Pharmacy Student on a Chase to Help Others

Oklahoma congressman J.C. Watts defined character as doing the right thing when nobody is looking.

Amarillo first-year pharmacy student Jason Serna probably thought nobody was watching him on Feb. 11 when he shrugged off freezing temperatures and a stinging West Texas wind to participate in Cupid’s Chase, a national 5K run that takes place on the same day and at the same time in 25 cities located throughout 10 states.

When Serna arrived at Thompson Park for the event, what he didn’t know is that Dexter Harper, an Amarillo staff member, was also there.

Cupid’s Chase is hosted by Community Options Inc., a national nonprofit that has been developing community-based homes and employment supports for people with disabilities since 1989. Harper was covering the event for BlackAmarillo.com.

“I happened upon Jason, who was bundled like an unwrapped Popsicle in his School of Pharmacy hoodie,” Harper said. “I couldn’t help but start a conversation with him and I learned that he is from Corpus Christi. He spoke freely of how nice it was to take a brief break and participate in something besides studies and how especially rewarding it is to do something that benefited others.

“Noticing that two was Jason’s assigned number for the 5k run, I found it symbolic of his willingness to place others ahead of himself. It’s always refreshing to see the pharmacy students giving back and participating within the community.”

While Serna ran, Harper scouted a location for photographing the finishers. As the clamor of the event staff alerted him to the arrival of the first group, Harper began snapping photos of the first place runner as he crossed the finish line.

“Guess who was the second runner to appear in my camera’s focus?” Harper asked. “That’s right, Jason Serna. He was a little winded, but it was the man from the pharmacy school who proudly gave up his morning to help benefit others while wearing the symbolic number on his hoodie.”

Although he is a member of the American Pharmacy Association student organization and the Phi Delta Chi professional pharmacy fraternity, Serna said he was participating in Cupid’s Chase as a member of the area community. He said he recently discovered these types of events allow him to combine his love of running with his desire to help others. He also plans to participate in the FastFeet Racing Spring Clean 5k March 10 to help raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s research.

Despite the 13-degree chill factor, Serna said the run allowed him to temporarily clear his mind and escape the stress of school.

“The ability to manage your time as a student, as well as taking part in your community, is part of a pharmacy student’s way of life,” Serna said.

His interest in pharmacy as a career started when he worked as a pharmacy technician for CHRISTUS Spohn Memorial Hospital in Corpus Christi.

“I have an strong interest in clinical pharmacy,” Serna said. "Upon graduation I hope to secure a post-graduate hospital residency and eventually work as a clinical pharmacist in critical care.”

As he learns more about his chosen profession during the next several years, Serna’s career path could change, but one thing seems certain: he will continue to run to benefit others, even when nobody is looking.