FAMU COPP, IPH Graduate Celebrates Overcoming Adversity
Tallahassee, Fla – Michael Kosak Osei Assibey, PharmD 2024, was born in Kumasi, Ghana, West Africa, the middle of three boys. As a survivor of Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS), a rare and serious skin disorder and mucous membranes that affects the skin and eyes, Assibey had an interest in toxicology. The condition came from chloroquine for malaria treatment he received growing up.
“I lost a whole year in high school to recover from the effects of SJS,” said Assibey, who attended Prempeh College in his hometown. “My story is an example of never giving up in life.”
Assibey earned his bachelor’s degree in biology at Ave Maria University in 2011, and his master’s degree in toxicology and environmental health risk assessment at the University of Eastern Finland in 2016. He then enrolled in the Florida A&M University (FAMU) College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Public Health (CoPPS,IPH)
“I was on course to further my doctorate in toxicology when we lost our Baby Emmanuella from an infection in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), then I refocused my goals to pharmacology and patient care,” Assibey said. “I believe I am at FAMU CoPPS, IPH for a reason to serve my community, and this pharmacy degree has been an amazing journey so far.”
As a family man with three children and two jobs – HCA Florida Capital Hospital and Florida State University-, time management has been key to succeeding in pharmacy school.
“The brain is like a sponge so tell yourself everyday ‘you can do it because others have done it,’” Assibey said. “Prioritize your life choices, deepen your relationship with God and family. Last of all, everyone has been given 24 hours a day, monitor your time on social media and you will save lots of time to study.”
FAMU CoPPS, IPH Coordinator Student Affairs Charles E. Weaver II, Th.D., said Assibey has been a consistently high-performing student.
“He made all A’s on seven rotations and is the perfect example of Philippians 4:13 ‘I can do all things through Christ which strengthened me.’ I am very proud of what he has done during his matriculation through the FAMU College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Public Health. He has truly been a prime example of what it means—with hard work and determination, you can accomplish your dreams.”
The next phase of Assibey’s career will be with the Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency Program, an opportunity for which he thanks FAMU CoPPS,IPH professors and staff.
“Developing new skills as a clinical pharmacist is vital to serve underprivileged communities especially in the Big Bend Region. The education in the FAMU CoPPS, IPH emphasizes patient safety in all aspects of the medication use system and this has shaped my goals as a clinical pharmacist,” Assibey said. “As the head of my family, my wife, children, parents, brothers, and extended family in Africa have been impacted because I will be the first person in my family to earn a doctorate.”