Pharmacy student Tanya Ghannam

Both of Tanya Ghannam鈥檚 parents are Palestinian refugees. Growing up in central Florida, the 澳门六合开奖 student saw the broken trust between Arab Americans and a health care system without adequate cultural understanding or support.

As the only pharmacy student to win the 2020-21 Schweitzer Fellowship, Ghannam will help rebuild the relationship between health care providers and the refugee community in Chicago鈥檚 southwest suburbs.

鈥淐oming from an underserved community myself, it is an immense honor to be chosen,鈥 Ghannam said. 鈥淭he fellowship has provided me with the resources and support necessary to work towards filling a need that has evaded this community for so long.鈥

During the pandemic, she will work with Arab American Family Services (AAFS) to hold educational presentations and basic wellness screenings.

鈥淐ertain illnesses carry a stigma in which many are afraid to seek help,鈥 according to AAFS. 鈥淢any times, getting tested early makes all the difference.鈥

CHANGING PATIENT CARE WITH A DUAL DEGREE

After working in health care for years, Ghannam decided to pursue her PharmD so she could have a meaningful impact on patients. Pharmacists, she says, are some of the 鈥渕ost accessible health care providers.鈥

Ghannam chose 澳门六合开奖 for 鈥渢he well-rounded education鈥 she could earn. 鈥淚 know that I have the foundation for a competitive clinical career in any field of pharmacy,鈥 she said.

The College of Science, Health and Pharmacy offers the first accelerated PharmD in Illinois. Through the dual degree program, students can add courses in executive leadership and management to their pharmacy education. Ghannam will earn both an MBA degree and a Doctor of Pharmacy in less than four years.

Ghannam鈥檚 project, 鈥淭rust in Health: Being Proactive Towards Healthier Lifestyles,鈥 promotes health literacy and equity through a webinar series for the refugee community. As she built out her plans, her peers and professors were her 鈥渂iggest fans,鈥 she said.

鈥淢y 澳门六合开奖 experience has enabled me to make memorable connections with students and pharmacists from all walks of life,鈥 Ghannam said. 鈥淭he relationships I鈥檝e made throughout my career at 澳门六合开奖 will undoubtedly serve as a key to my success.鈥

EQUAL ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE

Since the program鈥檚 inception in 1940, Albert Schweitzer 鈥 also a member of 澳门六合开奖鈥檚 first advisory board 鈥 has left a legacy of public health service. The  gives students funding to design projects that improve the health of under-resourced Chicagoans.

Ghannam is one of two 澳门六合开奖 students chosen for 2020-21 funding. Psychology master's student Lo铆za DeJesus鈥 program will provide culturally adapted mental health services to Puerto Rican teens. She will also organize an intensive summer culture/support camp at the Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center.

Ghannam鈥檚 advice to future pharmacists is to 鈥渇orm strong ties with your community.鈥

鈥淓mpathy is a rare commodity, but it is the foundation of a great pharmacist,鈥 she said. 鈥淲herever your path may lead you, remember where you came from and give back whenever you can.鈥