Kevin Askew '11 graduated summa cum laude in Biology and was the valedictorian of the very first class of the Rural Pharmacy Program at t...

Kevin Askew ’11

Class Year

2011

Hometown

Reddick, Ill.

Title

Clinical Pharmacist

Employer

Gibson Area Hospital

Current Information

Kevin Askew graduated as valedictorian from the University of Illinois Pharmacy School, but it all started at Monmouth.

Before coming here, Askew was undecided about which medical field career path he wanted to follow and considered teaching, but after a nudge from the college’s lab manager, he began shadowing physical therapists, physicians and pharmacists. Through his research into a variety of health career professions and with the help of his professors, he decided on pharmacy school.

“I believe that all of my experiences at Monmouth College, collectively, helped to shape me into the person I am today,” said Askew, who advises students to “shadow as many different professions as possible. I didn’t have pharmacy in mind when I came to Monmouth, but now I’ve found a path for life.”

He was a tutor and teaching assistant in his major of biology, as well as in the chemistry department. Askew also earned summa cum laude honors at Monmouth. He furthered his teaching skills at the U of I, where he assisted his pharmacy classmates having questions after lectures.

He accepted an offer with Cardinal Health and practices as a clinical pharmacist at Gibson Area Hospital and Health Services in Gibson City, Ill. Askew has created a clinical pharmacist position within physician clinics in the healthcare system that will allow him to see patients individually and assist other physicians, assistants and nurse practitioners in the management of chronic diseases. He also plans to take student pharmacists on rotations to create a good learning environment where the students can better transition from the classroom to patient care.

“My time at Monmouth helped me find my passion in pharmacy and find a profession that allows me to have an impact on others’ lives.”