Newsroom

CORVALLIS - With healthcare needs on the upswing, recent graduates of the College of Pharmacy at Oregon State University don't have to look far for employment - almost all of the 72-member class who celebrated their graduation in a recent special recognition ceremony already have jobs.

OSU President Ed Ray spoke to the graduates about the role of pharmacy as being key to optimizing the health and well-being of the public, especially as health care costs rise.

"We know you are ready to deliver care and dispense medicine with accuracy and expertise," said Ray. "You are in a position to improve and maintain our health." William Campbell, a 1966 OSU graduate, keynote speaker and dean emeritus at the University of North Carolina, emphasized the need for pharmaceutical care and the endless career opportunities available for pharmacists today.

"You are the connection for patients who must navigate a fragmented health care system," said Campbell. "You are the connection between other health professionals whose mounting obligations make it impossible to maintain even a passing knowledge of drug therapy."

Wayne Kradjan, dean of the college, congratulated the class and told the nearly 700-member audience at the event that Oregon takes pride in knowing that the majority of graduates completed their pre-pharmacy education in state, and 78 percent of the graduates plan to stay in Oregon working in a community, retail or hospital setting.

The doctor of pharmacy professional degree is awarded jointly by both OSU and Oregon Health & Science University. By the time graduates receive their Pharm.D., they will have earned an undergraduate science degree followed by four rigorous years of intense study of pharmaceutical sciences and practice.

The doctors of pharmacy and award recipients included:

OREGON

• Albany Megan E. Jones and Nancy Pifer, who was also awarded the American Pharmacists Association Academy of Student Professionals Mortar and Pestle Professionalism Award for exhibiting the ideals of professionalism and excellence in patient care in all aspects of her academic pharmacy career.

   

• Alsea Soren Kier Rounds

   

• Baker City Cory Rahn

   

• Beaverton Shannon Bedford, who was also awarded the Glaxo SmithKline Patient Care Award for her excellence in patient care in a variety of areas including patient counseling, drug information, health screening, and drug monitoring.

   

• Beaver Creek Tonya Miller, who also received the Eli Lilly Achievement Award for her excellence in pharmacy and enthusiastic leadership.

   

• Boring Eric Curtis Gustafson, who was also awarded the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Recognition Award for his in-depth understanding of the use of natural products in therapeutic regimens.

   

• Central Point Alexander J. Lokeno

   

• Corvallis Misa A. Stroker, who was also awarded the Perrigo Award of Excellence in Non-prescription Medication Studies in recognition of her strengths in understanding non-prescription drug therapy.

   

• Eugene Jeff Fortner, Amin Naseri and Arezou Naseri

   

• Fairview Joseph M. Welch

   

• Gresham Sara Simona Lacatis

   

• Hermiston Elizabeth A. Trebilcock

   

• Hillsboro Chamnan Ing and Li-Wen (Colleen) Lu

   

• Klamath Falls James C. Williams, who is one of two graduates who received the Merck Award for his extraordinarily high level of academic achievement throughout his professional studies.

   

• Medford Larry Paul Bernard

   

• Milwaukie Brian James How and Allyson L. Gunter, who was also awarded the Roche Pharmacy Communications Award for promoting and delivering effective pharmacist/patient communication.

   

• Newberg Christy E. Rickard

   

• Newport Jenna M. Hill

   

• Ontario Michelle Jean Olson

   

• Oregon City Penny K. Fergus, who also received the Facts and Comparisons Excellence in Clinical Communication Award for demonstrating superior written and verbal communication skills in clinical settings.

   

• Philomath Courtney Mooney and Kristin Moser

   

• Portland Martina Alexander Akeson; Thanh-Ha Khang Dinh; Christy Erickson; Janet M. Evans; Kaya Levesque, who is also one of two graduates who received the Merck Award for her extraordinarily high level of academic achievement throughout her professional studies; Lorie Jean Lau; Huyen (Wendy) Mai, who also received the Teva Pharmaceuticals, U.S.A. Outstanding Student Award for all around excellence in the study of pharmacy; Linda Mai; Rick Hong Mai; Jenny Maila Moua; Bonnie C. Ng; Mindy T. Nguyen; Sochi I. Okoye; Scott Alan Oswald; Sean Ottum, who also received the Mylan Excellence in Pharmacy Award for his high professional motivation and superior proficiency in the provision of drug information services; Doug B. Pham; The Thanh Ta; Thuy Thanh Vo; Dawn M. Weeks

   

• Roseburg Jessica Kim

   

• Salem Susan Cejae LeGal, who also received the U.S. Public Health Service Excellence in Public Health Pharmacy Practice Award; Robert L. Cockrell and Tam Que To

   

• Sixes Jeff Rundberg

   

• Sweet Home Joshua L. Dahlenburg

   

• Tigard Linh Bui and Tonya Miller

   

• Waldport Jennifer Brabham

CALIFORNIA

• Davis Hong-Phuc Nguyen Ta

   

• Redding Steven W. Bass, II, who was awarded the Pfizer U.S. Pharmaceuticals Outstanding Leader Award for his strong commitment to professional practice, and was his class president and class speaker at the graduation recognition ceremony.

   

• Sacramento Tracy Diem Tran

   

• San Diego Lynda P. Limos

   

• San Francisco Vincent H. Luy

   

• San Jose Tam Thanh Ho; Phung Quan Le; Kally Do Nguyen; Tu Nguyen; Trang T. Vu

GEORGIA

• Cochran Donald A. Cooper

HAWAII

• Honolulu Jason T. Shimata and Deborah M.L. Wong

NEVADA

• Las Vegas Jaime Danielle Hughett and Jennifer Lee

WASHINGTON

• Vancouver David Forbess