Lakesha Butler, clinical associate professor in the School of Pharmacy at SIUE, takes the blood pressure of a student at a health fair last week.
The committed and compassionate leadership of Dr. Lakesha Butler, clinical associate professor in the School of Pharmacy at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, has impacted her community and earned her an award from the St. Louis American Foundation.
Butler is one of 20 young professionals under the age of 40 who was chosen to receive the Salute to Young Leaders Award. The young professionals, who were selected by a group of their peers, will be honored at the 3rd Annual Salute to Young Leaders Networking Awards Reception from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 21 in the Starlight Room at the Chase Park Plaza in St. Louis.
All winners will be featured in an upcoming commemorative special section in the St. Louis American newspaper.
“It is definitely an honor and humbling to be recognized,” said Butler. “I feel strongly about helping my community and giving back.”
Cathy Santanello, associate professor in the SIUE School of Pharmacy, nominated Butler because of her hard work and collegiality.
“Lakesha is able to balance the many roles that she has to fill, such as teacher, clinician, researcher, mother and wife,” Santanello said. “She juggles all of her responsibilities and does so very well.”
Butler’s leadership and community work has entailed various projects and programs. Previously, Butler has served as an expert health literacy consultant for Health Literacy Missouri and also as a volunteer providing health screenings for the National Kidney Foundation’s Kidney Early Evaluation Program (KEEP).
Currently, some of Butler’s involvement includes serving as the coordinator of the SIUE School of Pharmacy’s Diversity Summer Camp. The goal of the camp—to increase minority student enrollment at the University’s School of Pharmacy and other schools of pharmacy in the country—is one of Butler’s passions. Butler is also on the board of directors for RX Outreach, Inc. and volunteers in Medicine Clinic, as well as serves on the Speaker’s Bureau for the local chapter of the American Diabetes Association.
The young leader is vice-president of the Christian Women Walking in Victory Board of Directors and is an active member at her church, the Ark of Safety Christian Church in St. Charles.
Butler and her husband, Dr. Issac Butler, a licensed pharmacist, head the Teen Ministry at their church and meet twice a week with the teens.
“Our goal is develop them naturally and spiritually,” Butler said. “We listen and try to help with their concerns. We also teach them how to handle conflict properly, how to be humble and how to build good character.”
One important quality of a good leader is to listen to others and have compassion, said Butler.
“A good leader will also be able to positively influence others to improve themselves, while also seeking opportunities for self-improvement,” she said. “You can’t be a good leader and not be willing to hear from others about how you can grow and improve.”
Some of Butler’s career highlights include teaching precepts, who are graduate level pharmacy students, at the SIUE School of Pharmacy. She also practices as a clinical pharmacist providing medication management and diabetes education to uninsured patients at the Volunteers in Medicine Clinic in St. Charles. She is an advocate for increasing cultural competency among healthcare professionals, decreasing health disparities among minorities and underserved patients, improving health literacy and incorporating innovative, active learning strategies in the classroom.
“Although they are under age 40, this group of young leaders has already demonstrated a deep commitment to making a positive impact in our community by helping to make our community a better place,” said Donald M. Suggs, president of the St. Louis American Foundation. “They are highly-motivated and aspirational, and are a vital force for change in the St. Louis region.”
Ticket cost for the 3rd Annual Salute to Young Leaders Networking Awards Reception is $25. For more information about the reception and to purchase tickets, visit the St. Louis American.