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College of Pharmacy UNIVERSITY of FLORIDA

Gator pharmacists take home top honors at FSHP Annual Meeting

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The Florida Society of Health-System Pharmacists, or FSHP, honored multiple Gator pharmacists at its 51st Annual Meeting in Orlando, Aug. 4-6. A highlight of the awards was the UF College of Pharmacy’s St. Petersburg campus, which won the Student Society of the Year Award for the second consecutive year. Other Gator pharmacists recognized were:

  • Kathy Baldwin, BS Pharm, M.A., Pharm.D., BCPS, ʼ99, received the 2017 FSHP President’s Award.
  • Melissa John, Pharm.D., ʼ16, won the Research in Practice Award, which recognizes a research project that impacts patient care or pharmacy practice. John’s research as PGY-1 resident at UF Health Shands Hospital in Gainesville involved implementation of a sepsis alert system for patients on general and intermediate care level units.
  • Vicky Kang-Fisher, a fourth-year pharmacy student from the St. Petersburg campus, won the FSHP Student Poster Competition. Her poster examined an expanded role for pharmacists in chronic disease management and the health benefits associated with pharmacist-managed diabetes care.
  • Denise Kelley, Pharm.D., BCPS, a preceptor and clinical assistant professor in the UF College of Pharmacy and internal medicine pharmacist at UF Health Jacksonville, won the New Practitioner Award.
  • Norman Tomaka, BS Pharm, M.S., ʼ12, was named FSHP Pharmacist of the Year.
  • The University of Florida College of Pharmacy’s student quiz bowl team won first place. Members of the team included Madison Clayton, Jennifer Perez and Rachael Swisher.

The traditional Gator Reception at FSHP was held Aug. 4, and attended by more than 100 faculty, students, alumni and friends of the college. Heavy Hors d’Oeuvres and drinks were provided and Dean Julie Johnson updated attendees on recent news and events in the college. The annual reception offers an opportunity for those Gator pharmacists working as pharmacy practitioners in hospitals, health systems and other organized health care settings the chance to reconnect with classmates and learn more about the impact the UF College of Pharmacy is having on the pharmacy profession.