Meet Makayla Wiles

About Makayla

I attend the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy and serve as First Vice President of Alpha Nu Chapter. In this role, I organize all recruitment events and coordinate our annual spring brunch, along with additional various tasks throughout the year. Previously, I served as chaplain for the 2016-2017 school year. In addition to LKS, I am also an involved member of Christian Pharmacist Fellowship International (CPFI), Rho Chi, Phi Lambda Sigma and Kentucky Alliance for Pharmacy Students (KAPS).

For the last two years, I served in a leadership capacity for the Professional Development and Recruitment Committee within KAPS, coordinating orientation for the incoming class, facilitating pharmacy school interviews and organizing the mentor program. I also work as a formal intern for the UK Healthcare Pharmacy Intern Program, gaining experience in a variety of ambulatory settings throughout the institution.

In my free time, I enjoy volunteering, staying active in my church, hiking and attending UK basketball games. I also enjoy attending professional meetings as frequently as possible. In 2016, I attended the Asheville (North Carolina) Summit for Innovative Pharmacy Practice, the Kentucky Pharmacists Association (KPhA) annual convention and the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) annual conference in New Orleans. In the summer of 2017, I attended the KPhA annual meeting in Lexington, and our own convention in Atlanta.

Why did you join LKS?

I joined LKS because I wanted an opportunity to form close friendships with ladies I might not have otherwise had the chance to make connections with in the classroom alone. I quickly found strong mentors and encouragement in the PY2 and PY3 lambs. I hope I may now serve in a similar capacity for PY2s and potential new members.

In addition to all the wonderful members and advisors I found in LKS, I was also very attracted to the events (like Reverse Trick-or-Treat, Valentines for Vets and our annual orchard visit) that I would be able to take part in alongside these great women. LKS has provided all these great things and more as it has forced me out of my comfort zone socially, made me a stronger leader in our chapter and college, and brought me loads of laughs and memories to last a lifetime.

Most memorable LKS moment?

My most memorable LKS experience has been spending time in our faculty advisor’s home through our monthly Dine with Dr. Taylor event. It has allowed me to grow closer to fellow lambs, Dr. Taylor and her precious children. The delicious home-cooked meal we’re fed is an added perk!

What are your career plans?

I plan to pursue a pharmacy residency in ambulatory care upon graduation and aspire to practice in an outpatient clinic with a focus in geriatric care thereafter.