Meet your 2019–20 APhA–ASP National Executive Committee

Kelli Jo Welter, National President

Hi all! I am a final-year student pharmacist at Drake University College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences in Des Moines, IA. Signing up for APhA–ASP 5 years ago was one of the greatest decisions of my college experience, and I feel so fortunate to serve as your APhA–ASP National President. I became involved in Generation Rx as a first-year pre-pharmacy student. APhA–ASP became my home because it offered me the opportunity to grow as a young professional, serve patients in my community, be a change agent for the profession, and discover my career path. Since then, I have had the privilege to serve APhA–ASP on a local, regional, and national level, and met some of my best friends along the way. My roots are in the small town of Monticello, IA, where I grew up with my parents and four younger siblings. My favorite pastimes with my family include going to church on Saturday evenings, boating at Lake Delhi, and driving cross-country in the RV while blasting Cher and Johnny Cash. I am always on the hunt for the perfect dark roast, and I find my peace in practicing hot yoga and making chocolate chip pancakes.

Sydney Tu, National President-elect

I was born and raised in Southern California, but have called St. Louis, MO, my home for the last 5 years. I have received my BS in Health Sciences and am currently pursuing my PharmD at the St. Louis College of Pharmacy (STLCOP). I have been actively involved with APhA–ASP since my third pre-pharmacy year, serving as my chapter’s Generation Rx Vice Chair. Since then, I have served as Chapter President-elect, as well as President the following year. Regionally, I held the role of Region 6 Midyear Regional Meeting Coordinator for MRM2018. I have also had the tremendous honor in serving as the 2018 APhA Carl F. Emswiller Summer Intern in Association Management in Washington, DC. I am ecstatic to transition into my new role as APhA–ASP National President-elect. I am most looking forward to working with the APhA–ASP National Executive Committee (NEC) and engaging with our colleagues across the country to continue envisioning a future for the profession. During my leisure time, I enjoy traveling (thanks to STLCOP and Habitat for Humanity, I have traveled to Macedonia and Guatemala), trying new cuisines, and exercising my creativity through artwork.

Andrea McDonald, Speaker of the House

Greetings! As I embark on my final-year as a student pharmacist at the Lipscomb University College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences, I am elated to share this year with you as your APhA-ASP Speaker of the House. As a student pharmacist, I have served in leadership roles, including APhA-ASP Policy Vice President, Tennessee Society of Student Pharmacists Delegate and Member-at-Large, and American Association of Pharmaceutical Sciences Chapter Chair. A life-changing patient care experience during college inspired me to chart my pharmacy journey, making health care policy and optimizing patient care lifelong goals of mine. Our Academy has provided opportunities to advance policy and advocacy initiatives for which I am deeply grateful. When I am not focused on pharmacy life, I spend time with family, travel, read, drink LOTS of coffee, run in the park, go to brunch with friends, camp and hike, and make time for medical mission trips. My hope this year is that you feel encouraged to reach out to me at any time so that we can tackle policy and advocacy issues together. I look forward to building on the legacy of our past while working with each of you to create the initiatives of the future.

Eric Dobberpuhl, National Member-at-large

Hi everyone! I am so excited and honored to serve as one of your APhA-ASP National Members-at-large! I am a final-year student pharmacist at Chapman University School of Pharmacy (CUSP) in Irvine, CA. After growing up an hour outside of San Francisco, I decided to travel south and enroll in Chapman’s 2+3 Pre-Pharmacy Program. My APhA-ASP journey began during my undergraduate studies, where I served as the Undergraduate Liaison on the Founding APhA-ASP Executive Committee at CUSP. As a first-year student pharmacist, I was elected as the APhA-ASP Region 8 Regional Member-at-large. Now, I am thrilled to work with the NEC and the Communications Standing Committee. Outside of pharmacy, I love to play and watch sports, play board games, and hang out at the beach with my wife, Lizzy, who is a first-grade teacher. We also enjoy going to Disneyland, exploring the outdoors, and jamming out to country music. During my term as National Member-at-large, I will strive to empower student pharmacists to become “Fearlessly Authentic” leaders in pharmacy!

David Giang, National Member-at-large

Hey y’all! I am a final-year student pharmacist at The University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy. I was born and raised outside of southeast Houston and moved to Austin in 2010, where I have been ever since. Everything’s bigger in Texas, especially our love for APhA-ASP! In pharmacy school, I have been involved as Membership Vice President and Communications Vice President of my APhA-ASP Chapter, President of the Student Society of Health-System Pharmacistsas well as National Mental Health Chair of the Student National Pharmaceutical Association, where I was able to continue spreading awareness and advocating for the mental health community. My opportunities and experience in various leadership positions have inspired me to help motivate other student pharmacists to realize their potential as future leaders in pharmacy. My aim is to challenge each and every one of you to reach for your dreams. I am excited to work with this amazing NEC to push APhA-ASP to its limits. Outside of pharmacy, I really enjoy getting food from McDonald’s Dollar Menu, looking at corgis, trying new restaurants, playing video and board games, and most importantly, shopping—you can look at my clothes but please don’t look at my bank account!