Abby Le is a third-year PharmD candidate, and Jonathan Kim is a second-year PharmD candidate, at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy.
At the 2026 APhA Annual Meeting & Exposition this past March, the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy’s APhA–ASP Chapter was honored to receive the APhA–ASP Chapter of the Year Award. This recognition represents a year of dedication, innovation, and meaningful impact made possible by the collective efforts of our student pharmacists, faculty advisors, and community partners.
A commitment to meaningful outreach
Throughout the 2024–2025 academic year, our chapter prioritized initiatives that impacted our local community. Our goal was to create sustainable, high-impact initiatives that met the needs of diverse populations.
One of our most impactful efforts was expanding the reach of our patient care operations into the Baltimore community by establishing numerous new community partnerships. The chapter launched a collaboration with the Peter Lamy Center on Drug Therapy and Aging, resulting in three new events where more than 50 patients received blood pressure screenings. Additionally, the chapter partnered with a nearby school, Mother Mary Lange Catholic School, making it accessible for student pharmacists to host two interactive events that engaged 455 elementary and middle school students along with their families. The chapter formed a new partnership with the Baltimore Filipino Festival, educating 376 community members on diabetes risk and heart health awareness at two local cultural festivals in the fall and spring.
Another top achievement of the chapter was the expansion of impactful initiatives surrounding the Little Free Library (LFL), a publicly accessible structure outside the school that promotes literacy within the Baltimore community. Building on this project, chapter members designed educational pamphlets on relevant topics, such as overdose awareness, voter registration tips, HPV vaccine information, and diabetes-friendly foods. Through these efforts, the chapter leveraged the LFL to combat low health literacy, empowering community members with accessible information and critical resources.
Empowering student leaders
A key factor in our success was our focus on leadership development. Committee-led initiatives empowered student pharmacists to take ownership of projects, develop new ideas, and lead their peers. These experiences not only strengthened our chapter but also prepared students to become future leaders in the community and in pharmacy. By fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation, our chapter created opportunities for every member to contribute meaningfully.
A full-circle moment
As we sat together at the APhA2026 Pharmies, we reflected on the countless hours of planning, collaboration, and service that defined our year. Hearing the presenter describe initiatives that mirrored our own, we began to realize the possibility of what was to come. When our chapter was announced as the recipient, the room erupted in cheers, and we were overwhelmed with pride and gratitude.
This moment was more than just an award; it was a celebration of the passion and dedication of every student pharmacist who contributed to our chapter’s success.
Receiving the Chapter of the Year Award is both an honor and a motivation. It affirms the impact of our work while inspiring us to continue expanding our efforts. As we look to the future, we remain committed to advancing patient care and strengthening our connections within the communities that we serve.