Two students earn Cox scholarship
East Tennessee State University Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy awarded two students the prestigious Mitch and Barbara Cox Pharmacy Scholarship. In addition to a $10,000 monetary award, the scholarship provides each student mentoring opportunities with Mitch and Barbara.
Bradley Andrews (’22), of Powell, and Rachel Hudson (’23), of Jasper, were this year’s recipients.
Mitch and Barbara Cox have championed Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy since its inception. Mitch, who has managed a successful business for more than 40 years, and Barbara, who is a former biology teacher, began their support with a monetary gift to help establish the school of pharmacy in Northeast Tennessee.
Both recipients said the scholarship will allow them to pursue the college’s PharmD/MBA dual degree, a requirement for the scholarship which helps students who want to gain a broader perspective on business within pharmacy, enhance leadership opportunities, and strengthen graduates’ ability to conduct and interpret pharmacy management issues.
“I realize the significance of equipping clinicians with core business competencies,” said Andrews, who hopes to work in East Tennessee or South Carolina after graduation and pursue a residency in either health care administration or managed care. “It promotes systems thinking and encourages health care workers to factor in the financial impact of their decisions, which ultimately benefits the patient.”
Hudson, who hopes to one day own a pharmacy in her hometown of Jasper, said the scholarship will help her establish the business skills needed to manage a pharmacy effectively.
The scholarship was “much-needed good news during the first few weeks of quarantine,” said Hudson. “I felt, and still feel, very blessed to have received it.”
Andrews said he was filled with “excitement” and an “overwhelming sense of gratitude” when he heard he received the scholarship.
“It is life-changing money that will jumpstart my career as a future health professional,” he said.
Learn more about Gatton College of Pharmacy’s PharmD/MBA dual degree program at etsu.edu/pharmacy.