Wilkes University Student Pharmacist Erika Zarfoss of York, Pa., Wins U.S. Public Health Service Award

Wilkes-Barre, PA (05/02/2018) — Media contact for this release: Gabrielle D'Amico, Director of Communications gabrielle.damico@wilkes.edu (570) 408-4510.

Wilkes University Nesbitt School of Pharmacy third-year student pharmacist Erika Zarfoss of York, Pa., was the recipient of a United States Public Health Service Excellence in Public Health Pharmacy Award. Zarfoss was recognized for positively impacting patients through her participation in a medical mission trip to Guatemala and in the Lehigh Valley Network flu clinics.

The award recognizes pharmacy students who have made significant contributions to public health by promoting wellness and healthy communities. Students are evaluated on their contributions towards voluntary health-related services, an emerging public health issue or contributions that advance the goals of Healthy People 2020 or the National Prevention Strategy.

Zarfoss's pursuit of achieving the objectives of Healthy People 2020.1 is reflected in her participation in various community-related activities. She participated in a medical mission trip to Guatemala where she played a major role in providing health care and medications to an underserved population. Zarfoss also served as a translator between Spanish and English speakers and helped locals understand the medications and health-care recommendations given.

She also participated in flu vaccinations at the Lehigh Valley Network Flu Clinic for the past three years. She also assisted with the annual drive-thru flu clinic which immunized over 12,000 people. Zarfoss's role at the flu clinic is commendable because flu vaccination can reduce flu related illnesses, doctors' visits, missed work and school due to flu, as well as prevent flu-related hospitalizations.

Zarfoss maintains a 4.0 grade point average and is equally active with various activities. She has been serving as a teaching assistant with anatomy and physiology laboratory practicals for the past two years and assists with a research project entitled "Feasibility of Determining Oxidative Biomarkers in Healthy Human Subjects After Oral Vitamin C Administration."

Zarfoss was nominated by Wilkes associate professor of pharmaceutical sciences Ajay Bommareddy.

[Wilkes University third-year student pharmacist Erika Zarfoss of York, Pa., is the recipient of a United States Public Health Service Excellence in Public Health Pharmacy Award. Pictured, from left: Lieutenant Commander Yvon Yeo, United States Public Health Service and Erika Zarfoss.]

About Wilkes University:

Wilkes University is an independent institution of higher education dedicated to academic and intellectual excellence through mentoring in the liberal arts, sciences and professional programs. Founded in 1933, the university is on a mission to create one of the great small universities, offering all of the programs, activities and opportunities of a large, research university in the intimate, caring and mentoring environment of a small, liberal arts college, at a cost that is increasingly competitive with public universities. The Economist named Wilkes 25th in the nation for the value of its education for graduates. In addition to 43 bachelor's degree programs, Wilkes offers 25 master's degree programs and five doctoral/terminal degree programs, including the doctor of philosophy in nursing, doctor of nursing practice, doctor of education, doctor of pharmacy, and master of fine arts in creative writing. Learn more at www.wilkes.edu.

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