South Florida Pharmacy Practice Center welcomes 2025 – 2027 FAMU CoPPS, IPH Bristol Myers Squibb Pharmaceutical Industry Residents

Davie, FL – Karim Abdelhalim, PharmD, Class of 2025 | Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy | Rutgers University | Piscataway, NJ and Kyra Thompson, PharmD, Class of 2025 | Xavier of Louisiana College of Pharmacy | New Orleans, LA are the two newest members of the FAMU CoPPS, IPH – Bristol Myers Squibb collaborative and mutually beneficial partnership.

Karim Abdelhalim, PharmD was born and raised in Cairo, Egypt, just 15 minutes from the iconic Great Pyramids of Giza. Nearly a decade ago, he immigrated to the United States to pursue his academic and professional goals. Inspired by his parents, both healthcare professionals, Karim developed an early passion for healthcare, ultimately earning his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Rutgers University’s Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy in 2025.

Most recently, Dr. Abdelhalim/Karim completed a unique, five-month Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) rotation block within a single health system, where he led a retrospective chart review
and presented his findings at the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) Midyear. Throughout pharmacy school, he served in several leadership roles, including Vice President of the Rho Chi
Pharmacy Honor Society, where he helped lead his chapter to receive the Chapter Achievement Award. Karim was deeply committed to community service and volunteered with the Promise Clinic, providing direct patient care to underserved populations alongside interdisciplinary medical teams.

Outside of his professional interests, Karim enjoys playing and watching soccer with friends and is an avid video game enthusiast. Karim will continue his journey through the FAMU CoPPS, IPH - Pharmaceutical Industry Residency Program, where he looks forward to making a meaningful impact on patient care and contributing to advancements in the field.

Kyra Thompson, PharmD is originally from Hercules, California. She earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Xavier of Louisiana College of Pharmacy and was honored with the Warren P. McKenna Service Award. At Xavier, she demonstrated a strong commitment to service and leadership by holding multiple positions in national and campus organizations focused on public health, faith-based service, and advocacy. Dr. Thompson/Kyra also contributed to various research projects, reflecting her dedication to advancing healthcare.

Coming from a family deeply rooted in healthcare, Kyra’s passion for patient care and clinical excellence has been lifelong. Outside of her professional interests, she enjoys cooking, working out, and hiking. She looks forward to expanding her clinical knowledge and skills during the residency program,

“The Pharmaceutical Industry Residency partnership between FAMU CoPPS, IPH - Bristol Myers Squibb dates to 2009. The program is designed to attract and develop a diverse group of talented pharmacists who will bring their clinical expertise to pharma to improve patient outcomes. This partnership aligns with the College’s vision to provide excellent pharmaceutical education, research, and service activities statewide, nationally, and globally in a dynamic health care environment,” stated Nathaniel Eraikhuemen, PharmD, FAMU CoPPS, IPH South Florida Division Director & Professor | Director Bristol Myers Squibb Pharmaceutical Industry Residency Program.