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To declare that Josh Caballero leads a life full of risks would be an understatement.
The associate professor at the University of Georgia College of Pharmacy has scaled two of the seven tallest peaks on the planet — Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa and Mount Elbrus in Europe. His present goal is to conquer more summits, having recently checked off Mount Katahdin in Maine this summer, while Mount Rainier in Washington state and Argentina’s Mount Aconcagua lie ahead on his horizon.
He has participated in the running of the bulls in Pamplona, Spain, on two occasions. During his second dash with the colossal animals, he knelt at the Plaza de Toros and proposed to his wife. Luckily, she responded affirmatively without delay, enabling Caballero to leap to his feet and seek refuge. Just in case you assume he lacks a romantic side — the hike up Mount Kilimanjaro was part of his honeymoon.
Another of his perilous adventures will surely bring joy to numerous Georgia Bulldog enthusiasts. A passionate outdoorsman, he has been alligator hunting in the Everglades, a task that is both incredibly demanding and labor-intensive, often requiring hours. Perhaps Coach Kirby Smart could call on Caballero when the Dawgs face off against the Gators on Nov. 1.
Throughout all his escapades, Caballero’s defining characteristic of fervor enables him to reach his ambitions. It is this very enthusiasm that he imparts to his students every day. He has several guidelines for his students’ life paths that he frequently shares: think creatively, welcome setbacks, exercise patience, stay flexible, and have either a supportive companion or none at all.
“I want my students to have confidence in themselves and in their endeavors so they will leverage their education and experiences to create a rewarding life,” Caballero stated. “If our students invest themselves in their studies, trust their judgments, and concentrate on the mission of serving others, they will be resilient and empowered to become the finest pharmacists and individuals they can be. Ultimately, the beneficiaries of this self-empowerment are the patients they will assist.”
Caballero’s passionate disposition was cultivated at a young age. Born and raised in Miami by parents who emigrated from Cuba, he spent summers working at his father’s paint and body shop. This, along with his education at Belen Jesuit Preparatory School, ingrained a robust work ethic and belief. He developed his enthusiasm for pharmacology during volunteer experiences at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami and later through psychology courses at university.
His educational journey led him to obtain a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Florida and a Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis. He also completed a psychiatric residency at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio and a pharmacotherapy fellowship at The Ohio State University.
Why outline all of Caballero’s educational institutions? He mentions that during his time at the aforementioned four universities, each one clinched a national championship football title. Caballero’s first day at UGA was Jan. 1, 2022; just 10 days later, UGA secured its second consecutive national championship. Coincidence? Colleagues and students at the College of Pharmacy don’t think so. He is often referred to as the college’s lucky charm.
The true charm lies in Caballero’s dedication to his scholarship, teaching, and research concerning chronic illnesses and the effects of medication adherence and cognition across diverse populations. In his capacity within the Department of Clinical and Administrative Pharmacy, he instructs courses on U.S. healthcare systems, social administrative sciences, and medication therapies for psychiatric disorders. Among his latest research, he published a study on psilocybin, commonly known as “magic mushrooms,” analyzing its short-term side effect profile.
In addition to teaching and researching, Caballero acts as an adviser to two student organizations, including the National Hispanic Pharmacists Association and Phi Delta Chi, a professional leadership pharmacy fraternity. Caballero was the inaugural recipient of Phi Delta Chi’s National Distinguished Alumnus Award.
His connection with students has been impactful. Recently, Caballero received an email from a fourth-year student expressing gratitude for life-saving guidance.
“I wanted to express my appreciation for a lecture you provided during my second year that I utilized during my retail rotation,” the student wrote. “A patient informed me that he could not afford the prescribed medications and was contemplating suicide. Instantly, I recalled the skills you shared when you posed questions about how we would react in a similar situation. I pondered those questions for a long time and stored them away for future use. And I did. Thank you, a million times over.”
A fervent educator, an enthusiastic risk-taker, and a lucky charm all encapsulate Josh Caballero. At the College of Pharmacy, colleagues and students are honored — and fortunate — to consider him one of their own.
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