SACRAMENTO, Calif. - (Business Wire) The art and practice of pharmacy has never been more alive than today. Lives are saved, diseases are closely monitored, and the pharmacist-patient relationship is more important than ever. At Outlook 2008, the Annual Meeting and Education Faire for the California Pharmacists Association and the Pharmacy Foundation of California held in Sacramento February 7-10, several pharmacists were honored for the contributions they make to the profession of pharmacy. This year
’s group of honorees epitomizes the best pharmacists have to offer as valued members of the health care team.
Melvin Baron PharmD, MPA, Pharmacist of the Year
Taking the top honors for Pharmacist of the Year, was Melvin Baron, PharmD, MPA. To be nominated for the award, one must be dedicated, a visionary, a leader, a motivator, and a visionary. With a career spanning 50 years in the profession of pharmacy, Dr. Baron has been an exceptional leader. He began his career in the late 1950’s opening Shield Rx Pharmacy and by the 1970’s, had expanded his pharmacy into a health care center for patients with limited resources. Ahead of his time, Mel Baron had the vision to use pharmacist expertise in the home care setting to meet the needs of his patients. In addition, he , recognized the importance of exposing student pharmacists to clinical settings early on, and in 1981 began the first externship program at the University of Southern California School of Pharmacy. These externships set the example for expanded experiential education nationwide. In addition, he began teaching a leadership course at USC, where he shares these characteristics and shows the importance of dedication to the profession by involvement in professional associations. Mel Baron is also dedicated to community outreach and helping the underserved populations. His on-going work to expand pharmacy services in safety-net clinics, where more patients receive quality health care combined with his professional association involvement and his dedication to student pharmacists at USC exemplifies the qualities of the Pharmacist of the Year.
Jeffery Shinoda, PharmD, Bowl of Hygeia Award
Recognized for outstanding involvement both in and outside the profession of pharmacy, Jeff Shinoda, PharmD, is an inspiration to pharmacists and pharmacy professionals alike. The Bowl of Hygeia award is designed to recognize pharmacists who demonstrate through their actions that pharmacists are an important part of the overall health of every community. He produced television public service announcements that teach the world what pharmacists really do for patients and the health care community. Jeff is also extremely active in the American Cancer Society in Fresno County. He supports and participates in the Relay for Life, Race for the Cure and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society events.
Ryan Gates, PharmD, Distinguished New Practitioner of the Year
The award recognizes new practitioners who have demonstrated energetic leadership for the profession of pharmacy through community, political, and professional activities and who is well recognized by their peers. A graduate of the Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences at University of the Pacific, in 2004 Ryan Gates, PharmD, completed his residency at the Veterans Affairs Hospital in San Diego in 2005, receiving top recognition. Subsequently, he began his career at the Kern Medical Center in Bakersfield as a clinical pharmacist and was immediately promoted to Residency Program Coordinator, where he oversees program development for pharmacy student interns rotating through their clerkships. As a former teacher, Ryan continues to interact with those all around him and shares his dedication to serve, as a role model for future leaders in pharmacy practice.
William Wills, RPh, FIACP, 2008 Innovative Pharmacist
Paramount to the Innovative Pharmacist award is the ability of a pharmacist to significantly improve patient care. William “Bill” Wills, RPh, FIACP, epitomizes what a pharmacist should be to the profession: advocating for patient and professional rights and encouraging an expanded scope of practice. Bill is the founder and owner of Grandpa’s Compounding Pharmacy, which opened its doors in 1996 and has been acknowledged nationwide as a patient care resource and an exemplary compounding practice. He began using therapeutic and disease-state management programs, along with educational seminars, years before the term “MTM” was coined. Bill has been responsible for the development of numerous transdermal compounds and devices to help clinicians treat patients that continue to this day. In addition, Bill invented a new piece to add to a machine already in existence, the powder dam, which provides accurate filling for capsules. Bill also invented the lollipop mold, both of which are used in compounding pharmacies across the country. He has combined his innovations with his unique and genuine patient-centered care to cultivate a pharmacist-patient relationship few can rival.
Deborah Fernandez, Pharmacy Technician of the Year
Chosen for her dedication to the profession and the inspirational role she plays with pharmacy technician students, Debbie Fernandez has been a registered Pharmacy Technician since 2004. She currently serves an Instructor and Director of Career Services at Valley Career College in San Diego, and has been very active within CPhA committees. She is currently on the Board of Directors for the Academy of Pharmacy Technicians and is serving on the Technician Task Force for the State Board of Pharmacy. Debbie looks forward to the future of pharmacy in which technicians play a vital part
Danielle Colayco, Pharmacy Student of the Year
University of Southern California School of Pharmacy
A natural leader from the onset of her pharmacy school years, Danielle Colayco, 2008 PharmD Candidate, is a shining example of dedication to her profession. She has served as President of USC’s Academy of Student Pharmacists for the American Pharmacists Association (APhA), a delegate for both APhA and CPhA and has been involved in, and coordinated, numerous projects for the school including health screenings, health fairs, career roundtables and outreach events at the local, state and national levels. Of particular interest to Danielle, is the role of the media on the image of pharmacy. She has worked hard to improve that image. In addition, Danielle has fostered professional and personal development among her fellow student pharmacists by implementing the campaign, “Beneath the White Coat: Developing the Person Behind the Profession.” While maintaining academic achievement as a member of Rho Chi, Danielle is an active member of many professional associations at USC, including Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP), Student Industry Association and National Community Pharmacy Association (NCPA). Danielle serves as a mentor and role model for student pharmacists at USC and with others schools she has come in contact with.
The California Pharmacists Association is comprised of many local pharmacists associations throughout all regions of the state. Four were recognized for their efforts to go above and beyond the call of duty in providing for the needs of their members and the community as well. The CPhA Chapter of Excellence Awards went to the Alameda County Pharmacists Association, San Diego County Pharmacists Association, San Joaquin Pharmacists Association and the San Mateo County Pharmacists Association.
The California Pharmacists Association is the largest state pharmacy association in the nation and the professional society representing all pharmacists in California. The mission of the Association is to act as the leader in advocating the role of the pharmacist as an essential provider of health care and to support pharmacists in providing optimal pharmaceutical care.
For more information on the CPhA Awards Criteria please visit: www.cpha.com/
California Pharmacists Association
Cathi Lord, 916-779-1400
