We’re thrilled to announce that the winners of the 2019 CVS Health Minority Scholarship for Pharmacy Students have been selected!
The CVS Health Minority Scholarship for Pharmacy Students is a new scholarship program launched in 2019 thanks to the generosity of CVS Health in partnership with the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP).
About this scholarship program
The scholarship program is designed to support and promote a diverse population of student pharmacists by reducing financial barriers for underrepresented minority (URM) students currently pursuing a PharmD degree.
Awardees are selected based on their demonstration of academic success, leadership, and a commitment to advancing the profession of pharmacy and patient care. Each recipient is awarded a single $8,000 scholarship.
The 2019 CVS Health Minority Scholarship for Pharmacy Students winners
We had a chance to connect with each of the 2019 awardees to discuss how this scholarship will help them as they move forward in their pursuit of a career in pharmacy.
William Chmely, University of Florida College of Pharmacy
Chmely is a second-year pharmacy student at the University of Florida College of Pharmacy. Here’s what he has to say about receiving the CVS Health Minority Scholarship for Pharmacy Students:
“For me, this scholarship means so much more than helping me cover my tuition. It really serves as affirmation that I have chosen a career path that allows me to serve others and impact those around me with purpose and passion.
“I am beyond honored to have been recognized by AACP and CVS with this scholarship! My greatest desires are to continue to serve the people of my community, work to overcome health disparities, and put forth all my passion and commitment to what I do.”
Donaciano Dominguez, Oregon State University College of Pharmacy
Dominguez is a second-year pharmacy and MBA student at Oregon State University College of Pharmacy. He plans to use this scholarship to focus on leadership opportunities:
“Receiving this scholarship will help me focus on my leadership development. As the co-president of the Entrepreneurship Academy within the college of pharmacy, I will lead a group of students in gaining management perspectives that will enhance their abilities in becoming pharmacy leaders. It will help me dedicate more time to seeking opportunities to improve my capabilities to best serve my community and it will lessen the financial barriers that many first-generation students face.”
Diana Garnica, University of Southern California School of Pharmacy
Garnica will be entering her second year as a pharmacy student at the University of Southern California School of Pharmacy this fall. She’s thankful for this scholarship because it’ll lift some of the financial burden and allow her to focus on her studies:
“I have always been a financially conscious person, so pharmacy school loans can seem overwhelming at times. This scholarship will not only relieve some of the financial burden but will also allow me to focus on other academic and extracurricular opportunities that come my way.
“I am extremely grateful to be awarded a scholarship that will help me fulfill my career goal of becoming a pharmacist.”
Karen Gonzales, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy
Gonzales is a second-year pharmacy student attending Texas Tech University Health Science Center Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy. She has the following to say about being awarded the CVS Health Minority Scholarship for Pharmacy Students:
“As a child, I always wanted to be a part of the medical field and while in undergrad, I found my passion for pharmacy. Being bestowed the honor of this scholarship means a great deal to me and will allow me to cover some of the cost of tuition.
“In the future, I hope to complete a residency and work in solid organ transplantation to provide patients and families a thorough explanation of their medications during those crucial moments. I also hope to continue to advance the profession of pharmacy by supporting legislation in the State of Texas for better patient care.”
Iris Kamgue, East Tennessee State University Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy
This fall, Kamgue will begin her second year as a pharmacy student at East Tennessee State University Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy. She’s thankful for this scholarship because it’ll bring her closer to achieving her goals:
“This scholarship is getting me one step closer to achieving my goal of becoming a PharmD, as it diminishes the financial burden that paying for pharmacy school is. Pharmacy school is expensive so receiving this scholarship will help me tremendously in covering the cost of my tuition.
“With this help, I will spend less time worrying about how I can cover my tuition and I will use that time to focus solely on my studies.”
Congratulations to the scholarship awardees
Please join us in congratulating these deserving students on their achievements! We can’t wait to watch them grow and succeed as they pursue careers in the pharmacy industry.
You can learn more about the CVS Health Minority Scholarship for Pharmacy Students on the AACP website.