Summary: Meet Steven, a newly graduated Doctor of Pharmacy who’s combining his passion for pharmacy and American Sign Language to transform healthcare accessibility for the deaf community, proving that sometimes not winning a scholarship can lead to even better opportunities.
Ever had someone ask you to repeat yourself yet again and got frustrated or assumed they weren’t listening? Now imagine that scenario in a pharmacy, where understanding medication instructions could mean the difference between life and death. This is the reality that drove Steven, a recent Doctor of Pharmacy graduate, to become a champion for change in healthcare accessibility.
When a Loss Becomes a Win
Sometimes the best stories start with what seems like a setback. During the pandemic, Steven discovered Tallo while searching for scholarships. Though he didn’t win that first scholarship, he found something even more valuable – a community that shared his vision for making healthcare more accessible.
“I was a little sad about not getting the scholarship,” Steven admits with a laugh. “But by not getting it, I got more involved with the Tallo community. Looking back, I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
A Mission Born from Reality
Steven’s passion for combining pharmacy and American Sign Language (ASL) wasn’t just a random career choice. It sparked from a life-changing encounter with an 11-year-old deaf boy who had no language at all. “For 11 years, he didn’t know how to read, write, sign, didn’t even know his name,” Steven shares. “After one year with his adoptive family learning sign language, everything changed. He could read, write, sign, learned his name, made friends. But his story isn’t unique in the deaf community. Many grow up without a language. Unfortunately, many assume that the deaf can understand complex medical information as long as it’s written down, and that’s just not always the case.””
More Than Just Medicine
Today, Steven’s mission goes beyond just dispensing medications. He’s breaking down barriers in healthcare by:
- Organizing health fairs that bring together pharmacy students and ASL interpreters
- Creating opportunities for healthcare providers to practice working with deaf patients
- Running a sign language club in the Tallo community
- Advocating for accessible healthcare education for deaf students
“There are 350 to 400 sign languages around the world,” Steven explains. “Every culture has its spoken languages. Every culture has its sign languages. The culture creates the language.”
Building Bridges, One Sign at a Time
With his Pharm.D. in hand, Steven isn’t just talking about change – he’s making it happen. Working with his hospital’s disability and inclusion team, he’s showing how small adjustments in communication can transform a patient’s experience.
“Healthcare accessibility isn’t one-size-fits-all,” Steven explains. “Some deaf patients prefer lipreading, others writing or texting, and many use sign language. The key is asking how they want to communicate, rather than making assumptions.” While Steven chose to learn ASL to better serve his patients, he emphasizes that having trained professional interpreters is essential. “In healthcare, clear communication can be a matter of life and death. Professional ASL interpreters ensure nothing gets lost in translation.”
Remember that time someone asked you to repeat what you said? Steven encourages “approaching communication with empathy, especially when there may be factors like hearing loss at play. Repeating or rephrasing a message not only shows patience but can also help ensure clarity without assuming the other person is not paying attention or does not care. Clear, thoughtful communication is a key part of fostering understanding in any conversation.”
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