PTC to Pharm.D ... A Journey

December 11, 2020 | College News

Pharmacy Technician program graduate seeks Doctor of Pharmacy degree

Queenie Edwards graduated a year early from Boca Ciega High School in 1996. Her sister was enrolled in the Practical Nursing program at Pinellas Technical College (PTC) and encouraged her to consider the Pharmacy Technician program.  Following that advice, Queenie Edwards enrolled in the Pharmacy Technician program at Pinellas Technical College and completed the program in February 2000. Her career began in private and long-term care facilities, then to a Veteran’s Administration contract, and later employment at the CW Young VA in St. Petersburg. Later, she was offered a promotional opportunity in the VA system and relocated to Dallas, Texas where she is currently a resident.

Ms. Edwards has been relentless in pursuing further education. Prior to completing the Pharmacy Technician program at PTC, she started an associate degree program at St. Petersburg College and completed it in Texas. She continued to the University of North Texas to pursue Biology. While on the pursuit, she applied to 10 schools of pharmacy and was accepted to four and made the decision to enroll in Florida Agriculture and Mechanical University (FAMU) in 2019.  She is a first-year pharmacy student on the Crestview, Florida campus.

Ms. Edwards now splits her time between Dallas, Texas, Crestview and St. Petersburg, Florida. She is supported by her employer who allows her to pursue the Pharmacy program full-time, remain employed intermittently in Dallas, Texas, and spend time in St. Petersburg helping her sister care for her disabled brother.

Ms. Edwards has managed to continue to build her career, pursue educational goals and recover from personal setbacks. In 2007, she suffered a stroke that all but foiled her life plans. She recovered and managed to keep work, school and family obligations in context while spending time in three locations that are each a considerable distance from the other.

Ms. Edwards returned to PTC while in town and had a moment of reflection and appreciation for the program that placed her career on a path to success. She now has 20 years of experience in the pharmacy industry having worked for private and governmental entities. She has landed a seat in the Doctor of Pharmacy program at FAMU - a journey that has taken many working years and personal setbacks to realize.

Ms. Edwards’ road to success and greater ambitions is a testament of what a technical program at Pinellas Technical College can do - provide you a path to build a future you control.

The Pharmacy Technician program is a 11-month program that provides completers an opportunity to enter the field with industry certification and many opportunities for growth. For more information, please visit our website at www.myptc.edu or call at (727)893-2500.