Pacific Pharmacy Alumnus Carries Pioneering Spirit into Career

The School of Pharmacy opened its doors in 2006. The first class of pharmacy students would become pioneers in a brand new program. One such student, Matthew Maglalang, found the prospect of being a pioneer an exciting one.

What sold him on Pacific University “was the opportunity to be different and bold and take a calculated risk on joining a new program that had a wonderful vision,” he said.

Since graduating from the School of Pharmacy, Matthew completed two residency programs: one at the Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor, Maine, and the other at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane, Wash.

He currently works at the Portland Providence Medical Center specializing in critical care medicine and serving as a preceptor.

In 2009, he was awarded the USPHS Excellence in Public Health Pharmacy Practice Award for the creation of an oral contraceptive patient brochure. The brochure featured drug interaction issues and enhanced the pharmacy services provided to clinical staff and patients.

In 2012, he received the President’s Award for Excellence through his employer for the Providence Sepsis Bundle Implementation Program.

In addition to his work in a hospital setting, Maglalang devotes his summers to serving on medical missions around the world. His faith and compassion have led him to serving the needs of the poor and vulnerable. Most recently, he served in Guatemala as part of the organization Faith in Practice alongside surgeons, anesthesiologists, and nurses. Contributing as a pharmacist in the operating room with this organization has restored his faith in humanity and helped him realize the important role he plays in healing others.

Today, more than 100 students make up each class of the School of Pharmacy. Maglalang continues to support Pacific by mentoring students and staying involved in alumni activities. He is a member of Pacific University’s Phi Lambda Sigma and was recently married.

“I’ve been privileged to witness how the school has evolved since its inception in 2006,” he said. “I see it most prevalent in the students and residents that I mentor; individuals who continue to have a pioneering spirit, unafraid of constant change.”