The University of Houston College of Pharmacy (UHCOP) chapter of the Student National Pharmaceutical Association (SNPhA) brought home an impressive collection of national honors after showcasing its commitment to service, leadership and professional excellence at the 2026 SNPhA/NPhA National Convention.
Twenty-five UHCOP SNPhA members attended the convention July 31-Aug. 4 in Rockville, Md., where they participated in professional development activities, networking opportunities and national competitions while connecting with student pharmacists from chapters across the country. The convention also provided opportunities for students to strengthen their knowledge and skills for supporting underserved communities, a central focus of SNPhA’s mission.
Chapter Takes Near-sweep of National Initiative Awards
The UHCOP chapter was named a finalist for the Chauncey I. Cooper (CIC) Excellence Award in the Large Chapter category and earned first place in eight of nine national initiative award categories: Combating Cancer; Fighting Diabetes; Legislative, Membership Benefits and Immigration; Mental Health; Operation Immunization; Power to End Stroke; Project Keepsake, focused on chronic kidney disease; and Remember the Ribbon, focused on HIV/AIDS. SNPhA placed third in the ninth initiative, Bridging the Gap, which helps prepare pre-pharmacy students for pharmacy school through PharmCAS application guidance, mock interviews, leadership panels, and networking workshops.
The chapter also earned first place in Chapter Achievement Partners-related events, which foster collaboration, professional development and interchapter engagement. The program also promotes interprofessional teamwork in support of health equity, leadership and community service.
Individual Honors and Scholarships
The chapter also celebrated individual awards, financial support and top finishes in several national competitions. Among the chapter’s highest individual honors, Keilana Nicholas was named the 2026 SNPhA J.B. Hills Chapter President of the Year, an NPhA Foundation-sponsored award recognizing outstanding leadership and impact within a chapter and the pharmacy profession.
Five UHCOP students also received financial support at the national level: Tess Chan — Kroger Endowed Scholarship; Allison Chun — Rite Aid Endowed Scholarship; Michael Crichlow — Dr. Robbie Christian Student Enrichment Award; Aisha Ibrahim — Henry Lewis III Student Enrichment Award; and Emetu Umah — Dr. Horace and Ethel Bynum Endowed Scholarship.
For a second consecutive year, Crichlow also received the CVS Community Leaders Award.
Top Finishes in National Competitions
UHCOP students also earned several of the convention’s top competition placements:
- First Place, Cancer Clarity Challenge — Developed with the Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association under SNPhA’s Combating Cancer Initiative, the challenge calls on student pharmacists to counter cancer misinformation through evidence-based education, community outreach and measurable impact.
- First Place, Germ Genius Competition — The SNPhA x Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacists competition is a fast-paced, Jeopardy-style test of student pharmacists’ knowledge in microbiology, antimicrobial stewardship, infectious diseases pharmacotherapy and related topics.
- Second Place, Prescription for Service Competition — This national competition supports student-led projects designed to improve underserved communities. Following its success at the regional level, UHCOP’s “Space City Scripts” project earned a $5,000 second-place award at the national convention for its health-health education and services campaign.
- Second Place, National Scrapbook Competition — The digital competition invited chapters to showcase their accomplishments and memories from the year. Entries were evaluated on creativity, incorporation of SNPhA’s nine national initiatives and overall presentation.
- Finalist, AstraZeneca Medical Science Liaison (MSL) Simulation Competition — The annual SNPhA x AstraZeneca Medical Affairs competition gives Pharm.D. students experience with the MSL role through a real-world simulation. The UHCOP team and other finalists advanced to a live presentation on oncology drug information before AstraZeneca’s U.S. Oncology Medical Affairs team at the national convention.
Advancing Health Education Through National Advocacy
Beyond awards and competition placements, UHCOP students made an impact on the organization’s national policy agenda.
Led by Chapter Delegate and 2026-27 Chapter President Matthew Kim, the chapter successfully advanced a new resolution through the SNPhA National House of Delegates. The resolution calls for increased awareness, greater access to local resources and expanded health education surrounding the atopic triad — the coexistence of atopic dermatitis (eczema), asthma and allergic rhinitis (hay fever).
