July 14, 2021
The American Pharmacists Association (APhA) recently announced the appointment of St. John’s University Associate Clinical Professor Vibhuti Arya ’06Pharm.D., MPH, to its Board of Trustees for the 2022–23 session.
Her three-year term begins in March of 2022, when she is formally installed at the 169th APhA Annual Meeting and Exposition in San Antonio, TX.
“Dr. Arya’s contributions to St. John’s and to the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene are unparalleled,” remarked Russell J. DiGate, Ph.D., Dean, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. “Her appointment to APhA’s Board is incredibly well-deserved, and I am thrilled she is a member of our faculty.”
As a professor, Dr. Arya makes a profound impact on the lives of her students by encouraging them to examine public health programs and policies through the lens of equity and apply social justice principles to reduce inequities in care.
“Dr. Arya fundamentally altered my career path for the better,” said Saara Nasruddin ’20Pharm.D., a former student of Dr. Arya’s. “After learning about social determinants of health, health and racial inequity, and the importance of intent versus impact, Dr. Arya inspired me to aim for change and growth in the pharmacy profession.”
In addition to her role at St. John’s, Dr. Arya serves as a Clinical Advisor to the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, where she works to integrate pharmacists into public health initiatives, particularly among underserved areas in New York City. She recently delivered a TEDx talk on structural racism.
“Getting elected to the APhA Board is truly an honor,” said Dr. Arya. “I look forward to bringing advocacy, community, the lens of equity, and my experiences to this role. I am utterly grateful for my family and my community of mentors who inspire me and keep me grounded. I dedicate my service to our collective so that they may be bolder and speak up to make even more progress for our patients.”
Dr. Arya first became involved with the APhA as a student at St. John’s, after a classmate encouraged her to explore the APhA Academy of Student Pharmacists (APhA-ASP), the student chapter of the organization.
“I’m always grateful for my friend, Bijal Sheth ’04Pharm.D., who introduced me to the APhA-ASP and encouraged me to run for office,” recalled Dr. Arya, who was elected National President as a Pharm.D. student. “Everything has come full circle now that I am on the board, but the seeds were first sown when I was a student at St. John’s.”