CUW PharmD candidate engages national leaders, gains insight into industry trends and develops a passion for advocacy.
At a time when the pharmacy profession continues to expand in both scope and impact, Concordia University Wisconsin School of Pharmacy student John Xiong is bringing his experience to the national stage.
A Doctor of Pharmacy candidate in the Class of 2026, Xiong recently represented Concordia at the National Association of Chain Drug Stores’ (NACDS) RxIMPACT Day in Washington, D.C.
RxIMPACT Day is one of NACDS’ most influential gatherings, bringing together pharmacy leaders from across the nation. The event highlights emerging trends in pharmacy operations, patient care delivery and the broader health care system. Having previously participated in advocacy efforts at the state level, Xiong gained a broader view of how collaboration at the national level continues to shape the work pharmacists do each day.
“As a student, being in that environment helped me better understand where the profession is heading,” Xiong said.
Xiong brings prior experience with Walgreens to these spaces, adding perspective to conversations around community pharmacy and patient care. His involvement reflects Concordia’s emphasis on preparing students who are ready to contribute with confidence and purpose.
That preparation carried forward into NACDS’ RxIMPACT Day. This year’s event coincided with the 250th anniversary of the United States and centered on key legislative efforts affecting the profession, including long-anticipated reform related to pharmacy benefit managers — an issue NACDS and pharmacy leaders have worked on since the early 2000s.
During the event, Xiong joined pharmacy students and professionals from across the country to advocate on Capitol Hill. He met with members of the House of Representatives and the Senate to discuss issues affecting the future of pharmacy. While he has participated in advocacy efforts at the state level in Wisconsin, this marked his first experience engaging at the national level.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to represent CUW School of Pharmacy at RxIMPACT Day,” Xiong said.
In addition to time spent in legislative meetings, Xiong connected with national pharmacy leaders, including Rick Gates, chief pharmacy officer at Walgreens; John Colaizzi Jr., head of enterprise pharmacy practice at Walgreens; and other members of the Walgreens leadership team. These conversations reinforced the expanding role of pharmacists in patient care and access.
“Meeting leaders in the field and hearing their perspectives made a lasting impression,” he said.
For Xiong, the week was both professionally and personally formative. “Over the past week, I learned so much and met so many incredible people,” he said. “This experience has ignited a passion in me to be involved in advocacy and help shape the future of pharmacy.”
Experiences like these reflect the mission of CUW’s School of Pharmacy — to prepare graduates who lead with integrity, serve their communities and contribute to a changing health care environment.
“There’s something meaningful about being surrounded by others who care deeply about this work,” Xiong said.
As he continues his journey toward becoming a pharmacist, Xiong remains focused on the responsibility and opportunity ahead. “I’m proud to be shaping my future in pharmacy,” he said.
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Concordia University Wisconsin is a Lutheran higher education community committed to helping students develop in mind, body and spirit for service to Christ in the Church and the world.