Pharmacy alumnus receives honorary degree, encourages graduates to look for the ‘real opportunities’
On Friday, May 16, 42 PharmD candidates from the West Virginia University School of Pharmacy crossed the stage during the May Commencement Ceremony at the WVU Coliseum. With cheers echoing from family and faculty, graduates marked the completion of years of rigorous academic training and the beginning of new journeys in healthcare, research and leadership.
They were joined by Graduates from the School’s Doctor of Philosophy programs in Health Services and Outcomes Research and Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, as well as graduates from the Schools of Nursing, Public Health, and Dentistry.
The ceremony was especially memorable with the presentation of an Honorary Doctor of Science degree to Bruce Roberts, a 1976 graduate of the WVU School of Pharmacy. Roberts’ journey from pharmacist to visionary healthcare leader is a shining example of what it means to serve with purpose.
After founding Leesburg Pharmacy the same year he graduated, Roberts expanded his reach to include three more pharmacies and a home healthcare company. His influence grew nationally when he became CEO of the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) in 2001. Under his decade-long leadership, the NCPA rose to national prominence, and it was recognized by USA Today as one of the top healthcare lobbies in the U.S.
Roberts also co-founded Surescripts, revolutionizing how prescriptions are electronically transmitted between prescribers and pharmacies. Today, Surescripts is the backbone of electronic prescribing in the U.S.
He was also the driving force behind Mirixa, a platform connecting pharmacists with health plans to deliver clinical services such as Medication Therapy Management. Mirixa has since become the dominant model for such services in Australia.
Even after retiring from formal leadership roles, Roberts remained a guiding force in healthcare innovation. He joined Synerio Technologies to apply artificial intelligence to improve patient engagement. His legacy includes not only transformative companies and policies but also a profound commitment to service, education and mentorship.
Dr. William Petros, Dean of the School of Pharmacy, praised Roberts as a model for future pharmacists. “Bruce exemplifies the range of impact of our alumni — from personal, community-centered care to global leadership in healthcare innovation.”
Reflecting on his journey, Roberts told graduates to never lose sight of the real opportunities — to make a difference.
“Looking back on what has been the most fulfilling over the course of my career — it’s not the money or the adventure or the hard work, although those were nice. For me, it was all about making a difference in people’s lives,” said Roberts. “It was helping a hospice patient be relieved from pain, coming out in the middle of the night to fill a prescription for a sick child, or being one of the first pharmacies in the country to start vaccinating patients.”
Currently, Roberts chairs the WVU School of Pharmacy Leadership Council and serves on the boards of the Northern Virginia Science Center and the General George C. Marshall International Center.
You can watch the Commencement Ceremony here. Robert’s speech begins at 31.25.
You can view photos from the day here.