Presbyterian College School of Pharmacy graduate Dr. Audra Butler ’25 honored with National Public Health Award

PC’s own Audra Butler ’25 was recently honored with the Excellence in Public Health Pharmacy Award, presented by the U.S. Public Health Service.

The prestigious award recognizes students who actively promote health and wellness in their communities and advance public health through their work in pharmacy. Only eighty-nine pharmacy students nationwide received this distinction.

Butler recently earned her Doctor of Pharmacy from Presbyterian College’s School of Pharmacy, crediting her time at PCSP as pivotal in shaping her both as a pharmacist and a public health advocate.

“Receiving the USPHS Excellence in Public Health Pharmacy Award means more than personal achievement—it’s a recognition of my commitment, along with those at PCSP, to giving back to the community and serving others in meaningful ways,” said Butler.

For Butler, the award was not only a validation of her work but also a source of renewed motivation. It confirmed that her efforts were truly making an impact—and reminded her to keep pushing forward with the vital initiatives she began at PCSP.

It confirms that every volunteer hour, health outreach event, and patient interaction truly matters, and it motivates me to keep prioritizing public health throughout my career.” Audra Butler, Pharm.D.

“It confirms that every volunteer hour, health outreach event, and patient interaction truly matters,” she said, “and it motivates me to keep prioritizing public health throughout my career.”

The USPHS award honors exceptional community service and public health outreach. While at PC, Butler led and participated in several initiatives serving Laurens County and the Upstate SC community. She helped organize health screenings for diabetes and hypertension, created educational flyers and materials on cancer and other health issues, and promoted medication adherence through the Script Your Future campaign. She also volunteered at the Urban League Flu Shot Clinic and a cancer awareness event for Upstate African Americans, in partnership with the South Carolina Cancer Alliance and the Laurens County Health Equity Council.

Hailing from the rural town of Cheraw, South Carolina, Butler has remained deeply connected to small-town life throughout her academic journey—from earning her undergraduate degree at Limestone University to studying at the Presbyterian College School of Pharmacy. That lifelong connection to her roots, she says, is what distinguishes her work from pharmacy students across the country.

“It’s that authentic passion, blended with small-town values and a personal mission born from my family’s experience, that truly distinguishes my public health efforts,” said Butler. “Growing up in a small town, I witnessed how tightly we supported one another, and that community-first mindset shaped everything I do.”

When you break it down, “healthcare” isn’t just one word—it’s two: “health” and “care.” Butler’s mission comes from that simple but powerful idea—using what she’s learned about health and pouring her care for her community into it. She first realized she could live out that mission through a career in pharmacy after witnessing her mother undergo a double-organ transplant.

“Watching pharmacists step in—organizing complex medications, offering reassurance and care… it was so powerful,” she said. “That experience made me realize I wanted to be the person who helps families during tough times, just like they helped mine. It’s not just about counting pills or making sure a regimen is safe—it’s about giving people hope and support when they’re at their most vulnerable.”

Vulnerability is a common thread in public health. Healthcare initiatives like Butler’s are especially vital in rural South Carolina, where communities have long faced barriers to access and adequate care. These ongoing and deeply rooted challenges include limited insurance coverage, provider shortages, and a widespread lack of awareness or engagement around preventable health issues—often shaped by cultural and socioeconomic factors.

Having witnessed these social determinants of health firsthand, Butler became committed to creating the change she wished to see—embodying PC’s pillar of innovative service.

“This experience ignited my passion for public health and a commitment to addressing these inequities,” said Butler.

At the Presbyterian College School of Pharmacy, students can pursue a concentration in Rural Health, which offers hands-on experience in community-based care and specialized training in outreach and impact. Through a partnership with Area Health Education Centers (AHEC), the program allows students to engage directly in rural health initiatives and implement service plans aimed at improving healthcare access and outcomes in underserved communities.

Butler concentrated in Rural Health while earning her Doctor of Pharmacy, a decision she says was pivotal to both her studies at PC and her broader goals in public health.

“This program offered specialized coursework and practical experiences aimed at addressing healthcare disparities in underserved populations,” said Butler. “The combination of personal experience and targeted education equipped me to make meaningful contributions to public health, particularly in rural communities.”

Now a pharmacy resident at Self Regional Healthcare, Butler serves a diverse population with a focus on rural health initiatives. She says receiving the USPHS award has helped shape her vision for the future.

“This award serves as a reminder of why I do what I do and motivates me to continue making a difference. It’s strengthened my desire to pursue a career where I can contribute meaningfully to public health, especially in underserved areas,” she said.

To aspiring public health pharmacists, Butler offers a piece of hard-won advice:

“Embarking on this career will be undeniably challenging, but if you endure, the rewards are immeasurable.”

She emphasizes the importance of compassion alongside clinical excellence, reminding future professionals of the real meaning behind “healthcare”:

“It’s essential to meet patients where they are—understanding their unique circumstances and needs. But don’t stop there. Strive to get them where they need to be. Guide them toward better health outcomes.”

This approach, she notes, requires more than knowledge. It demands cultural awareness, empathy, and the kind of perspective she gained through a service-based education at PC.

When asked how the Presbyterian College School of Pharmacy prepares students for both prestigious recognition and meaningful careers, Butler was quick to respond: “It’s just different at PCSP.”

“The support you receive is unmatched. Faculty, staff, and students genuinely become your second family—deeply invested in your success both academically and personally. That nurturing environment fosters a sense of belonging and motivation, encouraging you to strive for excellence.”

Butler credits two professors in particular with shaping her path: Dr. Tiffaney Threatt and Ms. Nancy Taylor. Both have led community health initiatives and worked to integrate public health into the pharmacy curriculum—modeling how clinical practice can be a vehicle for social impact.

As she looks ahead, Audra Butler remains committed to rural health and to providing every patient with the care they deserve.

“I am deeply grateful for everything Presbyterian College School of Pharmacy provided me,” said Butler.” “I wouldn’t change a thing about my decision to further my education at PCSP—it profoundly shaped my career and personal growth.”