Face of the future: Rola Kaakeh

Exceptional, intelligent and gifted, the Senior Project Coordinator for the Syrian Health Development Sector, Dr. Rola Kaakeh, has reached this lofty position at just 21 years of age. Her academic brilliance is exceptional, yet it’s her sensitivity, simplicity and caring nature that make her an exceptional human being. This perfect combination makes her a national treasure. Though born and raised in the States, Kaakeh always associated with her Syrian roots. Her parents cherished their Syrian origins, and nurtured family ties, instilling in her and her siblings the values of Arab culture. She is passionate about her work, as she sees in it an opportunity to build a “healthier” future for the country she loves. Her balanced attitude keeps her optimistic while having realistic expectations. Kaakeh’s story began at a very young age; her kindergarten teachers noticed her natural abilities, and started her on the path of skipping grades and taking advanced classes until she was ten years old when she was first admitted to Purdue University. Her parents understood her academic need to be constantly challenged, yet they never underestimated her natural need to be with her friends and live her life like any other child. They insisted that she continue going to classes with children her age, while attending university courses at Purdue in the afternoon. At 19, Kaakeh received her doctor of pharmacy degree with a minor in organizational leadership and supervision. She moved to Syria in 2007 to pursue a career in health sector development. Once here, she received the “Excellence in Public Health Practice Award,” in recognition of her commitment and contributions to the national public pharmaceutical practice; her achievements were recognized by President Bashar al-Assad and First Lady Asma al-Assad, and her “brains” were applauded in magazines and newspapers. Kaakeh’s commitment to community service is as impressive as her academic brilliance, and goes back to her childhood years. She is part of the Aleppo University/Purdue University Pharmacy Initiative, in which she is introducing the non-traditional Doctor of Pharmacy program. She has volunteered to help inform Middle Eastern students on American life and culture, and to help raise cancer awareness in the community.

Did you ever live abroad? If yes, where did you live?

I was born and raised in the United States. I lived in United Arab Emirates for a year and half.

If you could, what one thing would you change in the Syrian society?

If people could be as clean outside their homes as they are inside.

What was your first paying job?

I worked in the NASA office at Purdue University.

What is your idea of a successful career?

When I am doing what I love to do, and that is to help people, and truly feel that I am contributing to the society I live in.

What is the life achievement you dream of establishing?

I dream of one day opening a center that treats, cures, teaches and supports patients.

Do you have any professional regrets?

I don’t believe in regrets. Every decision or action taken leads to an experience, whether positive or negative.

What is the one thing or thought that troubles you and keeps you awake and thinking at night?

Millions of people around the world, especially children, die because of lack of health care services and medications. They are not given the opportunity to live healthy and productive lives.

Looking through your life, who is the one person that influenced you the most and how?

My mother. She has always motivated and supported me throughout my life.

Looking through Syria’s past and present, who is the one Syrian person you admire the most and why?

The First Lady Her Excellency Mrs. Asma al-Assad. Ever since I’ve known her I have grown to admire her more and more. She is an amazing individual with a western train of thought and a completely Syrian heart.

What experience must you have to feel that you’ve lived a completely satisfying life?

I want to constantly feel that I am living a satisfying life, and not base it just off one experience. I constantly like to contribute to society in any way that I can, no matter how big or small the contribution. These bundles of little satisfying experiences will make my life completely satisfying.

Please give a 1-word answer: I value: education I am fascinated by: life The world needs more: honesty I would walk a thousand miles to:

learn My second home: work My favorite quote: “Our souls are not hungry for fame, comfort, wealth or power. Those rewards create almost as many problems as they solve. Our souls are hungry for meaning, for the sense that we have figured out how to live so that our lives matter, so that the world will at least be a little bit different for our having passed through it.”

A goal you would like to achieve this year. Read more novels My favorite author: Jane Austin I am currently reading: “A Million Little Pieces” by James Frey

Three things that make me smile: my family, children, and lowers

Three traits I admire in people: sincerity, honesty, kindness