Instead of exchanging handshakes and hugs, the College of Pharmacy faculty, staff and Class of 2020 shared their well-wishes with one another from the comfort of their own homes during the annual Dean’s Reception, held Friday, May 1.
Jaclyn Boyle, Pharm.D. (‘12), assistant dean of student success, and Seth Brownlee, Pharm.D., associate dean of assessment, traded in their roles as professors and served as the emcees for the evening.
“As the College of Pharmacy Class of 2020, you’ll be able to wear a unique badge of honor for having survived the 2020 COVID-19 crisis. Success through adversity always creates a more powerful bond between colleagues — and someday, it will be part of the story of challenging times that you share with the next generation of pharmacy students that you will have the privilege of guiding into your profession,” said President John T. Langell, who served as the Reception’s keynote speaker.
Dr. Brownlee shared that the College will be giving each graduate a personalized print of their pharmacy oath, along with a NEOMED-themed mortar and pestle — each handmade by a local Northeast Ohio potter.
The Class of 2020 also presented the College with a gift by donating the remainder of their class funds to the Pharmacy Practice Lab, which will allow Mary (Liz) Fredrickson, Pharm.D. (’14), assistant professor of pharmacy practice, to purchase new, specialized compounding equipment for classes to come.
The College also held a 50/50 raffle via Venmo and raised $445 for its Future Pharmacists Scholarship.
If you or your family missed the reception, watch the recording.
See the full list of recipients below:
Student Awards and Recognition
2020 Student Marshal
Taylor Baum, Pharm.D. (’20)
APhA-ASP Senior Recognition Award
Jessica Uhl, Pharm.D. (’20)
Student who has made great contributions to the College of Pharmacy’s American Pharmacists Association Academy of Student Pharmacists (APhA-ASP) chapter.
Bowl of Hygeia Award/Student Speaker
Anthony Wasielewski, Pharm.D. (’20)
Colleague who students would most want as their own personal pharmacist as exemplified through excellent intellectual and clinical skills, empathy and patient rapport, as well as diligence and support of fellow classmates.
Commitment to Service Award
Danielle Shively, Pharm.D. (’20)
Student who has made outstanding contributions to the College of Pharmacy, the graduating class, and local community through leadership, donation of time to class, and service and advocacy in community service programs.
Community Pharmacy Practice Award
Breanna Duff, Pharm.D. (’20)
Student who demonstrates academic excellence and a strong commitment to community pharmacy practice.
Council of Ohio Colleges Pharmacy Leadership Award
Leah Bruno, Pharm.D. (’20)
Student who is involved in leadership roles on campus, exemplifies the six Cs (competence, communication, caring, curiosity, character and community), serves as a role model for other students, exhibits professionalism and is a positive ambassador of the College of Pharmacy.
Evidence-Based Medicine Approach to Patient Care Award
Nathan Homan, Pharm.D. (’20)
Student who demonstrates promise in improving care and an appreciation for scientific inquiry and an evidence-based approach to evaluating natural medicines and a strong interest in an evidence-based approach to patient care.
Excellence in Clinical Communication and Patient Care Award
Shivali Singh, Pharm.D. (’20)
Student who demonstrates superior achievement in patient care and as a health care provider by means of superior verbal and written communication skills and effectiveness of relaying pharmacy knowledge.
Excellence in Public Health Pharmacy Practice Award
Shivali Singh, Pharm.D. (’20)
Student who has significantly contributed to public health through advancing the objectives of Healthy People 2020, the National Prevention Strategy, the Surgeon Generals’ initiatives, and the pharmacy profession.
Health-System Practice Award
Anthony Rimpf, Pharm.D. (’20)
Student who demonstrates academic excellence and strong commitment to health system pharmacy practice.
Mylan Excellence in Pharmacy Award
James Ferrell, Pharm.D. (’20)
Student who demonstrates academic excellence, high personal motivation, a unique ability to communicate drug information, and intends to enter practice upon graduation.
Ohio Pharmacists Association Student Leadership Award
Colleen Miller, Pharm.D. (’20)
Student who is a current member of APhA-ASP, demonstrates leadership and outstanding achievement in ASP chapter activities, and recognizes the value of associations in improving the profession.
Outstanding Researcher Award
Ismail Safi, Pharm.D. (’20)
Student who has demonstrated pursuit of research projects, presentations and publication of research results.
Professional Achievement Award
Leah Bruno, Pharm.D. (’20)
Student who exemplifies scholastic and professional achievement, leadership ability and ethical conduct.
Student Excellence in Role Modeling of Interprofessional Collaboration Award
Sara Bonenfant, Pharm.D. (’20)
Student who demonstrates enthusiasm, commitment and knowledge of interprofessional collaboration; effective communication skills with peer learners colleagues and/or patients; actively and consistently collaborates with other health care professionals to model interprofessional collaborations; and advances practice/research in interprofessional collaborations.
Walgreens Pharmacy Multilingual Award
Rashed Thabateh, Pharm.D. (’20)
Student in an underrepresented minority group with a demonstrated interest in community pharmacy and who is fluent in speaking one or more languages in addition to English.
Faculty Awards and Recognition
Faculty Excellence in Role Modeling of Interprofessional Collaboration Award
Alexander Hoffman, Pharm.D.
Faculty member who demonstrates enthusiasm, commitment and knowledge of interprofessional collaboration; effective communication skills with learners, colleagues and/or patients; actively and consistently collaborates with other health care professionals to model interprofessional collaborations; and advances practice/research in interprofessional collaborations.
Outstanding Alumni Award
Patrick Divoky, Pharm.D. (’14)
Alumni who has made outstanding contributions to the community at-large, the pharmacy profession and the NEOMED College of Pharmacy.
P4 Preceptor of the Year
Cynthia King, Pharm.D.
Voluntary faculty member chosen by the Class of 2020 who served as an excellent teacher and role model during the P4 year and demonstrated professionalism,
P4 Teacher of the Year
Jennifer (Ward) Troyer, Pharm.D. (’16)
Core faculty member chosen by the Class of 2020 who served as an excellent teacher and role model during the P4 year and demonstrated professionalism.
Most Influential Professor/Faculty
Kunal Amin, Pharm.D.
Faculty member chosen by the Class of 2020 who served as a role model and is dedicated to student education and professional development.
Commencement Hooders
Faculty members chosen by the Class of 2020 to bestow the doctoral hood over the shoulders of the graduates to signify the professional stature attained by terminal degree during the commencement ceremony.
- FadyAbdlrasul, Pharm.D. (’14)
- Jaclyn Boyle, Pharm.D. ('12)
- Altaf Darvesh, Ph.D.
- Jesseca Keller, Pharm.D.
- Chrisovalantis (Chris) Paxos, Pharm.D.
- Natalie Rine, Pharm.D. (’13)