The College of Pharmacy asked current Walker Leadership Scholars and alumni to share why they wanted to be part of the program and how taking part has benefited them as students and in their careers.
In the program, I saw the opportunity to do more and be more, both personally and professionally, while also being someone who could learn to give back to the career that has shaped me, just as Donna has.
"The dedication that Donna has displayed towards giving back to the pharmacy community and to the University of South Carolina resonated strongly with me. In the program, I saw the opportunity to do more and be more, both personally and professionally, while also being someone who could learn to give back to the career that has shaped me, just as Donna has.
Being a Walker Leadership Scholar has provided me with opportunities that I never would have experienced otherwise. It was as a Walker Leadership Scholar that I had the opportunity to visit the PDC annual meeting in Albuquerque, New Mexico. This formative experience opened my eyes to the greater world of pharmacy and contributed to me eventually doing residency at the University of New Mexico. This ultimately led me down the pathway that has brought me to where I am."
Kendall Tucker, 2017 Pharm.D.
Assistant Professor, Pharmacotherapy and Infectious Diseases, Wilkes University Nesbitt School of Pharmacy
When I first met Donna, her enthusiasm, drive and passion for developing leaders in the pharmacy profession was captivating and moved me to want to be part of the WLS program.
"When I applied, the Walker Leadership Scholars program was in its infancy. I had known I wanted to be involved in some form of leadership through the college but was unsure what that would look like at the time. When I first met Donna, her enthusiasm, drive and passion for developing leaders in the pharmacy profession was captivating and moved me to want to be part of the WLS program.
The WLS program was instrumental in growing me as a student-leader, preparing for professional leadership, and networking in preparation for graduation and matching for residency. Many memorable experiences throughout the program, such as a trip to Washington D.C. to learn about policy and advocacy in the pharmacy profession, multiple APhA annual meetings, and a trip to Nicaragua where I had the honor of serving as Pharmacy Team Leader, were critical to the development of my leadership skills and professional growth. All these experiences and lifelong relationships have had and will continue to make an enduring impact on my personal and professional development as a leader both within and outside of the realm of pharmacy.”
Laura Jane Straw, 2018 Pharm.D.
Advanced Heart Failure Clinical Pharmacist, Prisma Health Richland
"As an individual driven to constantly develop and improve myself, the Walker Leadership
Scholars program attracted me due to its unique ability to foster and cultivate pharmacy
leaders. WLS offers countless opportunities to learn more about oneself and provides
context to be able to use that self-awareness and understanding to grow as a health
professional and person.
My participation in WLS has led to undoubtable growth in my role as a student and leader. I am confident to serve as president for Phi Lambda Sigma at the UofSC College of Pharmacy and as a member of the National Member Engagement Standing Committee for APhA-ASP. WLS prepared me by aiding in the development of my communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills to effectively perform in these roles."
Danny Schreiber, Class of 2024
"Participation in the Walker Leadership Scholars program allowed me to learn from
distinguished leaders within the pharmacy profession, while incorporating the tenets
I learned into the leadership positions I held within the college, as well as in my
career following graduation.
One of the most unique aspects of the Walker Leadership Scholars program is the exposure to a variety of nontraditional pharmacy career paths. I was able to enter my current career path, confident that clinical pharmacy practice was the best route for me. The WLS program also armed me with critical thinking skills and an ability to approach problems with outside the box solutions, further enhancing my clinical pharmacy skills."
Taylor Barnes, 2018 Pharm.D.
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Orlando Health Hospital System, Orlando, Florida
I learned so much about myself during my time in the program and had invaluable, once-in-a-lifetime experiences that I will never forget.
"I wanted to become part of the Walker Leadership Scholars program to grow as a future pharmacist and leader. I learned so much about myself during my time in the program and had invaluable, once-in-a-lifetime experiences that I will never forget. The most exciting part is that we are Walker Leadership Scholars for life!
WLS provided the tools for me to learn more about my leadership style and to appreciate the things that other leaders bring to the table. It also allowed me to expand my horizons while still a pharmacy student and learn about the many career opportunities that are available to pharmacists. I learned much more about the process of interviewing, which helped when joining the workforce. By allowing me to attend national conferences while in the program, I was able to grow my network of pharmacist contacts."
Heather Hembree, 2020 Pharm.D.
Clinical Health Outcomes Pharmacist, Walgreens/CenterWell Senior Primary Care
"The program really speaks for itself. Leadership is something I have been interested
in from an early age. With a background in community pharmacy, I wanted to pursue
anything that I thought would give me a competitive advantage in the world of pharmacy.
This program pushed me to become a better leader of myself first and then those around
me as well.
This program pushed me forward to be the best version of myself. To lead others, you first must be able to lead yourself. We try to make a difference, day by day, little by little, in our community. I was pushed to see large picture ideas."
Robbie Ouzts, 2020 Pharm.D.
Pharmacy Manager, Anderson Pharmacy, Manning, SC
"I wanted to be part of the Walker Leadership Scholar program because of the mentorship
that it provides; Donna does an incredible job of providing role models for us to
learn from. We receive leadership coaching, life advice, and problem-solving skills
through this network of role models that Donna has created for us.
The WLS program has helped me to become a well-rounded student by encouraging me to strive for leadership positions, while giving me the training to help in those roles. It has also put me in a position to grow skills in public speaking and research, as well as create an incredible network of professionals that I can reach out to with any questions that I need."
Jordan Jones, Class of 2023
I became more confident in my ability to pursue more non-traditional pharmacy roles and share my ideas with my team to improve our processes.
"I wanted to be a part of the Walker Leadership Scholars program to both grow as a leader and help others find and grow their leadership skills. WLS helped prepare me for my post-graduate roles by enhancing my leadership and communication skills.
Additionally, through the mentorship and training the program provides, I became more confident in my ability to pursue more non-traditional pharmacy roles and share my ideas with my team to improve our processes. The WLS program helped me understand association management prior to my fellowship, build connections in the Washington, D.C. area, and feel comfortable speaking to leaders at all levels of organizations."
Alexis Caronis, 2021 Pharm.D.
Associate Director, Drug Safety at Leaderboard Branding
"I wanted to further develop my leadership skills so that I could better serve the
pharmacy profession and my patients in the future. The Walker Leadership Scholars
program taught me so much about my own personal leadership style and the leadership
styles of others. I believe that I am a more effective and influential pharmacist
because I am now better equipped with the leadership and communication tools necessary
to relate to and understand my patients and coworkers. This has helped me over the
first few years of my career as I have worked with people with diverse backgrounds,
personalities, and communication styles."
Anna Todd, 2019 Pharm.D.
Specialty Pharmacist, Prisma Health Specialty Pharmacy, Greer, SC
"I dreamed of being a part of the Walker Leadership Scholars program for leadership
development opportunities, endless pharmacy connections, and community of leaders. Being
a scholar gives and helps me develop the skills needed to be not just a good leader,
but a great leader within the pharmacy profession. No matter what practice I choose–
I am interested in community, hospital, or administration – I am set up for success
because of the program."
Chancellor Nguyen, Class of 2025
Topics: Walker Leadership Scholars, Pharm.D. program, Alumni