When Hannah Muir got a job at her local pharmacy at 16, she discovered a passion for the profession that set her on a path to West Virginia University.
As she enters her third year at the WVU School of Pharmacy, Muir is committed to making a difference in the lives of patients — and she’s fulfilling her purpose thanks to generous scholarship support.
“My passion is pharmacy and without that donor support, I wouldn’t be able to pursue my passions,” Muir said. “Their dedication, it just inspires me to put forth my best effort because not only am I investing in my education but other people are as well, and I would like to make them proud.”
Muir grew up in Saltsburg, Pennsylvania, a small town about 40 miles east of Pittsburgh. Job opportunities were limited when she was seeking work in high school, and her local pharmacy needed extra hands amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
At the time, Muir was undecided about her career path. She knew she wanted to have an impact like her mom and dad — a teacher and critical care nurse, respectively — but she was torn between education and healthcare.
She found a mentor in Saltsburg Pharmacy Manager Lisa Fisanich, who demonstrated how pharmacy merged the two fields.
“I fell in love with it the first day I was there,” Muir said. “I enjoyed being able to help the community in such an important time. And I really loved the pharmacist I worked with there, Lisa. She inspired me and still inspires me to this day about the field of pharmacy.”
Muir always assumed she would attend the University of Pittsburgh after spending her childhood rooting for Pitt alongside her dad, who is an alum. Yet, as she explored pharmacy schools, she found the atmosphere at WVU immediately felt like home.
She wasn’t sure she could afford to attend the University as an out-of-state student, but scholarships offset the added tuition expense.
“When WVU offered me the scholarship, it really changed my path,” Muir said. “I kind of thought I would be stuck in Pennsylvania because of the cost difference but receiving that scholarship completely changed things. I knew I wanted to come here.”
The WVU School of Pharmacy also offered other valuable advantages. Muir was accepted as a direct-admit student, which allows her to complete her PharmD degree in less time. And she’s simultaneously working toward a Master of Health Administration as part of the dual PharmD/MHA program.
“Scholarship support plays a vital role in the academic success and overall well-being of our students,” said Ashleigh Barrickman, associate dean of admissions and student affairs. “Pharmacy students balance demanding academic coursework with leadership development, community service and other professional experiences, while managing financial responsibilities. Scholarships help ease the burden so students can focus on developing into well-rounded pharmacists who are prepared to serve their communities.”
Hannah Muir is pursuing her passion for pharmacy at WVU thanks to generous scholarship support. (WVU Photo/Sean McNamara)
The scholarships Muir received have helped her make the most of her WVU experience.
“In a professional program, there [are] a lot of daunting hours, and it’s really helped to take some of that financial worry and stress away,” she said. “I have dedicated countless hours to my academics and leadership opportunities, and without financial support, I would not have had the ability to fully commit to those experiences.”
Muir is involved in the National Community Pharmacists Association, Rho Chi Pharmacy Honor Society, the Pharmacy Leadership Society, and the American Pharmacists Association Academy of Student Pharmacists. Beginning this fall, she will serve as president of the WVU chapter of Lambda Kappa Sigma pharmacy fraternity.
She also works as a part-time pharmacy intern at Giant Eagle as time allows, gaining valuable professional experience and mentorship.
Muir sees her future in a role that allows her to engage directly with patients, increasing healthcare accessibility. One of the scholarships she received, the James F. Smith Scholarship, benefits full-time WVU School of Pharmacy students with an interest in community pharmacy.
“My goal is to come out of school and make a difference, but also be happy,” Muir said. “I think long-term that will be at a community pharmacy where I can help patients, especially in a small town. I grew up in a small town where people are underserved, unfortunately, and they don’t always trust a lot of healthcare professionals. I hope to be that person they can trust and come to.”
Scholarship gifts to support the School of Pharmacy are made through the WVU Foundation, the nonprofit organization that receives and administers private donations on behalf of the University. Gifts can be made online at give.wvu.edu/pharmacy.