The Lloyd L. Gregory School of Pharmacy outfitted 66 new pharmacists with their hoods at a ceremony Friday evening. With the 2019 class, the school has produced 1,000 graduates since its inception.
“I am absolutely in awe,” said Mary Ann Blessing, daughter of the school’s namesake.
President William M. B. Fleming, Jr. opened the ceremony with Proverbs 3:1-6, reminding graduates to keep the Lord’s commandments and to trust and submit to Him in all their ways.
Gregory School of Pharmacy Assistant Dean Dr. Jay Jackson congratulated all of the students for their accomplishments before recognizing those selected for awards.
“There was a flood of memories that came back as I was shaking your hands,” Jackson said. “I know a lot of your stories. I know the struggles that you’ve gone through.”
Blessing, who is president and CEO of Kingsway Charities, presented Laura Neubauer with the Gregory Outstanding Graduate Award. The award recognizes the graduating senior in the top 10 percent of the class who has demonstrated a continual devotion to faith and the desire to integrate faith into the practice of pharmacy. It comes with a check for $10,000 and the expectation that the recipient will continue to practice pharmacy for the glory of God.
Mary Ann Blessing, daughter of Lloyd L. Gregory, presents Laura Neubauer with the Gregory Outstanding Graduate Award. The award comes with a plaque, a $10,000 check and an expectation that the recipient glorify God through the practice of pharmacy.Neubauer is a member of the Rho Chi Society, an international honor society for pharmaceutical sciences, and has served as its vice president. Membership is limited to the top 20 percent of the class. She recently completed an advanced pharmacy practice experience in oncology at the Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. She also participated in a medical missions trip to Uganda last summer.
Locally, she has served the people of Belle Glade through Christ Fellowship’s Belle Glade Life Center. She volunteers with the St. George’s Center’s homeless ministry, sorting, organizing and distributing clothing. Neubauer leads Family Church Village’s hospitality ministry, coordinating a team of volunteers on a weekly basis.
In applying for the award, she wrote: “Incorporating my faith into the practice of pharmacy is non-negotiable. I feel a burden to share the love of Christ with everyone I interact with through the practice of pharmacy, and so to separate the two would be to deliberately ignore the tools He’s given me to fulfill my calling as a believer — to love God and to love others…It is the greatest joy that I am able to bless others while drawing closer to Him as I grow in my career as a pharmacist.”
Gregory School of Pharmacy Dean Dr. Jeffrey D. Lewis encouraged students to use their knowledge and skills to follow Christ’s example to serve others.
“You are incredibly talented class. You have successfully navigated a very challenging academic program,” Lewis said. “Far more than talent, you’ve chosen to serve others, including one another. True servant leadership is modeled by Jesus Christ.” Gregory School of Pharmacy Dean Dr. Jeffrey Lewis congratulates a student at the hooding ceremony. The graduating class of 66 means the school has produced 1,000 graduates since its inception.
The Gregory School of Pharmacy also recognized these award winners:
American Institute of the History of Pharmacy Award — Pakou Vang
American Pharmacists Association Academy of Student Pharmacists Senior Recognition Award — Lizette Taveras
American Society of Health-System Pharmacists Senior Recognition Award — Jason Arevalo
Cardinal Health Senior Recognition Award — Elizabeth Osmon
CVS Health Distinction in Community Practice Award — Yaisleni Castillo
GSOP Mission Service Award — Candler Gonzalez
GSOP Servant Leader Award — Richard Marrero
GSOP Shining Light Award — Rebecca Wynn
Lilly Achievement Award — Richard Marrero
Merck Graduate Award — Laura Neubauer, Nicole Dziewiatkowski
Mylan Pharmaceuticals Excellence in Pharmacy Award — Gabrielle DuBruille
Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Recognition Award — Jessica Hernandez
National Association of Chain Drug Stores Graduate Award — Junelyn Bautista
The Pharmacy Practice Award — Millicynth Talagtag, Alexander Dikhow
Phi Lambda Sigma Leadership Chapter Senior Award — Jason Arevalo
Rho Chi Academic Achievement Award — Gabrielle DuBruille
Wolters Kluwer Clinical Drug Information Award of Excellence in Clinical Communication — Mallory Leach
