The University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy brought home the title of national champions, winning the 20th annual Good Neighbor Pharmacy NCPA Pruitt-Schutte Student Business Plan Competition.
Jacob King, Fay Hussain and CharLeigh Steverson took the top honors over the University of Georgia College of Pharmacy and the University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy to capture the title.
The students presented “Blue Ridge Apothecary,” focused on ensuring their mission and vision of their pharmacy matched how they want to be viewed as practitioners.
While the team, sponsored by the Kennedy Pharmacy Innovation Center, has made it to the national competition twice before, it is the first time they have been named the top team in the nation.
King and Hussain had taken part in previous competitions, while this was CharLeigh Steverson’s first trip to the national competition.
“We were nervous on the inside, but we didn’t let that show in the presentation,” she says.
And Steverson says the team saw a good bit of growth from when they first began practicing several months back to the time of their presentation on the national stage.
“Our very first run through was 31 minutes,” she recalls, “but we got it down to 17 minutes.”
The team is especially grateful for those who contributed to their success.
“The judges that participated in our first competition gave us great feedback that we were able to implement as well as the support from Dr. Fabel, Dr. Ballou and Pam Hite,” she adds. “It was definitely a team effort."
“Independent pharmacy is one of the areas that needs advocacy, and I feel this experience has given me an even deeper love and appreciation for that part of pharmacy,” she says.
While we applaud each team that took part, one was a cut above the rest. Congratulations to the University of South Carolina for rising to the top of a very strong group!
“We are so very proud of our students for the tremendous work and effort they put into preparing for this competition,” says Dean Stephen J. Cutler. “To earn a spot in the top three nationally and then to win the title is a testament to the dedication of our students, our faculty and our program in preparing them to be leaders in our profession.”
“For independent pharmacy owners, having a solid business plan helps you confront whatever challenges inevitably arise,” says NCPA President Hugh Chancy. “Students participating in this competition grow both personally and professionally; they move into their careers better equipped to roll with the punches and be successful owners and leaders in the industry. While we applaud each team that took part, one was a cut above the rest. Congratulations to the University of South Carolina for rising to the top of a very strong group!”
Topics: Pharm.D. Program, Business Education, Kennedy Pharmacy Innovation Center