Samford University McWhorter School of Pharmacy

We're excited to recognize another member of the Class of 2026 as she begins her pharmacy career. Congratulations to Megan Doggett on accepting a position with CVS Health in Birmingham, Alabama, where she will serve her community through accessible, patient-centered care.

The summer pharmacy meeting season is underway at the Alabama Pharmacy Association Annual Convention & Trade Show.

Our students were well represented, earning another first-place finish in the Student Pharmacist Self-Care Challenge. Jett Johnson and Jamiah Files were recognized for completing a leadership development program, and Payton Preuitt received the Joe Dean Professionalism Award.

Among our alumni highlights, Ginger Barron ’96, and Brad White ’18, were recognized for their contributions to the profession and we also extend a special congratulations to Wes Maddox, PharmD '02 on his installation as president of the Alabama Pharmacy Association.

We are proud to see students, alumni and faculty represented throughout the convention and recognized for their leadership, professionalism and service to the profession.

Hey alumni, make plans to attend the Alumni Breakfast next week at the APA Annual Convention & Trade Show in Gulf Shores!

We hope to see you there!

Breakfast registration: http://ms.spr.ly/6187vbCyc
Convention details: http://ms.spr.ly/6189vbCyl

Turns out students aren’t the only graduates around here. 🎉
Associate Professor Patty Jumbo Lucioni and Brett Bullard, assistant director of experiential education, recently completed Leadership Samford, a nine-month leadership development program focused on leadership, teamwork, service and the mission of Christian higher education. Faculty and staff joined in celebrating their achievement during a recognition dinner honoring program graduates.

A new endowed scholarship at Samford University’s McWhorter School of Pharmacy has been established in honor of Kim W. Benner, PharmD ’96, recognizing her lasting impact on pharmacy education, patient care and professional leadership.

For more than 25 years, Benner has invested in Samford student pharmacists as a teacher, mentor and pediatric clinical specialist at Children’s of Alabama. After more than two decades of service to ASHP, she was recently elected president and will be installed in June 2026.

The Kim W. Benner Endowed Scholarship will support students actively involved in the school’s ASHP student chapter, continuing Benner’s legacy of leadership and service.

Read more and learn how to support the scholarship: http://ms.spr.ly/6182vVXpg

First-year Doctor of Pharmacy students Melanie Gaetan Sanchez and Itzel Leon Medina recently recently joined other Samford students in serving Birmingham’s Hispanic community through a holistic health expo, an experience that reinforced the importance of communication, connection and compassionate care in health care.

There was a strong sense of community at the recent health expo hosted at Primera Iglesia Bautista de Center Point. Samford students and faculty joined local partners to serve Birmingham’s Hispanic community through health education, screenings, prayer and conversation.

Students spent time listening, building relationships and helping people feel seen and cared for. Whether translating for patients, teaching families about preventative care or simply sitting with someone and talking through concerns, every interaction mattered.

We’re grateful for the opportunity to learn alongside and serve our neighbors in such a meaningful way. 🤍

Samford pharmacy alumni – join us at the beach in June! ☀️🌊

Reconnect with fellow Bulldogs during two alumni breakfast events at this year’s pharmacy conferences.

📍 APA Conference Breakfast
Monday, June 8 | 7–8:15 a.m.
Lodge at Gulf State Park | Gulf Shores

📍 ALSHP Conference Breakfast
Monday, June 29 | 7–8:15 a.m.
The Grand | Point Clear

See you soon!

Conference Information:
APA: http://ms.spr.ly/6189vRCyR
ALSHP: http://ms.spr.ly/6182vRCyp

We are grateful to Walgreens for supporting our student pharmacists through the Pharmacy Champion Scholarship program, which recognizes future pharmacists and invests in the next generation of the profession.

A special thank you to Melissa Pharo, PharmD ’05 and District Pharmacy Supervisor with Walgreens, for personally presenting the check at our spring advisory board meeting.

Meet some more of our incredible students who matched with an ASHP-accredited postgraduate year one (PGY1) pharmacy residency program! We’re proud to celebrate their hard work, dedication and the exciting next step in their pharmacy journey 👏

Congratulations to:
• Hakeem Davis – UAB Hospital (Birmingham, AL)
• Rafael Figueroa – Touro Infirmary (New Orleans, LA)
• Chloe Fleming – University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy (Minneapolis, MN)
• Ashley Gardner – Southeast Health Medical Center (Dothan, AL)
• Kelci Guthrie – Samford University McWhorter School of Pharmacy (Birmingham, AL)
• Logan Guzik – Children's Hospital Colorado–Colorado Springs (Colorado Springs, CO)
• Holly Holcomb – DCH Regional Medical Center (Tuscaloosa, AL)
• Adeline Lee – UAB Hospital (Birmingham, AL)
• William Lockridge – UAB Hospital (Birmingham, AL)
• Anna Martinez – VA Birmingham Healthcare System (Birmingham, AL)
• Ethan Merrifield – VA North Texas Health Care System (Dallas, TX)
• Jayla Palacio – Cahaba Medical Care Foundation (Birmingham, AL)
• Kruti Patel – East Alabama Medical Center (Opelika, AL)
• Madeline Stewart – Mississippi Baptist Medical Center (Jackson, MS)
• Kaitlyn Tamucci – UAB Hospital (Birmingham, AL)
• Matthew Zbell – Huntsville Hospital (Huntsville, AL)