When Logan Guzik arrived at Samford University as a prepharmacy student, he wanted to become a pharmacist but didn't yet know where that path would lead. Six years later, he graduated from McWhorter School of Pharmacy as valedictorian of the Class of 2026, earning a Doctor of Pharmacy and Master of Business Administration through McWhorter's joint degree program with Samford’s Brock School of Business. before matching with a postgraduate year-one residency at Children's Hospital Colorado in Colorado Springs.
Guzik said Samford's accelerated pathway, joint degree options and supportive faculty made McWhorter stand out during his college search. A defining moment came before he even enrolled, when an admission adviser connected him with a pharmacy professor.
"The professor took the time to have a phone call with me that ended up lasting two hours," Guzik said. "I felt very reassured about pharmacy and that Samford was where I wanted to be."
Once at McWhorter, rotations across a variety of practice settings helped him discover his direction. Progressing through the program, he gave back by mentoring and tutoring prepharmacy students, reflecting a commitment to supporting others that would become a hallmark of his experience.
"It was through these rotations that I gained firsthand experience in different fields and found a greater understanding of what I felt called to do," he said.
That calling became clear during a fourth-year elective rotation at Children’s of Alabama. Having long enjoyed working with youth through volunteer experiences and summer camps, Guzik found a way to combine that passion with pharmacy. Under the mentorship of Professor Kim Benner, PharmD ’96, he participated in a medical mission trip to Honduras, caring for children and counseling families.
Benner said watching Guzik’s growth throughout the program made it clear he was called to care for others, particularly in pediatric settings.
“Having known Logan throughout pharmacy school, I was proud to witness his growth from a young man into a caring, competent pharmacist,” Benner said. “In all my time with Logan in patient care, it was evident what a caring heart he has.”
Those experiences led Guzik to pursue pediatric pharmacy, culminating in a residency match at Children's Hospital Colorado–Colorado Springs.
Interim Dean Michael Kendrach said Guzik’s journey reflects the many opportunities available to students at McWhorter.
“Logan represents the complete McWhorter experience,” Kendrach said. “From prepharmacy to maximizing our joint degree opportunities and earning his PharmD and MBA, his path to a competitive pediatric residency reflects his dedication and commitment to serving others.”
Looking ahead, Guzik hopes to combine his clinical training with leadership, one day serving as a pediatric residency program director or manager of pharmacy operations.
As he begins the next chapter of his career in Colorado, he is eager to care for children and support their families during some of life's most challenging moments.
"I find the most purpose in my work when I get to help and serve others."
