Trinium Spotlight: A Global Journey of Service and Pharmacy Education
ByIfon Chen
From Taiwan to Argentina to California, Dr. Ifon Chen has built a life shaped by family, service, and a commitment to expanding access to healthcare. Today, as Assistant Professor of Clinical and Administrative Sciences in the School of Pharmacy at American University of Health Sciences, she brings that international perspective and compassionate mission to the next generation of pharmacists.
Dr. Chen earned her Pharm.D. from Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and joined AUHS in February 2026. Her journey into healthcare was influenced long before pharmacy school—through family values centered on sacrifice, gratitude, and helping others.
Born in Taiwan, she grew up in a close-knit family with one sister, now a pharmacist, and one brother, an engineer. She spent many of her formative years in Argentina before later moving to the United States. Living across cultures broadened her worldview and helped shape both her personal and professional identity.
“Growing up, we didn’t have much,” she reflects. “That taught us to appreciate simple things—family road trips, time together, and the importance of giving back.”
A major influence was her father’s volunteer service with a nonprofit Buddhist relief organization that provided medical aid in the United States and internationally during times of disaster, including relief work in Haiti. Participating in some of those outreach efforts left a lasting mark on her.
Those experiences reinforced two convictions: healthcare should be accessible, and patients deserve compassionate care regardless of their financial circumstances.
These values made AUHS a natural fit. The mission of the School of Pharmacy—to prepare competent and compassionate pharmacists while serving underserved communities—strongly resonated with her. She welcomed the opportunity not only to teach future pharmacists, but also to help strengthen and advance the program.
Outside the classroom, Dr. Chen enjoys travel and discovering new cultures. She also values quiet, restorative hobbies such as completing challenging jigsaw puzzles and creating cross-stitch projects. Her commitment to service continues through volunteer work with Tzu Chi Medical Foundation outreach clinics serving underserved communities in Bakersfield and San Bernardino.
At AUHS, students benefit from a faculty member whose life story reflects resilience, cultural understanding, and a deep belief that pharmacy is not only a profession—but also a calling to serve. Thus, we shine the spotlight on Dr. Ifon Chen.
