Megan Godfrey, PharmD, is a 2025 graduate of the Roseman University of Health Sciences College of Pharmacy and is now a Rutgers pharmaceutical industry fellow with Johnson & Johnson in New Jersey.
Receiving the APhA–ASP Chapter Professionalism Award at the 2025 APhA Annual Meeting & Exposition in Nashville this past March was a moment of immense pride for Roseman University’s Student Alliance. As 2023–2024 chapter president, I believe our recognition was made possible by the incredible dedication of our Student Alliance officers and the unwavering support of our academic advisors, Mark Decerbo, PharmD, BCPS, BCNSP, and Ken Kunke, PharmD. Together, we worked with a shared purpose: to create an environment where our members could grow professionally, serve their communities, and ultimately become leaders in the pharmacy industry.
This award represents the culmination of tireless effort, innovative programming, and a shared vision to elevate the student experience on every level.
The heart of our chapter
From the beginning of my term as chapter president, a goal of our executive board was to achieve national recognition at the APhA Annual Meeting & Exposition. However, even beyond that, our ultimate goal was to have our efforts reflect the very heart of our chapter. What was this heart? Supporting student pharmacists, not just academically and professionally, but as whole individuals. This meant listening to every student’s voice, amplifying diverse career interests, and investing deeply in their physical and mental well-being.
This past year, our chapter tripled our community service initiatives, which included raising funds for the American Heart Association, writing encouraging letters to children with cancer, and hosting educational activities for underserved youth at the Jet Foundation’s Trunk or Treat. Our continued collaboration with organizations like the Rotary Club of Las Vegas Red Rock allowed us to contribute meaningfully, assembling beds for families in need and packing more than 1,500 food kits for homeless youth.
A focus on student wellness
Wellness became another cornerstone of our mission. Understanding the rigors of an accelerated pharmacy program, we launched several new initiatives including yoga sessions, a dog park social, step challenges, and creative workshops centered around mindfulness and goal setting. These events provided student pharmacists a space to decompress, form friendships, and feel genuinely supported.
Preparing for the next step
Equally important was our commitment to broadening student pharmacists’ career perspectives. In addition to strong residency-focused resources, we brought in professionals from the U.S. Public Health Service, the Air Force, L’Oréal, and pharmaceutical industry leaders to show student pharmacists the breadth of opportunities available to PharmD graduates. As a result, many of our members pursued new rotations, scholarships, and multiple leadership roles at the national level.
The award is a promise to continue
When fellow chapter member Haneen Raffo stepped onto the stage at APhA2025 to accept the award on our behalf, we were overwhelmed with pride and gratitude. It was more than just a moment of celebration; it was proof that our chapter’s holistic approach to professionalism, wellness, and service made a real difference. We had not received a national award in several years, so we feel this achievement reestablished Roseman University as a leader among APhA–ASP Chapters.
This award is not just a reflection of the 2023–2024 team’s accomplishments; it’s a promise that we will continue to innovate, include, and inspire. It’s a reminder of the incredible things we can achieve when we lead with vision, compassion, and unity.