Four pharmacy students earn Giant Eagle scholarships

Four students in the College of Pharmacy have been awarded Giant Eagle Pharmacy Leadership Scholarships.

Third-year students Olivia King and Edward Oti have each received a $10,000 scholarship. Fourth-year students Vasilios Likos and Tata Guere have each received a $20,000 scholarship.

The Giant Eagle Leadership Scholarships are designed to support diverse students who are interested in community practice and who have a desire to advance pharmaceutical care in our communities.

The scholarship recipients shared their thoughts on leadership and community pharmacy:

Olivia King (P3)

Community pharmacy appeals to me because of the relationships you form with your patients. Although you only spend a short time interacting with them, they are often coming to pick up their prescriptions monthly. It’s nice to have a short conversation with them each time. I feel like they genuinely enjoy coming into the pharmacy and getting to have that interaction with me. It’s something small, but it’s a great way to build trust with your patient population.

Edward Oti (P3)

Pharmacy leadership is not just about the white coat and directing subordinates what to do and what not to do. It is about taking the lead in impacting the professional lives of the entire team, supporting in their career development and most importantly, leading the team to provide the best of care for patients that will help improve their quality of life and that of their families.

Vasilios Likos (P4)

I always try to live by this: Don’t let anybody convince you that “That’s the way it’s always been.” Nothing is the way it’s always been. If you allow this mentality to creep in, it will eventually breed complacency and stagnation. The world is ever changing, and as health care professionals and leaders, it’s up to us to do what’s right in each specific situation, regardless of what “the norms” may have been before.pharmac

Tata Guere (P4)

Pharmacy is not just about pills and potions. It’s about compassion, understanding and the profound impact we can have on people’s lives.

 

Photos, from left: Tata Guere, Olivia King, Vasilios Likos and Edward Oti