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Eyerusalem Befkadu, PharmD, BCPS is an emergency medicine clinical specialist at Medstar Georgetown University Hospital. She has worked in a wide array of clinical areas working with physician groups to practice evidence-based medicine. In her current role, she practices as a pharmacist clinician providing safe and effective care of patients, primarily in the emergency department. She participates in quality improvement initiatives through the development of institutional clinical guidelines and protocols. She has also successfully implemented a naloxone dispensing program in the emergency department as part of an initiative to improve safe access and provision of life-saving medications.

Prior to her emergency medicine practice at Georgetown University Hospital, she practiced as an emergency medicine clinical pharmacist at Virginia Hospital Center.  During her tenure, she established new emergency department clinical pharmacy services that include expanding the role of a pharmacist to participate in medical and trauma emergencies, pioneering a medication reconciliation program, implementing quality initiatives and conducting various research projects.

She received her Bachelor of Science degree in biology from the University of Maryland Baltimore county and her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Touro College of Pharmacy. She completed her Post Graduate Year One(PGY-1) pharmacy practice residency training at Howard University Hospital.

Helen HaileSelassie, PharmD, is a residency-trained and board-certified pharmacist with over 10 years of experience working in the healthcare and pharmaceutical industry. In her current role as a clinical manager, she oversees the development of formulary submission documents for managed care decision makers in formulary and coverage evaluations to improve market access. She participates in health economics and outcomes research engagements and strategic planning throughout a product life cycle for commercialization of pharmaceutical products and medical device technologies in the global biopharmaceutical market. She also serves as a clinical resource for the implementation of medical, quality improvement, outcomes and market research activities within cross-functional teams.

In her previous role, she practiced as a clinical pharmacist and pharmacy leader, overseeing operational and clinical services for the safe delivery of pharmacy services in an institution-based setting. She has expertise in a wide array of clinical areas delivering patient care and maximizing therapeutic regimens, as well as developing clinical protocols for Pharmacy & Therapeutics committees using evidence-based medicine.

She also has experience writing and editing academic manuscripts for original research and review articles for publication in peer-reviewed journals. She continues to precept pharmacy students in her current work practice and is a fellowship advisor for research development.

She graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree and completed her Post Graduate Year One (PGY-1) pharmacy practice residency training. She was the recipient of the Phi Lambda Sigma Pharmacy Leadership Award. She is a member of the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy and the Industry Pharmacists Organization.

The Ethiopian Pharmacists and Pharmaceutical Scientists Association in Diaspora (EPPAD) proudly presents the Dr. Tesfaye Biftu Scholarship, established to honor Dr. Tesfaye Biftu's exceptional contributions to pharmaceutical research and development. EPPAD, a registered 501(c) non-profit professional association based in the State of Virginia, USA, is dedicated to uniting pharmaceutical and allied professionals worldwide to advance pharmacy education, practice, service, and scholarship. Our mission extends to fostering collaboration between pharmacy professionals abroad and those in Ethiopia, promoting knowledge exchange, resource mobilization, advocacy for policy reforms, and the advancement of quality and safe medicines.

Dr. Tesfaye Biftu, a distinguished recipient of the 2021 EPPAD Research and Development Excellence Award and esteemed member of the EPPAD advisory board, serves as the inspiration behind this scholarship program. With a background encompassing a PhD in Chemistry from Brandeis University and an MBA in Management from Rutgers University, Dr. Biftu's illustrious career spans pivotal roles at esteemed institutions such as Merck and Co. and CytoMed Inc. His contributions to drug discovery in human and animal health, with over 80 publications and more than 95 US and international patents to his name, have significantly impacted areas including inflammation, cardiovascular diseases, anti-cancer agents, and infectious diseases.

The Dr. Tesfaye Biftu Scholarship embodies EPPAD's commitment to nurturing the future of the pharmaceutical profession by fostering excellence in pharmacy practice and providing assistance to aspiring student pharmaceutical professionals to enhance their leadership skills.

This scholarship program will provide financial support to two deserving student pharmacists/pharmaceutical science students with a stipend of $1,000 each.

    Eligibility criteria

• Ethiopian descent pharmacy or pharmaceutical science students attending school of pharmacy in the US at the time of application submission.
• Students in a good academic standing (Cumulative grade point average of at least 2.5 on 4.0 scale)
•  Completion of at least one academic year cycle is required.
• While being an EPPAD member is advantageous, it is not mandatory.
• Applicants should demonstrate a willingness to support EPPAD activities.

    Application requirements

• An academic transcript (an unofficial transcript is acceptable)
• Letters of recommendations (two)-one must be from faculty members.
• Updated resume.

To Apply Please submit your application to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The deadline for Student scholarships application is May 1, 2024, 11:59pm EST

Join us in supporting the next generation of pharmaceutical professionals. Apply now for the Dr. Tesfaye Biftu Scholarship.