Ishaya David, ’21 PharmD, is used to working twice as hard. He has two degrees and two jobs that span two countries. University of Iowa (UI) College of Pharmacy alumni often go on to do incredible things across Iowa’s health care landscape and throughout the United States (U.S.). David has taken it one step further, making an international impact in his home country of Nigeria.
Just the Start
In the early to mid-2000s, HIV was spreading rapidly across Nigeria. However, the topic is taboo, meaning it’s difficult for people, especially teenagers and young adults, to learn about the virus and proper prevention techniques.
Recognizing this gap, David’s older brother Nuhu founded the nonprofit Dreams Alive in 2006 with the mission to expand health care access and education across Nigeria. At the time, David was in high school. He would join his brother as he camped out in the market squares of rural towns with a microphone informing people about the dangers of HIV.
When Nuhu passed away in 2012, David took on Dreams Alive. “I enjoyed seeing the change that my brother made in our community,” he said. But he didn’t just want to continue what Nuhu started. He wanted to expand it.
Help from Hawkeyes
The next year, David came to the U.S. for school. After earning his bachelor's degree in biochemistry from Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa, he enrolled at the UI where he pursued a dual pharmacy and public health degree.
Despite his heavy workload, David made the most of his time at the UI. He was an outspoken participant in classes and spent long study days forming friendships that have stood the test of time. “Pharmacy school was definitely challenging, but it was also one of the most enjoyable periods of my life,” David said
And one of the most influential. The young nonprofit leader found mentors in College of Pharmacy Clinical Associate Professor Emeritus Jeffrey Reist and former faculty member Jeanine Abrons. Reist was the one to write David a recommendation letter for the UI’s dual Doctor of Pharmacy/Master of Public Health program, recognizing his dedication. Abrons helped David take the first steps towards incorporating Dreams Alive as a 501©(3) nonprofit with the U.S. Department of State and registering with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service. The advice, resources, and connections they provided were essential to the success of Dreams Alive.
As Dreams Alive continued to take shape at the UI, David did as well. He credits Dean Emeritus Don Letendre with teaching him how to lead.
“Whenever you ran into him in the hallway, he was ready to have a conversation, and those conversations never felt rushed,” he said. “He was genuinely invested in your well-being.”
David leads Dreams Alive by setting the same example. He takes a sincere interest in all of his staff, volunteers, and the people they serve, forging deep connections and support for their mission.
Healing Today
Now, Dreams Alive is thriving under David’s leadership. More than100 volunteers and staff aid them in their health, empowerment, and environmental initiatives. “Everyone is willing to give back. Living in Nigeria, they see the need,” David said. “They’re just waiting for the opportunity.”
These opportunities come in the form of monthly medical outreaches. Dreams Alive collaborates with rural communities — some hours away from the capitol city’s hospitals — to bring quality medical care to those in need. Teams of doctors, nurses, pharmacists, lab scientists, dentists, and more will see approximately 1,000 people per outreach. They provide free consultations, blood tests, dental work, even medication. When a patient needs more serious help, Dreams Alive connects them with a city hospital where they can get treatment at a subsidized rate, and free transportation to get them there.
Dreams Alive has come far from their humble beginnings in 2006. This past December they received the 2025 Non-Profit Organization of the Year Award from Gombe State’s Jewel Spotlight Awards. They’ve seen more than 30,000 patients since April 2023.
David also is a full-time pharmacist with UnityPoint Health – Trinity in Rock Island, Illinois. His role spans a wide range of responsibilities, including dosing medications, making recommendations to providers, verifying prescriptions, and assisting medical providers over the phone. The work is demanding, but that’s never been a problem for David. The rewarding feeling he gets at the end of the day makes it all worth it. “I feel like I’m contributing to patient care in a meaningful way,” he said.
Looking to the Future
Despite this, David spent the past year feeling like he wasn’t doing enough. When he looked back at a feature from his first year at the UI, it opened his eyes. “All the things I talked about doing in that article, I did,” he said. “It really gave me perspective. Eight years ago, I was stressed about how it was going to happen, and now, I’ve surpassed my thoughts at the time.”
This reflection further fueled his passion for the work he does. “This is what I want to do for the rest of my life. Whatever I hope to accomplish over the next eight years, I know I can surpass, so I’ll just relax, enjoy the ride, and keep doing what I love.”