THE SPRING 2024 JOSEPH J. BOGDAN, INC. HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL SCHOLARSHIP WINNER

Patrick Asamoah

Patrick is pursuing a pharmacy degree at the University of Buffalo School of Pharmacy. The Law Offices of Joseph J. Bogdan, Inc. is honored to provide Patrick with our Healthcare Professionals Scholarship as he works to become a pharmacist.

Read Patrick's Essay:

Achieving success in a dual PharmD/MBA program requires finding the right balance between clinical knowledge, business expertise, and real-world experience. This scholarship means much more than financial assistance, it can be an essential element that can help me focus on creating an educational path which combines my academic goals with practical experience in the world of pharmacy. I currently work part-time at CVS while completing my dual degree, which helps me with both my education and my professional development. This experience has given me an up-close understanding of the intricacies of community pharmacy and allows me to learn how pharmaceutical treatment impacts people's lives. With this scholarship, I would be able to carry on with this work experience without sacrificing my educational objectives, thus ensuring my ability to successfully apply everything I learn in the classroom to real-world situations.

My inspiration for pursuing my PharmD/MBA degree stems from my interest in working in the field of specialty pharmacy. My involvement in the Student Association of Specialty Pharmacy, of which I served as President during the last academic year, greatly increased my interest and knowledge of specialty pharmacy and the world of pharmacy as a whole. Within this leadership role, I was able to expand the UB School of Pharmacy student community's understanding of specialty pharmacy by organizing conferences and workshops with professionals who were knowledgeable about specialty pharmacy. I was also able to plan outreach activities and fundraisers such as Walk MS and the Light the Night Walk in Buffalo to help and bring awareness to those who are affected by complex and rare diseases. I am interested in studying pharmacy because it also fits with my broader goal of improving healthcare delivery in the United States and expanding the role of pharmacists. As a future PharmD/MBA professional I will have the opportunity to contribute to the conversation about the evolving responsibilities of pharmacists. In the healthcare industry, pharmacists play a crucial role in ensuring higher patient care, increased medication safety, and improved health outcomes. Pharmacists are one of the most trusted professionals in the country and have a unique patient-facing role in healthcare. It is important to leverage that role and emphasize the importance of pharmacists as part of the healthcare team.

This scholarship will have an impact on my ability to participate in pharmacy professional organization conferences and networking events. These events are important for keeping up with the most recent advancements in the world of pharmacy, networking with business leaders, and exploring possible learning opportunities. These conferences are sometimes costly; however, I believe they will greatly help my academic and professional development. Learning about different points of view and perspectives can give me the knowledge and skills to practice in any area of pharmacy as well as giving me the opportunity to learn about new and innovative medicines.

In conclusion, this scholarship represents a lot more than financial support, it is an investment in my career and academic goals. With the help of this scholarship, I will be able to continue my education in pharmacy as well as business and how the two interact. Thank you for the opportunity to apply for this scholarship.