Her Story
About Malak
I have been a pharmacist since 2016, beginning my career in the Middle East where I worked in Kuwait for three years and also practiced in Jordan. As someone who immigrated to the United States and graduated from a foreign country, I faced real challenges in getting licensed in a new country. I had to accept the fact that we all have to start from somewhere, even if that somewhere is starting over again. I completed all my exams and license exams as a foreign pharmacist to obtain the license I have now to practice in the United States. I joined VCU Health in 2022, and in 2025, I became a lead pharmacist. I hold a Board of Pharmacy License as a pharmacist and am also board certified in Jordan, with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree. My main areas of expertise are patient care and helping out the society, making sure everybody gets the treatment that they deserve to get. Respectful encounters are something that I thrive on, whether professionally or socially. I believe that for pharmacy in the United States, opportunities are unlimited. The practice itself has a lot of opportunities for growth and expansion - you just have to know what you want and where to pursue the next step.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Malak
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to being very consistent with my hard work and the effort I put in, along with perseverance. I was dedicating a certain number of hours every single day to make sure that I get what I need to get, even if I'm tired or even if I don't feel like it. My husband was my number one supporter through the whole process, and my family and friends as well played an important role in supporting me throughout my journey.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
As somebody who had to get licensed in a new country after I graduated from a foreign country, the challenge was real, and I had to accept the fact that we all have to start from somewhere, even if that somewhere is starting over again. I had to do all my exams and license exams as a foreign pharmacist to get the license that I have now to practice. So my advice would be patience and believe in your dream. Because if you believe in your dream, you will achieve it. Nobody else will make it happen except you.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
For pharmacy in the United States, opportunities are unlimited. The practice by itself has a lot of opportunities for growth and expansion. You just have to know what you want and where to pursue the next step.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in my work and personal life are honesty, inclusion and teamwork, respect, and fairness.
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