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Henock Woldu: Pursuing the American Dream Through Education

By Mike Billings and Susan Merrell

When Henock Woldu attended the UCSF School of Pharmacy commencement ceremony this month, it was about more than receiving his PharmD degree.

For the immigrant from Ethiopia, it was also about blazing the trail of higher education for his family. He was the first to earn a doctorate, after being the first to attend and graduate from college.

Woldu emigrated in 2000 at the age of 11 with his parents and four brothers. Speaking little English, he worked hard through high school and gained acceptance to UC Berkeley. While a student there, Woldu returned with his father to Ethiopia, where he became aware of the poverty, lack of adequate drug delivery and health care, and low health literacy.

“This became a spark to me, something that I could do something about,” he said. He also noticed some of the same issues in the United States, and decided to go to pharmacy school to make a difference.

“He is interested in serving the underserved and has a charming personality and inspiring spirit,” said Cindy Watchmaker, MBA, MEd, associate dean of the School of Pharmacy.

The sentiment about Woldu wanting to give back was echoed by B. Joseph Guglielmo, PharmD, the school's dean, during the commencement ceremony on May 5. "Compassion, humility … the critical importance of giving back to the community. A man who has always made a difference, Henock Woldu has taken the next step. ... We could not be prouder."

Woldu's next step is a residency at UC Davis, where he will focus on either infectious diseases or hematology and oncology.

“My faculty, staff, fellow classmates and the entire UCSF community have allowed me to experience, learn and grow in ways I can’t put to words,” he said. “UCSF is truly an amazing institution and I am forever grateful for my education and all the amazing people I met here.”

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School of Pharmacy graduates.

School of Pharmacy graduates take a moment for a group photo before heading into Davies Symphony Hall to receive their Doctor of Pharmacy degrees. The commencement for Henock Woldu (center) meant he became the first person in his family to earn a doctorate degree. "I showed up at UCSF like a big sponge ready to experience and learn everything," said Woldu. "My faculty, staff, fellow classmates and the entire UCSF community have allowed me to experience, learn and grow in ways I can’t put to words."

Several days before receiving his Doctor of Pharmacy degree, Henock Woldu, a devout Orthodox Christian from Ethiopia, participates in an Easter service in his hometown San Jose

Several days before receiving his Doctor of Pharmacy degree, Henock Woldu, a devout Orthodox Christian from Ethiopia, participates in an Easter service in his hometown San Jose. “Everything starts in Church for me,” said Henock. "When things go wrong, I pray and count my blessings. When things go right, I pray and count my blessings.”

Henock Woldu (center) chats with Sharon Youmans (left), PharmD, MPH, vice dean of the School of Pharmacy and professor of Clinical Pharmacy, and Marcus Ferrone (right), PharmD, JD, associate professor of Clinical Pharmacy, in the dean's office.

Henock Woldu (center) chats with Sharon Youmans (left), PharmD, MPH, vice dean of the School of Pharmacy and professor of Clinical Pharmacy, and Marcus Ferrone (right), PharmD, JD, associate professor of Clinical Pharmacy, in the dean's office.

Henock Woldu playing basketball.

Basketball for Henock Woldu was a way of assimilating into American culture as an 11-year-old boy from Ethiopia. It still is a relaxing hobby, and shown by his break from studying for his Pharmacy Board Exam to shoot hoops in the Millberry Fitness & Recreation Center at UCSF. “I have a basketball I’ve carried the whole time,” Woldu says. “It tells my story.”

A month before graduating, Henock Woldu attends his Pharmacy Board Review Class.

A month before graduating, Henock Woldu attends his Pharmacy Board Review Class. Woldu’s path to Pharmacy began as an undergrad at UC Berkeley, studying molecular and cell biology, which led to a UCSF internship in the John Gross Biochemistry, Biophysics and Structural Biology Lab in Mission Bay. Enthralled by the research atmosphere in Genentech Hall and the feel of scientists working on cures, his focus narrowed to science and pharmacy and attending UCSF.  

Henock Woldu (second from right) laughs with his School of Pharmacy classmates who have all, like Woldu, emigrated to the U.S. from countries in Africa. From left, Micah Ahazie, a second-year student from Nigeria; Cheick Diarra, a third-year student from Mali; and Theo Ndatimana, MPH, a second-year student from Rwanda.

Henock Woldu (second from right) laughs with his School of Pharmacy classmates who have all, like Woldu, emigrated to the U.S. from countries in Africa. From left, Micah Ahazie, a second-year student from Nigeria; Cheick Diarra, a third-year student from Mali; and Theo Ndatimana, MPH, a second-year student from Rwanda. Slideshow by Susan Merrell

Yhdego Woldu, Henock Woldu'™s father, celebrates his son'€™s graduation from the School of Pharmacy with traditional Ethiopian dancing at a party with family and friends in San Jose.

Yhdego Woldu, Henock Woldu'™s father, celebrates his son'€™s graduation from the School of Pharmacy with traditional Ethiopian dancing at a party with family and friends in San Jose.

Henock Woldu (right) and his father, Yhdego Woldu (center) celebrate Henock's graduation from the School of Pharmacy with traditional Ethiopian dancing at a party in a community center in San Jose.

Henock Woldu (right) and his father, Yhdego Woldu (center) celebrate Henock's graduation from the School of Pharmacy with traditional Ethiopian dancing at a party in a community center in San Jose.

Thanh Le, a third-year student in the School of Pharmacy, hugs Henock Woldu after the commencement ceremony in Davies Symphony Hall.

Thanh Le, a third-year student in the School of Pharmacy, hugs Henock Woldu after the commencement ceremony in Davies Symphony Hall.

School of Pharmacy Dean B. Joseph Guglielmo, PharmD, places a doctoral hood over the head of Henock Woldu, signifying Woldu's completion of the PharmD program.

School of Pharmacy Dean B. Joseph Guglielmo, PharmD, places a doctoral hood over the head of Henock Woldu, signifying Woldu's completion of the PharmD program.

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