University of Saint Joseph Celebrates Doctor of Pharmacy Hooding and Awards Ceremony

The 30 Members of USJ's Pharm.D. Class Graduated in May 11

West Hartford, CT (06/04/2024) — Thirty new Doctors of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) were celebrated at the University of Saint Joseph's Hooding, Oath, and Awards Ceremony on May 10.

The featured speaker at the event was Dr. Debbi Reyes Habib, '14, who graduated as part of USJ's first Pharm.D. class in 2014. Today Habib is an experienced Licensed Pharmacist and Operations Leader at Saint Francis Hospital.

"From the grandfather picking up his cholesterol medication for the first time, to the mom battling breast cancer in our oncology unit- we got to see first-hand the impact that our profession has on the general public," Dr. Habib told the graduates. "Let us never lose sight of the fundamental truth that lies at the heart of pharmacy- which is our commitment to the well-being of those we treat...Let us always remember that our greatest impact is not measured in pills dispensed, therapies managed or tasks that we get to check off, but in the lives we touch along the way."

During the Doctor of Pharmacy Hooding, Oath, and Awards Ceremony at USJ on May 10, 30 2024 graduates received their Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.). The following Pharm.D graduates received recognition:

Samira Dixon: The Connecticut Society of Health System Pharmacy Excellence Award.

Presented to a USJ student who has demonstrated leadership, provided significant contribution to the Connecticut Society of Health-Systems Pharmacy and is interested in a career in health system pharmacy.

Hannah Meister: The Connecticut Pharmacist Association Student Leadership Award. Presented to a USJ student who was actively involved in CPA while attending pharmacy school, in good academic standing, and has demonstrated leadership within CPA as well as the pharmacy program of SOPPAS.

Leah Moore: The Merck Academic Excellence Award. Presented to a that has demonstrated scholastic achievement in the study of pharmacy.

Alivia Castle: The Viatris Excellence in Pharmacy Award. Presented to a student in the top (25%) of the class who has demonstrated high personal motivation and a unique ability to communicate drug information. This awardee received a direct nomination for their faculty preceptor.

Madison Leary: The Wolters Kluwer Award for Excellence in Clinical Communication. Awarded to a student in the top (25%) of the class who has demonstrated excellence in clinical communication with superior verbal/non-verbal skills.

Bora Osmanlli & Hannah Meister: Marguerite M Miceli Memorial Scholarship. Presented to two students who had made significant improvement in academic performance in the pharmacy program and has demonstrated sound character and true passion for a career in pharmacy.

Lauren Lewicki: The Adom Excellence Award I. Presented to the student that demonstrated superiority in all professional year 1 courses and demonstrates professional qualities of competency and compassion.

Alivia Castle: The Adom Excellence Award II. Presented to the student that demonstrated superiority in all professional year 2 courses and demonstrates professional qualities of competency and compassion.

Frank Tirino: The Wolters Kluwer Award for Excellence in Clinical Communication. Presented to a student with the highest average score on all graded exams in the calculations courses and displayed exemplary professional attitude.

Yelena Samafalova: The Academic Excellence in Pharmaceutical Sciences. Presented to the student that received the highest score throughout the required curriculum offered by DPS.

Abigail Opoku: The Department of Pharmacy Practice and Administration Award for Excellence in Clinical Practice. Awarded to a student that has demonstrated extraordinary clinical skills on rotations and in practice, excellence in academics, and service to the community.

Kelly Gerrity: The Excellence in Experiential Education Award. Awarded to a student who has demonstrated excellence in Advanced Pharmacy.

Natalie Garcia: Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy Professionalism & Leadership Award (AMCP): Contributed to the USJ SOPPAS AMCP through service or leadership and displayed professional behavior through service to USJ SOPPASS AMCP chapter, USJ SOPPAS and the community.

Haley Genovese: American Pharmacists Association Academic of Student Pharmacists - Senior Recognition Certificate (APhA). Awarded to a student who contributed greatly to the APhA-ASP Chapter and demonstrated exceptional service and commitment to the chapter.

Cheyenne Santos: Student Society of Health-System Pharmacy Exceptional Service Award (SSHP). Awarded to a student who demonstrated professionalism, leadership and exemplary service to the Student Society of Health-System Pharmacy chapter.

Hannah Meister: ACCP Outstanding Student Chapter Member. Recognizes a student who has enhanced student involvement from his or her chapter in ACCP at the local or national level and has expanded the presence of ACCP through community engagement, education promotion, research opportunities, and/or professional stewardship.

Alivia Castle: Rho Chi Society Epsilon Alpha Chapter Professionalism & Leadership Award. Awarded to a graduating student member of the Rho Chi Society Epsilon Alpha Chapter who has demonstrated high standards of conduct and character and advocates critical inquiry in all aspects of pharmacy as described in the Rho Chi Society mission and vision statements.

Crystal Hattar: USJ SOPPAS Student Government Award. Awarded to a student who demonstrated loyalty, commitment, academic achievement and service to the SOP and exhibited leadership and maturity while maintaining a positive attitude

Lauren Lewicki: Phi Lambda Sigma Epsilon Xi Chapter Member of the Year. Recognizes an outstanding PLS member based on their contributions to pharmacy leadership within their chapter.

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