College of Pharmacy’s Convocation Honors 75 Graduates
| Friends and family members applauded and cheered as each member of the UAMS College of Pharmacy’s Class of 2023 took the stage May 19 at convocation.
The students, who completed four years of study, were one of several classes to shift gears and learn remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The in-person event, held at the Connor Performing Arts Center at Pulaski Academy in Little Rock, was a welcome sight for many.
Dean Cindy Stowe, Pharm.D., shared her admiration of the Class of 2023 for persisting in their studies despite the COVID-19 pandemic.Evan Lewis
“As pharmacists, you are well aware of the critical role you will play in society,” said Stephanie Gardner, Pharm.D., Ed.D., UAMS provost, chief strategy officer and senior vice chancellor for academic affairs. “In communities across Arkansas, you will be a beacon of hope, the guardian of health and trusted advisors. Your knowledge, empathy and expertise will bring comfort to those in need. With the knowledge and skills you’ve acquired, coupled with your determination, I have no doubt that you will achieve remarkable success.”
Dean Cindy Stowe, Pharm.D., thanked those in attendance for supporting the students and the college. She also recognized the college’s faculty, staff and preceptors, asking them to stand and leading the audience in a round of applause. Then, she addressed the graduating class.
“Class of 2023, this marks the culmination of many years of hard work and commitment to making your dream of becoming a pharmacist a reality,” Stowe said. “You packed a lot in over the last four years, including a pandemic of historic proportions. I couldn’t be prouder of the grace you approached these uncertain times with. You are stronger and better than ever.”
“Colleges and schools of pharmacy are about people, and leaving a legacy,” Stowe continued. “You will shape and impact your communities with your professional talent, skills, attitude and behaviors. Caring and serving are your most powerful attributes. We are confident that you are prepared to meet the challenges of our profession. Godspeed in your life’s work.”
Eddie Dunn, Pharm.D., professor of pharmacy practice, gave the convocation address. He addressed the pharmacists in the audience and thanked them for the lives they had touched. For the graduating class, he offered tips to navigate the profession and have a long, fulfilling career.
“Your name, Pharm.D.,” Dunn said, referencing the doctoral degree that students were receiving. “You made it. It hasn’t been easy.” He then led the crowd in a loud, lengthy cheer.
Ashok Philip, Ph.D., associate dean of student services, served as master of ceremonies for the evening. One by one, he read the names of each student receiving honors and awards as they walked on stage and posed for photos.
As graduates walked on stage to have their crimson-and-white hoods placed by Dunn and Melanie Reinhardt, Pharm.D., sections of the crowd whistled and yelled out words of encouragement. Graduates posed for photos and shook hands with Stowe and Gardner.
Graduates Erica Smith, Davonte Hokes and Morgan Tracy each presented different awards for faculty.
“I can confidently say that lives have already been saved because of this class,” said Jacob Wingfield, “and the number of people who have benefited from this class is already uncountable. As we enter practice as pharmacists, that number will only go up.”Evan Lewis
Jacob Wingfield gave the class response. He said the class arrived eager on their first day, with some making friends for life. There were many challenges, but none bigger than the pandemic.
“That [first] year we learned how to learn. And later that school year, we’d have to learn again: this time, from our own homes,” Wingfield said. “Of all the wrenches that could’ve been thrown into pharmacy school, a global pandemic wasn’t really on my list. But, with all the bad that it did bring, it also proved that this class had the stuff.”
“I can confidently say that lives have already been saved because of this class,” Wingfield said, “and the number of people who have benefited from this class is already uncountable. As we enter practice as pharmacists, that number will only go up. I encourage you, no matter what area of pharmacy you’re going into, and no matter how long you’ve practiced, to always remember how much of a difference you have already made, and will continue to make.”
At the conclusion of the ceremony, graduates stood and recited the Oath of a Pharmacist with Stowe, promising to devote themselves to a lifetime of service through pharmacy.
The college also recognized several Student Ambassadors for their role in making the convocation a success: Amanda Russell, Kendall Perkins, Rilie Vote, Jessica Allred and Nicholas Hollowell.
Student Honors and Awards
The Jordin Scholar award is reserved for students with the highest academic achievement and professional attainment. With this designation, lasting recognition is given in honor of the late Marcus Jordin, Ph.D., professor emeritus of pharmacology. These recipients are:
Emily Campbell
Justin Dino
Hannah Hunt
Madeline Malloy
Morgan Tracy
The Faculty Gold Key award honors the student with the highest academic achievement during four years of enrollment in the College of Pharmacy. This year’s recipient is Madeline Malloy.
All five Jordin Scholars also graduated with the High Honors designation, reserved for the lesser of the top 5% of the class or a cumulative GPA of 3.75 or greater.
Students with Honors designation are selected from the lesser of the 20% of the class or those with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or greater. These recipients are:
Colton Andrews
Tanner Cooper
Alex Day
Sarah Dobbs
Hannah Howard
Gale Menotti
Brendan Midkiff
Marco Morris
Claudia Raffo
Caleb Reinhart
Erica Smith
Honors in Research are accorded to students who are academically qualified and who conducted original research in an area of the health sciences. These recipients are:
Elma Abdullah
Michelle Hernandez
Hannah Howard
Madeline Malloy
Siddhi Patel
Erica Smith
Morgan Tracy
Phi Lambda Sigma, also known as the national Pharmacy Leadership Society, honors leadership, and members are selected by peer recognition. The Class of 2023 members are:
Elma Abdullah
Lindsey Blagg
Emily Campbell
Tanner Cooper
Vidya Desai
Abigail Dunn
Michelle Hernandez
Hannah Howard
Hannah Hunt
Madeline Malloy
Brendan Midkiff
Abigail Parker
Erica Smith
Morgan Tracy
Jasiha Welch
Jacob Wingfield
The Rho Chi National Honor Society is a privilege afforded to the very few who distinguish themselves by their academic and professional achievements and who aspire to the mission and vision of the society. Members may be elected as professional or graduate pharmacy students, as faculty members for schools or colleges of pharmacy, as alumni who distinguish themselves in the profession or as honorary members by special action. The Class of 2023 members are:
Emily Campbell
Tanner Cooper
Justin Dino
Sarah Dobbs
Hannah Howard
Hannah Hunt
Madeline Malloy
Gale Menotti
Brendan Midkiff
Marco Morris
Evan Parks
Claudia Raffo
Caleb Reinhart
Erica Smith
Morgan Tracy
The following graduates were recognized with Summative Exam 2 Awards of Excellence for their performance on the senior summative exam:
Laura Beaudreau
Riley Caraway
Tanner Cooper
Taylor Deen
Vidya Desai
Justin Dino
Sarah Dobbs
Samuel Eddington
Marissa Gates
Hannah Hunt
Madeline Malloy
Brendan Midkiff
Claudia Raffo
Brias Watson
The American Pharmacists Association Senior Recognition Certificate was given to Lindsey Blagg for contributing most to the success of the Academy of Student Pharmacists UAMS chapter.
The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists President’s Award was given to Madeline Malloy for contributing most to the success of the Student Society of Health-System Pharmacists UAMS chapter.
The Arkansas Pharmacists Association Senior Award was given to Riley Caraway for showing the greatest potential for the delivery of total patient care to the citizens of the community.
The Aventis Pharmaceuticals Award for Excellence in Medical Chemistry was given to Erica Smith for demonstrating excellence in medicinal chemistry.
The Cardinal Health Outstanding Student in Nuclear Pharmacy Award was given to Charles McCormick to acknowledge superior achievement in nuclear pharmacy courses.
The Cindy D. Stowe Award for Excellence in Clinical Skills was given to Taylor Deen for demonstrating excellence in clinical skills by achieving the highest score on Objective Structured Clinical Examinations across the curriculum.
The Daniel C. Spadaro Excellence in Nonprescription Medicine Award was given to Madeline Malloy for academic excellence in the area of nonprescription medicine studies.
The Keith M. Olsen Excellence in Experiential Education Award was given to Lindsey Blagg for displaying excellence in experiential performance during advanced pharmacy practice.
The Merck Manual Award for Academic Excellence was given to Hannah Hunt and Michelle Hernandez for showing personality, initiative and superior attitude as pharmacy practitioners.
The Stephanie Gardner Excellence in Interprofessional Education Award was given to Abigail Dunn for demonstrating excellence in interprofessional learning and education activities.
The Viatris Excellence in Pharmacy Award was given to Vidya Desai for graduating in the top 25% of the class and demonstrating high professional proficiency and motivation in the area of drug information.
The Wolters Kluwer Award of Excellence in Clinical Communications was given to Madeline Malloy for graduating in the top 25% of the class and demonstrating superior verbal and written clinical communication skills.
The United States Public Health Service Excellence in Public Health Pharmacy Award was given to Lindsey Blagg. The prestigious award recognizes pharmacy students who have made significant contributions to public health by promoting wellness and healthy communities.
Faculty Honors & Awards
The Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences Outstanding Faculty Award was given to Ashok Philip, Ph.D. Philip, the associate dean of student services, joined the faculty in 2021.
The Department of Pharmacy Practice Outstanding Faculty Award was given to Eddie Dunn, Pharm.D. Dunn, a professor of pharmacy practice, joined the faculty in 1996.
The Preceptor of the Year award was given to Matt Garner, Pharm.D. Garner graduated from the College of Pharmacy in 2018 and owns Garner Family Pharmacy in Jonesboro, Arkansas.
The Jonathan and Donna Wolfe Faculty Excellence Award was given to Megan Smith, Pharm.D. Smith, an assistant professor of pharmacy practice, joined the faculty in 2016. The award expresses Jonathan and Donna Wolfe’s joy in the genuine merit and high worth of those who make up the faculty of the College of Pharmacy, and the confident hope that future faculty will continue that tradition of personal and professional excellence.