My Bio: George Vlantis
My motto in life has always been to "never give up". I believe in hard work and dedication and this ethic has helped me get through many obstacles in life.  I have a natural curiosity for learning and especially about the human body. This has led me to pursue a career in pharmacy. As a kid I never liked taking medicine and I was petrified of taking pills. My mom would force me to take medicine in order to feel better and I realized how important "drugs" were.  I know that as a pharmacist I will be able to help people when they are sick or in pain and I find this to be rewarding to be able to help people. Even though my vision for future pharmacy practice is still unclear, I would like to work in a hospital setting or open up my own pharmacy. Therefore, my goal is to complete a residency and have the option to work in a hospital setting. 

Goals (Personal & Professional): George Vlantis
Goals (1-5 years)

• Maintain a 3.0 GPA overall at St Johns University in the PharmD program.
• Study abroad in Paris, Rome, Ireland in the Spring of 2025.
• Complete an internship in a pharmacy/work part time at a pharmacy retail store.

Goals (5-10 years)

• Graduate from St. Johns University with a PharmD degree in May 2029. 
• Complete a residency at a NYC hospital in the pharmacy department by May 2031. 
• Work as a pharmacist in a NYC hospital and be part of a team of healthcare workers. 

Goals (10+ years)

• Open up a pharmacy in my community and name it after my fathers village in Greece. (Pharmakeio Platanos)
• Complete a couple of marathons in different parts of the world and maintain my physical and mental health. 
• Travel to underprivileged parts of the world and provide medicines to people that don't have access to healthcare.

Educational Background: George Vlantis
St. John's University, Queens, New York
(August 2023-Present)

• PharmD candidate

World Journalism Preparatory School, Flushing, New York
(September 2019-June 2023)

• Advanced Regents Diploma

Employment History: George Vlantis
"None"

Honor Societies: George Vlantis
"none"

Honors & Awards: George Vlantis
Scholarship Recipient

• Platanos Benevolent Society, New York.
• January 2024
• $1,000 stipend to be used towards education
• Merit scholarship based on high school achievement and first semester college
• Awarded to a student whose parents hail from Platanos, Greece

Outstanding Achievement in Physical Education Award

• World Journalism Preparatory School, Flushing, New York.
• June 2023.
• Recipient of the outstanding academic achievement in physical education.

Coaches Award for Excellence in Track and Field

• Awarded by the Public School Athletic League (PSAL), New York
• June 2022 and June 2023
• Given to an athlete who shows dedication, commitment, and excellence in track and field.

Scholarship

• Recipient of the St. Vincent De Paul Scholarship, St. John's University.
• August 2023

Volunteer, Community & Civic Activity: George Vlantis
GOYA (Greek Orthodox Youth Association) 2019-2022- Holy Cross Church, Whitestone NY.  Active member (approximately 2-3 hours a week)

• Raise money for the Joanna Sophia Epilepsy Foundation.
• Participated in the 5K fundraiser 
• Volunteered in the Thanksgiving Food Drive- prepared and packaged food
• Made crosses (palms) during holy week  

As an active member of my community I have gained the foundation for helping others that are less fortunate. By being involved in my community I have learned how to work well with others and how to give back. 

Other Accomplishments: George Vlantis
Captain of the Francis Lewis High School Track Team, September 2022

• One of my proudest accomplishments was when I was chosen by my coach as team captain of the Track and Field Team.
• This was important to me because I ran track throughout high school and was extremely dedicated to the sport. I spend many hours training and attending meets.
• As the team captain, I helped motivate my teammates and I was always there whenever they needed me. Being a captain helped me learn how to be a leader and a motivator.

Reflective Journal: George Vlantis
Being a pharmacist means helping people live longer and heal them when they are at their worse. Being a pharmacist means being meticulous and making sure that the patient receives the proper medication and care that they deserve.
I chose pharmacy because my father is an optometrist and he always told me that pharmacy is a good, "clean" job. He influenced me in a positive way and I chose pharmacy because it is a good career and I will have many opportunities to work in different settings. 
I chose St. John's University because it is one of the best pharmacy schools in New York. I am also lucky to live only a few miles away, and therefore, it was a perfect fit for me.

Top 5 strengths:
1. Developer
2. Positivity
3. Arranger
4. Includer
5. Harmony

I was not surprised about my strengths because I believe that this is very accurate. As a pharmacist, I will have to work with people and most of my strengths are with helping others feel included. Being a positive person will help me when dealing with patients who are ill and not feeling their best. As an arranger, I will make sure that the pharmacy is organized and everything is in order. I will use all of these strengths in order to become a pharmacist that works well with others.