October is American Pharmacists Month

Male student in the MCPHS School of Pharmacy lab.

Community | 10/21/2024 Jennifer Persons

Highlighting stories about our pharmacy students, faculty, and alumni while paying tribute to our University’s roots.

October marks American Pharmacists Month, a time to acknowledge the invaluable contributions of pharmacists to healthcare, from hospitals to retail pharmacies and more. Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS) was founded more than 200 years ago to train apothecaries to oversee the regulation, quality, and dispersion of drugs. Today, the University has become a leader in healthcare and life sciences education and continues to train hundreds of pharmacists across three campuses.

The American Pharmacists Association (APhA) has celebrated the occasion for 20 years. This year’s theme is Caring for Our Communities. Pharmacists are a critical resource for people across the country, making healthcare more accessible and providing vital services to keep their communities healthy and safe.

Alum Muhammad Elsweesy, PharmD, MBA, has dedicated his career to supporting pharmacists as they care for patients. He is one of the youngest District Leaders at CVS Pharmacy, giving other pharmacists within his responsibility the resources they need to be successful.

Pharmacists have a variety of career options. After working in both the hospital and retail settings, Kanika Dunn, PharmD, is expanding her knowledge and studying osteopathic medicine. At pharmaceutical giant Novartis, Jordan Haines, PharmD, MBA, helps oversee the development of new drugs, ensuring therapies move through the pipeline. Sue Carr, RPh, has become an entrepreneur after creating a product to make withdrawing medications from ampoules safer.

Muhammad Elsweesy standing in a pharmacy. — Dr. Muhammad Elsweesy has built a career supporting pharmacists at local CVS locations.

Fatimah Dakhel, Khaznah Alshammari, Tasneem Baker, and Shahad Alali completed an immersive community experience before their graduation in May 2024.

Dr. Kanika Dunn is building on her pharmacy education and pursuing a degree in osteopathic medicine.

Linda Spooner wins the Middletown 5K — Dr. Linda Spooner, an accomplished runner, finished second in her age group at the 500 Festival Mini-Marathon.

Sue Carr holds an all-in-one filter and needle that she developed. — Sue Carr is seeking FDA approval for a device she created to make withdrawing medicine from ampoules safer for providers and patients.

Long before graduating from MCPHS, Doctor of Pharmacy students are making an impact on their profession. Earlier this year, Marjorie DesLauriers, PharmD, joined hundreds of pharmacists and pharmacy students from across the country to meet with federal lawmakers and discuss issues facing the profession. A group of students from the Worcester campus spent a week immersed with local organizations to better understand the needs of the community and how they, as pharmacists, can help. Sarah Beasley was one of the only undergraduate students to present research at the Society of Critical Care Medicine’s Annual Critical Care Congress.

The pharmacy faculty at MCPHS are also dedicated to their students’ success. Beyond teaching the next generation of pharmacists, Dr. Linda Spooner is an accomplished runner and models the importance of balancing all aspects of life. Faculty members are also driving innovation in their fields. Dr. Roseann Donnelly started one of the first pharmacogenomics clinics in the country at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and discusses the possibilities of precision medicine on an episode of “The Secret to Living to 200.”

MCPHS has deep roots in pharmacy, and its students, faculty, and alumni continue to carry the University’s legacy forward by driving innovation across the profession.

MCPHS School of Pharmacy Worcester/Manchester students at their white coat ceremony.