by Natalia Kirychuk, Student Public Relations Writer
The Cedarville University School of Pharmacy awarded its first alumni awards of excellence for Doctor of Pharmacy graduates in the categories of education, profession and ministry and missions.
Award recipients were nominated by the school of pharmacy alumni awards subcommittee and recommended to the dean of the school of pharmacy, Dr. Marc Sweeney. The school of pharmacy launched the alumni advisory council earlier this year.
“I am encouraged by the interest and excitement about our inaugural alumni reception and awards ceremony for the school of pharmacy,” said Sweeney. “We thought this would be a good year to launch our awards now that we have several classes of graduates.”
The school of pharmacy advisory council is divided into three areas of focus to advise the leadership on strategic planning, initiatives and current trends in the health care and pharmacy industries. The advisory council offers insight on innovation, missions and experiential training and alumni and engagement. The council represents a wide variety of professionals and alumni who share expertise and perspectives to assist the school of pharmacy realize its vision and mission.
Alumni Award for Excellence in Education: Juanita Draime, Pharm.D. '16
Draime is currently an assistant professor of pharmacy practice at Cedarville University, after completing her Pharm.D. in 2016. She has been involved with both local and state pharmacy associations and currently serves as the president of the Miami Valley Pharmacists Association (MVPA). Her work leading the interprofessional Students Teaching Educational Plans for Success (STEPS) program earned the Cedarville University School of Pharmacy the Student Community Engaged Service Award from the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) in 2015.
“I am thankful for Cedarville University School of Pharmacy and the education I received while a student here,” said Draime. “The training I received has enabled me to develop into an effective educator. I only hope to continue this legacy by building into the lives of the students here through the grace of God.”
Alumni Award for Excellence in the Professions: McKenzie Shenk, Pharm.D. '17
Shenk is conducting her pharmacy residency at Eskenazi Health in Indianapolis, Indiana, after completing her Pharm.D. degree in 2017. During her college career she interned at the Memorial Health System in South Bend, Indiana; St. Margret’s House in South Bend, Indiana; and the Saint Joseph Health System in Mishawaka, Indiana. In the summer of 2018, Shenk was awarded the Nicholas G. Popovich Award from the Indiana Pharmacy Teaching Certificate (IPTeC) Program. The IPTeC Program is a statewide training program for pharmacy residents, fellows and experienced pharmacists. Shenk won the award based on her teaching portfolio, character and passion for pharmacy academia.
Alumni Award for Excellence in Missions and Ministry: Paul Srnis, Pharm.D. '16, MBA
Srnis is a 2016 Pharm.D. graduate and current district leader at Rite Aid, where he supervises the pharmacy businesses for 16 Rite Aid stores. He serves on the pharmacy alumni/engagement advisory council for the Cedarville University School of Pharmacy. Srinis preceded Draime as the president of the MVPA in 2016-2018. During his education, Srinis served as a student pharmacist at the Long/Zeigler Pharmacy in Wilmington, Ohio; the Kettering Medical Center in Kettering, Ohio; Raj Soin Medical Center in Beavercreek, Ohio; the Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton, Ohio; the Cleveland Clinic at a variety of locations; and the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) in Arlington, Virginia.
Located in southwest Ohio, Cedarville University is an accredited, Christ-centered, Baptist institution with an enrollment of 4,193 undergraduate, graduate, and online students in more than 150 areas of study. Founded in 1887, Cedarville is recognized nationally for its authentic Christian community, rigorous academic programs, strong graduation and retention rates, accredited professional and health science offerings, and leading student satisfaction ratings. For more information about the University, visit www.cedarville.edu.