APhA-ASP Student Awards
More than 100 students from the UF College of Pharmacy’s four campuses celebrated their achievements after the American Pharmacists Association awards ceremony on March 30 with Dean Johnson, at her first “Dean’s Night In with Students” dessert reception. Though the hour was late, the energy was strong. The group photo was captured by student pharmacist – and sometimes photographer – Bao Lam. Professors Tom Munyer and Karen Whalen were among the faculty who joined in the celebratory Gator Chomp. The UF College of Pharmacy chapter of APhA-ASP took home these impressive awards:
National Chapter Professionalism Award
This award recognizes superior programming among chapters that envision the future of pharmacy by creating opportunities for student participation. The awards program also embraces the core ideas of APhA-ASP’s mission to create new standards of leadership, professionalism, membership, patient care, and legislative advocacy among student pharmacists nationwide.
National Operation Diabetes 1st Runner-Up Award
Awarded for student efforts to identify individuals in the community with previously undiagnosed diabetes, or who are at risk for developing the disease. Student pharmacists’ activities increase overall awareness of diabetes and the role pharmacists play in prevention and managing the effects of diabetes.
Region 3 Operation Heart Award
Through public awareness, community outreach, and patient-specific education on cardiovascular risk factors, student pharmacists can empower patients to take control of their health and prevent cardiovascular disease before it starts.
Region 3 Generation Rx Award
This educational program, funded by the Cardinal Health Foundation, increases public awareness of prescription medication abuse and encourages health care providers, community leaders, parents, teens, and college students to actively work to prevent abuse.
National PAC Fundraising Award
The UF student pharmacists, a force to be reckoned with, have taken this national award for the third time in a row! “Back the PAC” is a competition among chapters across the country to educate students on the importance of political advocacy while raising funds for APhA-PAC. The PAC is an essential tool in connecting with legislators and protecting the future of pharmacy.
APhA Student Leadership Award
This award recognizes outstanding academic achievement and leadership ability in APhA-ASP at the local, regional, and national levels of students who are currently in their next to last year of pharmacy school. Amy Kiskaddon, a third-year student pharmacist and past president of the APhA-ASP Gainesville Chapter has received the 2014 Leadership Award.
This year, Amy is serving as the Vice-Chair of the APhA-ASP National Awards Standing Committee, and Executive Liaison for the APhA-ASP Chapters of all four college campuses. She is eager to continue her pharmacy training and work with other health care professionals in a pediatric clinical setting to help children receive optimal care.
Thomas Munyer, BSPharm, MSc, was the 2013 recipient of the Academy of Student Pharmacists (APhA-ASP) Outstanding Chapter Advisor Award. Munyer was selected in recognition of his work with the University of Florida APhA-ASP chapter, including guiding its students to look beyond paradigms of current pharmacy practice in order to explore unique career pathways that will further advance the pharmacy profession.
APhA Foundation Scholarship Award
The APhA Foundation Charles C. Thomas Scholarship recognizes students who invest their time in their school’s APhA – ASP chapter to help shape the future of the profession while managing the demands of a full-time pharmacy curriculum. Joseph Haley, a third-year student pharmacist, grew up in the Tampa Bay area and is a longtime Gator having received his bachelor’s in Chemistry at UF. In 2013, he served as APhA-ASP Chapter President for the St. Petersburg Campus and as Phi Lambda Sigma Vice President for the College. Joe also served as the FSHP Development Chair 2012, 2013, and has been a member of the UF College of Pharmacy Professionalism Committee since 2012.
APhA Distinguished Achievement Award in Service
Kristin Wiisanen, Pharm.D., a clinical associate professor in pharmacotherapy and translational research and associate director of the Personalized Medicine Program, received the 2014 American Pharmacist Association, Academy of Pharmacy Practice and Management (APhA-APPM) Distinguished Achievement Award in Service in recognition of Kristin’s impact on preceptor development with Pharmacist’s Letter, APhA, and American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP).