Celebrating Excellence: PHSR Graduate Students Honored at Awards Ceremony

Awards highlight the hard work, innovation, and promise of the next generation of leaders in the field.

By Pam Carder
December 8, 2025

Image, L-R: Yujia Li, Uzma Pathan, Dr. Danya Qato, Yu-Hua Fu, John Rizk.

View the full photo album on Flickr.

---

The University of Maryland School of Pharmacy (UMSOP) recognized students in the Pharmaceutical Health Services Research (PHSR) Graduate Program at a scholarships and fellowships awards ceremony on Nov. 17 in Baltimore.

“Today we celebrate the remarkable achievements of our graduate students,” said Julia Slejko, PhD, associate professor of practice, sciences, and health outcomes research (P-SHOR), co-director of the Patient-Driven Values in Healthcare Evaluation (PAVE) Center, and director of the PHSR Graduate Program. “This event gives us a moment to shine a light on the dedication, passion, and truly impressive work they bring to our program. It is also wonderful to recognize the generous donors whose support makes these scholarships and fellowships possible, allowing our students to thrive and pursue transformative work.”

Jill Morgan, PharmD, BCPS, BCPPS, FNAP, professor and chair of P-SHOR, also expressed her appreciation: “Our faculty continue to inspire students to question, lead, and grow. We are especially grateful to our donors – the Fedder family, Dr. Ilene Harris, the Schwartz family, Dr. Daniel Mullins, and all who have contributed to the PHSR Travel Scholarship. Their generosity honors legacies of innovation and advocacy and ensures that future leaders have the support they need to pursue their academic dreams.”

Donald O. Fedder Memorial Fellowship

Donald O. Fedder, DrPH, MPH, BSP, FAPhA, was a pioneering public health pharmacist and longtime faculty member at UMSOP who advanced the role of pharmacy in public health and highlighted the importance of patient behavior and chronic disease management. The Donald O. Fedder Memorial Fellowship, established in his honor, supports graduate students whose work focuses on social justice, pharmacy advocacy, or public health, thanks to the generous support of his wife Michaeline R. Fedder and son Ira Fedder, PharmD ‘79, MD.

Recipients:

• Xujun Gu, MSPH
• Lynn (Pei-Lin) Huang, MHS
• Seyedeh Taraneh Mousavi, PharmD
• John Rizk, BSPharm, MSc
• Tien Hoang Tran

During remarks, Tran reflected on the meaning of the award. “I feel deeply connected to Dr. Fedder’s legacy. His commitment to social justice, pharmacy advocacy, and public health truly shapes the way I think about my research. I want my work to inform policies that improve access to effective treatment and reduce the economic and quality-of-life burdens of chronic disease.”

Rizk said, “Dr. Fedder was a pharmacist, an innovator, and someone who believed health care belongs to everyone. In an email from his son Ira Fedder, he wrote, ‘You are my father’s academic legacy,’ and that humbled me. It reminded me that being a researcher is not just about publishing papers or reaching milestones – it’s about who we become along the way. His values of service, compassion, and uplifting others matter deeply, especially in a field that can sometimes prioritize competition over community. As I near graduation, I’ve been reflecting on my journey through the lens of his legacy. My goal has always been to remember who I serve, to build community rather than just credentials, and to help ‘repair the world one step at a time.’ If our work doesn’t help people, then we have lost sight of what truly makes us good researchers.”

Harris Zuckerman Scholarship Award

The Harris Zuckerman Scholarship Award was established by Ilene Harris, PharmD ’83, PhD, professor emeritus, to support students pursuing both Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) and PhD in PHSR degrees. Named in honor of her parents, Daniel Harris, MD, and Ann Harris, the scholarship helps fund the education, growth, and professional development of PhD students in UMSOP’s PHSR program.

Recipient:

• Yujia Li, MS

During the event, Li reflected, “This scholarship represents an incredible opportunity for students like me to pursue additional training, development, and advancement within pharmaceutical health services research. Its focus on supporting students with a pharmacy background – and on helping those with financial need – makes it especially meaningful. I am so grateful to be a recipient of this award.”

Arthur Schwartz Memorial Scholarship

As the first student admitted to the PhD in PHSR program, Arthur (Artie) Schwartz showed great interest in drug use and pharmaceutical marketing issues. Established in his honor by Karen and Aaron Schwartz, the Arthur Schwartz Memorial Scholarship provides funding for future students in the program based on academic standing and financial need.

Recipients:

• Jennifer Contreras, MPH
• Uzma Pathan, BPharm, MPharm, MS

“My mentors in the program have taught me what it means to approach scholarship with both rigor and compassion,” Contreras reflected. “My work aims to develop a conceptual framework for shared decision-making in type 2 diabetes management, driven by a personal connection to the topic. Patients want – and deserve – to be active participants in their care, grounded in trust with their providers. Receiving the Schwartz Award has reduced financial pressures and enabled me to devote my energy to advancing this patient-centered work.”

PHSR Student Travel Scholarship

Founded by C. Daniel Mullins, PhD, professor of P-SHOR and executive director of the PATIENTS Program, the PHSR Student Travel Scholarship was created through generous contributions from PHSR faculty, staff, students, and alumni. The scholarship supports travel to professional conferences for any student enrolled in courses taught by program faculty. This year’s recipients will use the award to attend a range of conferences around the world.

Recipients:

• Yueh-Yi Chiang, BSPharm
• Yu-Hua Fu, PharmD, MS
• Dominique Seo, MPH

During remarks, Chiang reflected on the significance of the award. “Like many doctoral students, I have had moments of uncertainty and self-doubt, but I’m finally beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel and appreciate the progress of my journey. My research focuses on improving care for a vulnerable population that faces significant health challenges, and I hope my work can make a meaningful difference. This travel scholarship gives me the chance to share what I’ve learned with broader audiences, and I am truly grateful for that opportunity.

View the full photo album on Flickr.

---

Related News Stories

More Stories About: Arthur Schwartz Donald Fedder Ilene Zuckerman P-SHOR PHSR PHSR Awards PHSR Student Travel Scholarship