We’re looking forward to introducing you to Fatima Hamade. Check out our conversation below.
Fatima, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
While all three are valuable, integrity is the most important to me. With integrity, you build trust, which strengthens relationships and allows positive energy to flow. Intelligence can guide decisions, and energy can drive action, but integrity is the foundation of every meaningful connection. It shapes how I show up for my community, my patients, and my team, guiding both my work and my life. Without integrity, intelligence and energy lose their true impact.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m a pharmacist and the owner of Rancho Compounding Pharmacy in San Diego, where we specialize in custom-made prescriptions. I’m passionate about providing personalized care, building trust with my patients, and collaborating with healthcare providers to ensure every medication is tailored to the individual’s needs. At the heart of my work is empathy, integrity, and a commitment to making a meaningful difference in people’s lives.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who taught you the most about work?
I’ve been fortunate to have many mentors in my life, each playing a unique and meaningful role. One memory that has always stayed with me comes from my very first job as a pharmacy technician at just 16 years old. I was thrilled to start, but on my first day, my store manager gave me advice that shaped my career. He said, “Customer service is important, but this is a pharmacy. What we really need to offer is empathy. Remember, patients may not be feeling well—put yourself in their shoes.”
That lesson became the foundation of my work. My drive to work hard comes from empathy—empathy for my community and my patients. It continues to guide everything I do and has become the cornerstone of my brand.
When you were sad or scared as a child, what helped?
Looking back at my childhood, I remember that whenever I was scared, what helped most was sharing my fears with my mother. By opening up to her, I not only learned how to face those fears, but also gained the comfort of knowing I wasn’t alone. Even if I had to face something by myself, I knew my mom was always right behind me.
This lesson has stayed with me into adulthood: the best way to overcome fear is to face it. And the greatest reassurance is knowing I’m not alone—I have my family and my community to lean on.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
I deeply admire my grandmother’s character and strength. After losing her husband in a tragic car accident—while her youngest child was still an infant—she singlehandedly raised nine children. With only a fifth-grade education, she worked tirelessly, taking on countless jobs to ensure her family was fed and that each of her children had the opportunity to pursue an education.
Her journey eventually led her from Lebanon to Chile and later to the United States, where her children became successful entrepreneurs. Yet, what I admired most was not only her resilience, but her generosity. Even when she had very little, she gave freely to others.
Her selflessness and compassion continue to inspire me. They are the values that guide my work in healthcare and serve as the foundation of my commitment—to care for others with empathy, dedication, and purpose.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
The story I hope people will tell about me is simple: that I was kind. Every day, I strive to live by this principle. There is no such thing as being “too kind”—kindness is a superpower with a lasting impact. My goal is to approach others with thoughtfulness, compassion, and care, building trust and leaving a meaningful legacy through every interaction.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Myranchopharmacy.com
- Instagram: Myranchopharmacy
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578868413133&mibextid=wwXIfr&mibextid=wwXIfr
Image Credits
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