AACP › News & Media

Twenty-One Student Pharmacists Receive CVS Health Foundation/AACP Community Pharmacy Award

Student pharmacists gather around a tablet.

The total award of $420,000, which is funded by the CVS Health Foundation, is intended to support students who will care for the needs of patients, the profession, and the public, both within and outside healthcare settings. The scholarship will help reduce financial barriers for student pharmacists in pursuit of a Pharm.D. degree who are committed to improving the well-being of individual patients in communities across the United States.

Image removed.
Hear from the Recipients Directly

In 2026, the program saw a significant rise in interest, with applications increasing from 355 to 506. Even more compelling, the number of applicants reporting more than 100 hours of volunteer service in communities-in-need grew by 57%, underscoring a deepening commitment among future pharmacists to expanding access to care and improving community health. For the 2026-27 academic year, applicants must be enrolled as a (P1) or (P2) student in a three-year or four-year Pharm.D. program; or enrolled as a (P3) or (P4) student in a 0–5 or 0–6 Pharm.D. program.

Recipients of the 2026 CVS Health Foundation/AACP Community Pharmacy Award for Student Pharmacists are:

  • Samara Abdulla, Belmont University 
  • Michael Aderinkola, Howard University 
  • Seba Al Azawi, Pacific University Oregon 
  • Maryam Amin, University of Illinois at Chicago
  • Chinel Dixon, Appalachian College of Pharmacy
  • Elsie Fuakye, Howard University
  • Keriany Fuentes, University of Puerto Rico
  • Rosalie Gordon, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
  • Sophia Jaberi Vivar, University of California, San Diego
  • Emily Kelly, Auburn University 
  • Vincent Maralit, Florida A&M University
  • Lacy Myers, Florida A&M University
  • Paola Perez Lopez, University of Puerto Rico 
  • Sally Pham, University of California, Irvine
  • Jamecka Scales, Texas Southern University 
  • Bridget Serrurier, University of Illinois at Chicago
  • Saanvi Shah, Binghamton University 
  • Adeline Steinwagner, University of Colorado 
  • Charles Stephenson, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
  • Brooke Stoltzfus, Regis University
  • Kelly Sze, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York

"Pharmacists play an essential role in the health and well-being of the communities they serve, and that role will only continue to grow," said Lucille Accetta, Senior Vice President and Chief Pharmacy Officer, CVS Health. “It’s critical that we support student pharmacists today, giving them the opportunities and resources they need to succeed, so we can help build a strong pharmacy workforce for the future and help ensure communities continue to benefit from the knowledge, care and trusted support pharmacists provide."

"AACP is proud to work with the CVS Health Foundation to support 21 outstanding student pharmacists whose leadership, academic achievement, and dedication to serving patients exemplify the future of community pharmacy," said Lee Vermeulen, B.S.Pharm., M.S., FCCP, FFIP, AACP Executive Vice President and CEO. "Through these scholarships, we are investing not only in the education of future pharmacists, but also in their potential to strengthen communities, expand access to care, and improve health outcomes for patients across the country."

### 

Back to Top

Related Content