my fullest potential,” she said. “They constantly motivated me to acquire more knowledge and encourage intellectual, spiritual, moral and social growth. With their assistance, I have discovered my passion in life.”

Upon graduating with a doctor of pharmacy degree (PharmD.), she plans to work in a clinical setting for a few years. Afterwards, she intends to return to school and earn an advanced degree in toxicology and then go to work as a research scientist in the pharmaceutical industry such as the FDA.

She is grateful for the Emil Steinkraus Presidential Scholarship at UNM. She has received numerous scholarships including the New Mexico Alliance for Minority Participation, Best Buy Community Service, Enlisted Association of the National Guard, PNM Hispanic Heritage Award and ASMI Materials Information Society.

“Education and the hard work required are ultimately important in the long-term development of one’s character,” she said. “Education is simply a way of life.”