Pharmacy celebrates 140 years, recognizes leaders at awards ceremony

Following a year-long celebration of 140 years of pharmacy at Auburn University, the Harrison College of Pharmacy came together in April for the Auburn Pharmacy Awards Ceremony. The event brought faculty, staff and students together from all campuses and clinical sites throughout the state for an evening of celebration, recognizing the leaders who contribute to the success of the college.

“Coming together in Auburn for our first-ever 140th Anniversary Awards Ceremony was a truly special occasion for the Harrison College of Pharmacy,” said Dr. Leigh Ann Ross, dean of the Harrison College of Pharmacy (HCOP). “It gave us the opportunity to celebrate and recognize the outstanding students, faculty, and staff whose dedication and achievements make our college so strong.

“As we honored excellence, we also celebrated the character, commitment and spirit of service that define our profession. These individuals elevate pharmacy, inspire those around them and remind us of the vital role pharmacy plays in the health and well-being of our communities”

The event was held in Neville Arena with Ric Smith, Voice of Jordan-Hare Stadium, serving as the emcee. Prior to the presentation of awards, Representative Phillip Rigsby, who represents Alabama District 25 and is a member of the HCOP Class of 2000, shared an official state resolution honoring the Harrison College of Pharmacy and celebrating its 140th anniversary.

Awards were presented in four categories reflecting the strategic goals of the college: Exceptional Student Experience, Pioneering Education and Curriculum, Impactful Research and Scholarship, and Transformative Leadership and Advocacy.

“Our award winners exemplify what it means to lead in pharmacy through innovation, service, and an unwavering commitment to patient care,” said Ross. “Their achievements set a standard of excellence and help lead the way forward for our students, our college, and the profession.”

Dr. David Riese, recipient of the Hargreaves Faculty Mentor Award, with Dean Leigh Ann Ross

Exceptional Student Experience

Awards in this category recognized those focused on fostering an Exceptional Student Experience in which students feel valued, develop as leaders, grow personally and professionally, and are truly able to thrive.

HCOP Outstanding Student Awards
Recognizes student pharmacists with demonstrated scholastic excellence and notable leadership
Jillian Richardson | Ryan Maples | Ella Wilson | Molly Orr | Darby Moore

Alabama Society of Health-System Pharmacists Student Award
Honors a fourth-year student pharmacist with demonstrated interest in health-systems pharmacy practice
Autumn Edwards

McKesson Drug Company Award
Recognizes the outgoing chapter president of the American Pharmacists Association - Academy of Student Pharmacists
Peyton Hurst

Dr. Byron B. Williams Award
Celebrates a fourth-year student pharmacist who demonstrates perseverance and the desire to succeed
Asia White

Student Advocate Award
Commends a faculty or staff member who exemplifies notable work as an advocate for student pharmacists
Dr. Lori Hornsby

Distinguished Graduate Faculty Mentor Awards
Recognizes graduate program faculty members who exhibit an outstanding commitment to mentorship
Dr. Amit Mitra | Dr. Salisa Westrick

Hargreaves Faculty Mentor Award
Commemorates the legacy of Professor Hargreaves in recognition of outstanding student mentorship
Dr. David Riese

Braxton Clines, recipient of the Walker Medal, with Dean Leigh Ann Ross

Pioneering Education and Curriculum

Awards in this category recognize those who believe in Pioneering Education and Curriculum to prepare graduates to lead and innovate within a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape.

Merck Academic Excellence Awards
Recognizes student pharmacists with outstanding academic achievement
Callie Clements | Lauren Glass | Victoria Huffman

Excellence in Hospital Practice
Honors fourth-year student pharmacists exhibiting exceptional skills and knowledge needed for success in hospital pharmacy practice
Allie Blubaugh | Cade Pritchett | Mace Schneekloth

Walker Medal
Recognizes a third-year student pharmacist with high academic achievement and outstanding professionalism
Braxton Clines

Viatris Excellence in Pharmacy Award
Celebrates a fourth-year student pharmacist who demonstrates high academic achievement, professional motivation, and proficiency in providing drug information services
Chance Goley

Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistants
Recognizes graduate teaching assistants who display exceptional dedication to teaching, student learning, and academic support
Ahmed Kamel | Dr. Savannah Perman

Outstanding Resident Teacher
Commends an outstanding post-graduate pharmacy resident who provides an exceptional educational experience for student pharmacists
Dr. Briley Graves

Outstanding Experiential Partner
Recognizes outstanding support and collaboration with the Experiential Programs Office
Dr. Brian Boyette

IPPE Preceptors of the Year
Recognizes exceptional preceptors of Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experiences
IPPE Preceptor of the Year – Clinical - Dr. Melissa Bagwell
IPPE Preceptor of the Year - Community Pharmacy - Dr. Dacy Atchison
IPPE Preceptor of the Year - Health and Wellness - Dr. Matthew Willette
IPPE Preceptor of the Year – Institutional - Dr. Nicholas Sanders

APPE Preceptors of the Year
Celebrates exemplary preceptors for Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences
APPE Preceptor of the Year - Acute Care - Dr. Alston Poellnitz
APPE Preceptor of the Year - Ambulatory Care - Dr. Cassidy Moses
APPE Preceptor of the Year - Community Pharmacy - Dr. Alison Baker
APPE Preceptor of the Year - Health System Practice - Anita Ward

Faculty Preceptors of Excellence
Auburn-Montgomery - Dr. Bernie Olin
Birmingham-Tuscaloosa - Dr. Dana Carroll
Huntsville - Dr. Miranda Andrus
Mobile-Pensacola - Dr. Bobby Helmer

Continuing Education Presenters of the Year
Dr. Marilyn Bulloch | Dr. Scott Penzak

American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy Outstanding Teacher
Celebrates an outstanding educator in the Doctor of Pharmacy Program
Dr. Jessica Starr

Rebecca Paul-Hamby, one of the recipients of the Student Research Awards, with Dean Leigh Ann Ross

Impactful Research and Scholarship

Awards in this category recognize Impactful Research and Scholarship within the Harrison College of Pharmacy, work that is driven by curiosity, innovation, and purpose.

Pharmacy Student Research Awards
Recognizes student pharmacists with significant contributions to scholarly and research endeavors
Rebecca Paul-Hamby | Nick DeFeo | Hallie Keiser

Special Recognition — Research and Scholarship
Recognizes an individual for exceptional scholarly contributions and for advancing the research mission of the Harrison College of Pharmacy
Dr. C. Randall Clark

Research Excellence Awards
Evaluation of a specific LXR/PPAR agonist for treatment of Alzheimer’s disease
Dr. Rajesh Amin

A shared Agilent 6546 LC-QTOF for biomedical research
Dr. Angela Calderón

iCARE Bridge Funding
Dr. Courtney Gamston

Stakeholder convening around PCOR/CER for fatigue management for patients with multiple sclerosis
Dr. Surachat Ngorsuraches

COACH Training Summits
Dr. Haley Phillippe | Dr. Brent Fox | Dr. Karen Marlowe

Novel inhibitor for oncogenic RAS for lung cancer
Dr. Gary Piazza | Dr. Xi Chen | Dr. Adam Keeton | Dr. Yulia Maxuitenko

Targeting anti-viral and anti-inflammatory responses during ocular HSV-1 infection to prevent vision impairment
Dr. Jayachandra Ramapuram

Kendi Davis, recipient of the Wolters Kluwer Award of Excellence in Clinical Communication, with Dean Leigh Ann Ross.

Transformative Leadership and Advocacy

Awards in this category recognize those who believe in the transformative power of Leadership and Advocacy. Through their voice, expertise and passion, they advance the profession, champion patient care, and create meaningful impact both locally and across the broader healthcare landscape.

Patient Care and Professionalism Award
Recognizes a second or third-year student pharmacist with outstanding work in Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experiences
Levi Clark

U.S. Public Health Service Excellence in Public Health Pharmacy Practice Award
Honors a student pharmacist for exemplary work to advance the goals and objectives of Healthy People 2030
Laney Skipper

Wolters Kluwer Award of Excellence in Clinical Communication
Recognizes a fourth-year student pharmacist who demonstrates outstanding clinical communication skills
Kendi Davis

Pharmacy Student Council Leadership Award
Recognizes student pharmacists for outstanding leadership contributions to Executive Student Council
Rebecca Paul-Hamby | Victoria Sexton | Ella Wilson | Keila Adams

Outstanding Health Professional
Recognizes a health professional within the Division of Clinical Affairs and Outreach who provides significant contributions to patient care
Jennifer Grigsby

Outstanding Staff Member
Recognizes a staff member for consistent contributions above and beyond assigned responsibilities
Dr. April Staton

Living the Creed
Honors an individual who embodies the values of the Auburn Creed
Brianna Foster

Outstanding Colleague of the Harrison College of Pharmacy
Commends an individual or group within Auburn University for their transformative contributions to the success of the Harrison College of Pharmacy
Office of the Provost, Auburn University

Friend of Pharmacy
Honors an individual or agency outside the Harrison College of Pharmacy who provides exceptional support and partnership
Alabama Department of Mental Health

Pinnacle Award
Honors a faculty or staff member who demonstrates an exceptional commitment to the Harrison College of Pharmacy core values
John Folmar

Embracing Innovation
Ashley Wetzel

Exemplary Service
Samuel Deal

Exemplary Leadership
Marcia Gannon

H.O.P.E. Award
Rachel Juliana