Fourth-year pharmacy student Perera receives national scholarship

Fourth-year pharmacy student Vindya Perera has been selected as recipient of a Walmart Health Equity Scholarship for Pharmacy Students, which recognizes leadership, academic success and a commitment to serving rural or medically underserved patient populations upon graduation.

Perera is one of 10 students across the country to receive the $5,000 scholarship award from the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy.

“We applaud the success of our students and are thrilled that Vindya has been recognized with this national scholarship” said College of Pharmacy Dean Richard Kasmer, Pharm.D., J.D. “She truly exemplifies NEOMED’s commitment to serving the underserved and is well on her way to becoming a transformational leader in the field of pharmacy.”

According to the press release announcing the award, AACP received nearly 700 applications from pharmacy students at private and public institutions, a record number for any association scholarship or award.

In her essay, Perera shared how the scholarship would help her reach her goals.

“This scholarship will help me apply the skills and passion I have for serving my community, which has grown throughout my training,” she wrote. “I plan to pursue a career in ambulatory care pharmacy, and hope to join a practice where I can work collaboratively with physicians and other providers to provide the highest-quality, comprehensive medical care to uninsured and underinsured patients.”