A celebration of our unwavering commitment to service
Molly Simek is a final-year PharmD candidate at The University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Pharmacy.
When awards were being announced at the 2025 APhA Annual Meeting & Exposition in Nashville this past March, our whole chapter was buzzing with hopeful anticipation. The presenter began describing the chapter that would receive the APhA–ASP Patient Care Award, and our chapter grew excited beyond containment. “The University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) College of Pharmacy (CoP)!” was announced, and we couldn’t believe it. All our hard work paid off! Cheers erupted as we celebrated our achievement. Being part of something bigger than myself and helping my team achieve our goals was truly exhilarating.
Receiving the APhA–ASP Patient Care Award is not just a recognition of our chapter’s achievements; it is a celebration of our unwavering commitment to serving our communities. This honor reflects the dedication, passion, and collaborative spirit of every member of the chapter.
As we celebrate this success, we also reflect on the journey that brought us here.
Collaborating across the state
The UTHSC CoP is spread across three campuses—Memphis, Nashville, and Knoxville. As an APhA–ASP Chapter, our geographical span gives us a unique opportunity to provide service across the entire state of Tennessee, reaching nearly 7,000 community members during the 2023–2024 year.
A major component of our chapter’s success comes from our incredible collaborations with various organizations. On the Memphis campus, student pharmacists volunteer at Clinica Esperanza, a student-led clinic offering free medical services to uninsured Hispanic patients. We also partner with A Betor Way for their weekly needle exchange program, connecting individuals with clean materials and recovery resources. In Nashville, the chapter collaborates with Matthew 25 to discuss SUDs with homeless veterans. Lastly, on the Knoxville campus, we mentor aspiring pharmacists through a partnership with University of Tennessee Knoxville's Pre-APhA–ASP student organization.
Patient care project success
In addition to recurring events with our partners, the chapter’s patient care team constantly finds ways to initiate community outreach. For example, Operation Immunization hosts numerous vaccine clinics, including those at Regional One Medical Center in Memphis, St. Ignatius of Antioch Catholic Church in Nashville, and UT Medical Center in Knoxville, vaccinating nearly 1,800 community members.
We also provide resources to school-aged children, such as during Boo at the Zoo at Zoo Knoxville, where we educate parents on vaccinations, OTC medicine safety, and general health. Additionally, Operation Reproductive Health’s annual Feminine Hygiene Drive collected more than 100 boxes of products for Holston Middle School students in the Knoxville area.
Contributing to a healthier world
This article highlights just a few of the notable events that our chapter has hosted that led us to being recognized as a patient care leader. As we look to the future, we are inspired to continue our mission, expand our outreach, and make an even greater impact on the lives of those we serve. Together, we will strive to set new standards in patient care, driven by the belief that every effort, no matter how small, contributes to a healthier and more compassionate world.
A special thank you goes to our incredible chapter advisors for their unwavering commitment to student success and growth.