Associate Dean Jessica Kerr, PharmD, conferred degrees on 82 graduates in the Class of 2022 at the School of Pharmacy's hooding and commencement ceremony on April 30.

Alumnus Ryan Birk, PharmD '13, presented the keynote address. Birk is the director of pharmacy at BJC HealthCare for Memorial Hospital Belleville, Memorial Hospital Shiloh and Memorial Care Center. He described how pharmacy ultimately comes down to “people helping people” and shared a few secrets that can act as a compass in the journey ahead.

“Fail fast and forward,” Birk said. “Make every failure a step closer to success. Your attempts should focus on trying new ways to deliver care, expanding pharmacists’ roles, and thinking about what pharmacy and healthcare will look like in 5-10 years."

Read more about the ceremony.

Lakesha Butler, PharmD, clinical professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice, received the Distinguished Achievement Award in Pharmacy Service from the American Pharmacists Association (APhA).

Butler serves as the School's inaugural director of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). She is committed to bringing about necessary changes in DEI and anti-racism, as well as health literacy and leadership development.

“I aspire to see my work and service have a lasting, transformational impact on not only individuals but also on institutions, organizations and policies, leaving this world better than I found it,” she said.

The APhA Awards and Honors Program is the most comprehensive recognition program in the pharmacy profession. The Distinguished Service Award underscores Butler’s outstanding performance in pharmacy practice.

Aneesh Asokan, PharmD '22, was among the recipients of the 2022 SIU System Distinguished Student Service Awards. Awardees were honored during the SIU System Board of Trustees meeting held in April. During the meeting, Dianah McGreehan, chair of the award selection committee, announced the recipients and shared brief highlights of their outstanding acts of service. Each received $100 and an honorary plaque.

Prior to graduating in May, Asokan served as president of the 2022 class. In addition, he has served as president of the School's Student Representative Council and fundraising chair for the American Pharmacists Association Academy of Student Pharmacists and Illinois Pharmacists Association. Asokan helped found the professional organization, Industry Pharmacist Organization, for students to learn about the pharmacy industry and opportunities within. He also served as a member of the SIU System Student Advisory Committee from 2020-21.

Read more about the awards.

SIUE Upward Bound Math and Science (UBMS) students at Collinsville High School got a better understanding about how the stomach works, and how drugs are absorbed into the system. In its first time partnering with UBMS, the School introduced an experiment and presentation during an afterschool workshop. Associate Dean Jessica Kerr, PharmD, and Clinical Assistant Professor Deja Finley, PharmD, developed the partnership at the request of UBMS Program Director Desiree Tyus. 

“We are glad to be involved in this collaboration,” said second-year student Avery Risinger. “As future pharmacists, it is our duty to educate the public on as many health and drug-related topics as possible. It is also our mission to plant the seed of interest in STEM and pharmacy in high school students, and introduce them to opportunities in the field.” 

Read more about the UBMS workshop.

In spring 2015, Lisa Lubsch, PharmD, BCPPS, clinical professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice and pediatric pharmacy specialist with SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital in St. Louis, was among the healthcare team treating Paige Summers who had been admitted to Cardinal Glennon for critically high blood pressure. Fast forward to September 2020 when Lubsch received an email from Summers, letting her know she was applying to the School of Pharmacy.

"At 16, I knew I loved math and science," Summers wrote. "When you came into my room and talked to me about your profession, I knew I wanted to be just like you. I want you to know that I would not be here today if it were not for you. Whether I get accepted or not, I wanted to thank you for making such an impression on me at a young age."

Summers was accepted, and the two have remained in contact during her first year.

“Paige thinks I was impactful in that one moment during my routine clinical day,” Lubsch said. “Little does she know how she filled me up to keep doing what we do.”

Read more about Summers' path to the School of Pharmacy.

Save the Date — Chicago-Area Alumni Happy Hour
Thursday, June 16
5-8 p.m. at Punch Bowl Social

The Alumni Association’s Chicago Chapter is thrilled to host its first event in over three years with a happy hour at Punch Bowl Social. Registration is $25 per person and includes a drink ticket, delicious appetizers and access to fun games including giant Scrabble, billiards and karaoke all in our private event suite! Space is limited, so register today! Click here for more details.

Save the Date — SIU System Alumni and Friends Reception
Thursday, July 21
5:30-7:30 p.m. at The Inn at 835, Springfield, Ill. 

Alumni and friends of the SIU System are invited to join campus leaders for a reception. Hors d’oeurvres and a cash bar are included as you network with campus officials and fellow alumni. A registration link will be shared soon!

Save the Date — St. Louis Cardinals vs. Chicago Cubs
Thursday, Aug. 4 at Busch Stadium

We are thrilled to host alumni for an evening of baseball with the Cardinals vs. Cubs, all in air-conditioned suites with unlimited food and drinks. More details to come!

If you’re looking for activities for the whole family this summer, come back to SIUE! You’ll find something for everyone, including camps, classes and activities. Learn more at siue.edu/summer.

Lifelong learning opportunities, including personal and professional development courses, are also available through the Office of Online and Education Outreach. Sign up for a class today at siue.edu/educational-outreach.

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