The grant, to be disseminated as scholarships, funding for pipeline programs and other cultural initiatives, is part of Walgreens’ national effort to support increasing diversity among professional student programs.
“We are honored to have Walgreens’ support as we continue to promote cultural competence in our professional student pharmacists,” said Shelvy L. Campbell-Monroe, Ph.D., assistant dean for diversity at the schools of pharmacy and medicine. “The Walgreens award is so important in supporting our mission of embracing diversity and creating a diverse, welcoming and inclusive environment. The school of pharmacy consistently engages in seeking new ways to embrace diversity and to address the health care needs of West Virginia. This competitive gift will continue to support our Advisory Council on Diversity and Inclusion, diversity scholarships, diversity programs and inclusion curriculum efforts.”
In total, five pharmacy students have received Walgreens scholarships over the past academic year. They are:
Jacob Dotson, fourth year, Grayson, Kentucky
James W. Frazier, fourth year, Louisville, Kentucky
Saman Ghafary, second year, Dallas, Texas
Yanick N. Hicks, third year, Marietta, Georgia
Minh Thu T. Tran, second year, Jacksonville, Florida
“We are pleased to support the many diversity outreach programs that Marshall has in place,” said D. Rich Miller, R.Ph., health care supervisor with Walgreens. “Our company is committed to advancing diversity initiatives at schools and colleges of pharmacy nationwide. Since 2008, we’ve donated more than $1 million annually to support such programs.”
Marshall’s diversity initiatives include a week-long residential immersion program for high school students that introduces them to health care careers including pharmacy. The Health Care Pipeline Initiative offers a variety of hands-on activities and classes geared toward showcasing health care opportunities. Other programs supported by the Walgreens grant include an annual geriatric symposium and a multi-institution diversity conference.
As part of the grant, Walgreens requires the school to report on how the annual funds were used to support diversity initiatives throughout the year.
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Photo: Christopher Keyfon (left) and D. Rich Miller, R.Ph. (second from left) with Walgreens present Marshall University School of Pharmacy leaders with a $10,000 diversity grant on Tuesday, Jan. 26 at the school of pharmacy. Pictured with Keyfon and Miller are (from center) Shelvy Campbell-Monroe, Ph.D., assistant dean for diversity, H. Glenn Anderson, Pharm.D., associate dean of academic and curricular affairs and Kevin W. Yingling, R.Ph., M.D., dean of the school of pharmacy.