The American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy has selected 7 individuals as recipients of the Walmart Health Equity 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 third year, the goal of the scholarship program is to promote and support a diverse population of student pharmacists who will advance health equity. Each awardee will receive a single $5,000 scholarship.
In their application essays, the recipients described how their life experiences influenced their decision to pursue a pharmacy career and desire to serve in rural areas, medically underserved areas or populations (MUA/Ps), or Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs). They also detailed how they plan to contribute to health equity as a pharmacist in these communities.
Recipients of the 2024 Walmart Health Equity Scholarship are:
Alyssa Hodges
North Dakota State University
"I am honored to accept the 2024 Walmart Health Equity Scholarship for Student Pharmacists in partnership with AACP. This recognition highlights the profound impact that pharmacists can have on public health, particularly within underserved communities—an area I am deeply passionate about as a graduate of NDSU’s Master of Public Health program.
Receiving this scholarship is not just an accolade; it is a significant motivator for me as I pursue a career dedicated to serving vulnerable populations as an ambulatory care pharmacist. It reinforces the value of my current experience, as well as my dual degree, and hopefully will inspire others to appreciate the importance of interdisciplinary approaches to quality patient care.
As a young mother, this scholarship holds immense personal significance. It allows me to prioritize my education while focusing on raising my daughter. Gaining valuable experience through my internship at a federally qualified health center is important, but I find it equally crucial to fully engage in my academic pursuits and meaningful student organization involvement, rather than working to subside short-term financial constraints. This scholarship enables me to prepare for serving vulnerable communities as a professional in many respects.
I extend my gratitude to the generous donors who have made this scholarship possible. Your support empowers me to continue my journey and make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
Thank you once again for this incredible opportunity."
Christian Moon
Virginia Commonwealth University
"This scholarship will provide crucial support as I work toward my goal of becoming a board-certified psychiatric pharmacist dedicated to improving health equity in underserved communities. With less financial burden while in pharmacy school, I can direct more focus on both my studies and impactful projects, such as my upcoming Buprenorphine outreach project this fall. I will be working with the American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists Virginia Commonwealth University student chapter educating residents in central Virginia about the dental health issues associated with the use of transmucosal buprenorphine-containing medications and distributing free hygiene packs to patients with opioid use disorder. This aligns perfectly with my mission to serve medically underserved communities, especially those facing mental health and substance use challenges.
By helping me finance my pharmacy education, this scholarship will enable me to continue my commitment to the medically underserved and empower me to reach my ultimate goal: establishing a nonprofit pharmacy that offers critical services, such as smoking cessation therapy, mental health counseling, and substance use disorder treatment. I envision this nonprofit pharmacy breaking down barriers to care and inspiring other healthcare professionals to drive meaningful change in the healthcare system. With this scholarship, I can more effectively bridge the gap between my personal experiences and my professional aspirations, working to ensure that everyone, regardless of their background or financial status, has access to the care and support they need to thrive."
Tyler Jolly
University of Maryland Eastern Shore
"As I pursue my pharmacy degree, I am determined to equip myself with the skills necessary to address these disparities on a larger scale. The Walmart Health Equity Pharmacy Scholarship will help alleviate the financial burdens of pharmacy school, allowing me to focus on my studies and engage in activities that align with my goal of advocating for equal healthcare resources in underserved communities. Being able to serve in the area where I go to school has been a blessing because I can provide education on medication management and preventive health measures for single-parent homes as well as low-income families. Additionally, this scholarship will enable me to pursue research opportunities focused on health disparities and contribute to evidence-based solutions that advocate for underserved populations."
Taylor Garrett
North Dakota State University
"Receiving this scholarship will significantly impact my pharmacy school journey and long-term career goals. My aspirations to serve underserved and rural areas, where access to healthcare, including mental health services and emergency care, is often limited. Financial support from this scholarship will alleviate the burden of tuition and living expenses, allowing me to concentrate fully on my studies and professional development.
By freeing up resources, I can engage in extracurricular activities and volunteer opportunities that align with my interests in psychiatry and emergency medicine. This involvement will not only enhance my understanding of these critical areas but also allow me to build relationship with mentors and professionals who can guide me in my career. This scholarship will also enable me to participate in internship and research projects focused on addressing health disparities in rural communities.
These experiences are vital for developing practical skills and understanding the unique challenges faced by these underserved populations. Ultimately, this scholarship will empower me to make a meaningful impact in the field of pharmacy and help bridge the healthcare gap for those who need it most."
Benjamin Perez
University of Utah
"I am a third-year pharmacy student, and as I advance my career as a future pharmacist, I want to build my network and get more profound professional experiences. I will use this scholarship to attend national meetings, build my network, and grow my professional brand. I have a deep passion for serving the underserved, underprivileged, and ethnic communities, and will use funds from this scholarship to go to Thailand for an APPE rotation during my fourth year of pharmacy school and get more culturally diverse experiences with a focus in healthcare."
Savannah Miller
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
"I am honored to be one of the recipients of the 2024 AACP and Walmart Health Equity Scholarship for Pharmacy Students! As a professional student from rural Eastern Kentucky, my career aspirations have always been rooted in service and leadership. This scholarship is not just financial support for my pharmacy education at the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, but the foundation and motivation for me to continue my pursuit of a career in administrative pharmacy. In my career as an administrator, my goal is to enhance health system pharmacy services for everyone and provide medication support to underinsured populations."
Kiri Carmody
University of Colorado
"Receiving this scholarship will greatly support my academic and career aspirations to serve and provide care to all patients. This scholarship will allow me to dedicate myself to becoming a clinical pharmacist that advocates and supports patients in all aspects of my career. Additionally, the financial assistance provided will allow me to fully immerse into experiences now that will lead me into a successful career in the near future."
Congratulations to all of this year's recipients!
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