MCW School of Pharmacy Celebrates Class of 2026 PharmD Graduates

On May 14, the Medical College of Wisconsin School of Pharmacy’s Hooding Ceremony formally marked the transition from student pharmacists to Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) graduates. Faculty members placed elongated hoods over the shoulders of 37 students at MCW’s T. Michael Bolger Auditorium, signifying the official start of their professional pharmacy careers.

Founding dean and professor George E. MacKinnon III, PhD, DMSc (Hon.), MS, RPh, told graduates to embrace that they know more about medications than any other health profession, yet they must commit to lifelong learning.

"New medications, technologies and clinical guidelines emerge every year. Embrace this challenge to keep your knowledge up to date in your future roles and responsibilities,” encouraged Dr. MacKinnon.

In his keynote speech, Rick Gates, senior vice president and chief pharmacy officer at Walgreens highlighted that no matter the practice setting or role, “pharmacists show up when people need clarity the most.”

“Class of 2026, you are stepping into a profession that needs your skill, your courage and your voice,” said Gates. “You are not just inheriting pharmacy’s future – you are responsible for shaping it.”

Jennifer Koch, PharmD, BCGP, BCPS, associate chief of pharmacy - clinical manager at the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center, led graduating students in reciting the Oath of a Pharmacist. This promise states that pharmacists will devote themselves to a lifetime of service to others, including prioritizing the welfare of humanity and relief of suffering.

“Now, as we stand here today, we should be proud – not just of what we’ve accomplished, but of who we’ve become,” said class president Christina Choi. “We are prepared. We are capable. And we are ready to make an impact in a profession that needs us.”

During the Awards Ceremony, 16 students were recognized for outstanding performance in academics, clinical rotations or community service.

• Anastasia Boutris
  • Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) Certificate of Merit
  • Student Pharmacist Research Dissemination Award
• Noemi Cervera Evangelista
  • Friends of MCW Service Award
• Abby Cruz
  • Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) Certificate of Merit
  • Inclusive Excellence Award
• Bailey Dusso
  • Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) Certificate of Merit
• Chance Eiting
  • Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) Certificate of Merit
• Allyson Hencke
  • Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) Certificate of Merit
• Maura Keenan
  • Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin Advancing Pharmacy Practice Award
  • American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) Student Society Officer Recognition Award
  • Pharmacy Society of Wisconsin Student Achievement Award
  • Interprofessional Education Student Pharmacist Award
  • Viatris Excellence in Pharmacy Award
• Amanda Kerkman
  • Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) Certificate of Merit
• Madelyn Lechmaier
  • Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) Certificate of Merit
  • American Pharmacists Association (APhA) Academy of Student Pharmacists Senior Recognition Certificate
  • Fostering Healthy Communities Award
• Monica Micoliczyk
  • United States Public Health Service Excellence in Public Health Pharmacy Award
• Kalan Narance
  • Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) Certificate of Merit
• Hannah Odekirk
  • Friends of MCW Service Award
• Yerandy Rosas-Garcia
  • Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) Certificate of Merit
• Brendan Ryan
  • Clement J. Zablocki Veterans Affairs Student Achievement Award
• Sukna Sawah
  • Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) Certificate of Merit
• Janel Underwood
  • Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) Certificate of Merit
  • Friends of MCW Service Award

A handful of students were honored with the Outstanding Academic Achievement Award:

• Anastasia Boutris (PY2)
• Maura Keenan (PY1, PY2)
• Brendan Ryan (PY1, PY2)
• Troy Thompsen (PY1)

More than half of graduates are continuing their education through residencies. Following the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) Match, 21 of 24 participating students obtained post-graduate year one (PGY1) positions, yielding an 88 percent PGY1 residency match rate, exceeding the national match rate of 84 percent. Overall, 76 percent of these graduates are continuing their training in Wisconsin.

A number of students have chosen the direct-to-career pathway. Their practice settings include community pharmacy, assisted living and the Medical Services Corps in the U.S. Army.