Leah Bishop, second-year pharmacy student, was one of five pharmacy students in the nation among 689 applicants to receive a 2020-2021 CVS Health Minority Scholarship. Bishop will receive an $8000 scholarship and national recognition. The American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy and CVS Health partner to offer the annual scholarship program. The purpose of the scholarship is to reduce challenges and financial barriers that underrepresented minority students who are pursuing a PharmD degree face and to support them in caring for an increasingly diverse population of patients as part of a health care team.
Selection for the highly competitive scholarship is based on students’ leadership, academic success, and commitment to advancing the profession of pharmacy and patient care. Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale and have a faculty member submit a letter of support on their behalf. Bishop also had to submit an essay about how her life experiences affected her decision to pursue a career in pharmacy.
“The CVS Health Minority Scholarship program is one of many programs that the Drake University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (CPHS) encourages its underrepresented minority pharmacy students to apply for,” stated Renae Chesnut, dean of the College. “We are proud of Leah’s character and accomplishments that are recognized through this award.”
“I am honored to have received this scholarship,” said Bishop. “Not only will it help with the financial burden pharmacy school can have, but it serves as an affirmation to me that I have chosen the right career. In the future, when I’m a pharmacist, I look forward to advocating for each of my patients to receive the same quality of care.”
Drake University has made a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion through several initiatives. The College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences is committed to recruiting, supporting, and preparing a diverse student population as they become healthcare leaders.