Distinguished Federal Pharmacist Award
2026 Award Recipient
RDML Kelly J. Battese , Pharm.D., MBA
RDML Kelly J. Battese currently serves in the Indian Health Service (I.H.S) as director –
division of commissioned personnel support at I.H.S headquarters, Additionally, RDML Battese serves as
the United States Public Health Service chief professional officer (CPO) – pharmacy category. He started
his career with I.H.S as a clinical pharmacist with the Haskell Indian Health Center in Lawrence, KS.
His work ethic and leadership skills have transitioned him into several leadership positions within the
I.H.S Oklahoma City area. He moved on to serve as the chief pharmacist of the White Cloud Health Station
in White Cloud, KS, and assumed the chief executive officer duties for that facility. Looking to further
his knowledge and leadership skills he transferred to the Claremore Indian Hospital where he served as
the ambulatory care director and later as the hospital’s administrative officer. These positions and
experiences led him back to his current position as chief executive officer. RDML Battese was selected
as the 12th pharmacy chief professional officer and provides leadership and direction for the category
and provides consultation and advice to the surgeon general and issues of policy in areas related to the
pharmacy profession.
RDML Battese has received numerous prestigious awards from the I.H.S, Commissioned Corps,
Pharmacy associations and his alma mater, the University of Kansas. RDML Battese received his Bachelor
of Arts in biology from Tabor College, a Master of Business Administration in health care from Southern
Nazarene University and Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Kansas.
About
The APhA Distinguished Federal Pharmacist Award is the Association’s premier award to recognize a
pharmacist who has distinguished himself/herself and the profession by outstanding contribution in
federal pharmacy practice that has resulted in a significant improvement in the health of the nation
and/or the population he/she serves.
Evaluation Criteria
The nominee for the APhA Distinguished Federal Pharmacist Award must be a pharmacist who is a member
of APhA, served in a federal pharmacy practice for the past 10 years, and is on active federal
service at the time of nomination and has distinguished himself/herself and the profession of
pharmacy by sustained outstanding performance and achievement. Applications will be evaluated based
upon the following criteria (listed alphabetically; not in rank order):
- Active participation in Inter-Agency Collaboration (cross-service activities)
- Community service (contributions to the local community in which you live, federal agency
community, facility, etc.)
- Demonstrated leadership and mentorship
- Impact on the pharmacy profession
- Innovation in practice, research, and/or scholarly activity
- Sustained impact and contributions to positive patient or health outcomes
Nomination process
The nominator is responsible for submitting a complete award nomination.
The nomination is to include the following items:
A narrative letter of justification (no more than two pages or 1,000 words) from the nominator
describing the most significant contributions of the nominee and an explanation of how the nominee
meets the award criteria
Two supporting letters
Current complete curriculum vitae or a detailed résumé of the nominee that includes professional
activities, publications, and awards/honors
Selection process
The selection of the award recipient will be based upon careful review of the completed nominations
by the APhA Distinguished Federal Pharmacist Award Selection Committee. All nominations will be
evaluated using the award criteria. No one from the selection committee will be eligible for the
award.
The selection committee will be comprised of the following representatives:
One representative from each federal pharmacy group selected by the chief pharmacist; the chief
pharmacist is not eligible to serve on the selection committee (i.e., U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army,
U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Navy, U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, U.S. Public Health Service).
The award recipient from the immediate preceding year
One nonfederal representative from the APhA Board of Trustees selected by the APhA President will
serve as the chairman.
Nature of award
The APhA Distinguished Federal Pharmacist Award will be presented at the APhA Annual Meeting &
Exposition and will consist of a crystal figurine. The recipient will receive: a $1,500
honorarium,and complimentary APhA Annual Meeting registration and reimbursement for meeting-related
travel expenses, according to current travel policies and up to the maximum amount budgeted by APhA.
The recipient will be asked to participate in a session highlighting his/her specific achievement.
The award is endowed by The Roche Foundation.
Past recipients
2025 CAPT Bridgette M. Faber
2019 CDR Aimee Young, USPHS
2017 COL (Ret) John Spain
2015 COL J. Michael Spilker, USAF, BSC (Ret)
2014 CAPT Pamela M. Schweitzer
2013 RADM Scott F. Giberson, USPHS
2012 Jannet M. Carmichael
2011 COL Everett B. McAllister, USAF, BSC (Ret)
2010 LTC Stacia L. Spridgen, MS, USA
2007 Capt David E. Price, MSC, USN
2005 COL William Michael Heath, MS, USA
2004 COL Daniel D. Remund, MS, USA
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