Farah El Rayess, a Professional Year 3 student pharmacist, has been named a recipient of the US Public Health Service (USPHS) Excellence in Public Health Pharmacy Award, joining 85 pharmacy students from US schools of pharmacy to be recognized this year by the United States Public Health Service. The award honors pharmacy students who contribute meaningfully to community health through prevention, education, and outreach.

This achievement builds on a growing track record, as LAU’s School of Pharmacy continues to gain recognition following alumna Mabelle Rechdan (BS ’24, PharmD ’25), who received the same award in 2024.

“In challenging times like these, moments of student success hold even greater significance,” said Dr. Lamis Karaoui, clinical associate professor and assistant dean for student affairs at the School of Pharmacy. She added that the recognition highlights El Rayess’ dedication and impact in advancing public health through pharmacy practice.

Reflecting on the recognition, El Rayess framed it not only as a personal milestone but as a reaffirmation of the values guiding her work. “This award made me recognize that humanity is still deeply valued by those who carry it,” she said. “It reinforces my belief that compassion, integrity, and dedication to patient care remain at the heart of our profession.”

El Rayess’ path has been shaped as much by personal experience as by academic pursuit. A survivor of stage IV Hodgkin’s lymphoma who also endured the loss of her father, she came to see health through a wider lens—one that values prevention, support, and access alongside treatment.

From this perspective, her time at LAU became a turning point, where classroom learning quickly translated into action beyond campus. She became actively involved with the Lebanese Red Cross Disaster Management Sector in the Aley district, taking on the role of Training Focal Person and working directly with communities facing public health risks.

In this role, she coordinates training sessions that prepare volunteers and community members for emergencies, while also delivering targeted education on safe water storage, hygiene practices and disease prevention. These efforts reach students, municipal workers and vulnerable groups, those most likely to face challenges during crises and least likely to have access to timely support.

To further strengthen her leadership capacity in the field, she pursued specialized training, earning an Operational Commander qualification that equipped her to lead field teams, conduct health and needs assessments and coordinate response efforts during active crises.

From there, her work expanded regionally, contributing to initiatives such as the MENA Cash Center of Excellence hosted by the Lebanese Red Cross and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent, and a peer exchange program in Turkey, where she supported reporting and coordination among national teams, carrying her ground-level experience into broader humanitarian efforts across the region.

Her sense of public health responsibility did not stop at emergency preparedness. Recognizing that health threats extend well beyond the physical, she took part in the 2025 UN Women 16 Days of Activism Campaign, raising awareness around digital safety and gender-based violence, issues with often underestimated implications for both physical and mental wellbeing.

Looking ahead, El Rayess offered a message to aspiring pharmacy students: “I hope this achievement encourages fellow students to stay dedicated to their goals, remain curious, and recognize the impact they can have on their communities through their small-scale efforts.”