Alumni Spotlight
Name: Mary Subramanian
Current Title: Pharmacy Manager
Organization: Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Hospital
Kansas State University Food Science Undergraduate
University of Kansas Pharm.D. ‘10
K-State College of Ag is proud to recognize alumni from all departments who continue to pursue their passion in their respective fields. It is through experience that we continue to grow as individuals and stewards of the industry. Through those experiences, we hope to be a continued resource for the next generation of K-State students to lean on for advice and continue to build our network!
Why did you choose K-State and the College of Agriculture?
I liked the people. They genuinely wanted to invest in student success. The College of Agriculture did an excellent job preparing me for my career, which wasn’t in agriculture, by developing my critical thinking skills and broadening my perspective. I look back at that time fondly, as I made many positive relationships and had wonderful experiences.
What organizations were you involved in?
I was in Kappa Alpha Theta, the CHIMES leadership group and was a College of Agriculture Ambassador. These organizations strengthened my public speaking abilities and taught me how to interact with people from different backgrounds. They helped me understand diverse perspectives and communicate my own ideas in ways others could understand.
What advice do you have for current students?
Don't shut any doors. Keep all opportunities open and maintain an open mind to whatever comes your way. I do a lot of mentoring for our residents, and burnout can be a long-term challenge of many professions. You don't want to choose a major because of a paycheck or perceived security; rather, pick something you're passionate about. You shouldn't dread going to work after a vacation. You might dread how much work is waiting, but you should be excited about the work itself. Otherwise, it's going to be challenging to stay in that career for the long haul.
I’ve found that after two kids, my focus has shifted in this phase of life. You'll be in different phases throughout your career, too, and it’s helpful to recognize when something might not fit anymore and where adjustments can be made professionally to better fit your life outside of work.
What advice do you have for students who are graduating and looking for jobs?
When I'm interviewing residents, I prioritize teachability and interpersonal skills over raw knowledge. These qualities matter more than a 4.0 GPA—how you interact with people is often what determines your success. Coming across as someone who wants to learn the culture, work hard and stay curious goes a long way.
How did you decide you wanted to work in medicine?
My path to medicine began in an unexpected place: organic chemistry class. I knew I didn't want to be a doctor—I had an aversion to the lengthy training required. I realized that pharmacy aligned well with my interests, so I pivoted there. I was a PICU pharmacist for about a decade before discovering my passion for systems improvement. A lot of what I do now is helping make our medication processes safer to reduce the chance of errors.