University of Houston College of Pharmacy Pharm.D. students Gabriela Gaytán and Rebeca Pelayo Carvajal were awarded two of 28 national scholarships from the APhA Foundation, the research and philanthropic arm of the American Pharmacists Association.
Recipients are selected through a national review process that evaluates academic achievement, involvement in APhA–Academy of Student Pharmacists (APhA-ASP) activities and community engagement.
Gaytán received the Col. Jerry W. Ross Scholarship, which is awarded to those demonstrating core values of selflessness, integrity, leadership and academics.
“Receiving this scholarship has reinforced my commitment to leadership, integrity and service and the impact I strive to make,” Gaytán said.
Ross was a 30-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force and implemented one of the early unit dose programs in the service branch. He was known for his drug abuse prevention activities in both civilian and military communities.
Gaytán currently serves as APhA-ASP chapter president and co-founding chair of Operación Farmacia, a local patient care operation focused on Hispanic community outreach. Her other leadership roles include Phi Lambda Sigma (PLS) Pharmacy Leadership Society leadership chair and PLS executive team member.
Pelayo Carvajal received the Sam Kalman Scholarship, which is presented to a student pharmacist who demonstrates strong leadership and active involvement in community service and outreach.
Kalman is a former APhA director of education, executive director of APhA Development and senior director of administration for the APhA Foundation. Established through a lead gift from Elizabeth Keyes and supported by contributions from APhA staff members, the scholarship recognizes Kalman’s dedication to advancing pharmacy practice and education.
Pelayo Carvajal is an active member of APhA-ASP, serving as the co-founding senior chair for Operación Farmacia. She currently is president of PLS, director of communications for the Industry Pharmacists Organization and fundraising chair for the Never Generic Podcast.
“The scholarship motivates me to continue growing as a leader in pharmacy and to use those opportunities I’ve been given to contribute meaningfully to the profession,” Pelayo Carvajal said.