What does it mean to lead with integrity, serve with compassion and put Christian principles into practice? Students at Samford University’s McWhorter School of Pharmacy explored those questions during Professionalism Friday, a school-wide event featuring alumni perspectives on leadership through faith, service and professional excellence.
Held at Reid Chapel, the event centered on the theme “Leadership using Christian Principles” and brought together six McWhorter alumni serving in leadership roles across diverse pharmacy practice settings. The program featured questions developed by the student leadership council for the alumni panel.
“Our panel of six alumni provided direct and practical responses plus valuable information to the students,” said Interim Dean Michael A. Kendrach. “The McWhorter School of Pharmacy is grateful for these alumni volunteering their time, participating in this panel, serving as role models and inspiring the students.”
The alumni panel included:
- Ben Allen IV, PharmD ’12, UAB inpatient pharmacy
- Bart Bamberg, PharmD ’04, Publix
- Katye McDanal, PharmD ’12, CVS
- Kyle Parker, PharmD ’24, Walmart
- Melissa Pharo, PharmD ’05, Walgreens
- Cole Sandlin, PharmD ’08, independent pharmacy owner
Through their experiences, the panelists offered students practical perspectives on leadership, professional responsibility and the application of Christian principles in pharmacy practice. The discussion highlighted how faith can inform professional decisions, workplace relationships and patient care across a variety of practice settings.
The event reminded students that professionalism extends beyond clinical expertise. By connecting current students with alumni who model faith-based leadership in their work, Professionalism Friday underscored the value of mentorship and the lasting impact of the Samford pharmacy community.
