About the award

The Bowl of Hygeia Award is the highest honor given to a graduating student in the School of Pharmacy at the University of California, San Francisco.

First presented in 1966, this honor is bestowed upon a student by fellow classmates and the faculty, and it recognizes the individual who best exemplifies the qualities most desirable in a pharmacist in action, thought, and attitude. Most important of these attributes are leadership, ability, enthusiasm, and dedication, not only as they relate to the profession of pharmacy, but also to humankind.

The UCSF Pharmacy Alumni Association (PAA) presents a uniquely designed representation of the Bowl of Hygeia to the recipient at Commencement each year. The award is named for Hygeia, the Greek goddess of health, and is recognized as a symbol of the profession of pharmacy.

In 2019, the PAA commissioned Abrasha, a noted San Francisco metal artist, to redesign the Bowl of Hygeia for a new generation of UCSF PharmD recipients. It was first presented in 2020.

About the sponsor

The UCSF Pharmacy Alumni Association exists to support and champion the alumni, faculty, and students of the UCSF School of Pharmacy. Activities of the Association include hosting mentor nights and events at professional conferences, offering financial support to student organizations, and honoring distinguished alumni.

Bowl of Hygeia recipients