Return to Main Menu

Student’s desire to help others earns award  by Mary Helen Yarborough Public Relations The desire to pursue a pharmacy doctorate was driven by the convenience of MUSC’s campus and a woman’s interest in changing careers and serving her local community.   Kendra Myers’ choice to attend MUSC and earn her PharmD also resulted in an honor with this year’s APhA-ASP Mortar and Pestle Professionalism Award.   Dr. Kendra Myers with sons, Seth and Evan, and Blue Bear.  Myers was honored for her “good academic standing, service and commitment to pharmacy.”   Four years ago, Kendra Myers was working as a chemical engineer for International Paper (IP) in Georgetown, which also employs her husband, Bill. She had received her undergraduate degree in chemical engineering and pulp and paper science and technology from NC State University. But, she wanted a change.   “I had heard of MUSC. It was convenient, so we just moved closer [to Charleston] so I could attend,” said Myers. “I was looking for a career change, and I was interested in working part time and having a family, and still have the ability to benefit others as a community pharmacist.”   So she entered MUSC and attended full time to pursue her doctorate. And then, along came first child Evan, now 3.   Juggling a morning and afternoon MUSC schedule, Myers was introduced to another layer of responsibility. And just when she got adjusted to motherhood, school and family, she decided to run for class president. It was two years ago, and she said she really wanted to get things done in the College of Pharmacy. Then along came Seth, her second child.   Now, Myers has a full-time class schedule, two small children, and is president of her pharmacy class—for two years straight. Her husband, an IP product performance manager, has been supportive and patient. But she also credits friends, Jenna Williams and Lesley Haynes, with helping her juggle the responsibilities of her two small children.   She said she was driven by what she saw were opportunities to demonstrate her skills for the benefit of others. “You do what you have to do. God’s given me a lot of talent and a lot of help. Bill and my friends have been a lot of help,” she said. “I like to be involved and I am good at organizing. I like to be efficient. And I like to make things happen—especially troubleshooting before things become problems. … I have liked being involved and working with my fellow students and faculty,” she said.   Her husband, Bill, added: “It’s really great to have a wife that can go to school, have kids, be a mom and show leadership in her class. I know it takes a lot of time and effort, but Kendra really makes me proud of what she can accomplish in the same 24 hours that I have each day.”     Friday, May 19, 2006 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island Publication at 849-1778, ext. 201.