About Us

Dr. Sharon I. Early received a Doctor of Pharmacy Degree from the University of Maryland at Baltimore and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Pharmacy from Howard University College of Pharmacy, and has been a preceptor at Howard University College of Pharmacy from 1998 to 2004. She served on the Board of Directors for Applied Career Training (Allied Health School) for 4 years as the Pharmacy Department Advisor. Dr. Early has over 35 years of extensive pharmacy experience to include retail management, managed care and research industry. Her areas of expertise consist of Pharmacy Administration, Development of Clinical Trial Protocols, Project Management and Administration, Staff Development and Improvement and Event Coordination. Dr. Early presently works for Walmart Stores Inc. as a Regional Talent Specialist.

Prior to working at Walmart Stores Inc., Dr Early was the Director of Pharmacy Operations for Kaiser Permanente Inc. Washington D.C. As Director of Pharmacy Operations, she created and implemented "A Best Practice Program" (Green Dot Program) designed to expedite the prescription filling process. She also worked with the Success IV (Successive Celebrex (Celecoxib) Satisfaction and Effectiveness in Osteoarthritis) Study to review the protocol and present the study procedure to management and staff.

Dr. Early came to Kaiser Permanente Inc. from Braton Biotech Inc., (BBI) where for over 6 years as Director of Pharmacy Operations she served as a Study Coordinator and Associate Clinical Investigator for a pharmacy coordinated investigational drug service associated with the Neuropsychiatric Research Hospital. She has served on drug utilization committees, quality improvement committees and is experienced in clinical data management and clinical services. Before BBI, Dr Early worked for People's Drug Store for 20 years.

Sharon has worked with the Chauncey I. Cooper Pharmacy Action Committee from 1979 to 1990 and was the chairperson from 1988 to 1989. She was also a Founder/Charter member of the D.C. chapter of the Kappa Epsilon Fraternity.

Dr. Cornetta R. Levi earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree at Drake University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences as well as her MBA from the Drake's College Business in May of 2007. She is currently a Pharmacy Manager with Walgreens Pharmacies based in Chicago, Illinois. As a Walgreen's Pharmacist Dr. Levi has submerged herself in the business of providing comprehensive health services to her community. Her work is specifically concentrated in one of Chicago's urban community with a high diabetic, cardiovascular diseases, and HIV/AIDS population. To better serve her community she earned additional certifications as a Diabetes Educator (CDE), Medication Therapy Management (MTM) and an Immunizing Pharmacist. Dr. Levi has organized and participated in several community health fairs as part of the Walgreens' Community Wellness and Health initiative.

Dr. Levi currently serves as President Elect for National Pharmaceutical Association. Dr. Levi has been an active member of (NPhA) since 2007. She embraced a leadership role in the organization in 2008 as Board Member. She also actively participates in the NPhA/SNPhA National Executive Mentorship Program. She has been a catalyst in streamlining the organization which has lead to increased membership in the organization.

During her college career, Dr. Levi was the Region three facilitator for the Student National Pharmaceutical Association (SNPhA) from 2005 - 2007. In 2004 -2006, she was the President of the SNPhA chapter at Drake University and was a member of the Board of Directors for Drake Pharmacy Unified Group of Students (DRxUGS). As a volunteer patient advocate at The Project of Iowa HIV and AIDS Center, which is the only HIV and AIDS clinic in Des Moines, she help bridge the gap between the patient's disease state and patient's understanding of their condition. Furthermore, Dr. Levi tutored clients who were actively pursing their GED degree. Throughout her time at the Center, she was a member of the planning committee for the World's AIDS Day events.

Dr. Levi's medical experience not only includes the field of pharmacy but also direct patient care. She has been a licensed paramedic in the state of Illinois for eleven years, at the University of Chicago Hospital, where she worked for years in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and the hospital's burn center. In Des Moines, Iowa, she worked at Mercy Medical Center in their Level II trauma center. Prior to her hospital experience, Dr. Levi served as a member of the U.S. Army where she served her country proudly as a Medical Coreman for ten years.

Marisa A. Lewis is the Past President of the National Pharmaceutical Association and the former Executive Director of the Student National Pharmaceutical Association (SNPhA). She served in this capacity from 1989 to 2006.

Born the second eldest of six children, Marisa is the first of five pharmacists in the family. She has eighteen years experience as an academician, and several years experience as a practicing pharmacist. Lewis received a B.S. degree in Pharmacy from Texas Southern University, and a PharmD from Florida A & M University. Her MPH degree with a concentration in Health Systems Management was obtained from Tulane University School of Public Health & Tropical Medicine.

Currently, Lewis is an Associate Professor and Director of the Division of Health Care Management, in the School of Allied Health Sciences at Florida A & M University (FAMU). Marisa also practices pharmacy at Capital Regional Medical Center.

Her professional affiliations include the American Pharmacists Association (APhA), National Association of Health Services Executives and the National Pharmaceutical Association (NPhA). Marisa is on the National Pharmaceutical Association (NPhA) and the NPhA Foundation Board of Directors.

Awards and recognitions include the 2005 Aetna African American History Calendar- featured career, 2004 NPhA Chauncey I. Cooper Service Award, the Diversity Leadership Award for best presentation of teaching techniques from the Association of University Programs in Health Administration, Florida A & M University Service Award, Teaching Incentive Program Award and Teacher of the Year Award, both from Florida A & M University. Other recognitions include Glaxo Pathway Evaluation Program- featured career and Women in Pharmacy Leadership- featured biography. Lewis is also the recipient of two NPhA Presidential Commendation Awards.

For six months in 2002, Marisa had the pleasure of serving as Interim First Lady of Florida A & M University. In 2000, Lewis was the primary spokesperson for the Medicine Cabinet Safety Campaign, and an auxiliary spokesperson for the Partnership for Self-Care Campaign, both joint projects of APhA and McNeil Consumer Health Care. In addition, she has held an appointment on the NABPLEX Review Committee, a consultant with Merck Managed Care and the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE). Marisa also served on the U.S. Pharmacists Editorial Advisory Board.

Other professional experience includes Medical Information Specialist with Owen Healthcare, Inc., Assistant Professor at Xavier University of Louisiana, College of Pharmacy, and staff pharmacist in retail/community and health system pharmacies.

Marisa volunteers with Catholic Charities of Tallahassee, Christmas Connection, and the Tuskegee Neighborhood Association. She is an active member of the Co-Cathedral of St. Thomas More Catholic Church.

Marisa is married to Dr. Henry Lewis III.

Trishia E. Shaw, PharmD., is a Clinical Pharmacist in the Neonatal/Women's Pharmacy at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, IL. She is a native Chicagoan and a 1998 graduate of Whitney Young Magnet High School. She obtained her Bachelor's Degree in Biology from LoyolaUniversity Chicago in 2004. In May 2009, she graduated with her Doctor of Pharmacy Degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Pharmacy (UIC-COP). During her years at the UIC-COP, she was an active member of the Student National Pharmaceutical Association (SNPhA), where she held the position of Chapter Secretary for 2 years as well as the National Recording Secretary. In addition to SNPhA, she was also an active member of the Illinois Council of Health-Systems Pharmacists (ICHP), Phi Lambda Sigma (PLS), the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) and Rho Pi Phi Pharmaceutical Fraternity. She was also a Peer Advisor and Class Officer for the Class of 2009. In her free-time, she loves to spend time with her 8 year old son, Tre and volunteers her time with the Mars Hill Baptist Church Gladiator Drill Team and Whitney Young Dolphins Making A Difference (WYDMAD).

To be updated soon...

Jermaine Smith is a 1996 graduate of the University of South Carolina. Jermaine currently holds the position of Director of College Relations and Professional Recruitment for Rite Aid Pharmacy. Throughout his tenure with Rite Aid, Jermaine has held various positions including staff pharmacist, pharmacy manager, and pharmacy district manager where he managed in excess of 250 million dollars in annual pharmacy sales. Jermaine currently serves on numerous professional societies and advisory boards including the Board of Visitors at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, National Advisory Committee for Virginia Commonwealth University of School of Pharmacy, and Campbell University College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences Diversity Board. In affiliation with the American Pharmacists Association (APHA) and the National Association of Chain Drug Stores Foundation (NACDS Foundation), Jermaine served as an Advisory Board member for the training program, "The Community Pharmacist Preceptor Education Program". He also is an active member of the American Pharmacists Association, Past-President of the Maryland Pharmaceutical Association, and member of the Maryland Pharmacists Association.

Erica Hanesworth, PharmD, BCPS, is a Clinical Pharmacy Specialist in Primary Care at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center in Charleston, SC. She received her Bachelor of Science (1997) and Doctor of Pharmacy (1999) degrees from the South Carolina College of Pharmacy (formerly known as the Medical University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy) where she also holds a clinical appointment of Clinical Assistant Professor. She completed a residency in Primary Care at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center in June 2000. Her major areas of interests include diabetes, hypertension and hyperlipidemia pharmacotherapy. Dr. Hanesworth is a member of the American Society of Health-Systems Pharmacists and the American Colleges of Clinical Pharmacy. She has also served as Zone II Director for the National Pharmaceutical Association since 2006 as well as a mentor for minority pharmacy students of the Student National Pharmaceutical Association.

James Boakye-Dankwah Jr. is a native of the West African country Ghana. He is a 2008 graduate of The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy in Columbus, where he graduated from the Doctor of Pharmacy program Magna Cum Laude with Honors and Distinction.

While a student in the pharmacy program, he served as the national secretary of finance and the local president of the Student National Pharmaceutical Association OSU chapter. He conducted bench-top and biological clinical research in the area pharmacognosy where he authored abstracts and presented findings via poster presentations at scientific meetings. In 2006, he was elected to serve on the Dean's Advisory Committee on Diversity at the OSU College of Pharmacy. James was recognized for his academic excellence by the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy when selected for membership in the National Rho Chi Pharmacy Honors Society.

Dr. Boakye-Dankwah currently practices as a community pharmacist with the Kroger Co. He is an individual with promising talent, driven ambition and discipline to improve and expand the service and delivery of healthcare to underserved communities.

James and his wife currently reside in Worthington, Ohio.

Dr. Simmons earned her PharmD degree and her Bachelor of Science degree from Texas Southern University. She also earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology from the University of Houston. Dr. Simmons is an avid learner and enjoys expanding her professional growth and development by continuously going back to college to gain certifications.

Dr. Simmons is a native Texan and stated that she knew at an early age that she wanted to be a part of the medical profession. Her passion is her work in HIV/AIDS and teaching pharmacy interns. She currently works for the Harris County Hospital District as a Clinical Pharmacist I. Dr. Simmons has a wealth of experience in retail pharmacy where she revitalized a store that was experiencing numerous problems to the extent that she was nominated "Pharmacist of the Quarter." She also taught in academia and has served as a guest lecturer at Texas Southern University on many occasions.

Dr. Simmons is a member of many professional associations, including the National Pharmaceutical Association and is the past President of the Dallas Pharmacists Association. She enjoys traveling, jazz, black art, and cheering for her favorite football team, The Dallas Cowboys.

Germaine Williams Robottom, Business Unit Senior Director Health and Wellness for Walmart West, grew up in a loving home in Houma, La. Germaine attended South Terrebonne High School and was the first African American Valedictorian in the state of Louisiana after the integration of the public school system. She received a full tuition scholarship and attended Xavier University of Louisiana College of Pharmacy located in New Orleans, La where she got her BS in Pharmacy. She also attended Wharton Business School for Healthcare Professionals and received her certification in Executive Management.

Germaine supports a variety of causes including diversity, women and animal rights. She is passionate about her work and knows that her success has been due to the great support of her family and the foundation of her core beliefs, respect, integrity and trust. She has served on various College of Pharmacy Boards and Boards of Trustees in Oregon, Nevada and Louisiana. She is also a member of several pharmacy organizations including NPHA (Zone 5 Director) of which she just became a life time member.

Prior to joining Walmart, Germaine worked for Rite Aid Corp. holding various management positions in Pharmacy Operations such as Pharmacy District Manager, Director of College Relations, Regional Vice President and Vice President throughout the United States.

Germaine is married to Byron Jude Robottom and has 2 sons, Todd Patrick Robottom of Destrehan, La. and Chad Michael Robottom of Dallas, Texas. Germaine has enjoyed a great deal of professional success and has always remained humbled. She is grateful for what she says God has put her on this earth to do-"to serve and help heal mankind". She currently resides in San Francisco, Ca.

Dr. Carleton B. Maxwell is a native of Mississippi and the son of Donald and Lessie Maxwell. After graduating with high honors from Warren Central High School, he accepted an academic scholarship to Fisk University in Nashville, TN. He received his bachelors in chemistry and graduated magna cum laude with departmental honors. After Fisk, Dr. Maxwell went on to attend the University of Tennesse College of Pharmacy and participated in numerous organizations including Rho Chi, PLS, Kappa Psi, and SNPhA. He had the privilege to serve as SNPhA National President in 2005-2006. After earning his PharmD in 2006 with honors, he completed residencies in Pharmacy Practice as well as Cardiology/Internal Medicine. He is currently the Cardiovascular Clinical Pharmacy Specialist at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, NC, the flagship hospital of the nation's 3rd largest health system. He has published several articles in major pharmacy journals, and his interests are in heart failure and anticoagulation in acute coronary syndromes. Dr. Maxwell is an elder at Freedom Temple Ministries in Rock Hill, SC.

Barry Bleidt is the Dean of the Midway College School of Pharmacy in Midway, KY. Prior to becoming Dean, He was Professor and Associate Dean of Academic Affairs at the Texas A&M Health Science Center Irma Rangel College of Pharmacy. Previously was a founding faculty member at the Loma Linda University School of Pharmacy and Hampton University School of Pharmacy. He received his BS Pharmacy from the University of Kentucky, PhD in Pharmacy Healthcare Administration from the University of Florida, and his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Xavier University of Louisiana.

Barry is a Life Member of NPhA (since 1994) and was a founding member of the National Pharmaceutical Association Foundation. He was very proud to endow a SNPhA Scholarship through the Foundation in 2007. He started with NPhA at the 1988 meeting in Cleveland at the President's request (Dr. Wendell Hill) to become involved as a Parliamentarian. Dr. Hill also appointed him to Chair the Bylaws Revision Committee.

In 2001, he was honored to receive the James M. Tyson Award (NPhA's 2^nd highest honor). Under Presidents Alex Taylor and Jo Ann Spearmon, Barry also served as Chair of the Site Selection Committee for the Annual Meeting and received a special Presidential Award from each leader.

Barry Bleidt is a practicing pharmacist and has over thirty-five years of professional experience in preventing and educating on drug problems and substance abuse. He has served as the Co-Chair of the Pharmacy Councils on Tobacco Dependence and Mental Health. He is an active member of numerous other professional societies. He has over 250 presentations and forty publications. Currently, he also serves as the Editor for the newsletter "Teaching the History & Social Aspects of Pharmacy.