Putting in the Work

Dual-Degree Student Whitney Dike Driven to Succeed in Pharmacy and Business

To say that Whitney Dike is an overachiever is a gross understatement. As a mother of four, she transitioned from a successful nursing career to pursuing pharmacy, excelling in the rigorous Pharm.D./MBA dual-degree program. Balancing academic demands with leadership roles in both fields, she remains focused on her goal: securing a post-graduate residency and advancing to the C-suite.

Switching gears

After two years as a cardiovascular intensive care unit nurse working in the Texas Medical Center, Whitney Dike experienced a profound shift in her career perspective when she gained a deeper appreciation for the pharmacist’s role.

"Working in the critical care unit, I saw pharmacy as the center of medicine, and I knew that was my calling," Dike shared.

With the revelation, she decided to forge a new destiny in pharmacy at UHCOP where she could learn and train among the nation’s leading health care institutions she already admired.

"Houston became my home, a place of opportunity and growth," Dike said

Bedrock for business

"As I progressed through the curriculum and had different exposures like being elected President of Class 2025, I realized that helping my colleagues maneuver through different things really brought me joy," Dike said. "So, after my first year, I decided to do pharmacy administration, having a leadership role in mind."

To support her new goal Dike decided to pursue the Pharm.D./MBA dual-degree program, a collaboration between UH's College of Pharmacy and C.T. Bauer College of Business. The program is designed to equip pharmacy students with essential business skills in areas like operations, finance, project management, marketing, and entrepreneurship.

"While I’m deeply rooted in health care, I also wanted to learn the business side of things — not just to excel in pharmacy but also to support my husband’s business and eventually run one of my own. To be a prudent business owner and leader, the MBA is invaluable," Dike said.

The program combines core coursework with flexible electives, allowing students to tailor their education to diverse career paths, whether in independent business ownership, consulting, managed care, or executive roles within health systems or corporate settings.

"The dual program is doable if you’re organized," Dike said. "But I recommend taking one or two MBA classes per semester to keep it manageable."

Resilience and inspiration

Dike acknowledges that her journey has been anything but easy. Yet, her determination and the strong work ethic instilled by her parents have shaped the resilience needed to pursue her goals relentlessly.

"I delivered my fourth child during my first year of pharmacy school," Dike recalled. "I remember studying at the hospital and staying up all night to make sure I caught up on my coursework."

As the daughter of Nigerian immigrants, Dike draws inspiration from her parents, who emphasized the value of perseverance and education.

"My mother and father taught me to never give up and to understand that education is the key to success," she said. "America is full of opportunities, and for me, giving up is never an option. If I start something, I am determined to finish it."

Driven to Lead

As the president of the UHCOP Class of 2025, Dike has spent the last three years advocating for her classmates. From organizing networking events to tutoring sessions, she has created support systems that foster teamwork.

"If there were scheduling issues or if we needed an exam review, my team and I would advocate for students," Dike said.

Dike has also created different networking opportunities and helped organize events such as mental health days and International Day.

In addition to her role at UHCOP, she recently was elected president of the Bauer Graduate Women Network. In this position, she is working towards creating opportunities for the members to establish career-enhancing connections, like identifying and building a relationship with a mentor, as well as organizing multiple panels with business leaders.

Advice for students

"Many pharmacy students are A+ students, but you must realize that pharmacy is not something you can do alone," Dike said. "You need a team to be successful and if you need help, ask for help, don’t risk it."

For Dike, teamwork and networking are essential, but she also emphasizes the importance of approaching pharmacy school with an open mind. Doing so can transform a student’s perspective and reveal opportunities they might miss with a fixed mindset.

"You may come to pharmacy school with an idea of what you want to be and what pharmacy is," she said. "Be open to the different opportunities’ pharmacy has to offer and then let the experience guide you to the direction that is best for you."

Achieving one’s goals requires discipline, organization, and vision of how to make them a reality.

"Time management is key because there are a lot of moving pieces and you need to be on it or you risk falling behind and struggle," she said.  

Groundworks and goals

After completing her Pharm.D./MBA, Dike plans to further her education through a two-year PGY1-2/M.S. program in Health-System Pharmacy Administration and Leadership, with her sights set on The Houston Program. Her ultimate aspiration is to achieve a C-suite position while pursuing entrepreneurial ventures alongside her husband.

Dike’s unwavering commitment to success – despite juggling the roles of mother of four, student leader, and dual-degree candidate – stems from a simple yet profound purpose.

"All I’ve ever wanted is to help as many people as possible; That is my goal in life," she said.

— By Elias Lilienfeld