The Grand Legacy: Honoring Zada Cooper Through Scholarship, Service, and Leadership

This year marked a new era for the University of Iowa (UI) College of Pharmacy in honoring pioneer Zada Mary Cooper, alumna and former faculty member. For the past 10 years, the college has hosted an annual symposium bearing Cooper’s name, featuring national speakers and breakout sessions focused on leadership and well-being topics.

In March, Zada Cooper was elevated to the national stage at the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) annual meeting through a partnership between APhA, the APhA Foundation, and the UI College of Pharmacy. The event was hosted by the APhA Foundation during the Women in Pharmacy Leadership Development Forum session.

Locally, programming continued — but in a new way. Zada LEADS (Leadership, Education, Advocacy, Distinction, and Service), held on May 2, included an open house service-learning fair, hosted by SafeNetRx. The purpose of the service-learning fair was to increase awareness of the organization’s services and highlight opportunities for community engagement and support. 

The Zada LEADS event also featured a meaningful leadership component, recognizing two exceptional student leaders who embody the values and spirit of Zada Cooper: Josephine Vonderhaar and Siddhanth Hejmady. The Zada Cooper Leadership Award honors a Doctor of Pharmacy student and graduate student who have demonstrated outstanding leadership through their commitment to service and their ability to inspire and motivate others—both within their peer groups and broader community—reflecting the principles that define the Zada Cooper legacy.

Reinforcing the day’s themes, alumna and invited speaker Susan Winckler, ’92 BSPh, JD, CEO of the Reagan-Udall Foundation for the FDA, spoke passionately about advocacy and the power of community service. 

Finally, Zada LEADS recognized scholarship donors and honored student scholarship recipients. Donors and students were invited to a luncheon where they had an opportunity to connect.