Sharae Places Her Well-Being at the Top of Her Priorities
Sharae Hightower nurtures and protects her well-being by setting boundaries. “Basically, I let it be known where my headspace is,” Sharae said. “I don’t do things that I feel I can’t accomplish in the best way possible.” How does Sharae set boundaries when asked to take a position or fulfill a task she feels is not a good fit for her? “I would say, ‘I have a lot on my plate right now. Is there anyone else?’” explained Sharae, a third-year pharmacy student from Gary, Indiana.
Sharae also places her well-being at the top of her priorities by eating healthy foods and exercising.
“Something they tell us a lot in pharmacy school is that we have drugs to treat people, but lifestyle modification is the most important thing,” said Sharae. “I felt that if I was going to recommend that people change their diets or implement exercise in their lives, I had to live by those principles as well.”
Sharae lost 80 pounds by making healthier food choices and working out about three times per week at Purdue’s France A. Córdova Recreational Sports Center (CoRec) or running outside when the weather is nice.
“Many times people wonder what to do to lose weight, but when you go out to eat, it’s better for you to pick a side of vegetables than a side of fries,” Sharae said. “You know that, but you have to make that choice.”
Sharae is the events coordinator for ACE Campus Food Pantry, which makes food more readily available to members of the Purdue community who may be experiencing food insecurity. “I reach out to other organizations or businesses on campus to partner with ACE,” Sharae said. ACE has partnered with Purdue Recreation & Wellness for cooking demonstrations and with Starbucks to offer a discount with a donation of canned goods.
Sharae is also involved in the Purdue Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP). The mission of AMCP is to empower members to serve society by using sound medication management principles and strategies to achieve positive patient outcomes. She also participates in outreach endeavors in the Greater Lafayette area. She administers vaccines at the Tippecanoe County Health Department, and she volunteers at Lafayette Transitional Housing and the Home for Hope where she educates individuals regarding HIV and hepatitis C with Purdue’s chapter of College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists.
Sharae Plans to do a residency and specialize in psychiatric pharmacy. “It’s a big passion of mine,” said Sharae. “A lot of my family members had untreated mental health conditions, and I recognize now that they should have been treated.”
While nurturing her own well-being, Sharae looks after the well-being of others.
