ATLANTA – Mercer University fourth-year pharmacy student Kendra Roundtree was inducted as president of the Student National Pharmaceutical Association (SNPhA) at its national convention this summer in Philadelphia. Roundtree, a resident of Warner Robins and the daughter of John Roundtree and Ethel Lane, is pursuing a doctor of pharmacy degree at the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences and an master of business administration degree from the Stetson School of Business and Economics at Mercer.
“To be elected by my peers on a national level is a tremendous honor,” Roundtree said. “SNPhA is an organization that strives to serve underserved populations and communities, and for this reason, it has always been near to my heart.
“In my role as president, I have been charged with the duty of selecting a theme for this year,” she said. “This year’s theme, ‘Our Time Is Now, Our Reach Is Far,’ calls on all members of our organization and of the pharmacy profession as a whole to stand up and take notice to the various health care issues that continue to plague communities throughout the world, including HIV/AIDS, diabetes, hypertension and lack of access to proper health care because of low income and no health insurance, and from there recognize that he or she has an important role in helping to ameliorate these problems.”
In addition to her role with SNPhA, Roundtree is a member of the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists, the American Society of Health Systems Pharmacists, the Georgia Society of Health Systems Pharmacists and the National Community Pharmacists Association. A member of Rho Chi Honor Society for pharmacy, Roundtree is a pharmacy intern at E-Z Med Pharmacy in Sandy Springs, Ga. A previous winner of Pharmaceutical Care essay competition sponsored by the Georgia Pharmacy Association and a member of Phi Lambda Sigma Pharmacy Leadership Society, she has received a number of scholarships, including the Delta Sigma Theta, Inc.-Jacqueline Hall Scholarship, the James Hall Scholarship, the Dean’s Scholarship, the CVS/pharmacy Scholarship and the Jacques Foundation Scholarship.
Following her graduation from the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in spring 2007, Roundtree plans to complete a residency or fellowship and from there enter into either the hospital setting or into pharmaceutical industry.
“Kendra Roundtree is an outstanding student leader who has brought honor, not only to herself, but also to the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences,” noted Dean H.W. “Ted” Matthews.
Several Mercer pharmacy students and the student SNPhA chapter were also recognized at the national convention with the following awards:
Mercer’s chapter received recognition for its participation in the SNPhA-ASP collaboration for Operation Immunization, was awarded the first place prize in the scrapbook competition, and received the award for “Outstanding Community Service Projects.”
Pharmacy students Terrell Jefferson of Atlanta, Ga., and Derek Polly of Chamblee, Ga., were present to vote on resolutions and conduct business.
Rhondolyn Jones of Winterville, Ga., served on the nomination committee interviewing candidates that were elected and appointed.
Tanea Chane of Minneapolis, Minn., was appointed as the National HIV/AIDS Chair for 2006-2007.
Miheret Tesfaye of Lithonia, Ga., was elected public relations liaison on the national executive committee.
About SNPhA:
SNPhA is an educational service association of minority students who are concerned about pharmacy and health care related issues, and the poor minority representation in pharmacy and other health-related professions. The purpose of SNPhA is to plan, organize, coordinate and execute programs geared toward the improvement for the health, educational and social environment of the community.
About Mercer University and the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences:
Mercer University’s College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences has a century-long tradition of excellence and a national reputation for producing outstanding leaders in the profession of pharmacy. In addition to having one of the largest concentrations of pharmaceutics Ph.D. students among private colleges in the United States, the College consistently has one of the largest Pharm.D. applicant pools in the nation. Previously known as Southern School of Pharmacy, the College changed its name in July 2006 to better reflect additional health science offerings. In fall 2007, the College is slated to begin offering a master of medical science degree at the completion of its new physician assistant program.
Founded in 1833, Mercer University is a dynamic and comprehensive center of undergraduate, graduate and professional education, the University has 7,300 students; 11 schools and colleges – liberal arts, law, pharmacy, medicine, business, engineering, education, theology, music, nursing and continuing and professional studies; major campuses in Macon and Atlanta; four regional academic centers across the state; a university press; teaching hospitals in Macon and Savannah; an educational partnership with Warner Robins Air Logistics Center in Warner Robins and Piedmont Healthcare in Atlanta; an engineering research center in Warner Robins; a performing arts center in Macon; and a NCAA Division I athletic program. For more information, visit www.mercer.edu.
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