Robinson's Tireless Work, Volunteerism Earn Her RESPy Award

Jamie Lynn Robinson

It has been more than 20 years sinceJamie Lynn Robinson asked herselfthe question, ?What would you do ifyou knew you could not fail?? A highschool student and hospital volunteerat the time, Robinson?s resoundinganswer was that she wanted tobecome a pharmacist. She has notlooked back since.

Robinson is a third-year, nontraditionalstudent at Washington StateUniversity (WSU) College of Pharmacy. That workload, alongwith being a single mother to 2 girls, would be overwhelmingfor some. For Robinson, it is just the tip of the iceberg.She finds time for extensive community involvement andvolunteer efforts, showing her commitment to the field ofpharmacy?making her an ideal candidate for the Walmart/Pharmacy Times RESPy Award.

?I?ve been fortunate in so many ways through all theseyears,? said Robinson. ?I worked with pharmacists who lovedtheir jobs, parents who are encouraging, 2 daughters who arethe biggest fans anyone could wish for, teachers who encourageme to strive and push past any fears I may have, and beenvery, very lucky to volunteer in some incredible places.?

Among those places was Harrison Medical Center inWashington, where she started volunteer work as a teen.Robinson?s work ethic won her a paid position as a pharmacytechnician, which helped foster her dream. She went on todonate time at the Snake River Community Clinic and IdahoState Veterans Home in Lewiston, Idaho, as a pharmacyintern.

About the School

The Washington State University College of Pharmacy offers a4-year professional PharmD program that is fully accredited by theAccreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE). The programadmits 94 students each year. The college also offers degrees inpharmacology, health policy and administration, exercise science,and dietetics.

Robinson?s volunteer efforts hit closer to home when afriend fell ill with Lou Gehrig?s disease. Her mother, a registerednurse, coordinated the efforts of Robinson and others tocare for the friend during the last 2 months of her life. ?I feelas though she gave far more to me in comparison to the help Iwas able to give her,? said Robinson. ?It was a blessing to havea small part in her last days.?

Most recently, Robinson has given hours of her packedschedule to Peninsula Community Health Services, the local340B community clinic. After volunteering there for 3 years,she was made a paid pharmacy intern, and she plans to continueworking at the clinic after graduation. ?I love the pharmacistsand technicians who work there?they have a respectand appreciation for their patients that is inspiring. And I loveour patients at the clinic. They come from a wide and variedbackground and are appreciative of the care they receive.?

In addition to serving patients through volunteer work,Robinson carves out time to serve her community while supportingthe pharmacy field. As a member of the AmericanPharmacists Association Academy of Student Pharmacists,she is on the Midyear Regional Meeting Planning Committee.As a champion of health and wellness, Robinson is on theOperation Immunization public relations committee, and hasassisted in organizing community and campus wellness fairs.Her membership on the Cougar Health Awareness Team hasher coordinating health awareness activities across the WSUcampus and throughout Pullman, Washington.

Robinson was thrilled to hear about being chosen for theRESPy award, but remained modest. ?The RESPy awardstands for the things that I love about pharmacy and all thethings that I have strived to become as a pharmacist,? saidRobinson. ?I feel like I?ve just been doing what I love, and to berewarded for it beyond that is an incredible honor.?

?She is truly a role model for her colleagues, as well asyounger professional students,? said Dana Lohrey, PharmacyStudent Services Director. ?She has done an excellent jobof balancing her family commitments, academic and professionalpursuits, and community involvement.?