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Staff

MPhA Staff Bios
 

Eugene O'Donnell, Esq., MPhA Executive Director

An accomplished policy advocate, and organization leader, Eugene Hugh O'Donnell has been executive director of the Mississippi Pharmacists Association since Dec. 2010. In his capacity as pharmacy advocate and the primary spokesperson for MPhA, he draws from his experience in both state and federal public policy.

As Executive Director, Mr. O'Donnell is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Mississippi Pharmacists Association(MPhA), the Mississippi Pharmacy Foundation (MPF), and the MPhA political action committee (Pham-Pac).  Mr. O'Donnell represents MPhA in national forums such as APHA, NASPA, NCPA, among others.  Mr. O'Donnell currently serves on the PACE alliance board of directors as well as a shareholder on the Pharmacy Marketing Group.  While at MPhA, he has pursued a number of initiatives designed to enhance the association's role in public policy, community outreach, professional development, and student involvement and with a particular interest in the increasing members.  Mr. O'Donnell is the managing editor of the Mississippi Pharmacist, MPhA social media and the MPhA e-newletter.

Prior to joining MPhA, Mr. O'Donnell worked in the policy making arena, serving as a both a staff attorney and committee counsel for the Mississippi House of Representatives where he advised legislators and drafted state law.  Prior to law school, Mr. O'Donnell was a senatorial extern for United States Senator Max Cleland and worked in the Office of the Mayor of Atlanta.  Outside of the legislative realm, Mr. O'Donnell served as Regional Director for Kaplan, Inc., supervising the marketing and sales operations and operations in a seven state region.

A licensed attorney, Mr. O'Donnell holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Alabama and Juris Doctorate from the Mississippi College School of Law and obtained a CLE certificate in mediation.  Personally, Mr. O'Donnell is married to Jennifer O'Donnell, Esq. and is proud member of Bellwether Church as well as an avid triathlete who has finished the Boston Marathon and several Ironman triathlons.

Contact Eugene at info@mspharm.org or 601-981-0416

Caroline Copeland, MPhA Director of Events

Caroline Copeland joined the MPhA team working in the capacity of MPhA Director of Events, where she is responsible for planning many social functions such as: Mid-Winter conferences, district meetings, and our annual convention.  When she is not busy planning our events, she will be responsible for recruiting new members to our organization by traveling to the southern part of our state as well as overseeing all in-house accounting.

Prior to joining MPhA, Mrs. Copeland worked for the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta as the Assistant Director for Student Recruitment and Admissions.  While at MCG she worked hard to recruit new students to the Schools of Nursing, Allied Health Sciences and Graduate Studies.  Mrs. Copeland also coordinated closer look tours, worked on editing Undergraduate and Graduate publications and planned their Pre-Health Advisors Conference. 

Mrs. Copeland earned her bachelor’s degree in Communications from The University of Georgia, where she was a member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority, Advertising and Public Relations Clubs.  When she is not working she enjoys teaching Pure Barre, serving as a provisional member of the Junior League of Jackson and spending time with her husband Vic and their dog Gus!  

Contact Caroline at caroline@mspharm.org or 601-981-0416

Lynn Mullen, MPhA Director of Communications

A vivacious, public relations specialist, Lynn Mullen recently joined the MPhA team working in the capacity of MPhA Director of Membership and Events.  Lynn has been well-trained in the areas of public relations theory, campaigns, and brings her knowledge of and diverse background in PR to the Mississippi Pharmacists Association.

As MPhA’s Director of Communications, Ms. Mullen interacts daily with MPhA members and non-members.  Ms. Mullen’s organizes recruiting trips all over the state and is responsible for bringing in new members to the organization.  Lynn also handles all communications for the organiztion, including advertising and The Mississippi Pharmacist.  Even though she has only been with the organization for a short time, Ms. Mullen is responsible for the creation of the “Pharmacy: What the Job Prescribes” tour, an educational tour that explains to high school students the importance of the pharmacy profession, and has been working on social media projects for the organization.

Prior to joining the MPhA team, Ms. Mullen worked in New Orleans, LA, for the prestigious PR firm, Beuerman Miller & Fitzgerald. At BMF, Ms. Mullen worked on the Community Coffee account as well as handled PR for the MASNO Youth Competition, an international piano competition housed in New Orleans.  While at Auburn University obtaining her master's in Communication Studies, Lynn worked for the media relations sector of Auburn University Athletics, taught public speaking, and tutored athletes. Ms. Mullen received her bachelor’s in English Literature from Mississippi State University, where she was a member of Kappa Delta sorority and Alumni Delegates, as well as on the staff of the literary magazine, The Jabberwock Review.

When she is not busy recruiting for MPhA, Lynn enjoys spending time in her home state of Mississippi, especially in her hometown of Winona.  Lynn enjoys reading, writing, fishing, going to SEC sporting events, and the arts.  Ms. Mullen attends St. James Episcopal Church in Jackson and is an avid dachshund enthusiast. 

Contact Lynn at lynn@mspharm.org or 601-981-0416

Samantha Wursteisen, College Intern

Born and raised in Houston, Texas, Samantha (Sam) graduated cum laude from St. Pius X High School in 2010, where she was named "Ms. Panther."  Sam was both a varsity volleyball and softball player for four years, as well as an Executive Member of the Student Council.  

Currently a sophomore at Millsaps College, Sam is majoring in business and communications with a minor in economics.  One of Sam's many duties at MPhA, besides being the resident photographer and media guru, is to provide a constant source of energey, which she also does on campus as a Millsaps cheerleader and volunteer for the Office of Admissions.

Contact Sam at sam@mspharm.org or 601-981-0416

Charles Brasfield, Law Student Extern 

Charles Brasfield is from the small town of Covington, Tennessee. However, he attended high school in Memphis, Tennessee at Evangelical Christian School, from which he graduated 2004.  Charles then traveled east to Knoxville to attend college at the University of Tennessee. He graduated in 2008 with a degree in Finance and a Collateral in International Business. To gain experience and develop his interest in politics, Charles headed to Nashville where he worked as a clerk for the Tennessee House of Representatives during the 2008 & 2009 Sessions. He worked directly under the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives and was the Head Clerk for the Finance, Ways, and Means Committee.

Charles soon traveled to Jackson, Mississippi where he enrolled in law school at Mississippi College School of Law. While in law school, Charles became involved in student government, and was elected by his peers as President of the Law Student Bar Association. At MPhA, Charles has been instrumental in aiding Mr. O'Donnell at the state capitol. Although law school is time-consuming, Charles enjoys playing golf, attending music concerts, and playing his guitar in his spare time.  He looks forward to graduating from law school in May 2012. 

Contact Charles at charles@mspharm.org or 601-981-0416