Administrative Officers
President
My name is Leshawn Smith, and I am so proud and excited to be your National President for 2011-2012. Currently, I am in my fourth year at the University of Houston College of Pharmacy. Prior to beginning my pharmacy career, I obtained a BA degree in Greek and Latin from Baylor University and worked as a Certified Medical Technologist for seven years. I have been actively involved in SNPhA throughout my pharmacy school experience chairing several committees and serving as vice president within my local chapter before becoming your National President-Elect last year. In addition to SNPhA, I have also been actively involved in several student organizations at UH COP. I am a proud member of Phi Lambda Sigma Leadership Honor Society, Phi Delta Chi Fraternity, and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
In my personal time, I am an avid reader and I enjoy singing in the choir at Covenant Glen UMC where I’ve been a member for 22 years. As National President, I look forward to working closely with the other executive board members to improve communication within the organization on a national and local level, increase membership benefits, and close the Gap between SNPhA and NPhA.
Email: leshawnsmith@snpha.org
President-Elect
At SNPhA we HUG, so I send a virtual hug to the SNPhA family! My name is Pej, and I am proud to be your 2011-2012 National President-Elect. I am a 3rd year Pharm.D. candidate at California Northstate College of Pharmacy (CNCP) in Sacramento, California. Prior to starting my pharmacy career, I obtained my Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from University of California, Davis. In my spare time, I like to get together with family and friends, play tennis, test my skills in the kitchen, and follow the NBA, NFL, and MLB.
I was one of the ten founding members of the CNCP SNPhA chapter in 2009. In my local chapter, I have served as the project coordinator for the first Blood and Bone Marrow Drive as well as our chapter delegate. My past leadership experience included serving on the Student Body Council, President-Elect of APhA-ASP chapter, and a member of the CNCP CAPSLEAD team. These experiences and the enthusiasm of my colleagues have inspired in me a passion for leadership and service. As National President-Elect, I pledge to work closely with President Leshawn Smith and the executive board members to improve communication within the organization on a national and local level, increase membership, increase sponsorship and scholarships, and bridge the gap between chapters.
The most important thing to the continued success of SNPhA will be team work and collaboration. I challenge you to continue your hard work, enthusiasm, and support for improving SNPhA. We can work together to make the vision of SNPhA a reality. We can get there! We can build this bridge together!
Email: pejmanahmadi@snpha.org
Vice President
George Okpamen is a fourth year pharmacy student at Texas Southern University College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences. He has been a member of SNPhA since his pre-pharmacy days at the University of Houston, where he was initiated into the Eta Mu Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated. Because of the relationships formed on both campuses, he naturally took up his first leadership position with TSU-SNPhA as their CAPs Coordinator. In the following years, he would eventually grow in leadership with the chapter and serve as their Vice-President & National Delegate. His most recent accomplishments with the organization include chairing the Regions III, IV & V Conference as well as his chapter’s efforts to win Chapter of the Year. He attributes the success of both of these events to his knack for teamwork, creativity, and innovation. George also serves as the President of the Alpha Pi Chapter of Phi Lambda Sigma in addition to being a brother of Kappa Psi Pharmaceutical Fraternity, Incorporated.
When George is not working for CVS/Pharmacy or doing anything school related, he enjoys spending time with his friends and family. He specifically likes watching or playing sports with his two brothers. His favorite teams include the L.A. Lakers and the Dallas Cowboys. He also plays drums every Sunday with those same two brothers at their father’s church, Abounding Love Christian Center.
His goals for SNPhA this year include continuing the great success of the Clinical Skills Competition, getting more chapters involved with their CAPs partners, and lastly, learning from the great team of leaders he will have the privilege of working with this year!
Email: georgeokpamen@snpha.org
Recording Secretary
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Deborah Jackson is a 3rd year student at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia. She attended Wake Forest University for undergrad where she obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Spanish with a minor in Chemistry. She taught middle school Spanish for three years but decided to return back to school in order to earn her PharmD.
Deborah has been and continues to be an active member within her local SNPhA chapter. This past school year, she served as treasurer and helped to oversee a variety of fundraising activities. In addition to her SNPhA obligations, she served as the historian for her local SACGP and was an active member of Kappa Epsilon. During the 2011-2012 academic school year, Deborah will continue to be an active member of these student organizations and also serve the role of pharmacy liaison to the student group Una Vida Sana, which is geared towards providing healthcare to Hispanics in the local Richmond area.
She is excited about holding the position of National Recording Secretary and is looking forward to ensuring that deadlines are met so information is distributed in a timely manner. SNPhA has given her so many opportunities to serve her community and she is honored to hold this position to give back to an organization that means a great deal to her.
Email: deborahjackson@snpha.org
Financial Secretary
Jenny Luo is a second year pharmacy student at the University of Tennessee. In addition to seeking a PharmD, she has a keen interest in international health disparities and is also working towards a PhD in health policy. Jenny has been actively engaged with her university SNPhA chapter over the past year, especially with community health fairs and mentoring opportunities. Galvanized by these experiences within her own chapter, she hopes to transpose her involvement onto a national level. Jenny holds over six years experience with conference planning and has held student leadership positions on both local and national stages. During her tenure as financial secretary, she hopes to focus on further fundraising efforts and on engaging new sponsors for the organization.
Outside of school and SNPhA, Jenny likes to read, garden, and avoid exercise. Despite being one of the smallest people you’ll meet, she also loves to eat and has a weakness for lobster tails, the Food Network, and cheesecake. She appreciates good jokes and new ideas for SNPhA so please send along any of each to the email below.
Email: jennyluo@snpha.org
Historian
Emmanuel Akinwole is a fourth year student at the University of Southern California School of Pharmacy in Los Angeles, California. Having completed his bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry at the same institution, and worked in student affairs with a program developed to retain minority transfer students from local community colleges, Emmanuel felt a great affinity for USC and sought to become more involved in pharmacy school. He has had the opportunity to serve in a number of roles including class president, Student Senator, Vice President of SNPhA, student body president, and currently serves as the President of the Phi Chapter of Phi Lambda Sigma. Emmanuel hopes to apply his experience from these positions as well as his background in graphic design to the position of SNPhA National Historian.
In his spare time, Emmanuel enjoys playing sports, reading, and cinema. His future ambitions include a health administration residency, and he looks forward to graduating and joining other pharmacy leaders in advancing the profession.
Email: emmanuelakinwole@snpha.org
Executive Director
Dr. Carmita Coleman is the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and Associate Professor at Midway College School of Pharmacy in Paintsville, KY.
Dr. Coleman holds a bachelors degree in chemistry from the University of New Orleans and a Doctor of Pharmacy degree with honors from Xavier University of Louisiana. Dr. Coleman completed a Pharmacy Practice Residency at Hermann Hospital, Houston, Texas.
In 1999, Dr. Coleman joined the faculty as Assistant Professor at the Hampton University School of Pharmacy where she developed and taught a variety of courses, including the integrated components of Drug and Disease management. Dr. Coleman led the development of the Rho Chi chapter at Hampton University, and contributed significantly to student involvement in VPhA, VSHP, NPhA, and other organizations. Dr. Coleman's level of personal activity with the professional organizations led to her election to President - elect of the Virginia Society of Health System Pharmacists for 2004 and National Secretary for the National Pharmaceutical Association in 2003. She currently serves as the National Executive Director for the nation's premiere pharmacy organization for minority student pharmacists, the Student National Pharmaceutical Association.
Executive Assistant
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Mrs. Anderson recently moved to Midway College School of Pharmacy in Paintsville, Kentucky as the Academic Affairs Office Manager from the University of the Incarnate Word, Feik School of Pharmacy in San Antonio, Texas. She has been employed in Academia for the past 3 years and under the guidance of Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, Dr. Carmita Coleman.
Mrs. Anderson background includes 12 year of military service and 12 years in the hospitality industry. Along with MCSOP, she is also Executive Assistant for the Student National Pharmaceutical Association, which is now headquarter at Midway School of Pharmacy. Mrs. Anderson is looking forward to the newest School of Pharmacy’s opening and thrilled to be a part of the SNPhA team.
Email: contactsnpha@snpha.org
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Region Facilitators
Region I
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Gayle Tuckett, from St. Thomas, USVI, is a 4th year pharmacy student at Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of Pharmacy and is a PharmD Candidate for the year 2012. After attaining a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA, she worked as a Senior Certified Pharmacy Technician for Walgreens and has been with the company for seven years.
She actively served at the chapter level since her first year as a class representative, stepped into the position as President-elect her second year, and served as President of VCU SNPhA chapter her third year while serving as the National Legislative/Membership Benefits Chair. In addition to her studies and SNPhA, Gayle is involved in the Virginia Academy of Student Pharmacists serving as past Co-Social Chair and past Co-Historian and in her Class Council serving as past Co-Social Chair and current Co-Historian, as well as being a member of numerous organizations (the Alpha Delta chapter of Phi Delta Chi, Christian Pharmacists Fellowship International, Student Executive Council, Phi Lambda Sigma, and the Student Chapter of the Virginia Society of Health-System Pharmacists). Aside from school, she likes to play tennis, try new restaurants, continuously grow in her relationship with God, and has a desire to continue feeding her traveling appetite.
In her role as Region I Facilitator, Gayle hopes to promote chapter camaraderie between chapters in her Region, promote continual chapter involvement in national initiatives, and hopefully establish new chapters within Region I. Gayle firmly believes that the key to any leadership role, no matter how big or small, is to serve others, and this is what she is determined to do in this role to further the mission of SNPhA.
Email: gayletuckett@snpha.org
Region II
Jennifer Harris is a 4th year student pharmacist at the University of North Carolina Eshelman School of Pharmacy. She joined her SNPhA chapter as a pre-pharmacy student, and served in a variety of roles leading up to her term as Chapter President in 2010-11. Amongst her proudest accomplishments with SNPhA include: Starting the annual “Hoops 4 Hearts” Charity Basketball Tournament in conjunction with UNC’s Student National Dental Association & Student National Medical Association to raise money for the American Heart Association; helping to organize the first UNC SNPhA Networking Breakfast in conjunction with Wal-Mart and the UNC Pharmacy Foundation in order to connect the chapter with SNPhA Alumni; and planning the 2010 UNC SNPhA PCAT Review which serves as the chapter’s largest fundraiser. She is also a member of The Durham Academy of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmacy; North Carolina Association of Pharmacists (NCAP); APhA-ASP; ASHP; and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. In addition to serving her community, Jennifer enjoys teaching, sports, traveling, reading, and spending time with loved ones.
As Region II Facilitator, Jennifer’s goal is to foster a collaborative relationship between the region’s presidents, and support the sharing of programing ideas that encompass SNPhA’s initiatives.
Email: jenniferharris@snpha.org
Region III
Shirley Yu is a 3rd year pharmacy student at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Pharmacy. She earned a Bachelor’s in neuroscience at the University of Southern California. She has been involved with SNPhA since her P1 year, serving as the secretary and co-chair of Operation HIV/AIDS. She is a proud brother of the Kappa Psi Pharmaceutical Fraternity. Outside of school, she works as the quality improvement student extern at the UIC Ambulatory Care Pharmacy Services. In her free time, she plays competitive badminton and will be Vice President of the UIC Badminton Club. She also enjoys volleyball, Frisbee, and running. Along with her church, she volunteers with Breakthrough Ministries to serve the community living in the Westside of Chicago.
Her goals this year as Region III Facilitator are to develop the local chapters, increase participation in SNPhA initiatives, and ultimately inspire enthusiasm towards SNPhA’s mission of reaching the underserved.
Email: shirleyyu@snpha.org
Region IV
Melvin J. Roberts Jr. is a graduate of Michael E. DeBakey High School for Health Professions, which inspired him to pursue a career in the health care field. He is a proud alumnus of the renowned Xavier University of Louisiana, same alma mater as my mother, where he obtained his Bachelors of Science majoring in Biology. He is presently a roaring 3rd year Pharmacy Student of the Texas Southern University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (TSU-COPHS) after transferring in 2009. Since that late day in August 2009, he has proudly accepted his new role as a Tiger of Texas Southern University and truly believes he has made a home in the land of the tigers where they continuously strive for excellence through achievement. . It is his goal to pursue a career in clinical pharmacy concentrating in the treatment of HIV and other sexually transmitted or infectious diseases. Ultimately he would like to combine his two loves of Pharmacy and Veterinary Medicine through his own practice.
He has participated in a plethora of organizations and held leadership positions within them as well as the role of a student representative. Among those roles, he has the honor of serving as the current President of the TSU Chapter of Student National Pharmaceutical Association and a student member of the TSU-COPHS Curriculum Committee. As the incoming Region 4 Facilitator it is his goal to personally visit each of his chapters, help improve the quality of the resolutions and the legislative process, and solicit NPhA representation and participation with each of the chapter within his region.
Email: melvinroberts@snhpa.org
Region V
Ruth Awosika is a fourth year student at the University of Southern California School of Pharmacy (USC). Ruth has been an active SNPhA member since 2008, and served as chapter President last year. Her personal goals for her chapter were promoting the SNPhA mission, fostering teamwork, increasing chapter visibility in underserved communities, and inspiring advocacy, commitment & service. She was also actively involved in organizing her SNPhA chapter’s annual mission trips to orphanages in Jamaica and quarterly medical mission trips to Mexico. Ruth played an integral role in developing her local chapter during its infancy, and now she plans to expand her passion on a national level as the Regional V Facilitator. She looks forward to a year of even greater service, health education and the opportunity to build strong relationships within the SNPhA family, Region V and the communities we serve. Ruth strongly believes that as we tackle health disparities each day, we know we will touch a life and a life will touch ours and that is a blessing.
Email: ruthawosika@snpha.org
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Project Chairs
Operation Immunization Chair
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Dazhi Liu is in her fourth year at University of Iowa College of Pharmacy. Dazhi has been an UIOWA SNPhA chapter officer beginning in 2009, and served as chapter President the past year. Her personal goals for the chapter were recruiting more pharmacy and pre-pharmacy students, increasing student participation in community outreach events and bringing health services to underserved locales. She was actively involved in organizing the interdisciplinary health fairs targeting underserved and minority population in Iowa State. In addition, she was a leader in other student run clinics and student organizations, including coordinator of Free Mental Health Clinic, education and training coordinator of University of Iowa Mobile Clinic and the event coordinator of UI-SHP. Dazhi is also actively involved in state and national pharmacy organizations. She served as committee member for both Policy Committee of Public Affairs and Policy Committee of Professional Affairs of Iowa Pharmacy Association and committee member of ASHP student forum advisory group. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling and reading.
As Operation Immunization Chair, she aims to promote more involvement in educating the public and getting more students to administer vaccinations. She also plans to organize a discussion panel or CE session about pharmacist’s roles in immunization at variety of practice settings at regional or national meetings. It is her desire that student pharmacists embrace whatever new roles are entrusted to them as they transition into full-fledged health care professionals.
Email: dazhiliu@snpha.org
Chronic Kidney Disease Chair
Cindy Perez is a pharmacy candidate at the University of Houston. She has been involved in various organizations since her first year, such as SNPhA, the Mexican American Pharmacy Association (MAPSA), and APhA-ASP, as well as others. She has served as secretary and was on various committees for SNPhA, was the junior and senior diabetes chair for APhA-ASP, MAPSA president, and serves on the Dean's Advisory Committee. On her free time, Cindy enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, and reading.
Cindy received her B.S. and M.S. degrees in El Paso, TX, and it is there that she became invested in serving the medically underserved. She has carried this mission to Houston, Texas, where she has been actively involved in health fairs, fundraising, and awareness events for diabetes. Her enthusiasm for SNPhA is what has fueled her to pursue the CKD and Diabetes Initiative Chair position. As the national chair, Cindy is excited about the prospect of working with the chapters on a frequent and personal level to ensure that the goals for the initiative are carried out. She hopes to help all active SNPhA chapters in planning and coordinating CKD/Diabetes events, increase corporate sponsorship to the initiative, and help chapters locate resources. Cindy wants the CKD/Diabetes Initiative to continue to serve the various underserved communities nationally and believes that it is through SNPhA that the initiative has the unique opportunity to continue to touch many lives.
Email: cynthiaperez@snpha.org
Bridging The Gap Chair
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Louchard Lamothe is a 4th year Pharm.D Candidate at the satellite campus of Auburn University Harrison School of Pharmacy in Mobile, AL. She was born in Harlem, NY and raised in Coral Springs, FL. After graduating from Coral Springs High School, she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry from the University of Miami and a Masters degree in Biomedical Sciences from Barry University.
Louchard has been a faithful member of SNPhA since starting pharmacy school in 2008. During her first year of pharmacy school, Louchard became the founding president of her local chapter. Thereafter, she remained very active in her local chapter, serving as Vice President and Fundraising Chair. Louchard is most proud of the partnership her chapter has developed with Ozanam Charitable Pharmacy, a local non-profit pharmacy that services uninsured patients in south Alabama. Aside from her involvement with SNPhA, Louchard has been very active in several other student organizations on her campus. Over the past school year, Louchard also served as Vice President for both her student government and Society of Health-System Pharmacists chapter and she was the Worthy Master-at-Arms for her Phi Delta Chi chapter.
In her personal time, she likes to relax with her family and exercise. As bridging the gap chair, she is excited about working with the other national officers. Her goals are to help bridge the gap between SNPhA and NPhA, and ensure a seamless transition for SNPhA members into NPhA upon graduation.
Email: louchardlamothe@snpha.org
Legislative/Membership Benefits Chair
Alysha Robinson, a native of Raleigh, North Carolina, is a fourth-year pharmacy student at Hampton University School of Pharmacy, where she also completed her pre-pharmacy coursework. Since entering pharmacy school in 2008, Alysha has been an active member of her local SNPhA chapter, serving as the Chapter Publicist and Delegate during her second and third year, respectively. In addition to her work with SNPhA, Alysha served as the Student Political Action Network (SPAN) Liaison and Vice President of Hampton University’s chapter of APhA-ASP. In 2010, she was inducted into the Gamma Xi chapter of Rho Chi at Hampton University, and served as the Historian the following year. Through these organizations, Alysha has volunteered her time in numerous health fairs, professional awareness activities and other community outreach events. Along with her dedication to pharmacy, Alysha enjoys traveling, dancing and spending time with family and friends.
As Legislative Chair, Alysha plans to continue to develop SNPhA members as advocates of not only the profession of pharmacy but all healthcare issues. She believes in augmenting and uniting the voices of every SNPhA member to raise the awareness and visibility of the organization whose mission has become her own.
As Membership Benefits Chair Alysha will work to increase each SNPhA member’s utilization and awareness of the benefits currently available. She would also like to expand the membership benefits in ways that will aid members as they attend both regional and national conferences.
Email: alysharobinson@snpha.org
Power to End Stroke Chair
Crystal J. Spencer, a native of Norfolk, VA, is currently completing her fourth year as a Doctor of Pharmacy candidate at the Hampton University School of Pharmacy. Upon entering the professional program in 2008, Crystal became a strong advocate of community service, leadership, and volunteerism, especially within SNPhA. She has been an avid member of the organization ever since. Having served as Chapter President-elect, and finally Chapter President this past school year, Ms. Spencer has helped to increase membership, initiative participation, and the presence of the Hampton chapter within her community significantly.
In concurrence with her SNPhA involvement, Crystal also serves as Treasurer for the Pharm.D. Class of 2012, a mentor at the Hampton Roads Boys and Girls Club, and a volunteer with the American Cancer Society and the American Heart Association. During her spare time, she enjoys cooking, dancing, playing and listening to music, and spending time with loved ones, especially her two younger sisters.
As the National Power to End Stroke Chairperson, Crystal plans to take this initiative to new heights. Her goals include, but are not limited to, expanding chapter participation through mass, nationwide PTES-based events and projects, enhancing stroke awareness within our various SNPhA communities across the country, and promoting the development of a greatly influential smoking cessation program.
Email: crystalspencer@snpha.org
Remember the Ribbon Chair
Onyebuchi “Onye” Amaechi is a 3rd year pharmacy student at the University of the Incarnate Word- Feik School of Pharmacy. She is a graduate from the, 2011 home of the Final Four- National Basketball Champions, the University of Connecticut. There she received her Bachelor’s degree in Allied Health & Diagnostic Sciences. In her senior year at the University of Connecticut, Onye participated in an independent study that researched behavioral intervention and the effects of medication adherence in HIV/AIDS patients. She would later realize that this independent study would develop a passion for the needs and the health of those with HIV/AIDS.
Onye has been an active member of SNPhA since 2005 and has served as Vice-President (as a pre-pharmacy student), “Remember the Ribbon” Chapter Chair, and Vice-President (as a Pharmacy student). In addition to her SNPhA roles, Onye has also played major roles in other organizations. She was the Operation Immunization Chair for APhA, and is now currently the President of her Phi Lambda Sigma Chapter. In her personal time she enjoys building her relationship with God, being in the company of family and close friends, singing, and going to the beach!
As “Remember the Ribbon” National HIV/AIDS Chair, she anticipates to encourage all of the chapters to spread awareness about this pandemic through community outreach programs and events. She looks forward to helping all “RTR” Chairs to become HIV/AIDS educators or an alternative, in order to better serve their community.
Email: onyebuchiamaechi@snpha.org
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