APhA Announces 2022 Immunization Champion Award Winners
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The American Pharmacists Association (APhA) has selected eight recipients of its 2022 Immunization Champion Awards, recognizing individuals and organizations who have made extraordinary contributions toward improved vaccination rates within their communities.
“The APhA Immunization Champion Awards program helps us tell the story regarding pharmacists' and the pharmacy teams’ contributions to and impact on the health of communities and as valued members of the immunization neighborhood,” according to Mitchel Rothholz, RPh, MBA, APhA Chief Governance & State Affiliates and Executive Director, APhA Foundation.
“This year is the 14th anniversary for presentation of the award,” he said. “We applaud the more than 500,000 pharmacists, student pharmacists and pharmacy technicians trained to administer vaccines and who are making a difference in their communities, especially during these challenging days of COVID-19."
Nominees were evaluated based on the areas of impact, collaboration, originality, and overcoming challenges and creating opportunities for pharmacists. APhA also recognizes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Pfizer, Moderna, and VaxServe for their support of this program.
Individual Practitioner
National Winner : Jordan Smith, PharmD, AAHIVP (Carmel, IN)
National Winner : Alexandria Lavella, PharmD (Pittsburgh, PA)
Honorable Mention: Jacinda C. Abdul-Mutakabbir, PharmD, MPH, AAHIVP (Loma Linda, CA)
Friend of Pharmacy
National Winner: Will Chang, JD (Irving, TX)
Corporation/Institution
National Winner: Kroger (Cincinnati, OH)
Honorable Mention: USC School of Pharmacy - Los Angeles City COVID-19 Vaccination Program (Los Angeles, CA)
Honorable Mention: West Virginia University School of Pharmacy (Morgantown, WV)
Community Outreach
National Winner: Jennifer Twilla, PharmD, BCPS, FCCP (Memphis, TN)
Honorable Mention: Mayank Amin, PharmD (Schwenksville, PA)
Honorable Mention: Edmond Hudon, RPh (Boyertown, PA)
Pharmacy Team Member
National Winner: Amanda Hittle, BS (Springdale, AR)
Lifetime Achievement
Michael D. Hogue, PharmD, FAPhA, FNAP (Loma Linda, CA)
The American Pharmacists Association established these special awards in 2008 and made the first presentations in 2009 to recognize the value and extraordinary contributions pharmacists provide to improving the vaccination rates in their communities.
Pharmacists, in collaboration with physicians, public health officials, pharmacy technicians, and other immunization stakeholders, are recognized as important members of the immunization neighborhood, with millions of vaccinations administered by pharmacists, student pharmacists, and pharmacy technicians each year.
About the American Pharmacists Association
The American Pharmacists Association is the only organization advancing the entire pharmacy profession. Our expert staff, and strong volunteer leadership, including many experienced pharmacists, allow us to deliver vital leadership to help pharmacists, pharmaceutical scientists, student pharmacists and pharmacy technicians find success and satisfaction in their work, while advocating for changes that benefit them, their patients and their communities. For more information, please visit www.pharmacist.com.
CONTACT: Frank Fortin
202.223.7189; ffortin@aphanet.org