Abbey Krysiak attended Gannon University as a Pre-Pharmacy student enrolled in LECOM’s 2+3 program. She completed her education at Gannon in 2007 and received her Doctorate of Pharmacy from LECOM in 2010. During her time at Gannon, Abbey was a student-athlete on the women’s golf team. Her favorite memories involve all of the events surrounding freshman orientation. As a prospective student she attended “OverKnight” and fell in love with the staff and students. Her favorite professors were Dr. Steve Ropski and Dr. Melanie Gustafson-Ropski who both made an immense impact on her. She states, “I have seen both of them since leaving Gannon 11 years ago, and although I was only there for a short time, they STILL remember me.”
Abbey believes that Gannon helped her to be comfortable working with others and gave her the confidence to become a leader. When applying to graduate school she felt assured in her abilities to succeed thanks to the experiences she gained at Gannon. Abbey is now an Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice at LECOM School of Pharmacy’s 3-year accelerated program. She teaches multiple courses at the School of Pharmacy and is also an acting advisor. Abbey is also a clinical pharmacist at Millcreek Community Hospital in the Behavioral Health unit. There, she provides services to adult and geriatric patients on a daily basis.
While at LECOM, Abbey received the Teacher of the Year as well as Preceptor of the Year awards. She had research published in a highly known journal during her pharmacy practice residency which gained attention in the New York Times and she is actively involved in several pharmacy practice organizations. Abbey is also the sole owner of Abbey Lynn Photography in Erie specializing in newborn and maternity photography. She has extensive training in newborn photography and continues her education in this area in order to provide the safest environment for the newborn during her photography sessions. She absolutely loves taking pictures and creating memories for families to enjoy and cherish forever.
Abbey, originally from DuBois, met her husband of four years in Erie while she was in school. Together they have two children, Quinn and Coen who keep them busy. She has several plans for the future as she is continuing to develop as a Clinical Pharmacist and hopes to become board certified in Psychiatric Pharmacy in the next few months. She recently applied for the Masters in Medical Education Program at LECOM and plans on using that degree to further her career and develop new teaching strategies while at the LECOM School of Pharmacy.
Coming from a family that did not have the resources to support her financially, her advice to students is to “NEVER give up on what you want to do. There is ALWAYS a way to get to where you want to be. You have to have determination and drive and know that, at Gannon, you will have support in achieving your dreams!”
(published March 2017)