OAKWOOD, VA (DECEMBER 19, 2023) – Appalachian College of Pharmacy third year student Andrew Lee has been selected for a fellowship with Amgen, an American multinational biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Thousand Oaks, Calif. The fellowship will begin after his graduation from ACP in May 2024.
Amgen is committed to unlocking the potential of biology for patients suffering from serious illnesses by discovering, developing, manufacturing and delivering innovative human therapeutics. The company’s approach begins by using tools like advanced human genetics to unravel the complexities of disease and understand the fundamentals of human biology, according to its website. Amgen is the tenth largest pharma company in the world based on market capitalization.
“I am thrilled I have successfully secured my top fellowship choice and signed a Medical Affairs Fellowship contract with Amgen, in conjunction with Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science,” Lee said.
He noted not only was the accomplishment one he considers as a personal achievement, but he added it is one that speaks highly of the educational program at ACP. The Appalachian College of Pharmacy is the only three-year accelerated program in the Commonwealth of Virginia leading to a Doctor of Pharmacy degree.
“This is a huge accomplishment for the Appalachian College of Pharmacy,” Lee said. “You will find through various resources that pharmaceutical industry fellowships have an acceptance rate below 15 percent. Additionally, the fellowship process comes before the residency process in order to assist fellowship programs with a higher chance of getting the candidate that best fits their program. This accomplishment underscores that ACP can compete with the top pharmacy schools nationwide and has the resources to empower their students to excel in any professional setting. This exemplifies the caliber of opportunities available to students at ACP.”
Lee, who is from Cleveland, Ohio, is the son of Joseph and Ana Lee. He earned a Master of Arts in Biomedical Sciences from Bluefield University and a Bachelor of Science degree in neuroscience from Michigan State University.
While at ACP, he has been a member of Rho Chi; is the founder of and former president of the Industry Pharmacist Organization; former Worthy Vice Counselor (vice president) of Phi Delta Chi; former treasurer of the ACP chapter of the American Society of Health Pharmacists; and former immunization chairman of the ACP chapter of the American Pharmacists Association.
“When I initiated a local chapter of the Industry Pharmacist Organization at ACP, my goal was to expand students’ knowledge beyond traditional pharmacy career paths,” Lee said. ”I hope this achievement serves as an inspiration for future ACP students, demonstrating that such success is attainable and that pursuing a career in the pharmaceutical industry is an excellent choice.”
“We are very proud of Andrew and his selection for an Amgen fellowship,” said ACP Provost and Dean Susan Mayhew. “It speaks volumes about his abilities and about our program here at ACP and we look forward to seeing the great things he accomplishes in the future.”
The Appalachian College of Pharmacy is the only three-year Doctor of Pharmacy program in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Founded in 2003, the college accepted its first students in 2005. It is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Its mission is to cultivate a learning community committed to education, community outreach and the professional development of pharmacists. Its graduate pharmacists are now practicing throughout the United States.
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