John M. Coster, Ph.D., R.Ph. '84P received the Alumni
Outstanding Achievement Award of St. John’s University at the 28th
Annual Alumni Convocation on Friday, May 29, 2009.
He received his B.S. in Pharmacy from St. John’s College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in 1984.
Recognizing the importance of the community of interests that
exists between pharmacy and the legislature, he continued his
education at the University of Maryland where he earned his Ph.D.
in Policy Sciences in 1989. He subsequently entered public
service as a professional staff member of the United States Senate
Special Commission on Aging.
From 2000 to 2007 Dr. Coster served as Vice President, Policy
and Programs at the National Association of Chain Drug Stores,
after which he was named Vice President, Federal Affairs and Public
Policy at Rite Aid Corporation.
He currently serves as Senior Vice President for Government
Affairs at the National Community Pharmacists
Association.
“It’s hard to believe that it has been 25 years since I left
here,” he said. “So many things have changed, but I think the
thing that remains the same about St. John’s is that, as large as
it is, it feels like a small family.”
The Alumni Outstanding Achievement Award is an honor reserved
for alumni who have either distinguished themselves in their
personal careers and professions or have made a significant
contribution to the life of the University.