A'ishah Khan is an author and speaker driven by a heart-felt belief that human connection is the key to making the world a better place. Her writing style evokes strong emotions in her readers, thanks to her innate ability to connect with the experiences of others. Described as a 'velvet brick', her message hits home hard with the softest of intentions. A'ishah's love of life can be warmly felt; a nurturing demeanor underscored with a strength brought about by her life experiences. With a curious mind that never rests, she has worked for over ten years as a pharmacist, writer, and public speaker, contributing to the conversation around mental health and well-being in many ways. A first generation American of Indian descent, she learned to read and write Urdu, Arabic and English as a toddler. Despite her love of language and earning multiple recognitions throughout her life, she decided to forgo writing and pursued the security of a career in pharmacy. After earning her doctorate in pharmacy from the University of Florida in 2007, she completed a residency at the James A. Haley VA Hospital. Here, she helped pioneer clinical pharmacy as the first pharmacist in charge of the 40-bed inpatient psychiatry unit. She also earned her Core Coaching and Mentoring Certification, along with training in TEACH principles and leadership classes. While she was able to maintain her love of writing through involvement in numerous pharmacy policies, articles, and journals, it was never quite enough. Along with her continued work as a clinical pharmacist specializing in mental health, A'ishah strives to use her voice for the betterment of others. Completing a journalism internship with a local news channel, she has brought her passion for writing together with her desire to impact lives through storytelling. She has presented national lectures on evidence-based strategies to support veterans with PTSD and explored integrative care through collaborations between physicians, pharmacists and psychologists. Her philanthropic efforts have also successfully raised over $100,000 for the construction of a state-of-the-art orphanage in Mali, Africa.
