Alumni News and Events

Honoring Excellence in Delaware Pharmacy Practice

We are proud to see our alumni leading and advancing pharmacy practice across the First State.

Dr. Edmund Boafo (Class of 2023) has been named Young Pharmacist of the Year by the Delaware Pharmacy Society and will be recognized at the 2025 DPS Annual Pharmacy Gala. He currently serves as Director of Pharmacy with CPS Solutions, LLC based in Rehoboth Beach, DE.
Dr. Peter Awad (Class of 2019) is the President-Elect of the Delaware Pharmacy Society Board of Directors for 2025–2026. He is a consultant pharmacist with Cardinal Health, practicing at the Delaware Hospital for the Chronically Ill in Smyrna, DE.

Source: Delaware Pharmacists Society Facebook

A Hawk Returns: Dr. Torchon Joins UMES Faculty

July 2025 – We’re thrilled to announce that Dr. Rebekah Torchon is returning to UMES. This time, not as a student, but as a faculty in the Department of Pharmacy Practice and Administration! From earning her BA in History and Doctor of Pharmacy right here at UMES, to completing PGY-2 training in Psychiatry at Eskenazi Health/Purdue University, Dr. Torchon’s journey has been nothing short of inspiring. Dr. Torchon’s practice site will be at the Eastern Shore Hospital Center (ESHC) in Cambridge, MD, marking the beginning of an exciting new collaboration with ESHC. Oh, did we mention she’s lived in four states in five years, and her twin has twins? We’re so excited to have her soar with us again!

Alumni Share Career Insights with First Year Students

July 2025 – The PHRM 540 course hosted a successful Virtual Alumni Career Panel organized by Dr. Purnell. The event brought together alumni working in a variety of pharmacy settings, offering students a firsthand look at the broad range of career opportunities available in the field. Panelists represented diverse areas of pharmacy practice, including Correctional Pharmacy/Pharmacy Entrepreneur, Pharmaceutical Industry, Ambulatory Care Pharmacy/Federal Pharmacy, and Community (Independent) Pharmacy.

Dr. Shoghag Aktavoukian started her career with a postdoctoral fellowship at Novo Nordisk, specializing in Medical Information and Health Economics Outcomes Research. She played key roles in launching Rybelsus® in 2019 and Wegovy® on the Obesity team. In 2022, she joined the Market Access Pipeline Strategy team, and supported various CVD & CKD assets. She gained global experience during a 2023 assignment at Novo Nordisk’s Copenhagen headquarters. Currently, she serves as Associate Director on the Market Access Cardio-Renal team, leading strategy and business development initiatives.

Dr. Sehara Hill is a Clinical Pharmacist Practitioner and emerging healthcare leader focused on chronic disease management, Whole Health, and interdisciplinary care. She serves as Acting Program Manager at the Orlando VA, supporting pharmacy operations, patient safety, and trainee development. A 2022 PharmD graduate of UMES, she completed her PGY1 at the Orlando VA. She recently published on PPI deprescribing in JAPhA and is passionate about mentorship, patient advocacy, and developing future pharmacy leaders.

Dr. Zack Sherr is the Vice President and Chief Operations Officer at Apple Discount Drugs in Salisbury, MD. Starting as a staff pharmacist, he transitioned to leadership in 2019. Dr. Sherr now oversees Apple’s innovative healthcare services, which go beyond traditional pharmacy by offering full-scale durable medical equipment, custom compounding, an accredited diabetes education center, and a robust respiratory department featuring oxygen, CPAP, and BiPAP services.

Dr. Saley T. Uwalaka is a pharmacist, educator, and entrepreneur committed to empowering healthcare professionals. As founder of ReziPrep360, she has guided hundreds of pharmacy students to a 98% residency match rate in 2025 through mentorship and strategic storytelling. She currently serves as Director of Clinical Programs at Correct Rx, enhancing healthcare access for incarcerated individuals and developing services for HIV, Hepatitis C, chronic pain, and opioid use disorder. Dr. Uwalaka also hosts the podcast Success in Doses, where she explores ambition, resilience, and redefining success—especially for women balancing motherhood, chronic illness, and leadership.

Dr. El-Baff Inspires the Class of 2028

May 2025 – Dr. Sara El-Baff delivered an inspiring keynote speech at the Class of 2028 White Coat Ceremony, where she reflected on her pharmacy journey and emphasized the responsibilities that come with wearing the white coat. Dr. El-Baff is a licensed pharmacist and pharmacy manager at Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy, focusing on inflammatory diseases. With nearly a decade at Walgreens, she has extensive experience in both community and specialty pharmacy. She remains dedicated to advancing patient care and expanding access to specialty services.