Jessica Thoma

I am currently a second year pharmacy student at Midwestern University - Chicago College of Pharmacy in Downers Grove, IL. I started working in a pharmacy when I was 18 years old and loved it so much that it is now my career and passion. I will have my Doctorate of Pharmacy in 2013.

After school I plan on also becoming a certified diabetes educator so that I can help patients, as well as their family and friends, who are diabetic. I will be specially qualified for this kind of work because not only is it a focus of mine in my education, but I also am a type I diabetic. I was diagnosed with diabetes mellitus when I was 16 years old and know first hand the personal struggles associated with the disease. I hope to be able to use my clinical knowledge as well as personal experience to motivate other people to manage their disease while living a fulfilling and balanced life.

Currently I live with my boyfriend (Brad) and our pomeranian (Lily) and maine coon cat (Charlotte) in Lisle, IL, a suburb of Chicago. When I'm not busy studying and working, these three keep me very busy. We work hard to make ends meet but don't let being broke college students get in the way of having fun. We especially enjoy food - either cooking it ourselves or finding new restaurants to explore different kinds of food. We are in a very transitional point in our lives and look forward to the comfort of one day being able to buy a home and have kids.