Published on July 24, 2012 by William Nunnelley  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wJ9asO6tes 

Samford University's McWhorter School of Pharmacy has received a $125,000 gift from Cardinal Health, Inc., of Dublin, Ohio, to fund scholarships for senior pharmacy students preparing to serve in independent pharmacies.

The scholarship will benefit a Samford pharmacy senior during each of the next four years.

"Samford University's McWhorter School of Pharmacy is very grateful for this most generous gift that will assist students in achieving a career goal of becoming a community pharmacist who provides patient care that ensures optimal drug therapy outcomes," said Samford pharmacy Dean Charles C. Sands, III.

Steve Lawrence, at right in photo, Cardinal Health's Senior Vice President, Independent Sales Force,  presented a check for the gift to Dean Sands, left, and other Samford officials Tuesday, July 24, at Samford.

"We are excited for the opportunity to partner with Samford supporting the growth of independent pharmacy," said Lawrence.  "Owning a community pharmacy is not only a great way to earn a living, but a rewarding experience to provide patients with a lifeline of safe and quality care."

Independent pharmacies are not directly affiliated with pharmacy chains and are not owned by publicly-traded companies, but are pharmacist-owned and privately-held businesses.  They are known for high standards of customer service.

"Cardinal Health is a respected leader in helping pharmacies focus on quality patient care in a cost effective manner," said Randy Pittman, Samford's Vice President for University Advancement.  "At Samford, we want our students to focus on the same thing. I am so pleased that Cardinal has chosen to partner with us in providing much needed scholarship dollars to give students the chance to prepare well for a meaningful career in a critically important part of the healthcare continuum."

As part of the partnership, Cardinal Health also will provide mentoring resources to students holding the scholarship, providing them with practical guidance beyond their scholarship, Dean Sands noted.

Dean Sands also thanked Samford pharmacy alumni and successful independent pharmacy owners Phil LaFoy of Maryville, Tenn., and DeAnn Mullins of Panama City, Fla., for helping to make Cardinal Health aware of Samford's independent pharmacy program.

Cardinal Health, Inc., is a Fortune 500 health care services company that specializes in distribution of pharmaceuticals and medical products, serving more than 60,000 locations.

 

 

 
Samford is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Samford is the 87th-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. Samford enrolls 6,101 students from 45 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries in its 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. Samford fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference and ranks 6th nationally for its Graduation Success Rate among all NCAA Division I schools.