During their annual convention in June, the Georgia Pharmacy Association (GPhA) honored
PCOM Georgia School of Pharmacy student Andrew Wilson (PharmD ‘24) by naming him Student of the Year. Along with
the distinction, Wilson and PCOM Georgia School of Pharmacy each received $500.
“We’re very proud of Andrew,” said Mandy Reece, PharmD, assistant dean of student and professional affairs for the School of Pharmacy. “He has dedicated significant time, energy, and leadership, and this award recognizes his impact as a student leader.”
The professional organization, which “promotes, enhances, and advocates for the profession of pharmacy,” established the award three years ago in memory of Dr. Jim Bartling, a GPhA past president and board member of the Georgia Pharmacy Foundation. Like the first two honorees, Wilson was chosen based upon written nominations submitted on his behalf by GPhA members—students, faculty, and/or practicing pharmacists.
“Student of the Year is more of the culmination of three years of service,” Wilson expressed. While he just completed a year-long term as president of GPhA’s Student Leadership Board, his commitment began as a Student Liaison. Encouraged by older students at PCOM to apply, Wilson explained, “Five first-year students from each of Georgia’s four pharmacy schools are invited to serve as liaisons.”
A practicing pharmacist since 1997, Dr. Reece encourages students to take advantage of such opportunities. “Students need to learn early on the value of professional associations and how to engage in them,” she stated, adding that pharmacy students are known to be active in at least one of several professional groups represented on campus.
Regarding his GPhA involvement, Wilson said he has particularly enjoyed “setting up events at all four pharmacy schools and speaking at some of their orientations.” He has further staffed booths at local festivals to promote health awareness by recruiting fellow pharmacy students to volunteer alongside him. He has also hosted GPhA speakers on PCOM Georgia’s campus.
“I’ve been president of three organizations and vice president of a fourth,” Wilson stated. Considering everything, he confided, “Student of the Year is about redemption.” Admitting that his undergraduate record was less than stellar, he said, “It was an adjustment time. I hadn’t figured out how to be independent and handle life’s responsibilities. For me, this recognition is about coming full circle, embracing myself as a pharmacist and scientist, and proving I can do more.”
Confident he’ll succeed, Dr. Reece concluded, “We train our PCOM Georgia student pharmacists to become caring, holistic, and competent pharmacists.”
PCOM Georgia has been serving students and the community for 20 years as a branch campus of Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM), a private, not-for-profit, accredited institution of higher education established in 1899. Located in Suwanee (Gwinnett County), PCOM Georgia offers doctoral degrees in osteopathic medicine, pharmacy and physical therapy. Graduate degrees are offered in biomedical sciences, medical laboratory science and physician assistant studies. The campus joins PCOM South Georgia in Moultrie in helping to meet the healthcare needs of the state. Emphasizing "a whole person" approach to care, PCOM Georgia focuses on educational excellence, interprofessional education and service to the community. For more information, visit pcom.edu or call 678-225-7500. The campus is also home to the Georgia Osteopathic Care Center, an osteopathic manipulative medicine clinic, which is open to the public by appointment. For more information, visit pcomgeorgiahealth.org.
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