UMSOP Student Pharmacist Awarded Prestigious AACP Walmart Community Pharmacy Scholarship

Scholarship recognizes leadership, academic excellence, and commitment to patient-centered care in underserved communities.

By Pam Carder
January 27, 2026

When Tiffany Frimpong watched her grandmother navigate a complex regimen of medications – carefully managed by physicians and pharmacists due to allergies, contraindications, and other stipulations – she realized just how vital pharmacists are in patients’ lives.

“Seeing firsthand how pharmacists make sure patients get what they need, aren’t on too many medications, and that everything works safely together really inspired me,” she said. “When I applied to pharmacy school, I wrote about how much I love how pharmacists are a conduit between patients and physicians.”

That inspiration, coupled with experience working as a pharmacy technician in community pharmacy, led Frimpong to pursue pharmacy school with determination. She’s now a first-year Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) student at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy (UMSOP), and a recipient of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy’s Walmart Community Pharmacy Scholarship.

Now in its fourth year, the Walmart Community Pharmacy Scholarship recognizes outstanding PharmD students who demonstrate leadership, academic success, and a commitment to serving rural or medically underserved patient populations. Each awardee receives a one-time $5,000 scholarship to support their professional education.

“Tiffany Frimpong’s selection reflects her advocacy, leadership, and dedication to advancing patient care in underserved communities,” AACP noted in its award communication.

Frimpong was selected alongside six other student pharmacists from across the country.

A Journey Shaped by Experience and Patient Care

Frimpong’s interest in health care began early, though her path to pharmacy evolved over time. She explored medicine and dentistry but found that pharmacy resonated the most.

Her mother, herself a pharmacist and a 2020 graduate of Notre Dame of Maryland University School of Pharmacy, was a major inspiration.

“My mother graduated as a Rho Chi Pharmacy Honor Society member and one of the top students in her class, and that really inspired me to pursue pharmacy with confidence,” Frimpong said.

Frimpong appreciates the unique role pharmacists play in the health care system, blending patient care, collaboration with physicians, and attention to medication safety.

Leadership, Scholarship, and Service Beyond the Classroom

Frimpong has consistently demonstrated leadership and mentorship throughout her academic career. While a student at the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC), she served as an academic peer advocate, guiding first- and second-year students through the challenges of college, and helping them develop time management skills, study strategies, and motivation. She also served as a teaching assistant, leading weekly biology discussions, supporting students during lectures and exams, and helping them navigate course materials.

Frimpong also excelled academically as an undergraduate student, contributing to a research project on olfactory behavior in mice, gaining hands-on experience with behavioral assays, data analysis, laboratory techniques, and scientific presentations.

Beyond academics, she volunteered at food and clothing drives across Maryland, supporting underserved communities. She also created a pharmacy-focused social media platform, Dose of Tiffany, where she shares her journey and connects students, pharmacists, and pharmacy technicians.

“I love finding ways to support others – whether that’s mentoring a fellow student, contributing to research, volunteering, or building a community online,” she said. “It’s all about learning together and helping each other grow.”

Seeing the Impact of Pharmacy Firsthand

Frimpong’s experience as a pharmacy technician gave her direct access to patient care in action. She recalls observing a pharmacist intervene when a patient was using the wrong syringe for a vitamin B injection, preventing ineffective medication administration.

“Moments like that remind me why I love pharmacy,” she said. “Pharmacists aren’t just filling prescriptions – they are making sure patients get the right care, that medications work safely together, and that patients truly understand their treatments. ”

Scholarship Recognition and Looking Ahead

After discovering the AACP Walmart Community Pharmacy Scholarship as a first-year UMSOP student, she applied and was notified of her selection early in Fall 2025, her first semester of pharmacy school.

“I was so happy – it was such a relief,” she said. “They told me they were really impressed with my application and that my essay was a touching story.”

Looking ahead, Frimpong is considering multiple career paths within pharmacy, including long-term care, specialty, and other patient-facing settings.

Supporting Future Pharmacists, Addressing Health Disparities

The Walmart Community Pharmacy Scholarship reflects a shared commitment by AACP and Walmart to strengthen the pharmacy workforce and improve health care access nationwide. By supporting student pharmacists dedicated to community-based practice, the program aims to expand access to high-quality care for patients who need it most.

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