From student to preceptor: How Cassidy found her purpose in pharmacy
October 21, 2025 | 3-minute read
Cassidy Almada, PharmD, initially pursued health care administration when she went to undergrad at the University of Arizona.
Then she had to take Accounting 200.
“I failed the class twice,” said Cassidy, laughing. “It was a real turning point, and I realized business was probably not for me.”
Her father suggested she consider pharmacy instead, and, after thinking it over, Cassidy agreed it could be a good fit. She enrolled in prerequisite pharmacy classes and immediately began working as a technician for a retail pharmacy in Tucson, Arizona.
“I got hired and never looked back,” said Cassidy, who continued working as a technician throughout undergrad and pharmacy school. “I loved helping my patients and that experience confirmed I was on the right path.”
Cassidy and her father (left), who inspired her to begin her pharmacy career while she was in undergrad at the University of Arizona. Today, she lives in Tucson, AZ, with her husband, Frank.
During her final year of pharmacy school, Cassidy completed a clinical rotation at Genoa Healthcare’s Tucson pharmacy – and it was then she knew she wanted to be part of the team.
Genoa specializes in serving people living with behavioral health and other complex conditions. Most Genoa pharmacies, like Cassidy’s was, are located directly within the community mental health clinic where consumers receive their care. This unique setting makes it easier for them to get – and stay on – their medications.
“I knew I wanted to be a retail pharmacist,” said Cassidy. “But to see all the extra services that Genoa provided to help ensure adherence, and to see how they worked with providers to solve problems before consumers even left the clinic, I knew I wanted to be a part of it.”
Cassidy now works as a pharmacist at the same Genoa pharmacy where she completed her clinical rotation. She credits all the pharmacists and preceptors she learned from for helping her get where she is today.
Cassidy is currently a pharmacist at Genoa in Tucson, AZ — the very site where she completed her clinical rotation during pharmacy school.
“I wouldn’t be where I am without all the amazing pharmacists that made such an impact on me and my career,” said Cassidy, who now works as a preceptor herself, mentoring her community’s future pharmacists. “And I want to be that person for up-and-coming students.”
In 2024, Cassidy received the Rookie Preceptor of the Year award from the University of Arizona’s R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy.
“The classroom work is great. We need to know that,” said Cassidy. “But it’s the real-world experience you can’t teach that really gets someone ready.”
Cassidy is a 2021 R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy graduate. In 2024, she won a Preceptor of the Year for her work as a mentor for future pharmacists.
At Genoa, Cassidy appreciates her ability to go the extra mile for the behavioral health community. She and her team are on a first-name basis with the people they serve, and services like Genoa’s refill reminder calls are opportunities to connect directly with them.
“I like that we have manual calls,” said Cassidy. “With a robot, people might ignore it or press the wrong option so the refill may not go through. But when you hear from that person you know at your local pharmacy, it helps with adherence and makes a big difference.”
Whether it’s at the pharmacy counter or over the phone, Cassidy says her consumers just want to feel seen and know someone cares.
“I like to know their name. I like to ask how things have been going since the last time I saw them. Or ‘How’s so-and-so?’ or ‘How’s [their dog’s name]?’” said Cassidy. “They just light up and feel comfortable. And I love that.”