Today we’d like to introduce you to Kearstin Massa.
Hi Kearstin, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I didn’t always know I would end up in pharmacy. I actually started on the pre-PA track while studying anthropology at the University of Florida, where I was really drawn to the human side of healthcare, understanding people, cultures, and how that shapes the way we experience medicine.
After going through the PA school application cycle, interviews, and waitlists, I found myself at a crossroads. It was one of those moments where nothing was going exactly as planned, but looking back, that redirection changed everything for me. I took a step back, reevaluated what I wanted long-term, and that’s when I discovered pharmacy in a completely new light.
I made the decision to move from Florida to Tennessee and started my PharmD journey at South College School of Pharmacy. From the beginning, I threw myself into getting involved, joining APhA-ASP, taking on leadership roles, and finding ways to make an impact both within my school and beyond it.
At the same time, I started documenting my life as a student pharmacist online. What began as a creative outlet turned into something much bigger, a platform where I could connect with other students, share the realities of pharmacy school, and highlight the profession in a way that feels real and relatable. Over time, that grew into managing multiple social media accounts, working with brands, and stepping into opportunities I never expected, including national-level involvement with APhA-ASP.
Now, I’m in an accelerated PharmD program, preparing for my clinical rotations, serving in national communications roles, and continuing to build a personal brand centered around storytelling, advocacy, and creativity in pharmacy.
More than anything, my journey hasn’t been linear, and that’s what I’ve learned to embrace. Every pivot, every unexpected moment has led me to a path that feels more aligned than anything I could have planned.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Not at all, and honestly, that’s been one of the most defining parts of my journey.
One of the biggest challenges was not getting into PA school the first time around. After putting so much time and identity into that path, going through interviews and ending up on waitlists was discouraging. It forced me to sit with a lot of uncertainty and ask myself some hard questions about what I really wanted, instead of just continuing down the path I thought I was supposed to follow.
Transitioning into pharmacy and moving from Florida to Tennessee to attend South College School of Pharmacy was another adjustment. Starting over in a new state, a new program, and a completely new professional identity wasn’t easy. On top of that, pharmacy school itself is demanding, fast-paced, with high expectations and constant exams. There were definitely moments of burnout, comparison, and feeling like I wasn’t doing enough.
Balancing everything I care about has also been a challenge. Between school, leadership roles in APhA-ASP, content creation, and trying to maintain a personal life, it can feel like you’re being pulled in a lot of directions at once. Learning how to prioritize, set boundaries, and define success on my own terms has been something I’ve had to actively work on.
But I think the biggest struggle and lesson has been letting go of comparison. It’s easy in professional school to look around and feel like everyone else has it figured out. Once I stopped trying to match other people’s timelines and started focusing on what works for me, everything began to shift. I felt more confident, more grounded, and ironically, more successful.
So no, it hasn’t been a smooth road, but I wouldn’t change it. The challenges are what pushed me to grow, pivot, and ultimately find a path that feels a lot more aligned with who I am.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I wear a few different hats, and that’s honestly what makes my work so fulfilling.
At my core, I’m a student pharmacist at South College School of Pharmacy, currently in an accelerated PharmD program, preparing for clinical rotations. I’ve gained hands-on experience in hospital pharmacy, medication reconciliation across multiple health systems, and sterile compounding in a pediatric home health setting, so I’m building a strong clinical foundation alongside everything else I do.
Beyond the classroom, I specialize in communications, branding, and storytelling within pharmacy. Through my leadership roles in APhA-ASP, I focus on elevating student voices and creating content that highlights the impact of the profession, whether that’s national campaigns, event promotion, or building cohesive social media strategies.
A huge part of who I am is my love for travel and service. I’ve been involved in medical mission work, including experiences like serving in Lima, Peru, which really deepened my passion for patient care and global health, and studying in Sibnik, Croatia, in one of their local hospitals. Those opportunities reminded me why I chose healthcare in the first place and continue to shape how I want to practice in the future.
Along the way, I started documenting my life as a student pharmacist online, initially just as a creative outlet. Over time, that organically grew into content creation opportunities. I began collaborating with brands, creating user-generated content, and working with companies that align with my lifestyle and values. What started as something fun turned into a side of my career where I get to combine creativity with purpose.
What I’m most proud of is being able to merge all of these passions, healthcare, creativity, travel, and storytelling, into something that feels authentic. I’ve been able to build a platform that not only shares my journey but also connects with and inspires other students navigating similar paths.
I think what sets me apart is that I don’t separate my professional life from who I am. I bring creativity, personality, and real-life experiences into everything I do, whether that’s through patient care, leadership, or content creation. I’m not just focused on becoming a pharmacist; I’m focused on how I can make the profession more relatable, visible, and inspiring for others.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
Even though I live in Knoxville, I’ve had the chance to visit Nashville quite a few times, both for fun and for professional pharmacy conferences, and every time I go, I’m reminded of how much energy the city has.
What I like most about Nashville is how dynamic it feels. There’s always something happening, whether it’s live music, new restaurants, or large-scale professional events and conferences. I’ve experienced it from both sides, celebrating with friends and attending pharmacy-related events, and it’s one of those cities that can do both really well. It feels creative, fast-paced, and full of opportunity, which is really inspiring, especially as a student building my career.
What I like least, if I’m being honest, is that it can feel a little overwhelming at times. The traffic, the crowds, and how busy it gets, especially downtown, are very different from the pace I’m used to in Knoxville. It’s fun in doses, but I’ve definitely learned I enjoy it more when I can step in and out of that environment.
Overall, Nashville is a place I associate with growth, connection, and memorable experiences, whether that’s through conferences, networking, or just enjoying everything the city has to offer.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kearstinpharm/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kearstin.massa/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kearstin-massa/
