Congratulations Class of 2020!

Congratulations to my fellow graduates of the PharmD Class of 2020!

2 years ago, at our BS Commencement, I asked you all to envision our lives in 2 years at our PharmD graduation. I think I can speak for everyone that none of us envisioned this current health crisis, or our graduation being celebrated in this way. I also challenged you to be able to tell me and my twin sister Kristen apart from each other, but since we aren’t all together today, you’re off the hook!

While it is disappointing that we cannot be together to celebrate in person, let’s be grateful for our friends and family, near and far, who are cheering us on from their living rooms and computer screens today. And, let us find comfort and joy in remembering all of the priceless memories we made during our 4 years here at the UConn School of Pharmacy.

Ironically, we have always had the reputation of being a unique class, and this graduation certainly symbolizes that. We have a small class size with a lot of transfer students, never sat in the first few rows of any lecture hall, and were known to leave an empty gap in the middle of 129 in an effort to claim one of the highly coveted wall outlets. These are just a few ways in which we stand out among other classes. One of the most unique differences, in my opinion, is the special bond that we have, thanks to all of the 73 funny, kind, and unforgettable personalities that make up our class.

We have certainly gone through a lot as a class, and I know we’ve heard this numerous times already, but I think it’s important to reiterate: do not let this form of celebration in any way diminish what we have accomplished in these past 4 years. From struggling through our first Bioorganic Chemistry exam, to memorizing the Psych drug charts and all those CYP enzymes, to conquering the challenge of P3 spring, and that feeling on the last day of your final “online” rotation of pharmacy school. We have learned so much and have come so far from the students we were at P1 Orientation, and that is something certainly worth celebrating.

Now, we are finally ready to take one of the biggest steps in our lives and transition from students to pharmacists. With that being said, that does not mean that we are finished learning. Healthcare is changing day by day, and pharmacists must remain up to date with current practices and new drug treatments. As we have all seen recently, there are some things that cannot be taught in the classroom and must be learned along the way. Therefore, we now take on the role and responsibility of being life-long learners.

Every day, when I would come in to my General Medicine rotation at UConn Health, I would look at a picture of a graph posted in the office. This graph depicts 3 phases of learning – the beginner “I know nothing” phase, the hazard “I’m an expert” phase, and the expert “I know nothing” phase. As we enter the workplace, I challenge you to avoid the hazard phase, an area of naïve confidence and complacency, where you think you know everything and don’t know what you don’t know. Also, don’t be afraid of the beginner “I know nothing” phase. We’re all starting new careers, some at new places, so don’t be afraid to admit when you don’t know something and ask for help. Let’s aim to practice in the expert “I know nothing” phase, because here we realize how much more there is to know and use that as inspiration to learn.

COVID-19 has shown us the importance of life-long learning, because there is so much to learn about the virus itself in addition to the new advances in treatments and development of preventative vaccines. It has also shown us the importance of interprofessional teamwork among health care workers, as well as the value of pharmacists in the community and hospital settings, and in research and development. As we all enter the workforce, no matter what setting, I know that we are prepared and ready to tackle any challenges that come our way, because we are UConn School of Pharmacy graduates.

So, on what is technically our last day of pharmacy school, know that it is also the first day of our careers as pharmacists. Wherever we go, we will always have UConn School of Pharmacy tied to our names. Let us uphold this honor and take pride in our school, and remember one of the components of our class oath: “I will maintain the highest level of integrity and continue to represent the UConn School of Pharmacy in a professional manner throughout my career.”
I want to extend a big thank you to our School of Pharmacy faculty and staff members, for working endlessly to help us reach this milestone in our lives. We wouldn’t be here today without your continuous support and encouragement, and we genuinely appreciate you all.

I also want to thank all of our family and friends for cheering us on throughout these past 4 years. I know most of you, my parents included, feel as though you’ve been through pharmacy school yourselves, so this degree is also for you.

And thank you, PharmD Class of 2020, for being such a wonderful class and for the countless memories. I genuinely wish we were all together today and able to celebrate in person, but know that my thoughts and well wishes are with each and every one of you. I am going to miss you all and will be cheering you on throughout your careers.
And finally – anyone who knows me knows that I love Disney, so I have to end with a Disney reference…
Throughout pharmacy school, we’ve all been one of the Seven Dwarfs from Snow White – we’ve been Happy and Grumpy, Sleepy and Sneezy, and even a little bit Bashful and Dopey at times. And now, at our PharmD graduation, we can finally be called Doc.

Congratulations my friends! We did it! And be assured that nobody is ever going to forget the PharmD Class of 2020!

Katie

Jennifer Akosa - LEADERS TRACK
Alfred D. Ford Diversity Award
In recognition of service to diverse populations

Hinali Devendra Amin
Robert C. Greib Pharmaceutical Jurisprudence Award
In recognition of excellence in pharmacy jurisprudence

Erin Leigh Casey - LEADERS TRACK
Dean Robert L. McCarthy Award
In recognition of scholastic excellence, professionalism, and/or experiential accomplishments

Christie Elizabeth Costello - RHO CHI
Alex Cardoni Award in Psychiatric Pharmacy
For exceptional performance in P4 Psychiatric Clinical Clerkship in application of pharmacy knowledge to the care of patients with mental illness

Clare Marie Cycz - RHO CHI
Dean Henry S. Johnson Award
In recognition of scholastic excellence, professionalism, and/or experiential accomplishments

Corey Vincent Dinunno - Class Valedictorian - RHO CHI
Connecticut Alumni Chapter of the Alpha Zeta Omega, Nu Chapter Pharmaceutical Fraternity Award
In recognition of the highest academic record for the first professional year in the pharmacy curriculum
Rho Chi Honor Society -- Alpha Gamma Chapter Senior Award
In recognition of the highest academic achievement in the four years of the professional program
Louis F. Villa Memorial Award
In recognition of the highest scholastic average in the first three years of the professional program

Olivia A Dumont - PEDIATRIC PHARMACY TRACK
School of Pharmacy Patient Care Award
Awarded in recognition of excellence in institutional clinical experiential rotations

Kathleen Anne Flynn - LEADERS TRACK; PHI LAMBDA SIGMA
Dean James Halpert Award
In recognition of scholastic excellence, professionalism, and/or experiential accomplishments

Christina Louise Gangi - RHO CHI
The Merck Award for Academic Performance
In recognition of excellence in academics

Elefterios Steven Hamilakis - PHI LAMBDA SIGMA
John Basile Memorial Award
Awarded to graduating Pharm.D. member of the Kappa Psi fraternity who has contributed outstanding services to the chapter

Chevannah M. Hardie
Louis Kazin Journalism Award
In recognition of outstanding work in the field of journalism

Julianne Jacela
The Charles A. Pergola Student Internship Award
To qualified students in the professional program who have participated in an internship at a pharmaceutical company

Tripta Jutla - RHO CHI; URBAN SERVICE TRACK
Dean Arthur E. Schwarting Award
In recognition of scholastic excellence, professionalism, and/or experiential accomplishments

Youna Kang - RHO CHI; PHI LAMBDA SIGMA
The Merck Award for Academic Performance
In recognition of excellence in academics

John Noel Kassis - LEADERS TRACK; PHI LAMBDA SIGMA
John Basile Memorial Award
Awarded to graduating Pharm.D. member of the Kappa Psi fraternity who has contributed outstanding services to the chapter

Danielle Nicole Koubek - PHI LAMBDA SIGMA; PEDIATRIC PHARMACY TRACK

Quinn Kenneth LaCasse
James T. Malaney '10 Community Service Award
In recognition of community service above and beyond the required pharmacy practice experiences

Rachel Lelia Legg - URBAN SERVICE TRACK
United States Public health Service Excellence in Public Health Pharmacy Practice Award
Recognizing a pharmacy student who has demonstrated a commitment to public health and public health practice

Mackenzie S. Lim
Dean Karl A. Nieforth Award
In recognition of scholastic excellence, professionalism, and/or experiential accomplishments

Abigail Hernaez Macabingkil - RHO CHI; HONORS SCHOLAR
Alfred D. Ford Diversity Award
In recognition of service to diverse populations
The Charles A. Pergola Student Internship Award
To qualified students in the professional program who have participated in an internship at a pharmaceutical company

Jack Evan Malespini - RHO CHI; PHI LAMBDA SIGMA
American Society of Health Systems Pharmacists and
Connecticut Society of Health Systems Pharmacists
Awarded to a graduating Pharm.D. who’s overall academic performance and active interest demonstrates outstanding achievement in hospital pharmacy

Julise Lavern Marsh - HONORS SCHOLAR
Merck Research Award
Awarded for excellence in undergraduate research

Katherine Marie Marti - Class Salutatorian - RHO CHI; LEADERS TRACK; PHI LAMBDA SIGMA
Associate Dean Kevin Sweeny Award
In recognition of scholastic excellence, professionalism, and/or experiential accomplishments
LKS Ethel J. Heath Key
Awarded for outstanding scholarship to each graduating LKS member who has attained a scholastic rank in the top 10 percent of their graduating class

Kristen Elizabeth Marti - RHO CHI; LEADERS TRACK; PHI LAMBDA SIGMA
Associate Dean Donna Fournier Award
In recognition of scholastic excellence, professionalism, and/or experiential accomplishments
LKS Ethel J. Heath Key
Awarded for outstanding scholarship to each graduating LKS member who has attained a scholastic rank in the top 10 percent of their graduating class

Wyatt Nash Merrill - URBAN SERVICE TRACK
James T. Malaney '10 Community Service Award
In recognition of community service above and beyond the required pharmacy practice experiences

Muhammad Hasan Merza
Mylan Pharmaceutical Excellence in Pharmacy Award
In recognition of outstanding academic achievement (top 25% of the class) and demonstrated professional motivation, with intent to enter pharmacy practice

Monique Miller - URBAN SERVICE TRACK
Louis Kazin Journalism Award
In recognition of outstanding work in the field of journalism

Mallory Jade Norman - RHO CHI; URBAN SERVICE TRACK; PHI LAMBDA SIGMA
Lawrence Karp Memorial Prize
Excellence in studies of the pharmacological basis for treatment of the diseased state

Sayali Ghatpande Oak - RHO CHI; PHI LAMBDA SIGMA
Outstanding Women Scholar
Awarded to student who has demonstrated a dedication to research and service to the University community as well as academic excellence
School of Pharmacy Communication Award
Awarded in recognition of communication skills and the application of knowledge to patients and health practitioners

Darius Benjamin Papulis - PHI LAMBDA SIGMA
Dean Michael C. Gerald Award
In recognition of scholastic excellence, professionalism, and/or experiential accomplishments

Nathan Patenaude
School of Pharmacy Faculty Recognition Award
In recognition of scholastic excellence, professionalism, and/or experiential accomplishments

Emma Elizabeth Rehberg
Patrick Garvin Memorial Award
In recognition of the graduate who has achieved the greatest improvement over the four-year professional program, and who will be entering pharmacy community practice

Nancy Scarpelli - LEADERS TRACK; PHI LAMBDA SIGMA
Joseph W. Prokop Memorial Prize
In recognition of excellence in community pharmacy experiential rotations

Krystal Victoria Scinto - PHI LAMBDA SIGMA
The Connecticut Pharmacist Leadership Award
Presented to a student member of the Connecticut Pharmacists Association who was actively involved while attending pharmacy school demonstrating leadership while maintaining an outstanding academic performance

Patryk Stryjewski
Joseph A. Muccino Memorial Award
In recognition of the greatest overall scholastic improvement in the four year professional program

Michael Vessicchio - LEADERS TRACK; RHO CHI; PHI LAMBDA SIGMA
Edmund E. Goodmaster, Sr. Pharmacy Award
Awarded to a member of the graduating class for high achievement in scholarship and extracurricular activities

Andrew Michael Vilcinskas - LEADERS TRACK; PHI LAMBDA SIGMA; HONORS SCHOLAR
Associate Dean Kenneth Speranza Award
In recognition of scholastic excellence, professionalism, and/or experiential accomplishments
The Academy of Students of Pharmacy Certificate of Recognition
Awarded in recognition of outstanding service to the student chapter of the Academy of Students of Pharmacy

Paige Watkins - URBAN SERVICE TRACK; PHI LAMBDA SIGMA
Dean Harold G. Hewitt Award
In recognition of scholastic excellence, professionalism, and/or experiential accomplishments

Thomas Gassett Webb
Dean Gustavus Eliot Award
In recognition of scholastic excellence, professionalism, and/or experiential accomplishments

Cedric St. Clair White - LEADERS TRACK; PHI LAMBDA SIGMA
The School of Pharmacy Mortar & Pestle Professionalism Award
Presented in recognition of exhibiting the ideals of professionalism and excellence in patient care, and demonstrating exceptional service and commitment to pharmacy

Anisa Xhurxhi - RHO CHI; URBAN SERVICE TRACK

Katelyn Anne Yamartino - URBAN SERVICE TRACK; PHI LAMBDA SIGMA
The Lambda Kappa Sigma Ableman Chrysanthemum Achievement Award
Presented to an active sister in good academic standing who consistently promotes the advancement of women in pharmacy and serves as a positive influence to the collegiate chapter. The sister exemplifies the five core values of the fraternity: integrity, sisterhood, service, leadership, and scholarship

Yushan Minnie Zhang
Associate Dean Andrea Hubbard Award
In recognition of scholastic excellence, professionalism, and/or experiential accomplishments

Qingqing Zhou
School of Pharmacy Alumni Memorial Award
In recognition of demonstrated commitment to the profession of pharmacy in memory of our deceased alumni

Lejla Zukovic - PHI LAMBDA SIGMA

Stephanie Gernant is the School of Pharmacy’s 2020 Teacher of the Year

When I first was asked to prepare the closing speech for graduation, the words filled the pages easily. My greeting included a joke about keeping my speech short because I knew everyone just wanted leave Rome Ballroom to go to Teds. The closing was to wish you all a great summer, knowing I would see you in the fall. The only part of my original speech that I decided to keep was thanking my parents. Thank you, Mom & Dad. I am only the Salutatorian of my class because of your support. I had the luxury of having the ability to prioritize school when I had to, with the convenience of living with my friends a mile off campus. Beyond my parents, I wanted to thank my grandparents and the rest of my family for their support. Grandma, I hope the link to my virtual graduation was easier to get up and running than your zoom account was.

To the Class of 2020, I hope you and your families have been able to stay safe & healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank our fellow classmates and professors that are currently working on the front lines in the community to take care of patients. The uncertainty that these past few months have created will lead us to develop resilience and flexibility that will make us better health care providers in the future.

I miss seeing you all every day in the pharmacy school and around campus. I hope you have been able to retain some sense of normality regarding our education and daily routines. I hope those of you I see in the library have a quiet place to study and focus on school work. I know I am not alone when I say my kitchen table does not have the same ambience as the pharmacy library. To those of you I would see in the recreation center at 7:00 AM before classes, I hope that you have been able to find an enjoyable way to keep exercising. Although we cannot celebrate our graduation as originally planned, I hope you are proud of completing your Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy Studies, one of the most difficult undergraduate majors at the University of Connecticut. Please celebrate your accomplishments today (in a socially distant fashion).

I have been able to find a silver lining in these unprecedented times, and I encourage you to do the same. Unlike most of the Class of 2020 across the nation, we are fortunate to not be facing the same uncertainty for the fall of 2020. We will, hopefully, be back in the school of pharmacy spending our time in rooms 129 & 131 for our last didactic year of pharmacy school. Beyond missing out on the last semester with our friends in other majors, we can return to campus together and experience the things we love about the university for an additional school year. In 2022, we will have another graduation to celebrate and formally close our 6 years at UConn.

Thank you for your time reading through my makeshift speech in the form of a monologue. I wish you a healthy and relaxing summer of 2020. My thoughts are with you, as we try to complete our summer jobs and internships during the pandemic. Congratulations on your graduation and the half-way point to the completion of our professional pharmacy education. If you are looking for a way to celebrate, I heard that Teds put the recipe for a beaver on their Instagram.