Voting is now closed. The two new board members will be announced the week of May 21.
Amanda L. Bloemker ’07
Clinical Pharmacist, SSM Health Care - St. Mary’s Health Center
In addition to being a clinical pharmacist, Bloemker is a preceptor for first-year pharmacy residents at St. Mary’s. Bloemker continuously seeks opportunities to make a positive difference both at work and within the community. She is working on becoming a board certified pharmaceutical specialist this fall, and she volunteers with Gen Next, a young professionals’ organization within the United Way. She has participated in several charity bike rides, including the Ronald McDonald House Inaugural Bike Ride and the American Diabetes Association Ride, as a part of STLCOP’s team.
Memberships in professional organizations: United Way: Gen Next volunteer, Young Leadership Society, Women’s Leadership Society; St. Louis Zoo Young Friend; St. Louis College of Pharmacy Young Alumni; Kappa Psi fraternity
Why I want to be on the Alumni Association board of directors:
“I want to show current and future young alumni, and alumni young at heart, the importance of networking both within pharmacy and outside of pharmacy. During the past few years, the St. Louis College of Pharmacy Alumni Association has done an excellent job organizing events such as happy hours, local charity walks, concerts, theater performances, and local and regional trips to engage and connect alumni, and I would like to be a part of planning these events. Being a member of the St. Louis College of Pharmacy Alumni Association board would allow me to promote the interest and involvement of fellow alums and students in a positive way!”
Taylor A. Bradshaw ’10
Medical Information and Communication Associate, Forest Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
At Forest, Bradshaw’s primary responsibility is to ensure that Forest products are appropriately used by providing patients and health care professionals with the most accurate and up-to-date product information and by supporting and training internal clients. Additionally, Bradshaw develops standardized medical letters used in responding to inquiries from health care professionals. She also is a preceptor to student pharmacists who are on experiential rotations at Forest Pharmaceuticals.
Membership in professional organizations: American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (2011-2012), Drug Information Association (2010-2011) American Society of Health-Systems Pharmacists (2009-2010), STLCOP Young Alumni (2011-2012)
Why I want to be on the Alumni Association board of directors:
“The first line in The Oath of a Pharmacist says it all: ‘I promise to devote myself to a lifetime of service to others through the profession of pharmacy.’ My goal is to not only give back to the College that served me for six years but to my colleagues and peers whom I work with everyday as we strive to continually increase the quality of patient care.”
Cara Hoffmeyer ’09
Staff Pharmacist, HealthBridge Pharma and Biotech/Express Scripts, Inc.
In her role at Express Scripts, Inc.’s HealthBridge Pharma and Biotech division, Hoffmeyer works closely with patient assistant programs, which provide medication to patients who cannot afford necessary pharmaceutical treatment. She uses her clinical pharmacy knowledge and compassion to optimize patient therapy and client satisfaction. Hoffmeyer also is employed by SSM-St. Clare Health Center and volunteers at the Women’s Safe House.
As a recent graduate, Hoffmeyer has stayed connected to the College as an adjunct clinical instructor at STLCOP, a mentor for the Alumni Associations mentor program, and as a founding member of the Young Alumni Committee, where she helps plans and market programming and events to graduates from the classes of 2000-2011.
Membership in professional organizations: Missouri Pharmacists Association, St. Louis Society of Health-System Pharmacists, STLCOP Young Alumni
Why I want to be on the Alumni Association board of directors:
“St. Louis College of Pharmacy and the commitment of its faculty and Alumni Association helped shape me into the professional I am today. The interactions between students, faculty, alumni and the community provided an atmosphere that was rich in dedication to the profession of pharmacy. The success of this interaction and the excellent public relations associated with it is necessary to enable the College to continue recruiting the finest student pharmacists. Keeping abreast the ever changing face of pharmacy and any necessary improvements to the College requires positive yet thought out support and commitment by the Alumni Association. I am prepared and eager to be a part of that. I am dedicated to increasing alumni participation and the engagement of current students with alumni. I welcome the opportunity to have a larger role in the association by being a board member and giving back to a community of people who continue to inspire me today.”
Robert Kozlowski ’88
Director of Pharmacy, SSM-St. Mary’s Health Center
Kozlowski utilizes skills from 20 years of pharmacy management to promote safe medication therapy and outcomes with a focus on service at St. Mary’s Health Center. He works to integrate pharmacy into hospital-based services. As director of pharmacy, Kozlowski supervises 31 pharmacists, nine pharmacy interns, 19 pharmacy technicians, and two pharmacy practice residents. He also serves on the health center’s Network Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee, Patient Safety Committee, and Clinical Performance Improvement Committee.
For the past 17 years and counting, Kozlowski has served as a preceptor for the College. He also has coached and refereed youth and high school sports and is currently the basketball director of the Lindbergh Athletic Association.
Membership in professional organizations: American Society of Health-System Pharmacists
Why I want to be on the Alumni Association board of directors:
“I consider it an honor to be nominated for the board. The pharmacy profession has provided me with a wealth of opportunities, both professionally and personally. It is a privilege to have the opportunity to give back to a profession that has provided me with so much.”
Gary Tomlinson ’58
Retired
Tomlinson began his pharmacy career at Medicare-Glaser Drug Store in St. Louis. From 1961-81 he ran his own pharmacy in Memphis, Tenn. Tomlinson retired from the Memphis Federal Correctional Institute in 2003. Today, he volunteers for Opera Memphis as a special assistant and audio visual consultant
Membership in professional organizations: Former member of the Memphis Pharmaceutical Society, American Pharmaceutical Association, and fellow in the American College of Apothecary
Why I want to be on the Alumni Association board of directors:
"I believe that knowledge is wisdom and that wisdom will mean nothing if you do nothing with it. Pharmacy has been good to me. Therefore, I would like to give back to those entering into the profession. Also, I will bring maturity to the table."
Richard M. Watkins ’90
Retired, Clinical Pharmacist
Watkins received his bachelor’s degree in pharmacy at Howard University in Washington D.C. in 1954, after receiving a scholarship from Chi Delta Mu fraternity. In 1990, he graduated from STLCOP’s master’s degree program.
Shortly after passing the Missouri and Illinois state board tests, he was drafted into the navy because of his pharmacy background. At Treasure Island Naval Base in San Francisco, Watkins operated the base’s pharmacy and performed duties in labs, radiology, and minor surgery departments. While working as chief pharmacist at Central Medical Center, Watkins’ received a scholarship to participate in STLCOP’s master’s degree program. The Upjohn Company was so impressed with his thesis that they purchased the rights to utilize it. After receiving his graduate degree, Watkins worked for John Cochran Hospital before retiring 18 years later
Membership in professional organizations: Chi Delta Mu fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, Mortar and Pestle Society, Howard University Alumni Association
Why I want to be on the Alumni Association board of directors:
“I want to help expand the diversity of the student body at STLCOP and expand patient customer service needs into the working attitudes of students and alumni. I also want to help the Alumni Association raise funds to increase alumni’s financial assistance to STLCOP students."
The voting process is now closed. Check back the week of May 21 to see who the newest board memebrs are.