St. John's Alumna Among Pharmacy Industry’s Most Influential
Laura Cranston, R.Ph. ’84P, Chief Executive Officer, Cranston & Associates, LLC, and former member of the Board of Governors of St. John’s University, was named one of the “50 Most Influential Leaders in Pharmacy” by the Pharmacy Podcast Network (PPN).
“It is an honor to have one of our very own alumni, Laura Cranston, R.Ph., being recognized by PPN as one of the ‘50 Most Influential Leaders in Pharmacy,’” said John M. Conry ’96P, ’98Pharm.D., Interim Dean, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Clinical Professor, Department of Clinical Health Professions.
- Pharm.D. in Pharmacy
- College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
“I am humbled to be recognized by the Pharmacy Podcast Network as an influential leader in pharmacy and pleased to join such an impressive listing of trailblazers, visionaries, and leaders,” said Ms. Cranston.
PPN, the world’s largest network of podcasts dedicated to the pharmacy professional and industry, launched the awards program to recognize people who have made their mark through innovation, momentum, and distinction.
“Our pharmacists, and teams of people who support our pharmacists, are under so much pressure right now. Many are experiencing burnout and mental breakdowns,” said Todd Eury, Chief Executive Officer and founder of PPN. “We want to reinstill pride in our industry and honor innovative leaders who help to transform pharmacy—and make it better for our patients whom we seek to serve.”
PPN asked pharmacy professionals to nominate peers whom they believe have made a difference, not only in their organizations, but also in the careers of the voters themselves. Nominees were accepted from all sectors of pharmacy for association leadership, technology entrepreneurs, and thought leaders. More than 2,000 votes were submitted.
“It is an honor to have one of our very own alumni, Laura Cranston, R.Ph., being recognized by PPN as one of the ‘50 Most Influential Leaders in Pharmacy,’” said John M. Conry ’96P, ’98Pharm.D., Interim Dean, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Clinical Professor, Department of Clinical Health Professions.
“Over the last several years, Ms. Cranston has demonstrated her unwavering commitment to the pharmacy profession and to our pharmacy students,” he added. “She has served the College in numerous capacities, including as a member on the College’s Dean’s Advisory Board and in the Alumni Insider’s View and Alumni Mentoring programs. I am so happy for Ms. Cranston’s well-deserved recognition and am confident that she will continue to be a trailblazer in health care.”
Ms. Cranston is the Chief Executive Officer Emeritus of the Pharmacy Quality Alliance, an organization she founded in 2006. “I passed the baton in 2021,” she said. “I continue to look for ways to optimize medication use and look forward to working with thoughtful and innovative pharmacy leaders across this industry who share this commitment.”
More Stories Like This
A native of Queens, NY, and a St. John’s Preparatory School graduate Rudy Murillo ’14CPS, ’16G was aware of St. John’s University as a young person. Still he followed a circuitous—but no less fulfilling—path to get there.
As pitching coach for the Florida Marlins team that stunned the baseball world by ending the postseason dominance of the New York Yankees and winning the 2003 World Series, Wayne Rosenthal ’87SVC has participated in something about which every Little Leaguer dreams. However, what’s most important to this former St. John’s University standout pitcher is his role as husband and father, and his devout Christian faith.
After over a decade of working in marketing and advertising leadership roles, Diana Liao ’17GEd knew it was time for a career change. In 2012, she quit her current marketing job and began envisioning a fresh start.