Those who know Morgan Grier, Class of 2021, understand that she is passionate about pharmacy and throughout her time in the College of Pharmacy, has sought out opportunities to develop her leadership abilities. For her devotion to her chosen profession and for her involvement in leading the college’s chapter of the Student National Pharmaceutical Association, Grier has been named the 2020 Student Pharmacist of the Year by the South Carolina Pharmacy Association.
Grier served in her third year as president of the college’s SNPhA chapter, as a junior board member for SCPhA and helped organize the inaugural breakfast and advocacy discussion for students attending the annual Legislative Day at the Statehouse. She also helped organize the college’s Safe Zone training to bring greater understanding for the LGBTQ+ community and has led initiatives to bring health care such as flu vaccination clinics to underserved communities.
I am surrounded by other students who do such amazing things ... It makes me proud of what I have been able to achieve throughout my academic career.
Morgan Grier Pharm.D. Candidate
Grier says she is just one of many students who are working to make a difference in patients’ lives and was surprised at being honored as Student Pharmacist of the Year. “I am surrounded by other students who do such amazing things,” she says. “It makes me proud of what I have been able to achieve throughout my academic career.”
Grier is currently working through her rotations in her final year and is glad to put her education to practical application. “In the classroom, you learn through lectures and courses, but not until you have a real patient in front of you do you really understand what gets you excited about pharmacy,” she adds.
She is particularly grateful to her mentor, Amy Grant, Pharm.D., associate dean for student affairs and diversity and advisor to SNPhA. “Dr. Grant has been my mentor since I was a pre-pharmacy student,” Grier says. “I couldn’t be who I am today without her guidance.”
Grier plans to pursue residency and has many interests, including ambulatory care, infectious diseases and psychiatry.