The American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy has selected 21 outstanding students as recipients of the 2025 CVS Health Foundation/AACP Community Pharmacy Award for Student Pharmacists. Each awardee will receive a $20,000 scholarship.
The award is funded by the CVS Health Foundation, and will reduce financial barriers for student pharmacists in pursuit of a Pharm.D. degree who are committed to improving health outcomes and the well-being of individual patients in communities across the United States.
This year, eligible enrollment statuses were expanded to include both first (P1) and second (P2) years of the professional phase of the Pharm.D. degree program during the 2025-2026 academic year at an AACP member institution. This allowed more students to apply, increasing the applicant pool from 190 in 2024 to 355 in 2025. Students enrolled in a 0-6 Pharm.D. program as a first year (P3 out of P6) student during the 2025-2026 (current) academic year were also eligible.
“AACP sincerely appreciates CVS Health��s continued support in helping student pharmacists by reducing financial barriers," said Lee Vermeulen, B.S. Pharm., M.S., FCCP, FFIP, Executive Vice President and CEO of AACP. “By working together, we’re shaping the future of pharmacy and improving care for patients. The outstanding individuals recognized this year are well-equipped to make a lasting impact.”
“We’re pleased to assist these talented students as they pursue their PharmD degrees,” said Lucille Accetta, RPh, MPH, MBA, Senior Vice President and Chief Pharmacy Officer, CVS Health. “Community pharmacy plays an important role in the health of millions of Americans every day, and it’s vital that we support student pharmacists who will be helping to shape community pharmacy’s future in the years ahead.”
Recipients of the 2025 CVS Health/AACP Community Pharmacy Award for Student Pharmacists include:
Jose Ayala
University of Houston
"I am incredibly honored to be selected as a recipient of the 2025 CVS Health/AACP Community Pharmacy Award for Student Pharmacists. This award represents an investment in my future and in the communities I aspire to serve. With this scholarship, I am able to focus more fully on my education and professional development.
Community pharmacy has always inspired me because of its unique ability to connect directly with patients, build trust, and expand access to essential health services. My goal is to become a pharmacist who not only provides excellent patient care, but also advocates for underserved communities and helps reduce barriers to care.
This award motivates me to continue working toward that vision and reminds me of the impact pharmacists can make every day. I am deeply grateful to CVS Health and AACP for supporting students like me and helping shape the future of pharmacy."
Yostina Barsy
Rutgers University
"Receiving the CVS Health / AACP Community Pharmacy Award is an incredible honor that fills me with both gratitude and motivation. This scholarship represents more than financial support; it is a reminder that my journey, experiences, and values align with a greater vision of patient-centered care and inclusivity in pharmacy. It allows me to move forward in my education with fewer financial barriers, giving me the freedom to devote more of my energy to learning, community involvement, and patient care.
Growing up in Jersey City, I saw how often families and communities struggled to access healthcare and basic health education. Those early experiences pushed me to become a Sunday school teacher, a volunteer at University Hospital, and eventually a pharmacy technician in both inpatient and community settings. Along the way, I learned that education and compassion can empower patients in powerful ways. I witnessed firsthand how a simple explanation from a pharmacist could transform a patient’s outlook on their health. This scholarship gives me the opportunity to continue building on these experiences, equipping me to better serve communities that often go unheard and underserved.
My vision is to become a pharmacist who is more than a dispenser of medication. I want to be an educator, an advocate, and a trusted face in the community. The support from this scholarship will help me refine my clinical skills, strengthen my leadership abilities, and stay focused on the larger mission of addressing health disparities. It gives me confidence to continue this path with compassion and purpose, knowing that I can help shape the future of pharmacy in ways that bring hope and healing to those who need it most."
Trevor Beaulieu
University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
"I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to apply for this scholarship. Receiving this support will allow me to fully engage in my pharmacy school's innovative curriculum, research opportunities, and diverse community, helping me grow as a leader in pharmacy. It would also make it more possible for me to dedicate more energy toward clinical experiences, outreach, and mentorship with opportunities that directly prepare me to advocate for healthcare equity.
This scholarship directly connects to my career goals of serving underserved communities, promoting preventive care and medication education, and developing new ways to expand access to healthcare. With the support of CVS Health and AACP, I can focus on excelling in pharmacy school while building the skills and experiences I need to become a pharmacist who improves public health and creates lasting impact for patients across the United States."
Sasha Blackshear
Florida A&M University
"This scholarship will help me reach my pharmacy school and career goals by allowing me to honor the sacrifices of my family and stay focused on becoming the type of pharmacist who uplifts others. Growing up in a single-parent household, with my mother, grandmother, and grandfather shaping my foundation, I witnessed resilience in the face of health and financial challenges. Those experiences inspired me to pursue pharmacy as a way to improve access to care and advocate for patients who feel overlooked. By easing the financial burden of school, this award will give me the freedom to dedicate myself fully to my academics, clinical training, and community service while preparing for a career committed to compassion, advocacy, and impact."
Elsie Boateng
Howard University
"I am truly honored to be selected as a recipient of the CVS Health Minority Scholarship for Pharmacy Students. I am deeply grateful to CVS Health and the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy for this generous support and meaningful recognition. This scholarship will help relieve the financial pressures of pharmacy school, giving me the opportunity to focus on my education, professional growth, and service to the community.
Balancing motherhood, internships, and leadership roles has strengthened my resilience, time management skills, and commitment to patient care. With this support, I can continue to pursue my goal of becoming a pharmacist who not only advances patient health outcomes but also uplifts and advocates for underrepresented communities.
This award reminds me that I am not walking this journey alone, as I am supported by organizations that believe in diversity, equity, and the power of representation in healthcare. I look forward to carrying these values forward as I work to transform the lives of others, ensuring that healthcare is accessible, inclusive, and empowering for all."
Jackson Burgess
St. Louis College of Pharmacy
"Receiving this scholarship allows me to be more engaged in my college experience without the constant stress of financial obligations. With fewer worries about covering fees, I can dedicate more time to being an active pharmacy student, participating in organizations, and striving for academic excellence. This opportunity also enables me to build a résumé that highlights my unique strengths, helping me stand out in future career or residency applications. Most importantly, earning this scholarship has given me a boost in confidence and reinforced my sense of belonging in the field of pharmacy."
Darya Dodseresht
University of California, San Diego
"It is a long term goal of mine to provide individualized care and dedicate meaningful time to each patient, ensuring they feel heard, seen, and supported. I want my patients to view our relationship as a partnership in managing their health. I aspire to work in an ambulatory care setting, where I can engage in one-on-one interactions that foster trust and personalized care. Additionally, I am committed to staying involved with free clinics throughout my pharmacy career. I hope to promote health education in my community, raising awareness about common conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure. With consistent efforts, we can make health knowledge more accessible and empower our friends, family, and community to take charge of their well-being."
Faith Escobedo
Regis University
"I am honored to be selected for this scholarship. With this scholarship, I will be able to support my daughter and myself as I continue through pharmacy school as a former foster youth and non-traditional student. It has taken a lot for me to get here, so I am humbled and appreciative to receive such support so that I can continue to excel in a profession I am passionate about, and make my mark for others like me."
Breonna Graham
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
"This scholarship will help me reach my pharmacy school and career goals by allowing me to focus more fully on my education without the constant worry of financial strain. Alleviating one form of stress, I can reduce my work hours and dedicate more time to studying and prioritize my growth as a student and future healthcare professional."
Jakeem Greer
William Carey University
"Receiving this scholarship will support both my success in pharmacy school and future career goals. I am committed to working in underserved communities helping to bridge the gap and provide competent, compassionate care. In pharmacy school, my primary goals is to build a strong foundation of clinical knowledge and actively engage in community service. In the future, I plan to become a community and ambulatory care pharmacist ignited from my cultural background and understanding of the lack resources in minorities. I look forward to receiving this scholarship as an investment to serve patients as a pharmacist."
Riley Hatton
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
"Receiving this scholarship would significantly support my journey through the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy and help me achieve my long-term career goals. This generosity will allow me to focus more on my studies and hands-on immersions, rather than on the burden of tuition and expenses. As someone committed to serving the community, this scholarship would help me prepare to work where care is needed, without the financial constraints.
In the future, I plan to work in a hospital pharmacy and later open a community pharmacy that expands healthcare access in overlooked regions. I also hope to be an advocate for needed healthcare policies and lead initiatives that directly benefit underserved populations. This scholarship would not only support my education but also invest in my broader mission: to serve, lead, and inspire through science and healthcare. This scholarship puts me one step closer to becoming the healthcare professional I aspire to be."
Fernando Martinez Alvarez
University of Puerto Rico
"Receiving the CVS Health / AACP Community Pharmacy Award will significantly support both my academic and professional journey as a student pharmacist. This scholarship will ease the financial burden of tuition, allowing me to dedicate more time and focus to my studies, research, and community service initiatives.
Beyond financial support, this recognition strengthens my commitment to advancing health equity and expanding access to quality pharmacy services, especially for underserved populations. As I continue my Pharm.D. training at the University of Puerto Rico School of Pharmacy, I plan to further develop my skills in patient-centered care, community engagement, and health policy advocacy. Without a doubt, this award will empower me to pursue my long-term goal of becoming an academic pharmacist and a leader in advancing community pharmacy practice."
Ally Nielsen
University of South Carolina
"I am honored to be a recipient of the CVS Health / AACP Community Pharmacy Award. This scholarship will support my desire to further explore the pharmacy profession and develop the skills necessary to become the patient-centered pharmacist I aspire to be. Although I grew up in a small rural town, I moved to the capital city for pharmacy school. In this new setting, I have had several opportunities to serve the underserved and engage in community outreach. These experiences continue to broaden my perspective on the numerous ways pharmacists can engage within the community, by spreading compassion, knowledge, and care. I have learned that intentionality is vital for each task I complete, and through this, I have developed a true passion for lending a helping hand.
As a current P2 student with limited clinical exposure, I look forward to the remainder of my pharmacy exploration journey. I am interested in ambulatory care pharmacy and pediatrics, among many other specialties; however, I remain open-minded towards all new learning opportunities within the profession. I am motivated to continue setting and working towards new goals throughout the entirety of my career, and I am committed to being a lifelong learner. This scholarship will enable me to continue seeking new avenues to make a meaningful impact."
Francisca Okoro
Midwestern University Glendale
"My ambition to become a pharmacist is rooted in a strong desire to improve patient health through safe medication use, education, and service to the community. While pharmacy school offers the training I need to achieve this goal, it also comes with considerable academic and financial challenges.
By lessening the cost of my education, this scholarship will give me the chance to focus more fully on learning, gaining hands-on clinical experience, and developing the skills required to thrive in pharmacy school. With reduced financial pressure, I can dedicate myself to excelling academically and preparing for the responsibilities of patient care.
In essence, this support will provide me with the opportunity to pursue pharmacy education with confidence, ease financial concerns, and allow me to grow into a professional dedicated to making a positive impact in healthcare."
Brandon Peoples
University of Maryland Eastern Shore
"This scholarship will enable me to dedicate more time to community involvement, my organizations, advocacy, and my studies, all of which will allow me to provide our future patients with the best possible care. It will also help me spend more time focusing on my upcoming APPE rotations, allowing me to direct my efforts towards determining the most suitable rotations where I can gather the most experience while building connections within the profession. This will help me take a step forward in preparing for my career, allowing me to focus on advancing the pharmacy profession and the patients we serve at the community, practice, and advocacy levels."
Subina Saini
University of South Carolina
"My journey toward pharmacy has been shaped by both personal experiences and a passion for service. I’ve seen how misinformation, limited access, and health inequities can affect patients and families, and those moments strengthened my commitment to becoming a pharmacist who can bridge those gaps.
Through research, service, and community outreach, I’ve worked to better understand how pharmacists impact patient care, whether through oncology research, vaccine education, volunteering at free medical clinics, and supporting underserved communities. Each step has shown me that pharmacists are not only medication experts, but also trusted educators and advocates for public health.
This scholarship will allow me to focus fully on my pharmacy education, gaining the knowledge and training I need to serve patients effectively. In the short term, it will help me excel in the classroom and clinical experiences. In the long term, it will support my goal of becoming a clinical pharmacist who advances equity, embraces innovation, contributes to meaningful research, and provides compassionate, patient-centered care, especially for underserved communities.
For me, pharmacy is more than a career - it’s a calling. With this scholarship, I will be one step closer to turning that calling into a lifelong commitment to improving lives through science, advocacy, and care."
Kharissa Seepersaud
St. John’s University
"I am deeply honored to be selected as a 2025 recipient of the CVS Health / AACP Community Pharmacy Award for Student Pharmacists. Receiving this award provides me with not only financial support, but also the reassurance and security I need to fully dedicate myself to my academic and professional development. By easing the financial burden on both me and my family, this award relieves a significant source of stress and allows me to channel my time and energy into excelling in my coursework, gaining valuable experience through my pharmacy-related jobs, and pursuing opportunities that strengthen both my leadership and clinical skills. Just as importantly, being recognized with this award gives me greater confidence that I am capable of succeeding in this field and reinforces my belief that I am on the right path toward achieving my goals.
Beyond the financial relief and encouragement, this scholarship enables me to further immerse myself in activities that connect me to the pharmacy community, such as contributing to my school’s pharmacy newsletter, serving on the E-Board of student organizations, and mentoring underclassmen as they navigate their own pharmacy journeys. Each of these experiences helps me grow as a future pharmacist while reinforcing my commitment to advancing community pharmacy and patient care.
This recognition motivates me to continue striving toward my long-term career goals, and I am truly grateful for the support and confidence this award represents."
Aaliyah Sims
University at Buffalo, the State University of New York
"Being awarded the CVS/AACP Community Pharmacy Award enables me to continue pursuing my passion for serving my community. Receiving this scholarship not only relieves a significant financial burden from my shoulders but also reassures me that I am on the right path. Knowing that others believe in my potential enough to invest in my future motivates me to continue working diligently toward my goal of giving back to the communities that have supported me."
Carla Wilson
Medical University of South Carolina
"This scholarship will help me reach my pharmacy school and career goals by easing the financial burden of tuition and allowing me to focus fully on my education. With less financial stress, I can dedicate more time to developing my clinical knowledge and leadership skills, These experiences will prepare me to become a pharmacist who provides patient-centered care and advocates for health equity. Ultimately, this support will bring me closer to my goal of pursuing a career in hospital or ambulatory care pharmacy and making a meaningful impact on the communities I serve."
Nina Yang
University of Pittsburgh
"Coming from low-income immigrant parents, being the first person in my family to attend college is a huge privilege and milestone. After graduation, I plan to pursue a residency focused on vulnerable communities where I can advocate for patients and help bridge the gap of care.
I believe pharmacists play a key role in making healthcare more accessible, and I am committed to being part of that solution. The CVS Health / AACP Community Pharmacy Award will open opportunities to achieve that goal and I am extremely grateful and honored to receive this support."
Congratulations to all of this year's recipients!
Credits:
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