Immunization Update
APhA Staff
Pharmacists play an indispensable role in protecting public health through immunization, working alongside physicians, public health officials, and other health care professionals to increase access to vaccines. As key members of the immunization neighborhood, pharmacists are at the forefront of innovative solutions that expand vaccine accessibility and safeguard communities from preventable diseases.
The past year has seen both progress and challenges in global and national immunization efforts. Vaccine hesitancy, misinformation, emerging infectious diseases, and health care disparities have created hurdles in maintaining and increasing vaccination rates. Additionally, the resurgence of previously controlled diseases such as measles, the increasing prevalence of respiratory illnesses such as RSV and influenza among vulnerable populations, and more, has underscored the necessity for robust immunization programs.
Pharmacists and pharmacy teams continue to educate and administer millions of vaccines nationwide, reinforcing their commitment to public health.
The 2025 APhA Immunization Champion Awards honor the pharmacy professionals and organizations that have stepped up to address these challenges. By pioneering innovative approaches, expanding vaccine accessibility, and advocating for policy changes, these champions are safeguarding public health and demonstrating the immense impact of the pharmacy profession. These individuals and organizations have demonstrated exceptional innovation, collaboration, and perseverance in improving immunization access. Awardees were selected based on their impact, originality, and ability to overcome challenges while creating opportunities for pharmacists.
This year’s winners, recognized at the 2025 APhA Annual Meeting & Exposition in Nashville have pioneered groundbreaking approaches to expand immunization services in their communities.
Their efforts serve as a testament to the profession’s enduring commitment to public health.
Each of these honorees has demonstrated exceptional leadership, dedication, and ingenuity, playing a vital role in expanding immunization efforts and improving vaccine accessibility for their communities.
APhA extends its congratulations to all the 2025 APhA Immunization Champion Award winners and commends all pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and health care collaborators working tirelessly to advance immunization efforts.
The 2025 APhA Immunization Champion Awards program was made possible through the generous support of Pfizer, Merck, GSK, Moderna, and VaxServe (a Sanofi company). APhA is grateful for their partnership in recognizing and celebrating the outstanding contributions of immunizing pharmacists and their allies.
IMMUNIZATION CHAMPIONS AWARD RECIPIENTS
CORPORATION/INSTITUTION
National winner
ShotRx Health and Wellness Solutions
ShotRx Health and Wellness Solutions is a family practice and immunization clinic owned by pharmacists Ted and Merica Lyons. The words “Learn. Lead. Love.” are found throughout the clinic because that is what this team believes it takes to care for the community. ShotRx services all of west Tennessee but specializes in bringing health care solutions to the communities that need it most. ShotRx was founded in 2021 to address the COVID-19 pandemic. The pharmacist-led teams at ShotRx went throughout west Tennessee conducting town hall meetings and vaccinating at churches, business, schools, and anywhere they could set up a tent! They expanded their services to include childhood vaccinations and primary care after adding nurse practitioners and medical assistants as part of the team. ShotRx has given over 34,000 immunizations, and conducted over 1,200 mobile events and 80 educational sessions for the community focusing on sharing the truth about immunizations.
ShotRx has an innovative model of practice that has been recognized through grants and awards from APhA, Upsher-Smith, national media via Scripps News Network, the Tennessee Pharmacists Association, Memphis City Council, Shelby County government, the Tennessee Department of Health, and Shelby County Health Department. Also, a grant from the Tennessee Department of Health helped fund the purchase of two mobile immunization clinic RVs.
Honorable Mention
Livingston Pharmacy
Matthew Livingston is a Pittsburgh native, born and raised in the Jefferson Hills area. He is a PharmD graduate from Duquesne University class of 2002 and is currently the pharmacist in charge at Livingston Pharmacy in Clairton, PA. Outside of pharmacy, he has a wife, Stephanie, and two kids, Austin and Gabby. Established in 1959 by World War II veteran R. Jack Livingston, Livingston Pharmacy has been a cornerstone of the Clairton community for over six decades. After earning his pharmacist license from Duquesne University through the GI Bill, Jack opened the pharmacy, which quickly became a local hub, complete with a soda fountain and a basement bowling alley—a testament to the community spirit of the era.
In the 1980s, leadership passed to Jack’s son, Robert Livingston, who continued the family tradition of personalized pharmaceutical care. The early 2000s saw the third generation, Matthew Livingston, take the helm, ensuring that the pharmacy remained adaptive and responsive to the evolving needs of its patrons.
Despite the economic fluctuations in Clairton and the broader challenges facing independent pharmacies, Livingston Pharmacy has remained steadfast in its commitment to the community. Services have expanded to include free prescription delivery, compliance packaging, and personalized patient consultations, all aimed at enhancing patient well-being.
Located at 550 Miller Avenue, Livingston Pharmacy continues to be a trusted health care provider, blending the nostalgic charm of its early days with modern pharmaceutical practices. The Livingston family’s unwavering dedication has solidified the pharmacy’s status as one of Clairton’s longest-standing businesses, embodying a legacy of service, community engagement, and health care excellence.
Honorable Mention
Auburn University Harrison College of Pharmacy Division of Clinical Affairs and Outreach
Auburn University Harrison College of Pharmacy’s Division of Clinical Affairs and Outreach (CAO) is the division of the college that provides direct patient care and clinical outreach. CAO operates four community pharmacies and three interprofessional clinics where faculty, staff, and student pharmacists provide progressive pharmacy services in a collaborative environment. CAO partners with the university, as well as local and state governments and public health agencies to be best positioned to identify and immediately respond to community health needs.
CAO works diligently to bolster vaccine rates by promoting vaccinations, providing vaccine education, and offering individualized vaccine consults. CAO routinely administers thousands of adolescent and adult vaccines each year, but it is also responsive to acute public health needs. During the H1N1 and COVID-19 pandemics, CAO led vaccine efforts for the campus and community. In fact, through a coordinated, interprofessional effort, 20,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses were administered through this initiative. In addition to local efforts, CAO led the COVID-19 vaccine response for state employees and state legislators.
The department also plays a critical role within the local community. Recently, CAO developed a strategic partnership with Auburn city schools to provide care for underserved youth who were on long wait lists for mandatory school vaccines. CAO was able to utilize the federal vaccines for children program to timely provide these vaccines to avoid missed class days. CAO has also partnered with the Auburn Rural Health Initiative to provide vaccine clinics in rural, underserved communities. Finally, CAO has worked to increase vaccine rates for adolescent vaccines based on state public health priorities.
CAO has received several recognitions for its vaccine initiatives including two AU Presidential Awards for Collaboration (2023—Rural Health and 2021—COVID-19), a 2021 commendation from the Alabama House of Representatives, and a 2014 AU Spirit of Sustainability Award.
FRIEND OF PHARMACY
An individual who is a nonpharmacist and has supported, facilitated, or advocated for pharmacists’ role in immunizations. Individuals could include a coalition leader, community leader, policymaker, physician, public health official, reporter, etc.
National Winner
David McCormick, BS
Immunization Division Director, Indiana State Department of Health
Dave McCormick is the director of the Indiana Immunization Division at the Indiana Department of Health. In that role, McCormick leads a team of public health professionals committed to eliminating vaccine-preventable diseases by working with approximately 925 health care providers to deliver over $80 million of publicly funded vaccines. In July 2015, McCormick was elected to the Executive Board of the Association of Immunization Managers, serving as chair in 2019. In 2016, McCormick was elected to the Executive Board of the American Immunization Registry Association and has served as president and chair of the Governance Committee.
Honorable Mention
Michelle Fiscus, MD, FAAP
CMO, Association of Immunization Managers
Michelle Fiscus is a board-certified pediatrician and public health advocate who practiced general pediatrics in Franklin, TN, for 17 years before transitioning to a career in public health in 2016. She served as the medical director of the Tennessee Department of Health’s Vaccine-Preventable Diseases and Immunization Program and led the state’s COVID-19 vaccination efforts until July 2021. Since 2022, she has served as the inaugural chief medical officer of the Association of Immunization Managers, the professional organization of the 64 CDC-funded immunization programs across the United States, territories, and major cities. Through her work at the Association of Immunization Managers, she has championed pharmacist involvement in immunization efforts, especially for children without access to health care. Fiscus has served as a senior health policy consultant for the National Academy for State Health Policy and served on the Board of Directors of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Fiscus is a proud graduate of Indiana University and Indiana University School of Medicine and completed her residency in pediatrics at the James Whitcomb Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Medical Center. She and her family recently relocated to their forever home in Maryland.
INDIVIDUAL PRACTITIONER
National Winner
LCDR Theresa Castellanos, PharmD, CLC
Integrated Pharmacist, USPHS/Indian Health Service
LCDR Theresa Castellanos, PharmD, is a pharmacist with the U.S. Public Health Service and stationed at Southcentral Foundation (SCF) in Anchorage, AK. She is an integrated clinical pharmacist in a tribal facility that serves 70,000 Alaska Native and American Indian people and has managed vaccine clinics for 12 years. As a vaccine subject matter expert, she developed quality improvement protocols to increase immunization rates and decrease errors. She serves as a preceptor for student pharmacists and residents in the SCF PGY1 ambulatory care residency program, and trains medical assistants on immunization and medication administration.
As an APhA-certified immunization trainer, she trained over 45 pharmacists and technicians. In 2013, she implemented the first pharmacist-run flu clinic and now manages several vaccine clinics throughout the tribal system, overseeing over 300 staff members and 10,000 vaccines. During the pandemic, the clinic converted to a drive-through, safely and efficiently vaccinating an average of 40 people per hour.
This past year, she organized a “Boo to the Flu” themed vaccine clinic where staff dressed in costumes and patients received goody bags. She also led other clinics, targeting high-risk populations at the Alaska Native Cultural Charter School, Brother Francis Homeless Shelter, Centennial Senior Housing facility, Covenant House, SCF Elders Program, and the Nutaqsiivik Program, which helps high-risk expecting mothers and their families. For the last 3 years, she partnered with the state of Alaska, Anchorage Health Department, CDC, SCF, and Alaska Native Medical Center to offer free vaccines and administered over 2,000 vaccines in 6 days at the Alaska Federation of Natives Convention, the largest gathering in the nation of Native people to address issues of public policy and government.
Castellanos graduated from Loyola University New Orleans and Howard University College of Pharmacy. She resides in Anchorage with her husband and two young children.
Honorable Mention
Joel Thornbury, BSPharm, RPh
Pharmacist, Care More Pharmacy
Joel Thornbury, a third-generation pharmacist with over 30 years of experience, has dedicated his career to improving health care access in rural Appalachia. As the owner of multiple independent pharmacies, he has been a leader in expanding immunization programs and public health initiatives, ensuring that underserved populations, including school-aged children, receive critical vaccinations. His innovative approach to pharmacy-based immunization has transformed access to care in eastern Kentucky.
Beyond patient care, Thornbury is a tireless advocate for the pharmacy profession. His leadership roles include serving as former president of the Kentucky Pharmacists Association (KPhA) and the Kentucky Board of Pharmacy, where he worked to advance pharmacist services, PBM reform, and expanded immunization authority. Currently, he serves as speaker of the KPhA House of Delegates, where he continues to drive policy initiatives that strengthen the role of pharmacists in public health.
In addition to his work in pharmacy, Thornbury is an active community leader who dedicates his time to numerous civic and service initiatives. He serves on local economic development boards, supporting small businesses and rural health care sustainability. A lifelong advocate for youth programs, he has been involved in mentorship programs, school health initiatives, and regional outreach efforts that promote wellness and public health literacy. An avid marathon runner, Thornbury also champions physical fitness and wellness programs that encourage healthier lifestyles within his community.
Recognized with numerous state and national awards, including Kentucky Pharmacist of the Year and the KPhA Distinguished Service Award, Thornbury has also mentored pharmacy students for over 25 years, shaping the next generation of pharmacists. His unwavering commitment to patient care, legislative advocacy, and community service embodies the spirit of the APhA Immunization Champion Award. His work continues to influence pharmacy practice, health care policy, and public health initiatives that improve the well-being of communities across the region.
Honorable Mention
Ijeoma Uwakwe, PharmD, MSCR
Pharmacy Owner/Manager, WilsonValue Drug Store
Ijeoma Uwakwe is a registered pharmacist, wife, and mother of four. She is also the owner of Wilson Value Drug Store in Wilson, NC.
Uwakwe earned her PharmD and a master’s in clinical research from Campbell University in 2009. She began her career at CVS Pharmacy, where she served as a staff pharmacist and later as a pharmacy manager.
In 2014, she and her husband, Evan Uwakwe, opened their own independent retail pharmacy, WilsonValue Drug Store. The community values Uwakwe for her dedication to pharmacy delivery, her active engagement with the community, and her commitment to various clinical service projects, including mass immunizations, diabetes prevention and management, opioid harm reduction counseling, and BP management. Her pharmacy is a well-respected resource for vaccinations in the city.
Uwakwe also shares her expertise with the city of Wilson by serving on the Wilson Board of Health and Wilson Downtown development committee.
PHARMACY TEAM MEMBER
National Winner
Lisa D. Goode, Lead CPhT, NDPP
Lifestyle Coach and Lead Pharmacy Technician,
Pharmacy Plus Inc.
Lisa D. Goode is a certified pharmacy technician with over 13 years of experience working in retail pharmacy. Goode is passionate about small-town communities and giving the very best customer service. She has spent many years growing herself so that she can better serve. This includes being in the first group of technicians to get certified to administer vaccines in the state of Illinois, opening the availability to rural communities in offering those much-needed vaccines while also holding a board position with Illinois Pharmacist Association as the technician director. Her newest adventure has been becoming a National Diabetes Prevention Program lifestyle change coach through Habitnu, offering motivational counseling and education to a healthier lifestyle. ■