seasons

McWHORTER SCHOOL OF PHARMACY
Alumni Continue Leadership Developed at
McWhorter School of Pharmacy
McWhorter School of Pharmacy has a rich tradition of
cultivating a passion for professional involvement and
leadership in its alumni and students. For DeAnn Mullins
’93, president of Mullins Pharmacy in Lynn Haven, Florida,
and president-elect of the National Community Pharmacists
Association (NCPA), the importance of professional
involvement was evident from her first days in pharmacy
school. “During my first week, one of my professors planted
a seed. She said, ‘If you are not actively involved in our
profession, you are a freeloader.’ Who wants to be a
freeloader?”
Those words resonated with Mullins, and she remembers
them as she reflects on her position with NCPA. She
said the presidency was never something that she deliberately
sought.
“I wasn’t motivated to have a recognized leadership
position,” she said. “I was motivated to be involved, to have a
voice and to find solutions for the obstacles that were getting
in the way of good patient care. The goal was never president,
but rather to do more than complain about our
circumstances. I wanted to find solutions.” Mullins began
her service to NCPA 21 years ago. She served on the steering
committee, as an officer, a board member and chairman.
According to Mullins, her drive to make a difference
and to help people is God-given. “Too many times, I have
said that taking care of our patients shouldn’t be this hard,”
she noted. “Association involvement has given me a platform
to change the things that are getting in the way of good
patient care and the viability of my pharmacy business.”
For Donnie Calhoun ’87, service to the profession
comes through his position as CEO/executive vice president
of the American College of Apothecaries, American College
of Veterinary Pharmacists, and the American College of
Apothecaries Research and Education Foundation. In this
role, Calhoun works with his board of directors to provide
education, training and mentorship to independent
community pharmacists.
“The exciting part of the job is the opportunity to work
with so many outstanding educators to enhance
pharmacists’ professional
development,” said
Calhoun.
“I have always
appreciated the fact that I
am a pharmacist. I wanted
to become a pharmacist to DeAnn Mullins
work with health care
teams in providing patient
care. Pharmacists are the
most accessible health care
providers, and I wanted to
be able to help people with
their health needs. There
are never enough leaders to
speak out and represent
any profession, so having
that opportunity is very
important to me.”
Calhoun believes that
McWhorter School of
Pharmacy develops
students for future
leadership by exposing
Donnie Calhoun
them to many aspects of
the profession. “They bring
in various speakers throughout the year and give students
opportunities to work in many different practice settings,”
he added.
Both Mullins and Calhoun credit Samford’s faculty for
helping shape their careers.
“They taught me what it means to be a leader, and I
believe the faculty continues this today,” said Calhoun.
“From the admission process to graduation, Samford
provides a Christian environment that teaches selflessness
and service. I am truly blessed to have attended Samford,
not only for the rich traditions and excellent education, but
also for the caring compassionate environment that I was
exposed to.” ◗
samford.edu • 27