Pharmacy student earns national ASHP leadership award
Sally Yousef has never waited for an opportunity to come to her. As a first-year student at the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy (UKCOP), she was already working in UK HealthCare's Albert B. Chandler Hospital in the medication history department. By the time most of her peers set foot in a clinical setting, she had risen to chief intern, overseeing medication reconciliation across internal medicine, surgical ICU, cardiology, neurology and beyond, while serving as the primary liaison between interns and pharmacists on shift.
That drive has now earned her national recognition. Yousef, a fourth-year PharmD candidate, has been selected for the 2026 American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) Student Leadership Award — one of just 12 granted nationwide. The award recognizes student pharmacists who demonstrate the highest levels of leadership in health-system practice and comes with a $2,000 scholarship.
"Sally exemplifies what it means to lead with both purpose and humility," said Craig Martin, PharmD, interim dean. "Her clinical, organizational and professional accomplishments are exceptional by any measure, and we couldn't be prouder to see her recognized on a national stage."
Yousef's leadership extends well beyond the hospital floor. As president of UK's Student Society of Health-System Pharmacists (SSHP) chapter, she organized a residency and health-system career panel that drew program directors from across Lexington and brought 70 chapter members together for an evening of candid professional conversation, significantly expanding the chapter's programming in the process. She also serves as historian for Phi Lambda Sigma, UK's pharmacy leadership honor society.
On the national level, Yousef was appointed to the ASHP Pharmacy Student Forum. In this advisory body, she works alongside student leaders from across the country to strengthen SSHP chapters and advance the profession's pipeline of future health-system pharmacists.
She has also been selected as one of just four students to participate in the UK HealthCare Longitudinal Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (LAPPE) Program for the 2026–2027 academic year. The highly selective program, designed for students pursuing clinical practice and residency training, will have Yousef complete three advanced clinical rotations, conduct a medication-use evaluation and research project and serve on an institutional committee.
"Receiving this award from ASHP is truly humbling," Yousef said. "I'm grateful to the faculty, mentors and peers who have supported me throughout this journey and to UK HealthCare for giving me the chance to grow as a clinician and a leader from day one."
About the ASHP Student Leadership Award
The ASHP Student Leadership Award Program, supported by the ASHP Research and Education Foundation, recognizes PharmD students in their second through fourth professional years who demonstrate outstanding leadership in health-system pharmacy. Up to 12 awards are granted annually, each consisting of an award plaque and a $2,000 cash award.