The University of Houston College of Pharmacy chapter of the Hispanic Pharmacy Student Association (HPSA) won the 2024 Outstanding Student Organization Award at the 39th Annual Campus Leaders Ceremony hosted by the Center for Student Involvement April 8.
Every year, students are recognized at the UH Campus Leaders Ceremony where campus-wide awards for service and leadership are presented to recognize student leaders, organizations, advisors, and programs. The Outstanding Student Organization Award highlights the efforts of a registered student organization in how they carry out the mission of their student organization and contribute to campus life face to face or virtually in a positive manner.
HPSA’s motto is, “It is not who we are but the people we serve.” Among the events and activities noted by leadership in the nomination letter, the chapter engaged with the campus and greater Houston community in the following ways:
- City of Houston Mayor's Back 2 School Fest – HPSA members joined fellow UHCOP students provided wellness screenings, immunization record reviews, translation services and health education interactions.
- Pharmilia Hour – Members organized informal gatherings where students can enjoy games, ethnic food and cultural events.
- HPSA x APhA-ASP Vaccine Translation Workshop – In collaboration with the UHCOP American Pharmacists Association-Academy of Student Pharmacists Chapter, members educated fellow students on communicating vaccine information in Spanish.
- Consulate of Mexico "Day of Health" Health Fair – Members provided wellness screenings and education to Spanish-speaking visitors to the government office.
In its award application, HPSA leaders noted, "The contributions to our campus community allow us to confidently reach at-risk communities outside campus. Over time, our organization has created strong connections with Hispanic communities in the area."
In 2023, HPSA was recognized with CSI’s Outstanding Program Award for hosting and/or participating in several events from summer through the end of the 2022 as part of its "Building Community Through Vaccine Awareness and Equity" campaign, which was supported by a national grant from the National Hispanic Health Foundation and the Rockefeller Foundation. Additionally, HPSA faculty co-advisor and Associate Professor MariVi Tejada-Simon, Ph.D., M.Ed., who recently announced her departure as HPSA advisor, won the Outstanding Advisor Award.
