The following nomination was received for Unsung Hero Magdi Awad, Pharm.D., R.Ph., associate professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice:
My P1 year at NEOMED was a “transformational” experience for me. Not only does the curriculum educate with academic and science-based information that makes us knowledgeable pharmacists, but it instills values of awareness about diversity and inclusion.
In the course “Health Care Delivery Systems,” Dr. Awad taught me about vulnerable populations and how student-pharmacists must endeavor to enhance quality health care access. One of the most imperative notions his lectures informed us of was that we must not make assumptions about race or culture. As a result, NEOMED fosters a welcoming environment that avoids assuming patients to be integrated with the majority culture. Dr. Awad presented valuable resources to us, like the information about social assistance programs and Federally Qualified Health Centers, that aid students in preventing the dismissal of a patient’s situation due to their ethnicity. Also, his lessons support students to one day become culturally competent pharmacists that strive to increase the representation and voices of minorities regardless of their background. I hope to learn and apply many more concepts about equity as I continue to grow as a NEOMED student by decreasing the barriers and disadvantages to having an improved quality of life.
— Submitted by Muhammad Farooqui, rising P2
To nominate someone to be featured, send an email to thepulse@neomed.edu with the words “Unsung Hero” in the subject line. Tell us a little about your nominee – just a sentence or two about what they are doing to bolster our University and/or the community.