Members of the UTHSC chapter of the Student National Pharmaceutical Association (SNPhA) were recipients of numerous prizes and scholarships during the SNPhA and National Pharmaceutical Association (NPhA) National Convention held July 29-31 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Convention, which also commemorated the 75th anniversary of NPhA and the 50th anniversary of SNPhA, was the first in-person convention to be held since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Perhaps the biggest prize garnered by UTHSC SNPhA was the Rite Aid/Chauncey I. Cooper Chapter Excellence Award for Best Large Chapter of the Year. This is the second time in three years UTHSC SNPhA has won this award, and Dr. Tyler Kiles, PharmD, BCADM, Assistant Professor in the Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Translational Science and SNPhA chapter advisor, said she was so proud of her students and their many accomplishments.
In addition to the Best Large Chapter of the Year award, UTHSC SNPhA also garnered several chapter awards including 1st place in the Scrapbook competition; 2nd place for the Bridging the Gap Initiative; 2nd place for the Operational Immunization Initiative; 2nd place for the Project Keepsake (Chronic Kidney Disease) Initiative; 3rd place for the Mental Health Initiative; 3rd place for the Fighting Diabetes Initiative; and 3rd place for the Power to End Stroke Initiative.
UTHSC SNPhA members also picked up individual awards and scholarships. Mecca Gordon and Keuna Truitt, both P3s, received scholarships. Truitt also won 3rd place in the student research poster presentation competition for her poster entitled “Nationwide survey of minoritized PharmD students: Inclusion, Belonging.” Kelsey Long, P3, along with co-presented Racheal McCreight, P4, were awarded 1st place for their poster entitled “Black PharmD student perceptions of pursuing residency.” Chapter advisors Dr. Kiles and Dr. Ken Hohmeier, PharmD, Associate Professor in the Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Translational Science on the Nashville campus, served as collaborators and faculty mentors for these projects.
SNPhA is an educational service association of pharmacy students who are concerned about the profession of pharmacy, healthcare issues, and the poor minority representation in these areas. It is dedicated to the pharmacy profession and serving the underserved and, as such, is purposed to plan, organize, coordinate, and execute programs geared toward the improvement of the health, educational, and social environment of minority communities. 15 students and two advisors, Dr. Kiles and LaVerne Williams, who serves as a Memphis Campus Faculty and Staff advisor, attended the conference. Congratulations SNPhA!
