Bryn Mawr Alum Graduates Valedictorian as a Doctor of Pharmacy

Odinaka Oranekwu, valedictorian of Howard University’s Class of 2025, is on a mission to expand access to healthcare and serve underserved communities. After completing her undergraduate studies at Bryn Mawr College, Odinaka earned her PharmD and is now preparing to launch her career as a pharmacist committed to equity and service.

During her journey, Odinaka gained hands-on experience through internships at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and CVS Pharmacy.

Working as a pharmacy technician as an undergraduate, she had a front-row view of the profession she now calls “a career of servitude”—one that aligns her professional ambitions with personal fulfillment.

Her commitment to advancing pharmacy education and culturally competent care led her to co-author an article in the American Journal of Pharmacy Education, focusing on the importance of “Preparing Pharmacy Students to Practice with Cultural and Structural Humility.”

Reflecting on the challenges of pharmacy school, Odinaka notes, “It takes a mental and emotional toll, but remembering your goals and sacrifices as short-term investments for lifelong benefit makes it worthwhile.”

Odinaka credits her success in large part to The Posse Foundation.

“Posse provided a foundation and a village necessary to get through pharmacy school,” she says, adding that her experience as a Posse Scholar taught her leadership, perseverance, and resilience.

Looking ahead, Odinaka will begin her PGY-1 pharmacy residency at Boston Medical Center, where she will expand her clinical expertise and continue developing as a pharmacist. With her foundation in clinical practice and health equity, she ultimately hopes to bring her skills to hospitals and clinics in Nigeria, combining professional excellence with global impact.