Advanced Clinical Pharmacist and Residency Program Director, HCA Florida North Florida Hospital & Area Developer, KidStrong
Abigail Antigua’s fierce journey started when she immigrated from the Philippines at the age of 15. She encountered the tremendous challenge of adapting to a new culture and educational environment without her support system. The ambitious teenager embraced each setback as an opportunity for personal growth.
She earned a college scholarship and compressed eight years of education into six. That experience shaped her definition of fierce.
“Fierce is someone that combines resilience, innovation, an open mind and hard work to excel and make a significant impact in their chosen field or endeavor,” she said.
Dr. Antigua plays a crucial role on the HCA Florida North Florida Hospital’s healthcare team and was recognized with their North Star Award for going above and beyond in patient care. She is an advanced clinical pharmacist who provides specialized care to critically ill individuals with severe cardiac disease. She has been instrumental in the development of a highly regarded cardiothoracic program that has earned recognition from prestigious Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS), HCA Healthcare and Alachua County.
Dr. Antigua also serves as the hospital’s pharmacy residency program director, where she guides residents through an accredited pharmacy practice program. The leadership role allows the mother of three to shape the future of the profession and contribute to growth in the field.
In 2020, Dr. Antigua and her husband started KidStrong, a science-based training program designed to help parents raise strong, confident, high-character kids. Today, they have successfully established four locations from Gainesville to Jacksonville that develop fierce qualities in the next generation.
