This weekend, Waterloo Pharmacy celebrated the graduation of the class of 2021 at a virtual convocation reception. The reception followed the Faculty of Science’s virtual convocation.
“In whatever you do, we know that you’ll make the School of Pharmacy proud as you embark on your careers,” said Andrea Edginton, Hallman Director, in her address to the class of 2021. “You truly embody the spirit of Waterloo Pharmacy and help to support our vision to lead change for a healthier world.”
The event celebrated the successes of the PharmD, MSc and PhD graduates who convocated Saturday. Both Director Edginton and valedictorian Keean Sarani acknowledged the key role family and friends play in supporting our students along the way.
“There is truly something special about Rx2021 – we became more than colleagues, we became friends,” said Sarani. “We became more than a cohort, we became a phamily. And you know that’s phamily with a ‘ph.’”
In addition to the class of 2021 PharmD graduates, this weekend also featured convocation of the PhD candidates Paul Malik, Amy Pham and Yannick Traore and MSc candidate Yichang Huang. Notably, Traore was a finalist for the prestigious Alumni Gold Medal award which recognizes outstanding achievement in a doctoral degree program.
Awards are bestowed at convocation each year and this year we offer congratulations to the following award winners:
Mortar and Pestle Awards (recognizing students who graduate top of their class):
- Rehan Ahmed
- Catherine Anderson
- Elisa Basile
- Eva DeRango-Adem
- Nicole Gwiadowicz
- Jace Hui
- Navreet Khara
- Svetlana Litchmanova
- Quyen Nguyen
- Tegan Odland
- Treva Sadler
- Meena Shweitar
School of Pharmacy Graduate Awards:
- Lisa McLean Award Professional Practice Award (for success in the professional practice sequence and in memory of Lisa McLean, the School’s first Professional Practice Lab Co-ordinator): Lisa Ros-Choi
- Dr. Charlie Bayliff Memorial Award (for an exemplary student pursuing a residency, established in memory of Charlie Bayliff): Jace Hui
- Fresenius Kabi Canada Student Leadership Award (for a student leader pursuing a hospital pharmacy career): Kiarah Shchepanik
- Dr. Frank and Juliana Wong Patient Care Rotation Awards (to support students with a strong commitment to serving their region when on patient-care rotations): Christine Doky, Courtney Simpson and Melissa Abraham
Rx2021 Graduate Awards (chosen by the class of 2021):
- SOPhS Leadership Award: Keean Sarani
- Co-op Experience Award and Future of Pharmacy Award: George Daskalakis
- Community Engagement Award: Lisa Ros-Choi
- Undergraduate Student Experience Award: Kate Lim
- Student Support Recognition Award: Prof. Cynthia Richard
Thank you to everyone who joined us to celebrate the class of 2021!