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Washington State University
Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Spokane PharmD

Veteran, pharmacy student wants to help rural vets

By Addy Hatch, WSU Marketing and Communications

Michael Sauseda was used to providing life-saving medical care as a U.S. Army Special Forces Medical Sergeant.

When it came to his own health, however, a pharmacist was his salvation.

Sauseda had experienced traumatic brain injury during multiple combat tours in Afghanistan and Iraq, and at one point was taking 18 medications to treat his symptoms.

A clinical pharmacist helped bring that number down to “a very manageable three” medications, Sauseda said, freeing him to pursue his dreams beyond the military.

He set aside his initial plan to pursue a medical career after he retired from the … » More …

Presenting the class of 2026

On August 19, Washington State University College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences welcomed the incoming class of 2026. The class is comprised of 46 talented, well-rounded, and thoughtful students who come from across Washington state, around the country and world, including California, Nevada, Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Idaho, Canada and China. Their ages range from 20 to 44 years old, and they are a diverse group of students in every way.

“When admitting future student pharmacists, our faculty want to see people with a passion for health care, and folks who will become positive forces in the communities they serve. These students have that,” said College of … » More …

Pharmacy student helps hundreds of Afghan refugees in Washington

Third-year pharmacy student Ghazal Meratnia does not particularly enjoy the spotlight. She likes to keep things low key, but in many ways she’s an everyday hero for hundreds of Afghan refugees living in Washington state. Aside from being a full-time pharmacy student at WSU, Ghazal has served as a certified medical interpreter for Washington state for the last 10 years. Most of her clients are Afghan refugees who recently arrived to the Spokane area and are receiving medical checkups.

“It’s been an amazing journey,” said Ghazal whose family immigrated more than 10 years ago to the United States from Iran, a country which shares a … » More …

Former firefighter finds passion for pharmacy

First-year student pharmacist Amanda Whitehead, age 33, is one of five students in the inaugural class in the rural health track. The track is part of the college’s Rural Health Initiative to recruit, educate, and embed pharmacists in rural communities across Washington state.

As someone who has always lived and worked in rural areas throughout my life, I am truly passionate about bringing much needed health care resources to underserved populations. Living in a close-knit, small town has always been a great comfort to me and I want to support the people in my community in my future pharmacy career in a rural … » More …

Getting to know your new APhA-ASP national president

Kennedy Erickson, class of 2023, was sworn in as the American Pharmacists Association – Academy of Student Pharmacists (APhA-ASP) national president during the APhA Annual Meeting and Exposition in San Antonio, Texas in March. Erickson shares what she plans for her presidency and why she believes finding the “Courage to Change,” the theme of her presidency, is crucial to student pharmacists and the field of pharmacy today.
Can you tell us about your presidential theme?
My presidential theme “Courage to Change” was inspired by several events throughout the pandemic. The first being the exaggeration of pre-pandemic problems facing our society when the pandemic … » More …

Bringing health and wellness education to the Spokane community

Over the month of February, pharmacy student volunteers from the Washington State University College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences spent a few hours each Saturday at the Mobius Discovery Center teaching children and families in the Spokane community about health and wellness. The activities were arranged by Spokane chapters of the American Pharmacists Association – Academy of Student Pharmacists (APhA-ASP) and Kappa Psi (a professional fraternity).

Olivia Hiskey, class of 2023, served as the primary organizer and communicator between the college and Mobius, and helped organize the supplies and volunteers needed to successfully host the activities each week. Hiskey shares her experience and why … » More …

Student Spotlight: APhA-ASP regional member at large Tajana Vujic

Second-year pharmacy student Tajana Vujic was recently appointed in the American Pharmacist Association Academy of Student Pharmacist (APhA-ASP) as regional member at large, a national position, where she will be able to advocate for her peers. Vujic shares how she hopes to help the profession and why she encourages future pharmacy students to get involved with student organizations.

What does the regional member at large do? 

The regional member at large position makes sure that we are … » More …

Spokane WSU SNPhA chapter recognized nationally

Student organizations allow current pharmacy students to get involved with their peers making an impact on their communities both within Washington State University and the areas that surround them. This summer, one such organization, the WSU Spokane chapter of the Student National Pharmaceutical Association (SNPhA), was recognized for their service during the NPhA/SNPhA 2021 Virtual Convention. » More ...