Nason and Shelby Wise found the perfect matches in each other and the profession.
Nason Wise knew pharmacy was the career for him, as he wanted a profession that fulfilled his interest in medication use and allowed him to help others.
For Shelby Strength Wise, she had worked in a pharmacy since high school and enjoyed the patient interaction it provided.
Attending the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy was a no-brainer for the pair, but what they didn’t realize is all the matches pharmacy would provide. Now Nason and Shelby are married, graduating with their Doctor of Pharmacy degrees and preparing for their postgraduate residences at Moses Cone Hospital in Greensboro, North Carolina.
Nason, who is from Columbus, and Shelby, originally from Jackson, both joined the pharmacy school’s Early Entry Program. However, they didn’t connect until their sophomore year at an Oxford church. Though they have different clinical interests, that shared pharmacy bond lets them learn from each other.
“It was great to be able to talk to someone else that understands the stress of pharmacy school,” Nason said. “We could study together, go to the pharmacy student body events together and navigate the stressful postgraduate planning together.”
The pair earned their Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences in 2019 and then headed to Jackson to complete their final years of the professional program. Nason and Shelby have enjoyed Jackson, becoming integral student members at the Jackson Free Clinic, a student-run organization that offers health care to uninsured patients.
They enjoy hosting family and friends, cooking and hanging out with their Maltipoo, Toby, though they note he is “allergic” to long walks. One of their favorite things to do is explore new cities and coffee shops together, which in turn is one of Shelby’s favorite things about Nason.
“Nason is so passionate about the things he loves,” Shelby said. “Don’t believe me? Ask him about the science behind the perfect cup of coffee. He is literally so wise!”
No doubt that Nason is smart, as in 2019, he asked Shelby to marry him.
“Shelby cares so much about everyone she meets, whether it’s her classmates, patients or random strangers,” Nason said. “She can stay positive against all odds and makes even the monotonous things in life fun.”
After dinner at Oxford Grillehouse, Nason took her to Lamar Park, the place where they ended their very first date together. He had set up flowers and twinkle lights where he planned to propose.
Was Shelby expecting it?
“She was very oblivious,” Nason said. “She even stated, ‘Look at the flowers and lights set up to surprise someone.'”
The pandemic gave them a few wedding headaches, but they became Mr. and Mrs. Wise in the summer of 2020. At the School of Pharmacy’s Commencement ceremony on May 5, they will become Dr. and Dr. Wise.
As if meeting in pharmacy school and graduating together wasn’t storybook enough, the pair matched at the same hospital for their PGY-1 residency.
“We were so excited,” Shelby said. “Matching in the same area with another person is challenging, especially without compromising the quality of the program.
“When we saw our match results, we couldn’t be happier to see our hard work and careful planning pay off.”
Nason plans to focus on cardiology, hoping to practice in the cardiac intensive care unit. Shelby has a love for teaching that she plans to pass on to students while working in a hospital setting.
No matter where their career paths lead them, Nason and Shelby are excited to do life and pharmacy together.
“We are looking forward to becoming licensed pharmacists soon,” Nason said. “We can’t wait to invest in students as preceptors one day and instill the same passion that so many mentors shared with us.
“While it will be so hard to leave our home in Mississippi for our residency training in North Carolina, we are excited about this new life adventure together.”
By Whitney Tarpy, School of Pharmacy
