Crisafi Thank You

CRISAFI THANK YOU

Letters 2025

Alondra A. Butler Soberal lumi butler73@gmai I.com (787)308-0950 June 1, 2025

Dear Crisafi Family,

Alondra A. Butler Soberal

As a Crisafi Scholar, I would like to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation for your generosity and support of the pharmacy students at the University of Florida.

I have always been passionate about the field of pharmacy, particularly the role it plays in improving patient care and advancing medical treatments. My interest in pharmacy grew through my academic experiences and hands-on exposure to the field, leading me to pursue my Doctor of Pharmacy degree at the University of Florida. In the future, I aspire to contribute to the development of innovative treatments, particularly in the area of personalized medicine and nanotechnology. I am excited to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to make a meaningful impact in healthcare.

Receiving this scholarship has provided both financial relief and motivation as I begin my PharmD journey. Knowing that dedicated alumni like you are investing in students like me strengthens my determination to succeed and give back to the field of pharmacy.

Once again, I deeply appreciate your generosity and commitment to supporting future pharmacists. I look forward to making the most of this opportunity and carrying forward the spirit of excellence that this scholarship represents.

Sincerely,

Alondra A. Butler Soberal

Alejandro Curbelo 15241 SW 31st LN Miami, FL 33185 June 01, 2025 Dear Crisaf Family, As a Crisafi Scholar, I would like to express my sincerest gratitude and appreciation for your generosity and support of the pharmacy students at the University of Florida.

In 2018, I pursued a degree in Computer Science, thinking it would be the quickest path to a career that would fund a successful future. After graduating, I rushed to find a job and was hired at Accenture as a Business Integration and Architecture Analyst. At the time, it felt like everything was going according to plan; I was doing what I was 'supposed' to do. But after a few months, I began to feel uneasy; each day felt mundane, uninspired, and slow. Even when my work aligned with what I had studied, I still felt out of place. Convincing myself it was just a phase, I waited it out for a year and a half, but the feeling only worsened. With the support of friends and family, I finally found the courage to change course. I reflected on my time in college and remembered how chemistry had effortlessly captured my attention, though I hadn't considered it seriously at the time. Unburdened by the previous temporal and financial pressures, I searched earnestly for direction and discovered compounding pharmacy-a fascinating field combining lab work, technical and clinical knowledge, and collaboration, often helping the most vulnerable patients.

Working as a pharmacy technician confirmed my interest; unlike my past work, the challenges motivated me to learn more, and I knew I had found a true passion and a fulfilling path forward.

Receiving this scholarship has a profound impact on both my personal and academic life. As I plan to finance my education through student loans and part-time work, this support significantly eases the pressure of balancing financial responsibilities with the demanding coursework of pharmacy school.

Once again, I find myself in the earnest and unburdened pursuit of my passions, this time, thankfully, due to your support. Since 2017, my mother has been unable to work due to a disability, and without fmancial assistance from my family, I anticipate long-term financial strain as I will be responsible for supporting her after graduation. This scholarship helps alleviate some of that burden, allowing me to move forward with stability. It brings me one step closer to achieving my goals without sacrificing academic focus or personal well-being. I am truly grateful for this opportunity and the support it provides during such a critical time in my life.

Pharmacy reignited my academic passions and pulled me out from the lowest point in my,life and I look forward to thanking it and you by becoming a compounding Pharmacist and one day by financially supporting and fostering growth in young talent as you have.

Thank you again for your generosity and for thanlc you for choosing to invest in my future!

Sincerely, Alejandro Curbelo

To Crisafi Family, As a Crisafi Scholar, I would like to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation for your generosity and support of the pharmacy students at the University of Florida.

I am a student who from a very young age has wanted to be involved in the community. I love medicine and science, but I wanted to make sure I chose a career that combined that medicine with real help for my community. I ended up choosing pharmacy because I believed it was the best option for me to balance serving the community and patient care with real hands-on science and learning about medicine. I was so excited and grateful when I got accepted into UF's College of Pharmacy, just as I am grateful now that I am receiving this scholarship to help continue my education. These next four years will hopefully open me up to many opportunities in the field, and I am hoping to attend a residency after graduating from pharmacy school. I'd like to eventually work in a hospital.

This scholarship will really help me achieve these goals. Receiving this scholarship helped boost my confidence towards this next step in my education, and I am really grateful to have this help in completing my PharmD degree. I almost can't believe it still. So I really wanted to thank you for your help and express my gratitude about getting to receive this amazing and gracious scholarship.

I have attached my resume so that you may see what I have done before getting to pharmacy school.

Thank you,

Arlyned Delgado

KoyonaEwa 1445 Via Sangro Place Winter Park, Fl, 3 2792 Koyonae@gmail.com 04/01/2025 Dear Crisafi Family, I am truly honored to have been selected as a Crisafi Scholar, and I want to take this opportunity to ex-press my heartfelt gratitude for your generosity. This scholarship represents a significant milestone in my academic journey and means the world to me as I embark on my studies in pharmacy at the University of Florida.

My path to pharmacy has been profoundly shaped by my personal experiences and my enduring passion for science. Growing up in Nigeria, I faced numerous health challenges, including frequent bouts of malaria and food poisoning, which often led me to hospitals. These experiences exposed me to the vital role that healthcare professionals play in the lives of patients and instilled in me a deep respect for the medical field. After moving to the United States, I felt a strong motivation to pursue a career in healthcare, although I initially struggled to identify the specific path I wanted to take.

However, my perspective became clearer as I enrolled in courses such as Organic Chemistry, Antimicrobial Resistance, and Biochemistry. I found myself captivated by the intricate details of dmg fonnulation and the mechanisms by which medications target and treat human diseases. The clinical research behind the development of new therapies, particularly those undergoing testing for approval, :further fueled my excitement for this field.

My experiences as a medication teclmician and resident care aide have solidified my commitment to pursuing a career in pharmacy. In these roles, I have learned the importance of effective communication empathy in healthcare. Working closely with residents has allowed me to witness firsthand how the medication can significantly enhance a person's quality of life. ultimate aspiration is to become a phannacist who not only dispenses medications but also empowers patients ,vith knowledge about their treatments and advocates for their overall health and well-being.

Receiving the Crisafi Challenge Scbolarslrip will significantly impact my academic journey. It alleviates some of the financial burdens associated with pursuing a Pbam1D, enabling me to focus more intently on my studies and engage in activities that ,vill enrich my educational experience. This scholarship serves as a powerful reminder of the faith and support that you and other donors have in students like me, motivating me to strive for excellence in all my endeavors.

Thank you once again for your generosity and for investing in the future of pharmacy students. I am genuinely excited about the opportunity to make a positive impact in the field and to give back to my community, both here in the U.S. and back in Nigeria.

Wann regards, KoyonaEwa

May 201\ 2025

Dear Crisafi Family,

As a Crisafi Scholar, I wish to extend my sincere gratitude for your kindness and assistance to the pharmacy students at the University of Florida. I am genuinely grateful to have been chosen for this scholarship, and I know it exists because of your amazing dedication to promoting the future of pharmacy.

I was born in Puerto Rico, and I just finished a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences with a minor in Biology. My love for pharmacy began when I worked at a community pharmacy and saw the critical role pharmacists play in patient care. That enthusiasm was fostered by practical experience and biopharmaceutical internships, such as those with AMGEN BioTalents and a summer course in bioprocessing. These encounters reinforced my aspiration to be a pharmacist who can work in the clinic as well as in the wider field of public health, and they also taught me the essential connection between science and its impact on patients.

The Crisafi Scholarship has been extremely important to me, both academically and personally. This assistance helps relieve financial strain and enables me to concentrate entirely on my studies as a student transferring from Puerto Rico to the University of Florida in order to earn my Pharm.D. But most importantly, being selected as a Crisafi Scholar motivates me to continue your legacy of generosity, leadership, and excellence. Just like you have, I want to use this chance to develop, serve, and one day give back to the next generation of pharmacy students.

Thank you, Dr. Crisafi, for the enduring impact of your vision and generosity. Your legacy lives on through every student you have helped, and I am proud to be among them.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Rashel L. Graulau Nufiez

Dear Crisafi Family: As a Crisafi Scholar, I would like to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation for your generosity and support of the pharmacy students at the University of Florida.

When I began dual enrollment in fall 2020 at Seminole State College, I enjoyed one of the courses I took more than the others. That course was General Chemistry 1, and little did I know that it would put me on the path to a lifelong career. When I graduated high school in 2022, I applied to work at a community pharmacy to gain experience and see if I wanted to start my career in pharmacy. What I saw when I worked there was a team which worked together to care for their patients. The pharmacist I worked under had an inspiring understanding of not only what conditions the medications treat, but also of many of the mechanisms of action, and I knew that I wanted to be able to help people just like she did. To have a strong understanding of the medications and their pharmacodynamics, I must have a good foundation in the fundamental classes before I start pharmacy school, and therefore I did my best to understand that material and get good grades. Due to my strong record of academic achievement, I was offered a generous scholarship from Liberty University to complete my undergraduate degree there, and during that time I earned my B.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

Many of the classes I took were challenging, but I believe that the time I invested during the last three years will pay off in my next four years at UFCOP and during my time as a pharmacist.

I grew up living on a farm in rural Florida. My father had a bachelor’s degree and worked hard to provide for my family. From my time working in the community pharmacy, I knew I wanted to become a pharmacist, but I was uncertain that I would be able to afford it. If I could get through pharmacy school, I would be the first person in my family to be a doctor. This motivated me to keep moving forward; however, cost is always an issue. I was able to go to Liberty University for my undergraduate studies because of the wonderful scholarship they provided; however, UF College of Pharmacy is much more expensive than Liberty was. I was just hired as a pharmacy technician at Publix which will help support me to pay for my education, but one of the things the pharmacist at the community pharmacy warned me about was student loans. She is still paying off her student loans and has warned me about was student loans. She is still

paying off her student loans and has warned me about taking out too much money to pay for college. Although I will be able to work for Publix to pay for part of my tuition, this first semester will be the most challenging for me because I just started at Publix and I already have debt from my undergraduate degree. I hope to avoid accumulating too much in loans during my time in the pharmacy program. Being awarded the Crisafi Challenge Scholarship has made the first semester of pharmacy school less daunting for me and has allowed me to feel more peace about how I will pay for this first semester.

Thank you for believing in me as I begin this next level of education on my path to becoming a pharmacist. I look forward to advancing the reputation of excellence at the University of Florida College of Pharmacy and serving my community as a pharmacist at Publix.

Sincerely, Connor Harper

May 19, 2025

Dear C risafi Family, As a Crisafi Scholar, I would like to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation for your generosity and support of the pharmacy students at the University of Florida.

My name is Joyce M. Hernandez Lopez and I am from Puerto Rico. I am the youngest of a family of four and some of my hobbies include reading, listening to music and practicing martial arts, specifically Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. I graduated from the lnteramerican University of Puerto Rico with a bachelors in Biotechnology with a minor concentration in Pre-medicine. Since I was child, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in healthcare, given the fact that I was heavily. inspired by my dad. He studied medicine abroad and when he visited back home, I witnessed how he was able to step in and help our family and others when sick. Therefore, I researched the field of pharmacy and I decided to pursue it ever since. I aspire to study pharmacy because I respect the role of a pharmacist as the patient's most accessible healthcare provider, and it inspires me to be someone that others can rely on and trust with their health. For this reason, my long-term goals are to complete residency training and work as a clinical pharmacist.

It is undoubtedly both an exciting and a humbling experience to have been selected to receive this scholarship award. It definitely encouraged me to keep striving to fulfill my goal of pursuing my PharmD at the prestigious UF College of Pharmacy. Getting this recognition truly is an honor. It made me feel supported, seen and acknowledged, knowing that others believe in my potential to become a clinical pharmacist. I am deeply grateful for your support and advocacy as I pursue my academic and professional aspirations.

May l 8t, 2025

Dear Crisafi Family, As a Crisafi Scholar, I would like to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation for your generosity and support of the pharmacy students at the University of Florida.

My name is Merola Ishak, and I am an upcoming student at the University of Florida's College of Pharmacy. I received my bachelor's degree from the University of South Florida, majoring in Biomedical Sciences and minoring in Psychology. Within my time at the University of South Florida, I was a member of the Judy Genshaft Honors College, as well as a Provost's Scholar, Both granted me access to various unique opportunities. For example, I had the wonderful opportunity of studying abroad in Germany and Poland, through the Honors Confronting the Holocaust program. Being an Egyptian immigrant myself, and a Coptic Orthodox Christian, I have faced my own struggles with discrimination. Given my interests in history, as well as personal experiences with religious persecution, such an experience was life-altering. In addition to this opportunity, I was on the executive board for the American Red Cross Club at USF, as well as Medi-Futures at USF. I have been a volunteer for the American Red Cross for over six years, allowing me to dedicate time to giving back to the community. In addition, I volunteer at Saint Anthony Coptic Orthodox Church several times a week, and have been for nearly a decade.

Such experiences have allowed me to value my community. Through my pursuit of becoming a pharmacist at the University of Florida, I will be able to explore medical diagnoses, learn about a variety of diseases with their treatment options, and be able to ease the pain of each patient I encounter. Pharmacy is a unique career with a balance of different interests that many other healthcare careers simply lack. Receiving such a generous scholarship allows me to prioritize my studies, rather than the worries of finances. In addition, it will open avenues for me to spread the word about the University of Florida's wonderous programs, being a Crisafi Scholar myself!

I truly appreciate the financial support in my academic endeavors.

Sincerely, Merola Ishak

Marques 1 James Marques

Crisafi Scholarship Thank You Letter My family comes from a background of both first and second-generation Americans. To put this plainly, we are very new to America generationally. I am the first person in my family to go to college to any capacity, as well as the first to graduate with a bachelor's degree, which included a Latin honors distinction. I could not afford college, which is why I joined the Air Force as an active duty enlisted member. Why is all of this important? I grew up with very little and have fought for every inch through my life to create something special for my family. This is, to my knowledge, the first monetary award I have ever received in my life. I have expenses that supersede even tuition and books because my wife is unable to work, and I have a special needs son who requires many therapies to give him all the support that he needs. This money means more therapy, housing, and things less conceivable for those who may not have experienced them. It is with great honor and respect that I was given the opportunity to receive such a gift. I want to thank the late Dr. Bob Crisafi, as well as his family, for such generosity.

Without this scholarship, it means less of all of these integral life-affirming pieces afforded to not just me but also my family. Thank you again.

With great appreciation, James Marques

James Marques 3805 Crystal Beach Road Winter Haven, Florida 33880 (352) 400 9390 Jamesmarques23@gmail.com ____________________________________________________________________________________

Education Bachelor of Science Biomedical Science: Major GPA: 3.72 | Cumulative GPA: 3.60 University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida

July 2025

Associate of Arts Biomedical Science focus Hillsborough Community College, Tampa, Florida

May 2023

Professional Positions and Experience Aircraft Metals Technologist August 2014 - May 2019 United States Air Force Minot AFB, North Dakota x Coordinated with 4-5 maintenance shops to achieve metal hardness and tensile strength by analyzing hardness scales of 2,800 samples. x Saved the United States Air Force 2.6 million dollars and 1,200 maintenance hours by eliminating the need to replace 20 aircraft parts through precise repairs. x Welded at 5G position, machined, soldered, heat-treated/metal tempered, and performed precise measurement inspections with repairs as needed with 7 different metals.

Veterinary Technician January 2010 – January 2012 Luv My Pet Orlando, Florida x Assisted veterinarian with the administration of routine and specialized vaccinations to a variety of animal species. x Customized vaccination protocols and dosage based on species, breed, age, and weight to ensure optimal efficacy and safety. x Provided client education and facilitated sales of preventative medications, including flea, heartworm, and tick treatments.

Carpenter May 2009 – December 2013 Refined Renovations The Villages, Florida x Remodeled kitchens, bathrooms, and living areas for projects up to a final cost of $300,000.00. x Performed prospective layout measurements for blueprint evaluation and client communication. x Installed bathroom/kitchen sinks, under-mount lighting, cabinets/vanities, tubs, showers, tile, fans, and a variety of trim.

Professional Community Activities POW-MIA Run July 2017 x Ran a 24-hour vigil with prisoners of war and missing in action (POW-MIA) flag to commemorate and remember service members.

Achievements Air Force Achievement Medal

May 2019

x

Awarded for outstanding achievements and service in the United States Air Force, preserving aircraft maintenance hours and saving 2.6 million dollars in component changes. Assisted with the unit deployment of 39 members and 139 tons of cargo.

Certification and Licensure CPR/BLS certified PADI Dive Certified: Open Water

August 2025 September 2015

Developed Skills/ Extracurricular Activities Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu September 2007-2013 x Integral in safety and awareness of daily activities while generating healthy lifestyles. x Participated and refereed in tournament-sanctioned Brazilian jiu-jitsu through Grappler's Quest and Naga jiu-jitsu.

Haithem Musa 8712 Scenic Oak Ct Orlando, FL 32836 407-969-6494 Haithem Musa 6th May 2025 Dear Crisafi Family, As a Crisafi Scholar, I would like to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation for your generosity and support of the pharmacy students at the University of Florida.

My name is Haithem Musa. I'm a really big sports guy, with soccer and basketball being on the top of that list. I love the outdoors and love to travel.

With this, however, came a lot of injuries and I think that was one of the main reasons i chose to pursue a career in health care and pharmacy. Growing up, science classes were always my favorite and the most interesting. I always loved Biology especially, and just the ways living things were made up. This love went even further when I took a Human anatomy and physiology class.

Taking the things I loved about the human body and relating that to how it reacted to external factors, whether that's medicine or its environment. made me fall in love with the healthcare field and specifically pharmacy. After graduation and once I actually start working as a pharmacist, I want to be someone who understands, calms down, and reinforces that everything will be okay, just like the pharmacist that was taking care of me when I was a kid did.

Receiving this scholarship will truly help me in all sorts of ways. Academically, by helping me pay for required books and parts of the tuition, In addition, personally, by helping me pay for overall necessities like gas and food. I truly can't be more grateful for not only the trust you have placed on me but also for your generosity and thoughtfulness.

Sincerely,

Haithem Musa

Duyen Kim Nguyen Coral Springs, FL nguynduyn19@gmail.com May 23rd, 2025 Dear Crisafi Family, As a Crisafi Scholar, I would like to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation for your generosity and support of the pharmacy students at the University of Florida.

I was born and raised in Vietnam. After moving to the United States, I became the person in my family who handled all medical matters. I translated during doctor’s appointments, managed prescriptions, and made sure my loved ones received the care they needed. These experiences shaped who I am and made me realize that I wanted to do more-not just for my family but for others as well. That is why pharmacy became more than just a goal for me. From studying drug development to working in research at Florida Atlantic University and gaining experience as a pharmacy technician, every step has brought me closer to my dream of becoming a pharmacist. I am excited to join the Doctor of Pharmacy program and become a pharmacist who listens with care and serves with purpose.

This scholarship means so much to me. It helps relieve some of the financial stress of attending school and allows me to focus more on my education and goals. It also reminds me that there are generous people who believe in students like me. I am truly grateful.

Thank you again for everything you have done. Your generosity will continue to inspire me and many others.

With sincere appreciation,

Duyen Kim Nguyen

April 22, 2025

Diana Pierre 319 James St Orange Park FL, 32073

Dear Crisafi Family, As a Crisafi Scholar, I would like to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation for your generosity and support of the pharmacy students at the University of Florida.

Growing up as a Haitian American, I have had the privilege of experiencing both the American and Haitian school systems, which has given me a unique perspective on life. My father, an entrepreneur, owned and operated several small businesses, including a pharmacy and a hospital. From a young age, I accompanied him to the pharmacies he owned, where I observed how each employee worked together to ensure the pharmacy ran smoothly. One employee in particular, who was exceptionally knowledgeable about medications, inspired me and sparked my desire to pursue a career in healthcare. My passion for the field grew from my personal experiences with my father's businesses, and my academic interests in chemistry and art, which I pursued during my undergraduate studies. The combination of these interests solidified my commitment to attend pharmacy school. I aspire to own my own pharmacy, just like my father, and ultimately hope to obtain an MBA/PharmD to combine my interests in healthcare and business. My long-term goal is to open multiple pharmacies, both in the U.S. and in Haiti, continuing my father's legacy and passing it on to future generations.

Receiving this scholarship will have a profound impact on both my academic and personal journey. It will provide me with the opportunity to focus more fully on my studies, ensuring I can excel in my pursuit of a career in pharmacy. This scholarship will also allow me to get more involved in student organizations focused on entrepreneurship, expanding my knowledge of pharmacy business and networking with pharmacy business owners. I am excited to take full advantage of the resources and opportunities the University of Florida College of Pharmacy offers, especially in terms of mentorship and outreach programs. Ultimately, this scholarship will enable me to not only succeed in pharmacy school but also contribute to the communities I serve, just as my father has done throughout his career.

Thank you for your generous support, which is helping to make my dreams a reality.

Sincerely, Diana Pierre

Nicholas Raddi 9 Lake Vista way Ormond Beach, Fl, 32174 May 20. 2025

Dear Crisafi Family, As a Crisafi scholar, I would like to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation for your generosity and support of the pharmacy students at the University of Florida.

Having grown up in a small town in New Jersey, I knew that I had to work hard if I wanted to achieve my goals. As I worked my way through high school, I quickly realized that the field of study that interested me the most was chemistry. I fell in love with chemistry, because it presented an infinite possibility if you did the required research. No matter how complex the problem is, a solution could be found if you spent the necessary time looking for it. Therefore, to continue finding solutions I pursued a bachelor's degree in chemistry at Florida Atlantic University and eventually earned it at the University of Central Florida. It was at the University of Central Florida where I finally decided to focus my chemistry studies on specifically biochemistry. Biochemistry stood out to be me because most of the biological reactions that occur in the human body are heavily dependent on each other for the entire system to work. If any of the biological reactions are unable to occur it causes a chain reaction throughout the body creating disease. Which ultimately brought me to my decision to now pursue pharmacy school. I want to use my understanding of chemistry to help patients understand the issues they are dealing with and how the medications prescribed to them can help address those issues. Over the last year, I have worked as a pharmacy technician at a retail pharmacy, so my goal is to continue to help improve patient outcomes as the healthcare industry continues to innovate into the future.

Receiving this scholarship will allow me to securely take the first step in this new academic journey. I am aware of the increased expectations the University of Florida has for its graduate studies and therefore I want to make sure I am prepared to meet those expectations at the start. This scholarship will help me make sure I have the resources I need to meet those expectations on day one. Given my previous academic achievements, I believe I can be successful at the UF College of Pharmacy. Thank you for selecting me for this scholarship and for acknowledging my potential.

Sincerely, Nicholas Raddi

Darianis Ramos Nieves Colinas del Manantial # 9 Peiiuelas, Puerto Rico 00624 darianisnieves78@gmail.com (787) 202-9007 May 22, 2025 Dear Crisafi Family, As a Crisafi Scholar, I would like to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation for your generosity and support of the pharmacy students at the University of Florida. Your commitment to supporting future pharmacists is inspiring, and I am honored to be a recipient of this prestigious scholarship.

I am currently an undergraduate student, in the Inter American University, Ponce Campus, majoring in Biomedical Sciences, with a strong passion for healthcare and community service.

My goal is to attend pharmacy school to become a pharmacist who not only dispenses medications but also plays an active role in educating and advocating for patient health and well­ being. My interest in pharmacy was sparked by seeing the critical role some of my relatives played as pharmacists or pharmacy technicians in different communities. I hope to specialize in clinical phannacies or c01mnunity phannacies to contribute to patient care and the development of other treatments. In the future, I aspire to work in a hospital or research setting, where I can combine direct patient interaction with continued scientific exploration. My goal is to improve patient care and contribute a meaningful development in treatments.

Receiving the Crisafi Scholarship has deeply impacted me both personally and academically. It has alleviated a significant p01tion of my financial burden, allowing me to focus more intently on my studies, research, and community involvement without the added stress of financial insecurity. On a personal level, this recognition has boosted my confidence and strengthened my resolve to pursue a career in pharmacy. It has reaffirmed my belief that hard work and dedication are recognized and rewarded, and I am more motivated than ever to give back to the field and to those who have supported me along the way.

Thank you once again for your generosity and belief in students like me. I am truly honored to be a Crisafi Scholar.

Sincerely, Darianis Ramos Nieves

Dear Crisafi Family,

As a Crisafi Scholar, I would like to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation for your generosity and support of the pharmacy students at the University of Florida.

I, like many students going into pharmacy, did not originally have plans to become a pharmacist. I was originally a biomedical engineer with a plan to work on prosthetics and mobility aids. During that time, I decided I was more interested in the healthcare aspect than the actual technology and decided to dabble in other areas. I pivoted into emergency medicine where I became first responder certified and realized that I loved treating patients, but I was not a big fan of diagnosing.

After some self-reflection I ended up learning about the UF pharmacy programs. I immersed myself in pharmacy related opportunities within and outside the school. I wanted to be certain that this was the career I was searchi ng for. Between volunteering and clubs, I eventually found my way into the pharmacy as a pharmacytechnician. From there I saw the kind of people I wanted to work with and the kind of job I never wanted to leave. I saw a bridge between the healthcare system and the community through that pharmacy. I applied for pharmacy school and am on the road to completing a bachelor's degree in biology. I hope to someday work in a hospital setting as a specialist but as a retail pharmacy technician I also see the benefits to becoming a retail pharmacist. Only time will tell.

I got accepted to the UF college of pharmacy Orlando campus. This scholarship will make the world of difference as I transition from Gainesville to Orlando in the coming months. Between job relocation and extra expenses this scholarship will help ease financial strain personally or academically depending on my needs during that time. It is money that I can also put towards new school supplies like a laptop that will meet the college's requirements and any textbooks for this coming fall. It is scholarships like this that put educational opportunities back in our reach. Thank you for your generosity.

Kindest regards,

Mahrukh Sajjad

Dear Crisafi Family, As a Crisafi Scholar, I would like to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation for your generosity and support of the pharmacy students at the University of Florida.

During undergrad, I knew I wanted to hold a career in the healthcare field, but I was undecided on which field to pursue. After I graduated, Covid-19 took over and I began applying to different health care job openings in hopes of helping in any way I could. I applied for a pharmacy position and was immediately accepted due to the high volume of vaccinations they were administering; they needed all the support they could get. This was what struck my fascination for pharmacy, and I haven't looked back since. I started off as a pharmacy clerk and slowly progressed over time to a pharmacy technician. I want to keep excelling in the pharmacy field which is why I decided to take a big step and apply to pharmacy school. Having worked in a retail pharmacy for the last 4 years, I want to take my education further and explore other areas of pharmacy and potentially specialize and pursue a residency.

Growing up my parents were not wealthy, but they worked hard to provide for my sister and I and they made sure we had everything we needed. During undergrad I was lucky to receive a Pell Grant to assist in the payment for my classes. This helped tremendously as it took the financial burden off my shoulders, and I was able to focus on my studies with less stress. It also allowed me to pursue extracurricular activities and work on research projects outside of classes as well as volunteering at various organizations. This scholarship will impact my school life in the same way because it will ease the financial burden many graduate students face. It will also allow me to enhance my academic background in preparation for my future without worrying as much about how I am going to pay off my loans. This scholarship shows that my hard work and dedication during my undergrad years received recognition which I truly appreciate.

I want to thank you again for your kindness, I am honored to be chosen as a recipient of this extraordinary scholarship.

Sincerely, Tala Trabulsi