Trailblazing alumna Latrice Strings receives Lyman T. Johnson Torch of Excellence Award

During Homecoming Week 2024, the University of Kentucky proudly celebrated the 33rd annual Lyman T. Johnson Awards. This prestigious award honors the legacy of Lyman T. Johnson, a courageous civil rights pioneer whose historic legal battle opened the doors of the University of Kentucky to Black students in 1949. Throughout his life, Johnson fought tirelessly against segregation and racial inequality, leaving a lasting impact on Kentucky and beyond.

Each year, the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy (UKCOP) recognizes one distinguished alumnus with the Lyman T. Johnson Torch of Excellence award, highlighting their exceptional achievements and contributions to society. This year, the honor goes to Latrice Strings, PharmD, a proud alumna from the class of 1999, in recognition of her outstanding work in healthcare and her commitment to community service.

Strings currently serves as an ambulatory/retail pharmacist at UK HealthCare Pharmacy Services. In celebration of this achievement, and in conjunction with American Pharmacists Month, Strings shares her inspiring journey in her own words:

"From a young age, I knew that I wanted to pursue a career in healthcare because I’ve always genuinely cared about others. This passion was shaped by witnessing firsthand how people in my community often didn’t receive the care they deserved from those responsible for their health. Despite facing numerous challenges, especially as a Black woman, I made a quiet but firm decision to forge my own path so I could make a real difference.

Growing up, I took to heart my parents’ advice to study hard, work diligently, and strive to excel both in school and in sports. As a result, I graduated from high school with honors and was also part of a girls' basketball team that won the state championship. I was then accepted into the pharmacy prerequisite program at the University of Kentucky. After completing the necessary coursework, I was honored to be one of only two African Americans admitted to the UK College of Pharmacy in 1995. During my time there, I was elected by my peers to serve as class secretary and treasurer, roles that helped sharpen my leadership skills.

When I graduated, I had the opportunity to practice anywhere in the country, but I chose to return to a small community that had never had an African American pharmacist. I knew I could make an impact, not just by being present, but by genuinely caring for the people I served. I was embraced by the community, and my love for helping people was evident to both patients and colleagues alike. My husband, Marlon, and our children, Travis and Zoe, were also integral parts of this community. Our family contributed to the success of Paris High School both academically and athletically, while I actively gave back by sharing my knowledge and dedication with the local school.

One of the hardest decisions I ever made was leaving the company I had been with to return to my alma mater. But it was the right choice. It allowed me to contribute in a new way, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic. I was honored to help administer thousands of vaccinations, and for my efforts, UK HealthCare recognized me with the Blue Jacket Award for patient care and safety during the crisis.

I continue to serve my community in many ways. I am proud to be part of the Paris Independent Schools Education Foundation board and to have served over nineteen years with the Bourbon County Health Department. My commitment to civic engagement is deeply rooted in my faith, which reminds me that “to whom much is given, much is required.” In addition to my professional work, I also serve my church as a deaconess and as a member of the pastoral anniversary committee.

As a pharmacist, my mission has always been to care for others by educating them about how best to take care of their health. This commitment to caring for others is not just my profession—it’s my way of life, and I have spent my career quietly but steadfastly living out a life of service to those around me."