College of Pharmacy Student Receives National Pediatric Pharmacy Scholarship
| Jessica Allred, a third-year student in the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) College of Pharmacy, was recently awarded the John Dice Memorial Student Scholarship from the Pediatric Pharmacy Association (PPA).
Allred, a Haskell resident, is one of only two students nationwide to receive the $1,000 scholarship and the first College of Pharmacy student to receive a PPA scholarship. PPA announced the recipients at its annual meeting held May 1-5 in Minneapolis.
“This scholarship recognition is a testament to Jessica’s commitment for excellence,” said Ashok Philip, Ph.D., associate dean of student services. “We are super proud of her.”
The Dice scholarship is awarded to pharmacy students who have a dedicated interest in pediatric pharmacy practice and plan to pursue it as a career. Allred works as a student researcher with Holly Maples, Pharm.D., an associate professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice and a clinical pharmacist at Arkansas Children’s.
“As a student pharmacist, I have participated in several activities involving sick children that have left a considerable impact on my life and education,” Allred said. “Being selected as a recipient of the PPA Dice Scholarship encourages me that my efforts to help children in Arkansas are beneficial and that pursuing a specialty in pediatrics is right for me.”
“I believe Jessica embodies the type of future leader in pediatric pharmacy that this scholarship is intended for,” Maples said. “Her ability to be successful in school, active in research and serving in multiple leadership roles attests to her outstanding organization skills along with her dedication to caring for the pediatric population. I am so proud and excited for her and her future impact that she will make as a pediatric pharmacist one day.”
The PPA is the only association solely dedicated to pediatric pharmacists. Its mission is to advance pediatric pharmacy practice, support the health and well-being of children, and promote safe and effective medication use through collaboration, advocacy, research and education.