Celebrating the Class of 2026 MS HSPAL graduates
Graduates, family and friends, alumni, and faculty and staff gathered at the Jack Nicklaus Museum on May 11 for the MS Health-System Pharmacy Administration and Leadership (MS HSPAL) program graduation celebration. The ceremony was sponsored by the Latiolais Leadership Program and highlighted the Class of 2026’s accomplishments.
Before the program began, guests were invited to a social hour and dinner where they caught up with previous students, preceptors, colleagues and friends.
The evening kicked off with opening remarks from Trisha Jordan, PharmD, MS '01, chief pharmacy officer and director for the MS HSPAL residency program at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and assistant dean for medical center affairs at the Ohio State College of Pharmacy. Dr. Jordan greeted everyone in attendance and thanked them for joining this special celebration. After the opening remarks, Deanna Kroetz, PhD, BS Pharm '85, dean and professor at the Ohio State College of Pharmacy, welcomed guests and spoke on behalf of the college.
Following the college welcome from Dean Kroetz were the alumni society remarks delivered by Christine Prusa, PharmD '13, RPh, BCACP, board member for Pharmacy Alumni Society. Dr. Prusa provided the graduates with resources on how to stay connected as alumni. Whether it's updating their email to receive alumni newsletters or partaking in activities hosted by the alumni society, she urged the new graduates to stay involved as alumni.
Lisa Mostafavifar, PharmD, MS ’22, BCPS, BCNSP, clinical associate professor and director of the MS HSPAL program at the College of Pharmacy, provided remarks of her own, reflecting on the time spent with the graduates throughout the program. Dr. Mostafavifar mentioned the progression of artificial intelligence and implored the graduates to stay curious as they advance in their careers.
A presentation of plaques were then awarded to all six graduates. Graduates included:
- Adola Balogun, PharmD, MBA, MS
- Dylan McWilliams, PharmD, MS, BCPS, CSP
- Hanna J. Iarussi, PharmD, MBA, MS, BCPS
- Isaac W. Schmiesing, PharmD, MS, BCPS
- Rebecca Volkert, PharmD '24, MS
- Stephanie Godon, PharmD, MS, BCSC
Both residency program leaders and graduates were invited to give a brief reflecting on the graduate's time in the program.
The ceremony also celebrated Dr. Iarussi, recipient of the Timothy D. Moore Award, given to an outstanding graduate of the class. This award is dedicated to the memory of Tim Moore, former director of pharmacy and administrator of University Hospital. This award was presented by Phil Schneider, MS, FASHP, FASPEN, FFIP, adjunct professor of practice.
Closing remarks were delivered by Jerry Siegel, BS ’76, PharmD ’03, executive vice president at the Ohio Society of Health-System Pharmacy. Dr. Siegel discussed the legacy of women in pharmacy leadership at Ohio State.
View photos from event here.
