Ryan Walker – Spotlight
- Class of 2002
- Tulsa, OK
- Healthcare Specialty Supervisor, Walgreens Boots Alliance
- Pharmacy Alumni Association Council Member
When asked what do you like most about being a pharmacist, Ryan said,
“The thing I enjoy about being a community pharmacist (and community pharmacy) is that no 2 days have ever been the same in 20 years. Things are always fresh, and I am constantly challenged to learn and work smarter.”
Ryan is a Healthcare Specialty Supervisor (Oklahoma, New Mexico and West Texas) with Walgreens Boots Alliance. He stated, “Healthcare is not easy, but it is incredibly rewarding. Be ready to adapt quickly to change, no matter where you find yourself practicing.” He graduated from Weatherford High School then attended the University of Tulsa. His sophomore year, he realized that he wanted to pursue a PharmD and transferred to SWOSU. During his time at SWOSU as a pharmacy student, he was involved in ASHP. Currently, he is a member of the Pharmacy Alumni Association Council as well as a Pharmacy Alumni Association Lifetime Member. Now he resides in Tulsa, Oklahoma with his wife, LaKrisa (also a SWOSU grad), son Julian, and daughters Noelia and Alora (as pictured). To learn more about Ryan, read the information below.
| Hometown | Weatherford |
| High School | Weatherford |
| Current/Past involvement (memberships, committees, etc) with SWOSU and/or the College of Pharmacy (including Pharmacy Alumni Association or Pharmacy Foundation), since graduation | SWOSU CoP Dean’s Advisory Council; SW Pharmacy Alumni Council Member; Lifetime Member of SW Pharmacy Alumni Association |
| Community/Civic Activities, Special Interests, etc. | OK BoP Tech. Immunization Committee (2022), OKBoP Temperature Excursion Committee (2022), American Heart Association Eastern Oklahoma Leadership Board, American Diabetes Association past President and Chairman Eastern Oklahoma Leadership Board, Adjunct Faculty-University of Tulsa Oxley College of Health Sciences |
| What made you choose pharmacy as your degree? | As a native of Weatherford, I was always familiar with the prestige of the SWOSU College of Pharmacy. In addition, my sister, Dana, was an alumnus of SWOSU CoP and one of my good friends, Dusty Harms, was in the pharmacy program. During my sophomore year at the University of Tulsa, I discovered that I enjoyed Chemistry far more than Biology, and at TU, the engineering majors were envied due to job placement and starting salaries. One evening while studying for finals (at the computer lab), I read an article about the top earning majors upon graduation. The only thing higher than engineering was pharmacy. That week (Spring 1997), I decided that I would transfer in the Fall to SWOSU to pursue my Pharm.D. while saving a ton of tuition money. |
| What is the most interesting job you’ve had and why? | During Summer in my undergraduate years, I worked for the City of Weatherford Water Department. I don’t know that the job itself was that interesting; however, those Summers were invaluable in creating my ability to connect with people from different backgrounds. I learned how to communicate with business professionals as well as blue collar employees. I also learned a lot of “handy” skills in the process! |
| What do you like most about being a pharmacist? | The thing I enjoy about being a community pharmacist (and community pharmacy) is that no 2 days have ever been the same in 20 years. Things are always fresh, and I am constantly challenged to learn and work smarter. |
| Who is your favorite and/or most memorable pharmacy teacher, and why? | This one is really tough, because so many of our professors are excellent. My favorite class was definitely JP with Van Dusen. For whatever reason, law “clicked” for me in a way that some other things did not. Dr. Van Dusen also made the class really interesting, which is hard to do with law! |
| What is your best memory of your time at SWOSU? | I never gave JC Cowboys enough credit…. it was truly one of the best roadhouses in America. We had a lot of fun, celebrated a lot of successes, and shared a few sorrows through the years. |
| What is your funniest memory of your time at SWOSU? | Our first semester was also Dr. Ramos’ first year at SWOSU. Coming from Maryland, I don’t think he was informed about how tornado sirens worked and when those seasons occurred. During class, there was some kind of siren noise outside of CPP building– his lecture came to a halt as he anxiously walked to the windows and asked if a tornado was coming. |
| Where was your favorite place to study or hangout during pharmacy school? | The pharmacy student lounge |
| What is the most important thing you learned in pharmacy school? | Intense education on OTC drugs (Dr. Pray). This skill is something that is used multiple times per day, and most patients (and providers) find a ton of value in pharmacists to help with these consultations. |
| What is one thing you know now you wish you knew in pharmacy school? | The importance of being present with your family and loved ones. During school, everything was hyper focused around studying and attending class. I wish I would have spent more quality time with family during school. |
| What are your current hobbies/travels/activities? | outdoor projects/landscaping, college football |
| Complete this sentence: “One thing you probably didn’t know about me is….” | I was halfway to an Anthropology degree before deciding to attend SWOSU. |
| What is your proudest accomplishment since leaving SWOSU? | Having the privilege of working with and hiring pharmacists in Eastern Oklahoma and NW Arkansas since 2006. I love having this network of colleagues. |
| What advice would you give a current pharmacy student? | Healthcare is not easy, but it is incredibly rewarding. Be ready to adapt quickly to change, no matter where you find yourself practicing. |
| List family members that also graduated from SWOSU: | LaKrisa Walker (spouse), Ronnie Walker (dad), Dana Berryhill (sister), Boone and Alyssa Walker (nephew and spouse) |
| List immediate family names: | LaKrisa (wife), Julian (son), Noelia (daughter), Alora (daughter) |
Posted: March 8, 2023
RETURN TO SPOTLIGHTS
Krista Brooks – Dr. H.F. Timmons Award Recipient 2022
Krista Brooks – Dr. H.F. Timmons Award Recipient 2022
- Class of 2008
- Weatherford, OK
- Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice at SWOSU College of Pharmacy
The SW Pharmacy Alumni Association Award recognizes a SWOSU College of Pharmacy faculty, staff or administration member who has demonstrated extraordinary dedication and service to SWOSU, the College of Pharmacy, the Pharmacy Alumni Association, and the Community – just like Dr. Timmons did throughout his lifetime. The 2022 Recipient is Krista Brooks of Weatherford, OK.
After graduating from Hollis High School, Krista attended SWOSU in Weatherford Oklahoma and received a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences. She began her professional career as a high school science teacher for three years, before returning to SWOSU to pursue her Doctor of Pharmacy degree. After receiving her pharmacy degree in 2008, she worked as a pharmacist at Swann’s Pharmacy in Watonga for two years, and then accepted a residency position at the Veterans Affairs Hospital in Oklahoma City in 2010. Upon completion of her residency, she returned to SWOSU to combine her passion for healthcare and teaching as a faculty member in the Department of Pharmacy Practice. Currently, Dr. Brooks serves as an Associate Professor and is the course director for the Pharmacotherapy I, Drug Information, and Pharm Care Lab IV courses.
Krista has dedicated time serving the SWOSU College of Pharmacy through a variety of activities. She organizes several annual College of Pharmacy events including the SWOSU College of Pharmacy White Coat Ceremony, the Pharmacy Back-to-School Picnic, and the SWOSU College of Pharmacy Influenza Clinics. She also enjoys serving as the American Pharmacists Association Academy of Student Pharmacists (APhA-ASP) chapter advisor. Her main goal as advisor is to help students find ways to be involved and become leaders in pharmacy. Each academic year, she helps students plan and execute a variety of educational and clinical events both on and off campus that support numerous APhA-ASP Operations. She also mentors students by helping them prepare resolutions for APhA-ASP Midyear Regional Meetings and has helped students create poster presentations for National APhA Annual Meetings. Other professional events that she helps coordinate include the APhA Patient Counseling Competition and the ACCP Clinical Research Challenge competition. She also served as the chair of the SWOSU College of Pharmacy 75th Anniversary Planning Committee (a committee of volunteers) for the pharmacy school’s largest 3-day event held to date, sponsored by the SW Pharmacy Foundation and the Pharmacy Alumni Association. Always going above and beyond, she can be found volunteering at the Pharmacy Open House on Homecoming Day, giving tours and visiting with alumni.
In addition to being actively involved in numerous university and college committees, Krista serves as one of the SWOSU College of Pharmacy Strategic Planning co-coordinators and is a member of the SWOSU Strategic Plan Review Team. She is a member of the ACPE Accreditation Steering Committee and the Accreditation Monitoring Committee.
She is an advocate for opioid awareness and has helped many pharmacy students prepare and present educational sessions over Opioid Overdose and Narcan Training to first year pharmacy students, incoming SWOSU freshmen, resident advisors for the dorms, and the SWOSU campus police. She has coordinated several Drug Take-Back events on the SWOSU campus and has provided opioid awareness information to the Leadership Weatherford group. She currently serves as the SWOSU College of Pharmacy Liaison for Oklahoma Pharmacists Helping Pharmacists.
For the past 11 years, Krista has regularly volunteered as a pharmacist and preceptor at the Agape Free Medical Clinic in Weatherford. She also volunteered at the SWOSU Covid-19 Vaccine clinics. Other community service includes helping with Vacation Bible School and previously teaching Sunday School at the United Methodist Church.
Krista was recognized as the 2020 SWOSU Faculty Member of the Year. She was also selected by the SWOSU College of Pharmacy students for the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy Teacher of the Year award in 2016 and 2021.
She and her husband, Nathan, live in Weatherford and have two daughters, Karly, a student at SWOSU, and Kate, a student at Weatherford High School. Krista enjoys spending time gardening and traveling with her family.
Posted: March 2, 2023
RETURN TO PAA AWARDS
Robert (Mike) Liner – Humanitarian Award Recipient 2022
Robert (Mike) Liner – Humanitarian Award Recipient 2022
-
- Class of 1970
- Lubbock, Texas
- Retired; Active Volunteer
(Mike) is currently in Ukraine serving as a pharmacist for Samaritan’s Purse. This is not the first time that Robert Mike Liner has gone beyond the comfort and security of home to serve the needs of citizens around the world. Mike has been to Iraq during the war, to Italy when that country was devasted by Covid 19, to Mississippi to aid the hurricane and flooding victims. There are numerous other areas that Mike has given his time to serve others using his knowledge he received from SWOSU,” states one of the award nominators (4/11/22).
SWOSU Pharmacy Graduate (1970) Mike Liner of Lubbock (TX) was presented the 2022 Humanitarian Award at the Southwestern Pharmacy Alumni Recognition Ceremony on SWOSU Homecoming Day in October 2022. The Humanitarian Award recognizes a SWOSU pharmacy graduate who has impacted lives through service and dedication.
A Memphis (TX) High School graduate, Mike attended SWOSU and was a member of the Bulldog track team. In pharmacy school, he was a member of the Phi Delta Chi Fraternity and served on the Apothecary staff. After college graduation, he was a pharmacist at Lockhart Pharmacy (Memphis) and then owned Liner’s Pharmacy in Morton (TX) until 1981. He ventured into the banking industry, serving as President of First State Bank (Morton) and then CEO of City Bank Texas. He returned to the pharmacy profession as apart-time relief pharmacist and is now retired.
Mike’s desire to help others continued so he became certified as a member of DART (Disaster Assistance Response Team) with Samaritan’s Purse as the pharmacist for the team, providing medical aid and supplies to people around the world who have been affected by wars, hurricanes, earthquakes, and pandemics. Most recently, he has served with this team in Ukraine. Additionally, he is the volunteer pharmacist for the New Legacy Home for Women in Lubbock, and a volunteer with Living Waters, digging water wells to provide water for citizens in foreign countries.
Additionally, Mike has been an Assistant Boy Scout Master and has also served on numerous boards and organizations, including but not limited to the Children’s Home of Lubbock Foundation and the Texas Boys Ranch Foundation. He was also a member of the football officiating staff for the Southwest Conference (1988-1995) and the Big 12 Conference (1996-2006). In 2009, he authored the book, “It’s Not All Black and White: From Junior High to the Sugar Bowl, an Inside Look at Football Through the Eyes of An Official”.
He and his wife, Dr. Suzanne (Suzie) Liner, live in Lubbock (TX) and they have five children: Mikella Newson, Russ Liner, Kristen Beck, Andrew Beck, and Jonathan Beck.
Posted: March 2, 2023
RETURN TO PAA AWARDS
Morgan Greutman – Young Professional Achievement Award Recipient 2022
Morgan Greutman – Young Professional Achievement Award Recipient 2022
- Class of 2015
- Paris, TX
- Clinical Inpatient Pharmacist at Paris Regional Medical Center in Paris, Texas
“Morgan has achieved remarkable accomplishments as a young professional. We are pleased to award the 2022 Young Professional Achievement Award to Morgan Greutman,” states a member of the Pharmacy Alumni Association Council.
SWOSU Pharmacy Graduate (2015) Morgan Greutman of Paris, Texas (formerly of Poteau, OK) was selected by the SW Pharmacy Alumni Association Alumni Awards Committee to receive the 2022 Young Professional Achievement Award. This award is presented to an SWOSU pharmacy graduate demonstrating outstanding professional achievement and graduated within the last ten years.
After her 2015 graduation with Magna Cum Laude honors from SWOSU, Morgan completed her PGY-1 Pharmacy Resident training. Then she was named Clinical Staff Pharmacist at Choctaw Nation Health Services Authority. In 2017, she was named Project Director of the Addressing Opioid Overdose Deaths Program. While continuing to serve as Project Director, she was named Medication Safety Officer. Morgan is now the Clinical Inpatient Pharmacist at the Paris (TX) Regional Medical Center.
Since 2017, Morgan has been a Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist (BCPS). And in 2020, she completed the Institute for Safe Medical Safety Practices (ISMP) and American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) Medication Safety Certificate.
Morgan has received numerous awards, including the US Public Health Service Outstanding Unit Commendation Award in 2021, 2018, 2017, and 2016. Additionally, she was recognized as the 2020 Institute for Safe Medication Practices CHEERS Award and the Rural Health Association of Oklahoma’s Rural Health Educator of the Year in 2019. In addition, she was recognized as the Pharmacy Times Next Generation Pharmacist: Rising Star Finalist in October 2019.
During Morgan’s time as a pharmacy student at SWOSU, she was involved in Kappa Epsilon, OPhA, APhA, and the Apothecary staff. Morgan’s post-graduate professional service has included numerous presentations (state, regional and national), publications, and committees.
Morgan and her husband, Andrew, have two children, Nolen and Lorelei.
Posted: March 2, 2023
RETURN TO PAA AWARDS