Snapshot
- Hometown: San Fernando Valley, California
- Favorites: Air-fried chicken wings
- Movie Pick: All About Eve
- Hobby: Reading and watching old movies
- Motto: "Be the reason someone smiles today."
Meet Joycelyn
Joycelyn Frederick leads the Pharmacy Technician Program at Cedars-Sinai's Health Sciences University. She helps train the next generation of pharmacy technicians who keep hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies running safely and efficiently. Her role blends teaching, mentoring, and real-world healthcare experience.
She loves working with students who are just starting their journeys in the medical field. Joycelyn's goal is to show them that success in healthcare comes from a mix of skill, reliability, and compassion.
Path After High School
After high school, Joycelyn enrolled in a local junior college but only completed one semester. At the time, she was working at Thrifty Drugs and believed that was enough. With little guidance or direction, she learned early how difficult it can be to plan your future alone.
That experience taught her to take ownership of her choices. Over time, she built a career based on hard work, curiosity, and saying "yes" to new opportunities. Every step she took opened a new door, from pharmacy technician to program director, and each one was earned through persistence and integrity.
STEAM in Action
Science, technology, and math are at the heart of Joycelyn's work. Science helps pharmacy technicians understand how medications work in the body and how they must be stored, mixed, and handled. Technology is part of daily operations, from electronic health records to automated medication systems. Math is essential for precise measurements, safe dosages, and quality control.
Even now as a program director, she reminds her students that accuracy, attention to detail, and respect for science save lives. STEAM in pharmacy is not about experiments in a lab. It is about real people receiving the right medicine in the right way, every time.
The Best Part of Joycelyn's Job
Joycelyn's favorite part of working at Cedars-Sinai is the community. She collaborates with talented, passionate professionals who share her dedication to learning and patient care. Every day brings a chance to mentor others and see students grow into confident, capable technicians ready to serve.
Lesson from the Journey
Joycelyn learned an important lesson early in her career. While applying for a part-time job, she was surprised when the interviewer mentioned knowing someone she had worked with before. What she did not realize was that her current supervisor and the interviewer's manager were connected. Because Joycelyn had already been honest about her job search, her good reputation spoke for her and she was offered the position.
Now she teaches her students that honesty and reputation are powerful. The healthcare world is smaller than it seems, and being open, respectful, and trustworthy can create opportunities you do not expect.
Joycelyn's Advice for Students
"Take every opportunity to learn. Volunteer whenever you can, because you never know when those experiences will prepare you for something bigger. Do not sell yourself short. Almost everything you do in life can teach you something valuable for your career. And remember, never burn bridges. The world is small, and your reputation travels faster than you think."
Think about something at your school or in your community where you could volunteer or lend a hand. How might that experience help you learn new skills or meet people who can teach you something?
