Meet the 2021 APhA Foundation Student Scholarship recipients
LEADERSHIP
Olivia C. Welter, PharmD, is the APhA Foundation Executive Fellow in Washington, DC.
The APhA Foundation is proud to award annual scholarships to outstanding APhA–ASP student pharmacist leaders across the nation. With 19 scholarship funds currently endowed, six of which require specific eligibility criteria to be met, there are ample opportunities for student leadership to be recognized and awarded each year. Congratulations to this year’s recipients!
Aliya Abdula
Paul Pumpian Scholarship
University of Georgia (UGA) College of Pharmacy
Aliya used her creativity to lead her APhA–ASP Chapter in executing a successful hybrid health fair that touched hundreds of patients. In addition, she serves as chair for several initiatives at UGA.
Sidrah Alam
Pharmacists Mutual Community Pharmacy Scholarship
Shenandoah University Bernard J. Dunn School of Pharmacy
Sidrah has demonstrated her resiliency by bouncing back from some setbacks and owning her success. Sidrah was elected for Regional Member-at-large and now serves as a National Member-at-large on the APhA–ASP National Executive Committee.
Megan Alhadeff
Pharmacists Mutual Community Pharmacy Scholarship
Oregon Health and Sciences University (OHSU)
Megan is a driven leader who created and chaired OHSU’s inaugural Leadership Development Program (LDP). Her role within the LDP may not have existed had it not been for her ability to reflect on and adapt her personal and professional goals.
Brittany Allen
Hamilton, Harris, and Tucker Scholarship
Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Brittany has shifted her view on patient care to be intentional about addressing mental health during each patient interaction. She takes the time to identify and locate resources that she then shares with patients in need, ensuring timely and accessible interventions.
Jane Beyer
Theodore G. Tong Scholarship
University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Pharmacy
Jane is a former high school science teacher who has turned her passions into action. She stepped up to fill the role of president of her APhA–ASP Chapter when it became vacant and has applied effective delegation strategies to ensure the highest quality of work.
Cassandra Darling
Colonel Jerry W. Ross Scholarship
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
Cassandra served for 10 years as an active-duty U.S. Air Force pharmacy technician before attending pharmacy school. She aims to provide servant leadership for the people and society around her.
Madilyn Eberle
John A. Gans Scholarship
Purdue University College of Pharmacy
Madi serves as a student representative for the Center for Health Equity and Innovation. This is tied to her passion for mental health and health equity, specifically within vulnerable and underserved populations.
Kennedy Erickson
Pharmacists Mutual Community Pharmacy Scholarship
Washington State University College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Services
Kennedy is a community leader and a strong advocate for both pharmacists and her patients. Her professional passions include serving as a mentor and teacher to her peers. She plans to pursue a preceptorship in the future.
Elise Illius
Robert D. Gibson Scholarship
The University of Toledo College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Services
Elise has served as president of her school’s Pharmacy Ambassadors, Pharmacy Student Council, and APhA–ASP Chapter. She continues to develop herself as a leader by serving as the Region 4 Member-at-large this year.
Mohammad Nasir Kaker
George F. Archambault Scholarship
Shenandoah University Bernard J. Dunn School of Pharmacy
Mohammad, who has a passion for public health, recently completed a summer internship with the Junior Commissioned Officer Student Training and Extern Program through the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps at FDA.
Neha Nadkarni
Tery Baskin Scholarship
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy
Neha is an active advocate for her community. She has authored two proclamations for American Pharmacists Month signed by Governor Christopher Christie, and she played a key role in the passage of a student pharmacist immunization bill.
Erica Paterson
Boyle Family Scholarship
Lipscomb University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Erica took an innovative approach to identifying and hosting speakers for her APhA–ASP Chapter during the pandemic. As a result, her chapter was able to hear from bold and impactful leaders in pharmacy.
Thayra Rios Schad
Mary Munson Runge Scholarship
University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy
Thayra serves as her college’s student body president. In this role, she has been successful in ensuring that student pharmacists remain engaged throughout the pandemic.
Ashlyn Tedder
APhA Foundation Scholarship
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Pharmacy
Ashlyn has extensive involvement with professional organizations, including the National Community Pharmacists Association, Phi Lambda Sigma, and Kappa Psi. She also cowrote an Association Report for the Journal of the American Pharmacists Association.
Isabelle Tharp
Gloria Francke Scholarship
Drake University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Isabelle has had several unique experiences in advocacy. A legislative internship at the Iowa Capitol and an executive internship with the Iowa Pharmacy Association have solidified her passion for the pharmacy profession.
Jenee Vo
Pharmacists Mutual Community Pharmacy Scholarship
Loma Linda University School of Pharmacy
Jenee is fluent in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese and has also led workshops on American Sign Language for pharmacists. An advocate for awareness on substance use disorders, she keeps a list of resources with her that she shares with her patients.
Ryan Waldschmidt
Pharmacists Mutual Community Pharmacy Scholarship
Ohio Northern University Raabe College of Pharmacy
Ryan has an eye for innovation—his team took second place nationally in the Pharmacy Quality Alliance Healthcare Quality Innovation Challenge. He is also very active in servant leadership, especially through involvement with Christian Pharmacists Fellowship International.
Toobah Wali
Juan and Esperanza Luna Scholarship
Philadelphia College of Pharmacy
Toobah led an initiative to provide naloxone education and training to 125 pharmacies in Philadelphia. She has also completed both public- and community-focused internships. During these internships, Toobah used her Spanish-speaking skills to address health disparities in underserved populations and minimize gaps in health.
Alex Wallace
Charles C. Thomas Scholarship
The University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Pharmacy
Alex is a very involved advocate for heart health through the American Heart Association. To date, her message has reached over 5,000 students and raised more than $19,000 for the organization.
Applications for 2022 open September 1
APhA Foundation Student Scholarship applications are open September 1 and are accepted through December 31. To learn more about the scholarships and to apply, please visit https://www.aphafoundation.org/student-scholarship-program.