Seth Meyer is a third-year PharmD candidate at the Lipscomb University College of Pharmacy. He will receive an APhA Student Leadership Award at the 2026 APhA Annual Meeting & Exposition in Los Angeles.
Student Pharmacist Magazine (SPM): As you reflect on your student pharmacist experience thus far, what are some of your favorite memories?
Meyer: My favorite memories as a student pharmacist come from my experience specifically with APhA–ASP. In my first year as a student pharmacist, I competed as a National Patient Counseling Competition Top 10 Finalist at my first APhA Annual Meeting in Orlando. Throughout my experience at that meeting, I made many connections within my college and with student pharmacists across the country. Getting to travel to subsequent annual meetings, along with events like the APhA–ASP Summer Leadership Institute, I grew professionally while also establishing friendships that I will have for life. The many laughs and fun moments experienced at these meetings have often been my favorite memories to reflect on in the busier moments of school.
SPM: Pharmacy school is demanding, especially when you participate in additional activities. How do you manage all of your responsibilities?
Meyer: To manage all of my responsibilities, I prioritize what is essential for me to accomplish in a week, along with some aspirational goals that I would like to achieve. I aim not to overextend myself by selecting a set number of opportunities to be involved in and only choosing those I am genuinely passionate about, so I don't get too overwhelmed. Additionally, I make a plan each day for the top three to five things I would like to complete that day, rather than just maintaining an extensive to-do list that would be too overwhelming if I stuck to it. Most importantly, I have realized the importance of taking care of yourself in whatever capacity that might be. For me, I prioritize exercise, family/friendships, and opportunities to try new things in my home city of Nashville! Self-care keeps me motivated and less stressed, so I create a plan for myself that incorporates it into my daily routine.
SPM: What are some of your favorite leadership tools and/or resources?
Meyer: In my experience, my best growth as a leader comes from other people. My APhA–ASP Chapter advisors, Justin Kirby, PharmD, and Sarah Uroza, PharmD, have been the most impactful leadership mentors in my professional career thus far. I wouldn't be in the position I am today without their constant encouragement and support. They were the people who first spoke to me about my future in APhA, and since then, I have never looked back. I always emphasize the importance of other aspiring leaders building a close network of mentors they can trust to support and provide feedback as they grow in leadership. As much as I love leadership books or speakers, nothing impacts me more than someone physically living out what it means to be a leader in front of me.
SPM: What does being a leader mean, and what does being selected for this award mean to you?
Meyer: Leadership to me means being willing to be a servant leader. Throughout my leadership journey, I prioritize listening to those around me and finding ways to support or serve them in their various experiences, roles, or positions. While I have to balance the responsibilities I take on, I always find myself saying yes to helping others, as I see it as a way to build on their passions and interests while also creating an opportunity to connect with a fellow leader. On the other hand, a strong leader encourages delegation and allows other leaders to have time to develop their own skills. We only have so much capacity as individuals, so I like to delegate tasks to those I know are best suited for the job and would benefit from the experience.
Being selected for an APhA Student Leadership Award is a tremendous honor for me. In the last year, I have experienced a great deal of disorder and turbulent emotions when I lost my father to stage IV esophageal cancer. At the same time, I began my term as APhA–ASP Chapter president, and I felt a great deal of pressure to continue operating business as usual to support my executive committee. While my dad fought through cancer, he always motivated me to continue forward in school, so after periods of grief and connection with family, I found peace in putting my best foot forward when it came to my professional career. Therefore, being rewarded for my leadership throughout pharmacy school, especially in the last year, means a great deal and inspires me even more to carry on for my dad, my community, and myself.
SPM: What is your favorite place to visit and why?
Meyer: One of my current favorite places to visit is Colorado. The beautiful backdrop of snow-capped mountains, with plenty of outdoor parks, trails, and communities, brings so much peace whenever I get to visit. As a result, I am considering living there in the future!
SPM: What’s next for you?
Meyer: I am about to wrap up my third year of pharmacy school, and I will begin rotations as a
final-year PharmD candidate in May. After school, I plan to pursue a residency with the hope of working in ambulatory care or a clinical specialty, while teaching future student pharmacists in a school of pharmacy.