In classrooms, hospitals, and communities, the impact of healthcare is constantly unfolding. For 2025 SELCO Scholarships recipient Ethan Amato, that impact is deeply personal.
His interest in clinical pharmacy is shaped by what he has witnessed firsthand: the life-changing benefits of properly prescribed medications and the devastating effects of substance misuse in communities. Those experiences continue to guide his commitment to a future centered on science, responsibility, and helping others make informed decisions about their health.
“I’ve really found out how broad pharmacy actually is,” Ethan says. “A lot of people think it’s just counting pills, but there’s so much more to it.”
As he pursues a degree in Multidisciplinary Science with a minor in Chemistry at the University of Oregon, Ethan is actively building the academic and personal foundation needed to earn a Doctor of Pharmacy degree. That passion has grown with time and experience.
“If you asked me a few years ago, I wouldn’t have had an answer,” he says. “But as I’ve gotten into college and taken more classes, I’ve become more and more passionate about pharmacy.”
Ethan’s excitement for the field has also inspired leadership on campus. After recognizing a gap in pre-pharmacy community spaces, he helped start the university’s first pharmacy club, creating a place where students interested in healthcare can connect, learn, and support one another.
That journey extends beyond the classroom. Through volunteering and shadowing clinical pharmacists at a local hospital pharmacy, Ethan has gained a close-up look at the teamwork behind patient care. Working alongside pharmacists, physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals, he has seen how collaboration and precision shape better outcomes every day. These experiences continue to reinforce his belief that pharmacy is a field where science and service work hand in hand.
Beyond academics and healthcare settings, Ethan’s growth is also taking shape through real-world responsibility. His training as a caddie at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, progressing from trainee to independent, has strengthened his dependability, communication, and perseverance. Each interaction on the course has expanded his perspective and deepened his understanding of leadership, generosity, and connection.
Service remains a consistent thread throughout Ethan’s story. While managing a high school event partnered with Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, he witnessed the strength of families and the compassion of pediatric healthcare teams. The experience further solidified his aspiration to pursue a medical career and strengthened his leadership skills, especially in guiding teams with patience, empathy, and clear communication.
That sense of responsibility carried into his home life during the pandemic. Supporting his younger brother through the challenges of online learning required structure, encouragement, and adaptability. Together, they built daily routines and worked through lessons, turning uncertainty into progress. Today, that experience reflects Ethan’s steady commitment to helping others succeed.
Scholarships play a vital role in Ethan’s journey. Each award helps ease the financial burden on his family and allows him to stay focused on his studies, mentorship opportunities, and career preparation.
“It’s a huge sigh of relief,” Ethan says. “It takes pressure off me and my family so I can focus on school and what comes next.”
Through SELCO’s scholarship program, students like Ethan continue to turn passion into purpose. His path toward pharmacy is already taking shape through mentorship, service, and academic dedication. As his journey continues, the impact he hopes to make in healthcare and his community is becoming clearer every step of the way.
