PharmD Candidate Named First Recipient of the LCDR Brian Parker Community Service Scholarship
The College of Pharmacy is pleased to announce that Stephanie Burke, PharmD’16, has been selected as the first recipient of the LCDR Brian Parker Community Service Scholarship. The scholarship, presented by the North Carolina Commissioned Officers Association (NCCOA) of the United States Public Health Service, will provide Stephanie with $1,000 towards her educational expenses.
More than 50 pharmacy students applied for the memorial scholarship honoring LCDR Brian Parker, a pharmacy officer in the United States Public Health Service. He served with both the Indian Health Service and the Federal Bureau of Prisons, providing health care to some of the most underserved populations. Applicants were required to submit an essay describing their health and community service experience, a faculty recommendation, have participated in at least 5 different public health or community service events in the past year, and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0.
"I was honored to be the first recipient of the LCDR Brian Parker Community Service Scholarship. This scholarship represents the importance of serving others which is ultimately what we are called to do as health care providers," said Stephanie Burke.
“My community service involvement has been filled with diverse experiences. In addition to more pharmacy-focused opportunities, I also like to involve myself in activities that do not have an established pharmacy focus. This is because I believe we can do so much more for people outside of our well-recognized roles in patient care,” continued Ms. Burke. “These opportunities are not necessarily what we would think of when we think of pharmacy, but as pharmacists, we have the ability and opportunity to connect with our patients on a more personal level. This includes listening to the stories and troubles of our patients, and teaching or educating them about their health and medications, and there are many different ways we can practice these skills.”
“Stephanie demonstrates exceptional passion for community service and public health through the countless ways she gives of herself and talents,” said Nancy Mason, PharmD, Associate Dean for Student Services and Clinical Professor of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, and Clinical Pharmacist, U-M Health System. “The Scholarship Committee bestowing this first-ever award indicated that they were particularly impressed at how much she thoroughly enjoys the time she spends helping others. This aspect stood out among the more than 50 applicants for this scholarship,” continued Dr. Mason. “Stephanie demonstrates generosity and a heart for service that is truly commendable. Congratulations, Stephanie, on this wonderful accomplishment!”
