SHARKS RX Spring 2016 Magazine

College of Pharmacy 21 Over the years, Samra has applied for more than 60 schol- arships and encourages her fellow students to do the same, not only to defray costs but also to open up more oppor- tunities. The scholarships, honors, and awards have helped her take full advantage of all NSU has to offer. “NSU has polished me significantly,” she admitted. “One thing the college focuses on is patient counseling and care, and that is a huge perk for me. Everything I’m involved in has developed me as a person and a leader. I’ve grown a lot. It’s nice having these opportunities.” Michelle A. Clark, Ph.D., associate professor and chair of the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, has worked closely with Samra as the SNPhA faculty adviser and says Samra is an exemplary student with a bright future. “I have gotten to know Nour on multiple levels. She has the warmest personality, always has a smile on her face, and is very professional,” Clark said. “She is a natural leader with innate characteristics that enable her to stand out and be effective. I consider her to be one of the future leaders of the pharmacy profession.” Retelling her story and expressing her appreciation for all NSU has done for her, Samra recently presented to the Dean’s Advisory Board. “Nour is an amazing student who possesses a wonderful spirit and a tremendous work ethic,” said Lisa M. Deziel, Pharm.D., Ph.D. “Her presentation to the Dean’s Advisory Board was moving and inspirational, leading one of the advisers to exclaim that we should bottle and sell her winning personality. Nour’s sincerity, gratitude, and compassion are a combination that will help her make a difference in this world.” For Samra, all the hard work has a purpose: to ultimately help others who need it. “When you experience war, it gives you a higher appreciation for everything,” she said. “I was the same as everybody else. I was entitled. I grew up in the United States.” The Pharm.D. student said, “I never valued things as much as I do now. When you have motivation, it changes the way you view things. One of the reasons I wanted to continue in health care is so I can go back and help the refugee population. Even in the United States, people don’t realize how many underserved communities exist. Once you have that passion and realize, ‘I’m not doing this for myself, I’m doing it for other people,’ it gives you great energy.” —Nour Samra (’17) “ Everything I’m involved in has developed me as a person and a leader. I’ve grown a lot. It’s nice having these opportunities.”