Valerie Ruehter, PharmD, BCPP, (center) of the University of Missouri–Kansas City, receives the APhA–ASP Outstanding Chapter Advisor Award from Sara Massey and Michael Murphy at APhA2018 in Nashville.
In one of the most uplifting moments of each APhA Annual Meeting & Exposition, APhA–ASP members gather together to celebrate the incredible achievements of student pharmacist superstars across the country. The 2018 APhA–ASP Awards Celebration on Sunday night was a powerful reminder that patient care is the heart of our profession. Individuals and chapters who have made outstanding contributions to their communities were recognized during an evening that was nothing short of inspirational.
APhA President Nicki Hilliard on significance
The evening began with an address from the 163rd President of APhA, Nicki Hilliard, PharmD, MHSA, BCNP, FAPhA. She spoke about significance, how it is different from success, and how it is rooted in adding value to the lives of others. Dr. Hilliard encouraged all student pharmacists to find their own way to increase our significance by being proud of our role as student pharmacists, and continuing to add value to patients and communities.
Student Pharmacists Got Talent … in spades!
Five amazing acts of talent highlighted the evening’s festivities. David Bunch from Washington University serenaded attendees with his guitar and sang “I Believe in You.” Kyle Owens from Lipscomb University gave an upbeat performance of “No Place I’d Rather Be,” and Katherine Katsivalis from the University of Illinois Chicago entertained with “Taylor the Latte Boy.” Not to be outdone, Jordan Thoman from the University of Missouri–Kansas City played a beautiful piano interlude, and Tricia Tahara-Stoller from Western University of Health Sciences brought down the house as she sang her heart out to “This is Me.”
Individual awards
The APhA–ASP Outstanding Chapter Advisor Award was given to Valerie Ruehter, PharmD, BCPP, of the University of Missouri–Kansas City, who stressed the importance of investing time in the people around you. Patricia Kroboth, PhD, from the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy, was awarded the APhA–ASP Outstanding Dean Award, and shared her journey’s focus on being open to new opportunities.
Four student pharmacists were recognized for their leadership and commitment to inspiring others. This year, the APhA Student Leadership Award winners were Brandon Powell (Samford University), Myriam Shaw Ojeda (Cedarville University), Shannon Stittsworth (University of Florida), and Charlie Summerlin (University of Maryland). Additionally, after a weekend of competition, the National Patient Counseling Competition winners were announced: the second runner-up was Laura Wilkinson (D’Youville College), first runner-up was Katherine Katsivalis (University of Illinois at Chicago), and this year’s winner was Sarah Wheeler (The Ohio State University).
Chapter recognition
Of the many creative PharmFlix videos submitted this year, Samford University was recognized for “Most Inspirational” video, Purdue University for “Most Humorous” video, and University of Puerto Rico received “Best Overall” submission and a standing ovation.
Celebrating the best of the Academy, the following Chapters were recognized as most exceptional in their division: The University of New Mexico (Division AAA), The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (AA), and University of Maryland (A). Finally, the University of Missouri–Kansas City took home the honor of “Chapter of the Year” for all their hard work this past year.
Several more chapters were recognized for their outstanding efforts and contributions:
Outstanding IPSF Activity Award: The University of Arizona
Innovating Programming Award: University of Washington
Up and Coming Chapter Award: Chapman University
Chapter Policy and Legislative Award: University of Illinois Chicago
Chapter Operational Leadership Award: University of Minnesota
Chapter Patient Care Award: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapter Professionalism Award: St. John’s University
Most Improved Chapter: Rutgers University
Division AAA Second Runner-Up: Lipscomb University
Division AA Second Runner-Up: The Ohio State University
Division A Second Runner-Up: The University of Tennessee Health Science Center
Division AAA First Runner-Up: East Tennessee State University
Division AA First Runner-Up: Samford University
Division A First Runner Up: University of Florida
Many congratulations to all of this year’s award recipients for their significant contributions and the legacies they have left in their chapters and communities!
Kari Allan is a final-year PharmD candidate at the Midwestern University College of Pharmacy–Glendale.