Evan Colmenares, a third-year Doctor of Pharmacy student at the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, was selected for the Student Leadership Awards of both the American Pharmacists Association-Academy of Student Pharmacists and the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists.
“My commitment to participating in professional pharmacy associations stems from my interest in pharmacy policy and practice advancement efforts that both APhA and ASHP dedicate their resources to,” Colmenares said.
Originally from Alabama, Colmenares earned his Bachelor of Science in chemistry from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, graduating with honors in science and technology. His professional interests include health-system pharmacy administration, specifically the medication-use process, formulary management and pharmacy informatics and analytics.
“Evan is in that echelon of the highly dedicated, ambitious students that have passed through the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy,” said Clinical Associate Professor Phil Rodgers, Pharm.D. “He has pursued leadership positions both locally and nationally and has a clear aptitude as a leader and role model for his classmates.”
Within APhA-ASP, Colmenares has served as the Region Three delegate responsible for promoting policy and advocacy activities within the Southeast. He recently started his term as a member of the APhA-ASP Policy Standing Committee, which serves to represent policy interests of the more than 32,000 student members of APhA-ASP.
The APhA Student Leadership Award was established in 1983 and recognizes outstanding academic achievement and leadership ability in APhA-ASP at the local, regional and national levels of students who are in their next to last year of pharmacy school. Each year, four students from across the country are selected to receive the award.
Within ASHP, Colmenares has served as the chair of the ASHP Pharmacy Student Forum Advancement of Pharmacy Practice Advisory Group.
The ASHP Student Leadership Award Program recognizes students with demonstrated leadership ability and an interest in pharmacy practices in health systems. ASHP uses the award program to recognize those who represent the very best attributes and accomplishments of ASHP student members. Each year, up to 12 students are selected for the award nationally.
“Evan commits himself 100 percent to his responsibilities and is clearly proud of his education and experiences at the School,” Rodgers said. “Our school has been made better for the effort and time that he has invested in it over the years he has been here.”
Colmenares is the third UNC student to win the APhA Student Leadership Award, the third UNC student to win the ASHP Student Leadership Award, the second UNC student to win both awards and the first UNC student to win both awards within the same years.
“Evan is a phenomenal student leader and the impact of his leadership is felt by students at UNC and is also recognized nationwide by two of our major, national professional associations,” said Clinical Associate Professor Macary Marciniak, Pharm.D. “It has been a pleasure to watch Evan grow during his time as a student at UNC. I am certain that this is only a prelude to all that Evan will accomplish within pharmacy during his career.”
Colmenares holds the Gutterman Family Scholarship established by Donna Gutterman, Pharm.D., M.B.A., a 1972 graduate of the School, to recognize a student with merit, good character and a strong desire to excel in health care professions. Anyone interested in supporting students at the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy can contact the School’s Office of Advancement or make a gift online to the Pharmacy Scholarship Fund.