Meena Murugappan, PharmD, MPH

Dr. Meena Murugappan is a pharmacist, public health professional, and an aspiring Health Policy & Systems Researcher. She has a passion for designing, implementing, and evaluating innovative global health interventions that can effect policy change and in turn improve population health outcomes. She hopes to establish a career in public health pharmacy and work in interdisciplinary teams to optimize medication use and access across populations worldwide.

After graduating with her Pharm.D. in 2016, she worked as a clinical pharmacist at the University of Utah Hospital, gaining experience in critical care, HIV, and transitions of care. She also worked as a community pharmacist at Rite Aid Pharmacy in Salt Lake City, serving a community of low-income migrant workers. She began her MPH with a minor in Epidemiology and certificate in Global Health at the University of Minnesota in 2017. During her MPH, Meena had the opportunity to work as a Research Associate in Mental Health & Substance Use Disorders at the U of M College of Pharmacy. She worked on multiple research projects involving both qualitative and quantitative research methods. Upon completion of her MPH in the summer of 2018, she transitioned into the PhD program in Social & Administrative Pharmacy.

In her spare time, Meena enjoys passion projects such as developing social entrepreneurship models and small business ideas to fund womens' health activities in Sierra Leone and Kenya. Having been born in India and raised in Zambia, Meena enjoys traveling and learning about other cultures. 

June 2018: Provost Recruiting Scholarship

-For a top applicant to the PhD program in Social and Administrative Pharmacy.

Dec 2015: Century Mortar Club, Minneapolis, MN - Annual Student Award
-For a professional student who has exhibited a commitment to the promotion of the profession of pharmacy and the safe and effective use of medications.

Mar 2015: APhA Foundation Student Scholarship - Marvin and Joanell Dyrstad Scholarship
-For leadership, vision and dedication as a student pharmacist.

Sep 2014: University of Minnesota, College of Pharmacy - Peters Achievement Scholarship
-In recognition of extracurricular involvement and contribution.

Mar 2014: MN Academy of Family Physicians - “Next Generation Scholar” title
-For the HIV/HCV testing initiative establishment at HOPE Clinic.

Sep 2013: University of Minnesota, College of Pharmacy - Deborah A. Kaskey Memorial Scholarship
-For the Pharm.D. I student who has contributed most to class esprit de corps in the course of everyday college studies.

Aug 2010: Fairleigh Dickinson University - Colonel Fairleigh S. Dickinson Scholarship
-For academic excellence.

Aug 2008: International School of Lusaka - IGCSE (High School) Full Tuition Scholarship
-For academic excellence.

Peter's Institute for Pharmacy Practice Innovations 

• English
• Hindi
• Spanish
• Tamil

I am interested in Health Policy & Systems Research (HPSR) with a focus on medication use and pharmacy practice in resource-limited settings. 

Carlson, Sarah, Ben Dresow, Meena Murugappan, Emma Sieling, Jason Srnec, Allison Levy, Ruth Westra, DO, MPH, Raymond Christensen, MD, & Tim Stratton, PhD, BCPS. " Impact of Crisis Prevention Training on Student Confidence in Patient Encounters." Journal of Student-Run Clinics [Online], 2.2 (2016): n. pag. Web. 26 Nov. 2018