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​Cheers and applause filled ������ý’s School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences on Friday as members of the inaugural class of the pharmacy technician training program celebrated their graduation.

Sixteen learners received their certificates of completion from Program Director Kenneth McCall, alongside Dean and Distinguished Professor Kanneyboyina Nagaraju, Instructional Support Associate Katie Sasina, and Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Donald E. Hall.

McCall started the ceremony by thanking everyone for being there and emphasizing the importance of pharmacy technicians in healthcare.

“Pharmacy technicians often go unrecognized, but they are essential members of our healthcare team,” he said. “Over 1 billion medications are dispensed or administered every year in the United States, and almost all of those medications are prepared and handled by pharmacy technicians under supervision.”

Graduates studied over 120 topics, including applied calculations, non-sterile and sterile compounding, data entry, medication reconciliation and pharmacology, he added: “They are now ready to enter the healthcare workforce and make a vital impact.”

Nagaraju shared his excitement for this first class, describing them as trailblazers not only for the program but for the community as well.

“As the first cohort of graduates, you are now ambassadors to this new and blossoming program and walking proof of the impact this school is having on our local community,” he said. “It is not common for a pharmacy school to start a pharmacy technician program, but our commitment to helping local students motivated us to initiate this program. Helping the local community and its learners is important not only for our school but also for ������ý.”

Sasina, who has taught and worked alongside the learners since joining SOPPS in August, spoke highly of the new graduates and their new passion for pharmacy.

“I couldn’t be more proud of our first class of pharmacy technician graduates,” she said. “Watching them learn, grow and become passionate in this field has been a true joy. Their dedication and hard work have set a standard for future cohorts, and I’m excited to see where their careers take them. Our students are ready to make an impact in the world of pharmacy.”

Hall reinforced the importance of pharmacy technicians and their role in the local communities.

“I want to thank you for deciding to dedicate yourself to this career because it is an incredibly important and consequential one,” he said. “Every time I go to a clinic or a drugstore, I see pharm techs as the first person I encounter, and your role is vital to the healthcare system.”

The learners in this diverse inaugural class come from many different backgrounds and took on the new program during different times of their lives. Jada Williams, a recent high school graduate, was interested in a career in healthcare and saw this program as an opportunity to jumpstart that idea.

“This program has given me so much more knowledge about the medical field, and it’s all so interesting to learn about,” Williams said. “Being able to have hands-on training to make medications was an incredible experience, and it’s amazing how we can learn about all of it in such a short period of time. I appreciate the school allowing me to learn about it all.”

Sharavia (Rae) Weathers already had a career in the healthcare field but was ready for something new. The program gave her the new experience she was looking for.

“My experience in the program has been an abundance of emotions,” she said. “Some days I was excited to learn new things, but the next, I was overwhelmed trying to juggle the program needs along with my everyday life. The professors running the program are hands-down amazing. They make you feel comfortable with so much help, guidance and a lot of reassurance.”

Cheryl Mullen, a nontraditional student, saw the program advertised in the spring and decided to jump at the opportunity. It was all she was hoping for and more.

“The pharmacy technician program far exceeded my expectations,” she said. “The flexibility of being a hybrid program is what pushed me to leap into a new career path, as well as the continuous support I received from my professors and classmates. This experience has taught me invaluable skills, knowledge and confidence to prepare me for the world of pharmacy. I would highly recommend the pharmacy technician program to anyone who’s ready to make a change and try something new.”