Creighton celebrates milestone with class of 2025 pharmacy graduates
Creighton University marked a historic milestone this May with the graduation of nearly 100 students from its School of Pharmacy and Health Professions—conveying Doctor of Pharmacy and Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences degrees to a new generation of healthcare leaders. For the first time, the commencement ceremony celebrated graduates from both its Omaha and Phoenix campuses, expanding the university’s footprint in shaping pharmacy professionals rooted in Jesuit values.
The Class of 2025 enters the profession at a transformative time in healthcare. Creighton pharmacists are prepared to serve on the front lines of patient care, advancing health outcomes across diverse settings—from hospitals and clinics to academic, regulatory and interprofessional environments. This year’s graduates are taking the next steps into residencies, fellowships, advanced practice and community-based roles that address critical gaps in access to care.
At the heart of their training lies the Jesuit principle of cura personalis—care for the whole person. Through rigorous academic preparation, immersive clinical experiences and community engagement, students learn to combine competence with compassion. These values were especially evident in Creighton’s first cohort of Phoenix pharmacy graduates, a significant step forward since the campus was established to expand access to high-quality health professions education in the Southwest.
“Creighton’s partnerships with a wide range of pharmacy practices across the country gave me invaluable experience and helped shape a well-rounded, adaptable approach to care,” says Sharon Rudister, PharmD’25, a Phoenix native and member of the inaugural Phoenix cohort.
Rudister is set to begin a postdoctoral fellowship in pharmaceutical research and development. She credits her education not only with providing deep clinical knowledge but also with refining essential skills like empathy and communication.
Among her most memorable experiences was volunteering at the St. Vincent de Paul Clinic in Phoenix. “It allowed me to work in an interprofessional setting with faculty and classmates while caring for underserved patients,” she recalls. “These hands-on moments strengthened my confidence and commitment to service.”
That commitment to service was echoed by Paige Wood, PharmD’25, a native of Maywood, Nebraska, who is returning to her rural roots as a community pharmacist. “I’m looking forward to working closely with patients and making a difference in their health outcomes,” says Wood.
She attributes her readiness to six years of education at Creighton, where she benefited from experiential learning at sites like the Magis Clinic and Healing Gift Clinic, and from faculty who helped her align her education with her professional goals.
Creighton’s Phoenix expansion means that communities across Arizona and the broader Southwest will increasingly benefit from the presence of Creighton-educated pharmacy professionals. The Class of 2025 represents 25 states, with top home states including Nebraska, Hawaii, Iowa and California. Twenty-three graduates are moving on to pharmacy residency programs, continuing their formation in complex care environments.
As the Class of 2025 transitions from students to professionals, they carry forward Creighton’s long-standing legacy of excellence in pharmacy education—now with an even greater national reach and local impact.
