Allison Wan: Student experiences at Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation
26 January 2026
Growing up in a family of pharmacists, Allison Wan saw firsthand the diversity of the profession. Now, as a fourth-year PharmD student preparing for a career in hospital practice, a recent experience at the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation has reminded her of the true power of her role.
In this Q&A, Wan reflects on why the most important tool in a pharmacist’s kit isn’t a medication, but the privilege of accessibility and the time she spends listening to a patient's story.
“We’re granted the title of most accessible health care providers, and this privilege should help inspire the impact we can make for all our patients,” says Wan.
Tell us about your experience at the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation.
I learned so much from the patients; each and every one had an abundance of wisdom and life expertise to share with us students. I honestly was not expecting to get so emotional after the week was over, but I found myself sincerely and wholeheartedly wishing them nothing but strength, serenity and peace for their futures.
What did you learn and/or what impacted you the most?
We learn about the pathophysiology and therapeutics of substance use disorders in school, however nothing truly compares to hearing patient stories firsthand. Sitting with patients every day in their group therapy sessions was an almost indescribable experience — a palpable atmosphere of vulnerability, trust and camaraderie shared in that one room amongst all participants. As you make eye contact with everyone around the room, you come to understand that addiction is a hard-fought battle that affects everyone, of all different socioeconomic statuses, ethnicities and genders. And beyond every person in that room is a parent, partner, child, grandchild or best friend affected by that same disease, feeling the same shame, guilt, anger, sadness or numbness. It’s a disease that infiltrates entire families and communities.
Where did you experience the most personal growth through this experience?
One of the most surprising revelations I had during my time at the Betty Ford Center was differentiating between religion and spirituality and understanding how the two are not synonymous. While I wouldn’t consider myself a religious person, I learned I can still be a spiritual person — practicing gratitude and mindfulness in my everyday life. Similarly, recovery is a holistic, spiritual journey that goes way beyond medications or psychotherapy and doesn’t necessarily need to be tied to one specific religion. Something I’ll take with me going forward, from the Twelve Step recovery program that Betty Ford uses, is the Serenity Prayer: “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.” Patients described how this simple yet profound statement carries a sense of comfort and empowerment, and I myself began reciting it in times of uncertainty or anxiety.
How will you apply what you learned to your professional and student life?
As a clinician, you will encounter experiences that you’ve never personally endured, and this limitation gives way to the necessity for active listening, empathy and learning from others’ lived experiences. We all have our own difficulties in our own lives, but you never truly understand what challenges others are living with without first giving them the opportunity to share their perspectives. The same principle applies to life outside of health care as well: you can never assume what anyone is going through, and a little kindness and patience can go a long way. It serves as an important reminder to continue to identify and challenge my internal biases — recognizing personal areas of growth and change for the future — whilst making a conscientious effort to practice empathy and compassion in all aspects of life.
Would you recommend that students take part in these activities?
Absolutely! Take advantage of any extracurricular opportunities that arise throughout your time in post-secondary, even if you're feeling applications will be competitive! I applied for the Hazelden Betty Ford Substance Use Disorder Program and was originally waitlisted, but due to generous sponsorship, clinical associate professor Candace Necyk was able to send additional students, and I couldn't have been more thankful for the opportunity. You truly never know what amazing experiences can come out of these opportunities simply by applying.