Pharmacy student Sydney Russell wears Miss Mississippi USA crown

Published on Monday, May 22, 2023

By: Annie Oeth, aoeth@umc.edu

Photos By: Jay Ferchaud/ UMMC Communications

Sydney Russell of Collinsville, a School of Pharmacy student on the campus of University of Mississippi Medical Center, is pursuing two dreams – earning a PharmD degree and becoming Miss USA.

“You don’t have to pick just one dream,” Russell said of the challenge of professional rotations, an essential part of a pharmacy education, and preparing for the Miss USA pageant, to be held later this year in Reno, Nevada. “You have to go for your dreams and trust that everything will work out like it’s supposed to.”

Russell was crowned Miss Mississippi USA in the state pageant, held at the Pearl River Resort in Choctaw April 1. The date of the Miss USA pageant has not been set yet, “but I will be preparing for it,” she said.

Russell, who earned the BS in pharmaceutical sciences with a minor in chemistry from the University of Mississippi, plans to complete the PharmD at UMMC in 2024.

"I would like to either work in a children’s hospital as a pediatric pharmacist or work in retail until I am able to own my own pharmacy,” she said. “I want to improve health care by increasing awareness of health literacy. I want to help the community to increase their knowledge of health care so that they can make educated decisions about their health.”

Deciding on a career in pharmacy came after introspection.

“In my last years of high school, I didn’t really know what exactly I wanted to do,” Russell said. “I knew that I was good at subjects like math and science. I also knew that I wanted to be in the health care field helping others and making a positive impact on the community. All of this led me to applying for the Early Entry pharmacy program at the University of Mississippi. Once I was accepted, I knew that was my calling.”

Since winning the state title, Russell has been balancing her pharmacy studies and training with preparing for the Miss USA pageant. That includes choosing a state costume, an evening gown and swimwear and working with an interview coach and a personal trainer.

“School of Pharmacy faculty have been working with me," Russell said. “My professors are helping me a lot.”

Dr. Donna Strum, dean and professor of pharmacy administration at the University of Mississippi, said Russell is an exemplary student who will be an exceptional pharmacist.

“Sydney is an amazing student who will be an amazing pharmacist,” she said. “We are so proud of Sydney as she will represent our state as the reigning Miss Mississippi USA. She inspires us with her smile, positive attitude and hard work ethic.  We are excited for her and wish her the best in representing our great state.”

A pageant participant since middle school, Russell said wearing the state’s crown in the Miss USA pageant is a dream come true. “It has always been a dream of mine to compete at the highest level. When I had the opportunity to compete in Miss Mississippi USA, I took it. It was one of the best experiences of my life. I met so many incredible and powerful women and gained friendships that I will have for the rest of my life.”

Russell’s favorite part of the Miss Mississippi USA pageant and the Miss Universe Organization is meeting new people.

“I’ve met so many women from different places, and they are all so nice,” she said. “Our friendships are helping us grow as women, and we encourage each other.”

The lessons of pageant participation are helping Russell prepare for her professional practice. “Being able to communicate clearly in a Miss USA interview will help me in talking with patients,” she said.

The confidence built during competition will also help Russell in her professional life, she said. “The Miss USA organization does an amazing job at building confidence in young women. The organization also creates so many opportunities for the future.”