Ms. Sax is a freelance writer based in Chevy Chase, Maryland.
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Kathleen Kawar |
Kathleen Kawar, a fifth-year student at the Arnold &
Marie Schwartz College of Pharmacy and Health
Sciences of Long Island University (LIU), proves that you
can lead with a quiet example. Kawar is involved in many community
outreach projects and professional programs. It is
through these programs that she has become known as a
dependable team member who, in a low-key way, makes a big
impact on those around her.
This year, Kawar serves as the president of the college's chapter
of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists
(ASHP). "Once she took on the responsibility for the [ASHP] chapter,
she looked for opportunities where she could make a difference,"
said Patrick Campbell, director of student and professional
activities, who submitted Kawar's nomination. "She organized
a poison prevention elementary education program with pharmacy
students and clinical staff member Dr. Catherine Tom-
Revson, which took place at a local first-grade classroom, and she
organized an information table on pharmacy as a profession at a
local high school health fair. Whenever an opportunity came up,
she was right there to take part." She also coordinated a
"Medicines in My Home" lesson for use in a local high school
classroom.
About the School
The Arnold & Marie Schwartz College of Pharmacy and Health
Sciences is Long Island University?s oldest unit. Established in 1886
as the Brooklyn College of Pharmacy, the college has completed
more than 100 years of service to the state and the nation in educating
more than 20,000 undergraduate and graduate students?many
who have attained prominence in pharmacy and the other health
professions.
Dean Stephen Gross, EdD, calls the college a ?modern and model
urban institution that provides access and excellence to those [students]
who are interested in pursuing a career in pharmacy and
related areas.? Dr. Gross said that the school?s extraordinary faculty
and state-of-the-art laboratories and facilities are integrated with the
most prestigious and comprehensive array of clinical affiliations in
the United States. Over 30 major medical centers and long-term care
facilities, hundreds of community pharmacies, and the school?s
world-renowned Drug Information Center participate in the school?s
network. The college focuses on preparing students for contemporary
practice, while envisioning future trends and expanded roles.
Kawar said these activities are the most meaningful to her. "I
love working with ASHP, because they are focused on how our
profession is changing to become more clinically focused. I really
liked working on the poison prevention and ?Medicines in My
Home' projects, because I like to work with children, and these
were great opportunities to educate kids about medication
safety and safety in the home," she said.
Kawar also participates in health fairs, most recently in
Brooklyn Hospital's asthma and smoking cessation clinics. She
also led the ASHP chapter's
participation in their hypertension
screening and counseling
table at a local health fair.
Since the college places significant
emphasis on expanding
the scope of pharmacy
practice through legislative
advocacy and leadership, it is
no surprise that Kawar has
helped organize Pharmacy
Lobby Day in Albany, in which
she also participated. At this
event, she met with state legislators
to encourage broadening the pharmacists' scope of
practice.
"We have been taught that it is important for people to know
what a big impact pharmacists can have on a patient's health,"
she said. "It is important for us to educate legislators on what
we are able to do to better help patients and have a greater
impact on the health care system." Kawar visited Albany twice
last year—once with 400 pharmacy LIU students and again with
the New York State Council of Health-System Pharmacists—to
meet with legislators.
The Wal-Mart/Pharmacy Times RESPy AWARD
(Respect, Excellence, and Service in
Pharmacy) is presented to the
student who has made a difference
in his or her community by demonstrating
excellence in pharmaceutical
care. For more information, please
visit www.pharmacytimes.com/RESPy.
Being in the New York metropolitan area offers unique challenges
and opportunities. In 2006, Kawar led a group of pharmacy
students to appear on ABC's Good Morning America to promote
the profession during American Pharmacists Month. "We
made signs promoting pharmacy and urging people to talk to
their pharmacists. It was really exciting," she said.
Her quiet confidence has made her a standout student. "The
great thing about Kathleen is that she is always giving her best.
You can always count on her, yet she does not always push herself
forward," said Campbell.
Inside the Issue
