Categories: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Elaine Law, PharmD ’08, associate clinical professor of pharmacy practice and regional coordinator for San Jose at the University of the Pacific, hopes to redefine what leadership and membership in professional organizations mean to a new generation.

Here are some of the standout moments from 2024 that drove our commitment to leadership in research, education, patient care, and innovation, all aimed at expanding knowledge and enhancing health worldwide.

PhD students Maddie Blaauw and Jacqueline Williams have been awarded the 2025 Genentech-UCSF School of Pharmacy Diversity Fellowship. This one-year fellowship provides industry experience, new research skills, and the chance to apply for a Genentech summer research internship.

Nearly 40 percent of students at the UCSF School of Pharmacy are first in their families to graduate from college. In honor of National First-Gen Day on Nov. 8, read about our trailblazers and what their determination to succeed brings to our school’s diverse community.

Nearly a third of the University of California’s Class of 2024 started their higher education journey at California community colleges, including Warif Kastoun, PharmD, whose plans to run her own local pharmacy in Damascus, Syria, were interrupted by civil war.

Overcoming a neighborhood power outage to receive their PharmD degrees, 120 graduates representing a global village celebrated their official entry into the profession of pharmacy.

Department of Clinical Pharmacy volunteer faculty member Kethen So, PharmD, MBA, challenges students to continuously expand their practice and will be honored on June 11, 2024, as a fellow by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP).

The programs are aimed at reducing the health care disparities of pharmacy deserts by cultivating interest in pharmacy careers among underserved communities.

Diana Cowell, PharmD, MBA, leveraged her military and pharmacy experience from around the world to provide comprehensive medication management and become a specialist in pain management for veterans. 

The award from the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists and the Association of Black Health-System Pharmacists recognizes efforts to reduce racial and ethnic disparities in health care.