Class of 2025 Celebrates Milestone Journey to Doctor of Pharmacy Degree

UMSOP honors new PharmD graduates, reflecting on their perseverance, leadership, and the values that will guide their futures.

PharmD graduate adjusting cap and smiling prior to the graduation ceremony

By Pam Carder
May 28, 2025

The University of Maryland School of Pharmacy (UMSOP) marked a proud milestone on May 22, celebrating the graduation of 88 new Doctors of Pharmacy during a heartfelt convocation ceremony.

In opening remarks, Sarah L.J. Michel, PhD, dean of the School and professor of pharmaceutical sciences, commended the graduates for their compassion and mutual support.

“What stands out about the Class of 2025 is your desire to help each other—an important characteristic of a pharmacist,” said Michel. “You are dedicated and compassionate leaders, not only supporting each other through your four-year PharmD experience but also mentoring younger classes.”

The keynote address was delivered by Zachary Noel, PharmD, PhD, teaching associate professor at the University of North Carolina Eshelman School of Pharmacy and a former UMSOP faculty member. Noel, who also serves as associate director for education development at UNC’s Center for Pharmacy Education and Innovation Research, shared an inventive metaphor using “auxiliary labels”—those small, colorful stickers on prescription bottles—as a symbol for the personal values pharmacists carry into their careers.

“As pharmacists, we each carry our own ‘auxiliary labels’—reminders of what we stand for,” Noel said. “These labels should reflect your values, guide your decisions, and keep you focused on what matters most.”

He urged graduates to consider the labels they wish to wear: integrity, compassion, advocacy. “Whether you work in patient care, industry, or elsewhere, I hope you’ll wear the label of ‘advocate’—for your patients, your colleagues, and for those whose voices often go unheard.”

Cherokee Layson-Wolf, PharmD, BCACP, FAPhA, professor of practice, sciences, and health outcomes research and the Class of 2025’s faculty advisor, delivered a moving tribute to the graduates, recalling their challenging start during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I have such distinct memories of welcoming you virtually during the pandemic, masked and distanced when we first met on campus,” said Layson-Wolf. “But look where we are four years later—together, celebrating you. It has been an honor to serve as part of your journey to becoming pharmacists.”

Layson-Wolf also emphasized the resilience and potential of the graduates and shared content from the final email she sent to the class as their advisor.

“You are strong. You are smart. You have the power to make a difference—no matter how small—in the lives of your patients, your communities, and each other,” she said. “Please check in. You know where to find us. This isn’t goodbye—it’s see you later.”

Class President Lotanna Ezeofor, PharmD ’25, reflected in his remarks on the class’s journey with pride and a call to leadership.

“Four years ago, we walked into this school during one of the most uncertain times in our country’s history,” Ezeofor said. “But through all of it, we kept showing up.” He encouraged his peers to embrace the responsibility of their training: “This degree is a key—one that opens doors to opportunity and to shaping the future.”

Graduate Reflections

“Becoming a Doctor of Pharmacy is an incredible milestone, and it’s an even greater honor to be the first woman in my family to achieve it,” said Emma Nelson, PharmD ’25.

“This is a huge milestone. A lot of us worked our entire lives to get to this morning,” said Ezeofor. “Creating bonds with our fellow students over the last four years has been wonderful. I am excited to see where everyone is headed and to watch them grow.”

Adamary Sanchez-Martinez, PharmD ’25, reflected on the significance of finally walking across a graduation stage: “Many of us completed our undergraduate degrees in 2020, without an in-person celebration. This moment is incredibly meaningful.”

“Everyone always said pharmacy school would fly by—I didn’t believe it, but here I am, about to walk across the stage, and it feels surreal,” said Linda Vu, PharmD ’25. “I am so grateful for everything I have learned from my professors and peers. This journey has truly been unforgettable.”

PharmD Class of 2025 Awards and Prizes

Preceptors of the Year:

Kenneth Saunders, PharmD, BCTXP
Gladimir Elysee, PharmD
Eun Jin Park, PharmD, BCPS, BCIDP
Nicole Brandt, PharmD, MBA, BCGP, FASCP

Teacher of the Year: Cherokee Layson-Wolf, PharmD, BCACP, FAPhA

Student Awards:

Andrew G. DuMez Award for superior proficiency in pharmacy: Sydnei Riddick, PharmD ‘25
Terry Paul Crovo Award in Pharmacy Practice for performance and promise to uphold the highest standards of the profession: Ariana Campos, PharmD ’25, and Charlene Anani, PharmD ‘25
Lambda Kappa Sigma, Epsilon Alumnae Chapter-Cole Award for proficiency in pharmacy administration: Gabriel Henderson, PharmD ‘25
William Simon Memorial Prize for superior work in the field of medicinal chemistry, practical and analytical chemistry: Emma Nelson, PharmD ‘25
Wagner Pharmaceutical Jurisprudence Prize for meritorious academic achievement in pharmaceutical jurisprudence: Edgardo Gonzalez Munoz, PharmD ‘25
John F. Wannenwetsch Memorial Prize for exceptional performance and promise in the practice of community pharmacy: Bhaskar Byanju Shrestha, PharmD ‘25
Conrad L. Wich Prize for exceptional work in medicinal chemistry and pharmacognosy: Daejong Kim, PharmD ‘25
L.S. Williams Practical Pharmacy Prize to the student having the highest general average in basic and applied pharmaceutics: Jugal Sheth, PharmD ‘25
Academic Excellence Award: Emma Nelson, PharmD ‘25
Maryland Pharmaceutical Society Award: Andrew Folasayo Gureje, PharmD ‘25
Maryland Society of Health-System Pharmacy Award: Saina Karami, PharmD ‘25
Maryland Pharmacists Association Award: Maethe Butterfield, PharmD ‘25
Alfred Abramson Entrepreneurship Award: Samantha Zakem, PharmD ‘25
Maryland-ASCP Award: Ysabelle Calara, PharmD ‘25
Viatris Excellence in Pharmacy Award: Martin Radvany, PharmD ‘25
U.S. Public Health Service Excellence in Public Health Pharmacy Award: Jillian Johnson, PharmD ‘25
Leadership Awards: Ysabelle Calara, PharmD ’25, Leila Victoria Dabalos, PharmD ’25, Lotanna Ezeofor, PharmD ’25, Andrew Folasayo Gureje, PharmD ’25, Francesco Mottola, PharmD ’25, Tasso Patrikios, PharmD ’25, Martin Radvany, PharmD ’25, and Linda Vu, PharmD ‘25