Ton Hoek Past Recipients
Read about the inspiring journeys of past Ton Hoek Scholarship recipients as they share their professional growth and contributions to pharmacy practice. Their stories reflect the lasting impact of the scholarship and honor Ton Hoek's vision of a connected, collaborative international pharmacy community.
Joseph Azurin
Joseph Miles Azurin, a final-year student pharmacist at Loma Linda University School of Pharmacy, serves as the APhA-ASP National Contact Person for the 2024-2025 academic year. Joseph’s international involvement began in 2015 and served as a Student Exchange Officer for the Philippines in 2019. Utilizing the network he has developed over the years, he facilitates connections between U.S. universities and foreign associations through the International Pharmaceutical Students' Federation (IPSF), fostering global collaboration among pharmacy students. Joseph's global engagement includes participation in several international forums, such as the IPSF and FIP World Congress, where he has represented as a delegate for the United States. Currently, he is pursuing his interest in health-system leadership by applying for a Health-System Pharmacy Administration and Leadership (HSPAL) residency program, aligning with his passion for acute care pharmacy and his goal of becoming a clinical director. Joseph enjoys playing the guitar and exploring graphic design during his free time.
Shiyar Kapan
Shiyar Kapan completed his 2-year Pharmaceutical Fellowship within Medical Affairs in conjunction with Rutgers University & Pfizer Inc in the months following his attendance at the FIP conference in Australia September of 2023. Upon completion of fellowship, he was retained as a medical operations colleague at Pfizer Inc, serving the teams he conducted his fellowship with. He currently resides in New York City supporting U.S. & Global Medical teams in a plethora of products & responsibilities. Shiyar appreciates the opportunities provided by the Ton Hoek Scholarship & Rutgers Pharmaceutical Industry Fellowship, understanding the significance on how these experiences and opportunities directed him to a career path he’s passionate in and enjoys.
Grant Smith
Grant Smith graduated with his PharmD and MBA from Samford University in May 2024. While attending the 2022 FIP World Congress in Seville, Spain, he attended the Leadership Development Workshop and had the opportunity to network with pharmacy leaders from around the world. After FIP World Congress, Grant went on to serve as the APhA-ASP National Member-at-large from 2023-2024 and is currently the Market Access Fellow at Eli Lilly. One of Grant’s favorite experiences from the conference was networking with early career pharmacists, where he discovered the diverse practice settings and unique roles that pharmacists play in promoting community health.