College of Pharmacy

About the Program

Each year, two student pharmacists are selected from the first-year pharmacy class to participate in the three-year program. Scholars are awarded the Tony and Jeanette Walker Scholarship and earn Graduation with Leadership Distinction.

As scholars, they gain access to exclusive opportunities that help them stand out in pharmacy school and build a foundation for becoming influential leaders in pharmacy, including:

• Monthly lunch-and-learns with local and national leaders both in and outside of the pharmacy profession
• Travel stipends to allow the scholars to attend APhA’s Annual and Midyear meetings as well as other local leadership meetings
• A week-long Washington, D.C. experience focused on health policy and advocacy
• Individual mentoring experiences to support leadership development and provide insights into specific area of interest
• Participation on the program advisory board and scholar selection process

Current Scholars

Max Moser, Class of 2029

Max is originally from Wake Forest, North Carolina. With both of his parents working in the pharmaceutical industry, he was exposed to the career path through dinner-table conversations, and as he learned how critical pharmacists are to drug development, he knew a Doctor of Pharmacy degree was the right path. USC's football culture and Southern charm made it the perfect place to pursue his passion.

Max works as a pharmacy intern at the Center for Health and Well-Being on campus, serving University of South Carolina students and staff. He is the Industry Pharmacy Organization's president-elect, serving as project manager for the Value in Pharmacists Case Competition, and is recruitment chair for Kappa Psi Pharmaceutical Fraternity and a P1 mentor, having previously served as P1 class vice president. After graduation, he intends to pursue a medical affairs or medical strategy fellowship and envisions eventually returning to academia as an adjunct professor to mentor future student pharmacists.

Subina Saini, Class of 2029

Subina grew up in Columbia, South Carolina, where she developed an appreciation for community, hard work and giving back. She was drawn to pharmacy for its blend of science, innovation and patient care, especially the pharmacist's role in navigating complex therapies and improving access to equitable care. She chose to attend the USC College of Pharmacy for its supportive community and its opportunities in clinical practice, research, service and leadership.

With an interest in oncology pharmacy, Subina works as a pharmacy intern at Prisma Health Outpatient Pharmacy and is involved with the College of Pharmacy Mentor Program. She serves as a teaching assistant for incoming first-year students, as a student representative on the college's Curriculum Committee, and as a member of the South Carolina Pharmacy Association Leadership Development and Nominating Committee. Her research spans preclinical drug discovery, studying cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors in cancer therapy, and pre-screening participants for a growth hormone deficiency study. She hopes to build a career combining evidence-based practice, patient advocacy and equitable health outcomes.

Anna Levis, Class of 2028

Anna is originally from a suburb of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She discovered her interest in pharmacy during high school through science fairs and volunteer work, leading her to pursue a Doctor of Pharmacy degree at USC through the Gamecock Pharmacy Assurance program. A campus visit that included an impromptu meeting with college faculty convinced her that USC was the right choice.

With an interest in ambulatory care and diabetes management, inspired by family members with Type 1 diabetes, Anna serves in leadership roles as vice president of recruitment for Kappa Epsilon, fighting diabetes initiative chair for the Student National Pharmaceutical Association, and head of social media for the American College of Clinical Pharmacy chapter. She is also a College of Pharmacy ambassador, P1 mentor and member of the college's recruitment committee. Outside the pharmacy school, she is involved with Epsilon Sigma Alpha, a community service organization. Anna currently works at an independent community pharmacy and is exploring career paths in patient care or academia. 

Ally Nielsen, Class of 2028

Ally is originally from Indian Trail, North Carolina, just southeast of Charlotte. She discovered her interest in pharmacy during high school after shadowing a pharmacist at a local independent pharmacy. This led her to pursue her Doctor of Pharmacy degree at USC after being accepted into both the South Carolina Honors College and the Gamecock Pharmacy Assurance Program.

With current interests in ambulatory care, clinical pharmacy, and pharmacy administration, Ally remains open to exploring new specialties. She serves as the Christian Pharmacists Fellowship International Southeast Regional Director and is a member of the USC College of Pharmacy Honors and Awards Committee, South Carolina Pharmacists Association Standard of Care Task Force, College of Pharmacy Ambassador Program, and Kappa Epsilon Recruitment Committee. She works as a pharmacy administrative intern at Prisma Health and as a teaching assistant for P1 Pharmacy Compounding and Community Lab Experiences. Her research focuses on the South Carolina Pharmacy Practice Act and potential development of a Standard of Care Model for pharmacists in South Carolina. Mentorship plays a meaningful role in her journey. She gives back by serving as a mentor to freshmen in the South Carolina Honors College, first-year pharmacy students, and international students through USC's Buddies Beyond Borders initiative. In her free time, Ally plays on the Gamecock Club Tennis Team. 

Noah Raganschmalz, Class of 2027

Noah is originally from Garland, Texas. After graduating from high school, Noah served nearly ten years in the U.S. Navy as a nuclear electrician. Having worked as a pharmacy technician during high school, he decided to pursue his Doctor of Pharmacy degree because of his already developed interest in the integration of various fields and a career that could impact change in the health of the community.

With an interest in regulatory affairs within the pharmaceutical industry as well as community pharmacy ownership, Noah serves in a leadership role for the Industry Pharmacy Organization as well as APhA, NCPA, and as a mentor for first- and second-year pharmacy students. His research includes topics such as regulatory evaluation of the state-by-state landscape for 503B licensing requirements and their impact on manufacturers, as well as developing a medicinal garden to create a more self-sustained compounding laboratory and improve student well-being.

Alex Wetherley, Class of 2027

Alex grew up in Lexington, South Carolina and joined the University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy through the Gamecock Pharmacy Assurance pathway. He chose to pursue pharmacy as a career after learning more from family and friends who are in the pharmacy profession and because of his interests in multiple areas of health care including pediatrics and critical care.

Alex has been active in many student organizations including Phi Delta Chi and the Pediatric Pharmacy Association. He serves as a university ambassador, providing prospective students and their families information about student life as a Gamecock and sharing their passion for USC. His research focused on the utilization of finerenone and how finerenone therapy is beneficial in patients with chronic kidney disease and type 2 diabetes. He also studied the differences compared to other mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists and the role of SGLT2 inhibitors along with finerenone, as well as general principles of kidney function and relevant disease states. He analyzed clinical trials surrounding finerenone efficacy and safety in certain populations as well as outcomes of the trials. Alex also serves as a teaching assistant.

Program Alumni

Class	Walker Leadership Scholar
2026	Emily Frame Current position: PGY1 Pharmacy Resident, Central Virginia VA Healthcare System
2026	Sophia Knudsen Current position: PGY1 Pharmacy Resident, Duke University Hospital
2025	Maegan Lamb Herring Current position: Clinical Cardiology Pharmacist, Novant Health
2025	Chancellor Nguyen Current position: Pharmacy Manager, Nantucket Cottage Pharmacy
2024	Nikki Chen Current position: Global Regulatory Policy and Strategy Manager, Eli Lilly and Company
2024	Danny Schreiber Current position: HIV Clinical Pharmacist, NIAID/ Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc.
2023	Jordan Jones Current position: Infectious Diseases Pharmacist, MUSC Health
2023	Shannon Leighton Current position: Clinical Pharmacist, Novant Health
2022	Catherine (Haley) Cave Current position: Formulation Investigator, Nephron Pharmaceuticals
2022	James Orban III Current position: Clinical Oncology Pharmacist, Lexington Medical Center
2021	Alexis Caronis Current position: Associate Director of Drug Safety, Fingerpaint Branding
2021	Cassidy Hall Kemp Current position: Pharmacy System Support Specialist, Prisma Health
2020	Heather Hembree Current position: Senior Clinical Programs Pharmacist, Humana Pharmacy Services / CenterWell Pharmacy
2020	Robert Ouzts Current position: Pharmacist in Charge, Anderson Pharmacy / Medical Court Pharmacy
2019	Meaghan Freiter Murphy Current position:Pharmacy and Regulatory Affairs Director, Surescripts
2019	Anna Todd McAbee Current position: Clinical Oncology Pharmacist, Prisma Health Specialty Pharmacy
2018	Laura Jane Baker Straw Current position: Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Prisma Health Advanced Heart Health Center
2018	Taylor Barnes Lee Current position: Pharmacy Operations Manager, Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children
2017	Parth Parikh Current position: Emergency Medicine Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center
2017	Kendall Tucker Current position: Clinical Assistant Professor, Oregon State University

Advisory Committee

• Donna J. Walker, MBA, Donor and Program Founder
• Kathy Quarles Moore, R.Ph., Committee Chair and Program Director
• Stephen J. Cutler, Ph.D., Committee Member
• Patti Fabel, Pharm.D., Committee Member
• Jennifer Baker, Pharm.D., Committee Member
• Kirk Randazzo, Ph.D., Committee Member
• Laura Jane Straw, Pharm.D., Committee Member and Program Alumna
• Cassidy Hall Kemp, Pharm.D., Committee Member and Program Alumna
• Terry J. Dixon, Ex Officio Committee Member