The American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy has selected 7 individuals as recipients of the Walmart Community Pharmacy Scholarship for Pharmacy Students recognizing their leadership, academic success, and a commitment to serving rural or medically underserved patient populations upon graduation.
Now in its fourth year, the goal of the scholarship program is to promote and support student pharmacists who will address health disparities. The scholarship will support the financial need of students enrolled in Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree programs who plan to serve in rural areas, medically underserved areas or populations (MUA/Ps), or Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) upon graduation. Each awardee will receive a single $5,000 scholarship.
In their application essays, the recipients described how previous work in community pharmacy settings and life experiences influenced their decision to pursue a pharmacy career, with a particular focus on community pharmacy and its role in serving rural areas, medically underserved populations (MUA/Ps), or Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs).
Meet the Recipients of the 2025 Walmart Community Pharmacy Scholarship for Pharmacy Students
Gabriela E. Diaz Torres
Creighton University
"Receiving the Walmart & AACP Community Pharmacy Scholarship is an incredible honor, and I am deeply grateful for this support. This recognition motivates me to continue working hard in my studies and to take advantage of every opportunity to grow as a future pharmacist. It encourages me to stay focused on building the knowledge and skills necessary to provide the highest quality care to patients in the community setting. My career goal is to serve patients in community and ambulatory care pharmacy, with a special focus on improving access to care and supporting underserved populations. This scholarship reinforces my commitment to those goals by reminding me of the importance of community pharmacy in advancing public health. It also strengthens my dedication to leadership and patient advocacy."
Dakota Fletcher
University of Washington
"Winning the Walmart Community Pharmacy Scholarship is an incredible honor that will have a lasting impact on my journey through pharmacy school and into my career. This scholarship eases the financial burden of pursuing my PharmD, allowing me to focus more fully on my studies, leadership development, and hands-on experiences in patient care rather than on financial stress. Beyond the financial support, this award represents an investment in my commitment to serving rural and medically underserved communities. I am passionate about ensuring that patients in these areas have access to the medications and care they need, and this scholarship strengthens my ability to pursue that mission. By reducing financial obstacles, I can dedicate more time to building clinical knowledge, engaging in community outreach, and developing the leadership skills necessary to make a meaningful impact. Ultimately, this scholarship brings me one step closer to my goal of becoming a pharmacist who not only provides excellent clinical care but also advocates for improved healthcare access in underserved populations. I am deeply grateful for Walmart’s support and encouragement as I work toward making a difference in the communities that need it most."
MariCate Ford
Presbyterian College
"I am incredibly grateful to the Walmart Community Pharmacy Scholarship program for this opportunity. The scholarship will help me continue to earn not only my Pharm.D. degree from Presbyterian College School of Pharmacy but a concentration in Rural Health as well. As a result, I can focus on serving those living in rural and medically underserved areas."
Tiffany Frimpong
University of Maryland
"This scholarship will have a profound impact on my academic and career goals, acting as a major catalyst for my plans of working in the healthcare field as a future pharmacist. I possess a transparent mindset of the academic rigor and professional obligations that will be expected of me even as a first year pharmacy student. With the financial support of this scholarship, I will be able to invest more into my learning and other opportunities that are essential for a well-rounded education and will prepare me to be successful in pharmacy. However, this scholarship will not only provide financial support but would be an instrumental endorsement of my potential further encouraging me to strive for excellence in my studies and beyond."
Shawn Gregory
University of Kansas
"I am incredibly grateful to be named as one of the 2025 Walmart Community Pharmacy Scholarship for Student Pharmacists by Walmart and AACP. This scholarship means so much to me but one of the things I am the most thankful for is the mind shift it has given me. I have spent a fair amount of time reflecting since receiving this scholarship. I have thought of the countless hours studying with friends, the years of learning that I have undergone, all the extracurricular activities and services I have taken part in, and it has made me realize just how much I have accomplished. Looking back just a few years ago, I never would have imagined that I would be honored on the national stage with such a prestigious award. This scholarship has given me the confidence needed to double down on all my prior efforts and continue to reach for new heights harder than ever before. As much of a financial blessing that this scholarship is, it is ten times the motivator. As I progress in my career as a pharmacists for the medically underserved, I hope to continue to be able to look back upon what I have done, appreciate it for what it is, and then use it to accomplish my next seemingly daunting milestone. I cannot emphasize just how uplifting it is to be recognized as one of the best and brightest in a field of the best and brightest and I can only hope I can continue to impress my peers, mentors, and community in the same way."
Sahar Soltani
University of California, Irvine
"I am honored to be selected as a recipient of this scholarship. To me, this recognition is not only financial support but also a reminder that my voice and my mission to serve underserved communities truly matter. This scholarship will significantly support my journey through pharmacy school by reducing financial barriers and allowing me to dedicate my energy to what matters most—my education, research, and community service. It will also give me the flexibility to continue leading health fairs, wellness workshops, and outreach programs that provide essential services to vulnerable populations. By removing financial barriers, this scholarship empowers me to grow as a student leader and future pharmacist committed to advancing access, equity, and compassionate care for every patient I serve."
“AACP deeply appreciates Walmart’s ongoing dedication to advancing pharmacy education and supporting community pharmacy practice,” said AACP Executive Vice President and CEO Lee Vermeulen, B.S.Pharm., M.S., FCCP, FFIP. “Walmart’s generosity will allow these exceptional students to continue making a positive impact in underserved communities after they graduate.”
Congratulations to all of this year's recipients!
Credits:
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