Kenvue-supported programming strengthens students’ APhA Annual Meeting & Exposition experience
Ron J. Levinson, PharmD, is the APhA senior manager, student and new practitioner experience, in Washington, DC.
In a two-article series beginning today, Student Pharmacist will spotlight the inaugural recipients of the Kenvue APhA Annual Meeting Travel Scholarship, which was established to help student pharmacists participate in the APhA Annual Meeting & Exposition. Through this competitive scholarship, Kenvue provides financial support to offset meeting-related expenses, including registration, airfare, and hotel costs, while also creating opportunities for recipients to learn, network, develop communication skills, engage with Kenvue employees, and share reflections from their meeting experience.
This year, five exemplary student pharmacists are selected based on their passion for pharmacy, interest in attending the APhA Annual Meeting & Exposition, and the anticipated impact of the experience on their professional growth. In this article, Sophia Cowgill, a third-year PharmD candidate at the University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Pharmacy, and Maria Sobhie, a final-year PharmD candidate at the Wayne State University Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, discuss how Kenvue-supported programming, collaboration with peers, and the broader Annual Meeting & Exposition experience strengthened their career exploration, leadership development, and commitment to advancing patient care.
Ron Levinson: How did the sessions offered by Kenvue support or influence your career exploration?
Cowgill: I found the OTC seminar hosted by Kenvue to be an insightful opportunity to learn how different APhA–ASP Chapters are implementing OTC medication safety initiatives within their schools and communities. OTC medication safety is a broad and highly relevant topic that impacts the day-to-day lives of our communities. I am especially excited to bring these ideas back to my APhA–ASP Chapter and explore ways to implement similar initiatives.
Sobhie: APhA2026 was a great experience that played a meaningful role in shaping my career exploration and professional growth. One of the most valuable parts of the event was the Kenvue sessions, especially their focus on OTC education. I particularly enjoyed the OTC session and the opportunity to hear from various pharmacy schools about the initiatives their chapters have implemented to enhance OTC knowledge. One idea that stood out to me was a spelling bee activity organized by a school to make OTC learning more engaging and interactive. I will definitely be bringing ideas like this back to my own chapter to strengthen how we approach OTC education and student engagement.
Levinson: What was your biggest takeaway from collaborating with Kenvue and other student pharmacists?
Cowgill: One of my biggest takeaways was the value of hearing diverse perspectives from other student pharmacists and learning about their unique experiences in pharmacy school. While each program and individual is different, we all share a common foundation—a strong passion for patient care and advancing the pharmacy profession.
Sobhie: A major highlight of my experience was collaborating with other student pharmacists who share similar passions and goals. I noticed how important it was for us all to be in one place, sharing ideas, learning from one another, and realizing that although we come from different schools, we are working toward the same purpose of improving patient care and advancing the profession.
Levinson: What was a standout moment from APhA2026 that reinforced your passion for pharmacy?
Cowgill: A standout moment was the final student awards ceremony, “The Pharmies.” Hearing about the incredible accomplishments of chapters from across the country was truly inspiring. The environment was energetic and supportive, with everyone celebrating one another’s success. It was a meaningful reminder of the dedication, community, and passion that define the profession.
Sobhie: One of the most impactful moments of the Annual Meeting was hearing from Jamie Kern Lima. Her story from working as a Denny’s waitress to building and selling her brand to L’Oréal was incredibly inspiring. Her journey of perseverance, authenticity, and determination reinforced the importance of not giving up, even when challenges arise. Hearing her speak made the message feel real and directly applicable to my own journey in pharmacy.
Levinson: What skills did you develop or strengthen through this experience?
Cowgill: This experience pushed me outside of my comfort zone and helped me build confidence in networking and professional communication. I gained experience introducing myself to pharmacy leaders I admire and forming meaningful connections. I am especially grateful to have built relationships with peers from across the country, and I look forward to reconnecting with them at future APhA meetings.
Sobhie: Throughout the meeting, I was also pushed out of my comfort zone by attending multiple exhibit tables and engaging with professionals and organizations I was not previously familiar with. These experiences helped me build confidence in networking and professional communication in a real-world setting.
Levinson: What new insights into pharmacy did you gain through your time with Kenvue?
Cowgill: Through my time with Kenvue and conversations with their team members, I gained a deeper appreciation for the role of OTC medication safety as a core component of patient care. I was inspired by their passion and their commitment to advancing safe medication use. This experience also reinforced how diverse the field of pharmacy is, with many unique roles contributing to patient outcomes. It was evident that Kenvue is deeply invested in supporting and inspiring the next generation of pharmacists.
Sobhie: Kenvue’s support through this scholarship made this entire experience possible and added even more meaning to it. Being selected and supported by Kenvue made me feel invested in and motivated to fully engage with every opportunity at the Annual Meeting. It showed me firsthand how industry partners can play a role in shaping the next generation of pharmacists.
Levinson: How did this scholarship help you strengthen your “why” in pharmacy?
Cowgill: This scholarship deeply strengthened my “why” in pharmacy. My passion for health care began at an early age, growing up with an older brother who has profound autism and multiple comorbidities. Autism is complex, challenging, and often misunderstood. Through my experiences, I saw firsthand how significant a role medications can play and how even small adjustments could lead to meaningful changes in his quality of life. I found that his medication regimens are a huge piece of that puzzle. I saw how the smallest changes could make meaningful impacts. I saw him on days when he felt so sick and couldn’t tell his family what was wrong because he is nonverbal, and I saw him on days when he would feel a little better. His good days were my family’s good days, and his bad days were ours as well.
Sobhie: Overall, this experience strengthened my understanding of the versatility of pharmacy, especially in OTC and industry spaces, and reinforced my “why” in pursuing this profession.
Levinson: What impact do you hope to make on the profession after this experience?
Cowgill: As a pharmacist, my goal is to help create more good days for people like my brother and for the people who love them. This mission fuels me every day to seek every opportunity to become the best pharmacist I can be. I am grateful to the Kenvue team for recognizing my “why” and for giving me the opportunity to strengthen my personal and professional growth as I work toward my dream of becoming a pharmacist.
Sobhie: I hope to make an impact by bringing more creativity and engagement into pharmacy education within my chapter and by continuing to grow into a pharmacist who is confident, collaborative, and open to opportunities beyond traditional practice settings.