Snyder Wins RESPy Award Through Selfless Contribution to Pharmacy

When asked what made him choose pharmacy as a profession, this month's RESPy Award winner, Charles "Chase" Snyder from the University of Louisiana at Monroe (ULM) College of Pharmacy, said that completing research for a high school paper about the major he would choose in college made him realize his dream of becoming a pharmacist. Through research and interviewing several local pharmacists, he discovered the important role that pharmacists play in health care and the endless opportunities available to pharmacists.

Charles Snyder

Once Snyder made his decision to pursue a career in pharmacy, he contributed all of his efforts to furthering the field of pharmacy through his leadership skills and ability to get others motivated to participate. Currently in his third professional year at ULM, Snyder has actively participated in the University Student Government Association (SGA). "Through his active involvement in the SGA, [he] has lobbied for travel monies and other support for the Academy of Student Pharmacists Patient Care Projects...," said Edwin H. Adams, PharmD, director of the office of student and professional affairs at ULM, in his nomination of Snyder. "Without [his] tireless efforts, these projects would not have succeeded."

About the College

ULM College of Pharmacy offers 3 distinct programs of study. First, students may enroll in the professional doctoral program. Graduates of this program are awarded the Doctor of Pharmacy degree. The college also offers 2 graduate degrees?the Masters of Science degree in pharmaceutical sciences, offered in 8 different areas, and the Doctor of Philosophy degree in pharmacy, offered in 7 different major concentrations. Lastly, graduates of the college may obtain a Bachelor of Science degree in Toxicology (which is one of only 7 programs in the country). ULM faculty are dedicated to preparing students and ensuring that they have all of the latest skills and knowledge necessary to provide the best health care and scientific services for the citizens they will reach.

Snyder also is currently serving as vice president of projects of the Louisiana Student Pharmacists Alliance (LSPA)-a unique alliance at ULM between the Louisiana Health System Pharmacists and the American Pharmacists Association- Academy of Student Pharmacists. In his role as vice president of projects, he is now focused on a project that the group is working on through Operation Diabetes. "We are currently working on putting together northeast Louisiana's first 'Low Sugar Showcase,'" explained Snyder. In working together with the Operation Diabetes chair, Leah Waddle, Snyder and the LSPA are bringing together local restaurants and local pharmacies to help raise awareness of type 2 diabetes in an event on February 28, 2009, at the Monroe Civic Center. They plan for restaurants to set up booths displaying their diabetic-friendly dishes; pharmacies also will have booths providing diabetes education. The group is also developing a diabetic food guide, which will include information from restaurants, pharmacies, and physicians in the area. "Our goal is to inform people how they can work together as a community to help manage and even prevent type 2 diabetes," said Snyder.

The Wal-Mart/Pharmacy Times RESPy Award

RESPy (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.

In addition to his efforts through student government, Snyder has also dedicated himself to volunteerism to help not only his community, but communities abroad as well. He actively participated in multiple mission trips to Belize, where his church team worked tirelessly on construction on local churches and worked with the local youth groups. "Being able to work in a setting like that made me realize how many opportunities we have here that many other people never get," Snyder humbly explained. In addition, he also participated in ULM's Bone Marrow Drive last year. When he found out that he was a perfect match for a 1-year-old boy who had chronic myelogenous leukemia, Snyder did not hesitate and bravely underwent the bone marrow harvest. At last update, he heard that the boy was home from the hospital and is cancer-free for the time being.

Dr. Adams is grateful for the contributions that Snyder has made to the pharmacy school during his tenure. "It is very rare these days that you find such a compassionate, dedicated young person who 'gets it'....He makes us proud, bottom line," stated Dr. Adams.