2015 Civic Leader of the Year Finalists

2015 Civic Leader of the Year Finalists

Walgreens Co and Pfizer

Lansdale, PA

Mayank Amin is a pharmacist for Walgreens and Pfizer and a volunteer with BAPS Charities. “He has been very adamant about involving younger pharmacists and pharmacy students and getting anyone in the pharmacy and health care arena involved that could volunteer their professional services,” his nominator wrote.

Greatest Achievements

My greatest achievement to date has been making my parents proud. I am forever indebted to them for teaching me to live, love, and learn.

Source of Inspiration

I have been blessed to have a friend, teacher, and inspiration in my Guru, Pramukh Swami Maharaj. Even at the age of 93, he has taught me to serve others and keep God at the forefront of all my endeavors.

Personal Philosophy

Dream big, work hard, stay humble, love life, learn always, and enjoy the ride.

Vision for Pharmacy

While there have been great strides in health care outcomes, innovation, and research, my vision for pharmacy would allow for a reduction in barriers and more accessibility for patients of all ages, demographics, and incomes to quality health education, services, and treatments.

Roseman University of Health Sciences College of Pharmacy

Henderson, NV

Mark Decerbo is an associate professor of pharmacy practice at the Roseman University of Health Sciences College of Pharmacy. “Through his engagement with student pharmacists and community groups, he has advanced the role and image of the pharmacist in the community as a reliable, knowledgeable provider of health care services,” his nominator wrote.

Greatest Achievements

While there is a limit to what each of us can achieve as individuals, by empowering and inspiring those around us, we can attain a multiplier effect. I hope to have played a small role in that.

Source of Inspiration

My parents. From an early age, they instilled the value of hard work and perseverance in me.

Personal Philosophy

Take what you do seriously, without taking oneself seriously in the process.

Vision for Pharmacy

I think it is clear that our profession needs to continue to innovate, but innovation does not always have to be revolutionary. There are many simple initiatives our profession can assume to advance patient care.

Walgreens Co

Oakland Park, FL

George Kress is an HIV/AIDS pharmacist and patient advocate for Walgreens. “Acting as a clinical pharmacist, patient advocate, teacher, lobbyist, community liaison, and activist, he has impacted lives and bettered clinical outcomes for scores of patients,” he nominator wrote. “Aware of the special challenges those who are HIV-positive face, he uses the practice of pharmacy to treat patients as a whole.”

Greatest Achievements

My commitment and involvement in a program to provide antiretrovirals to newborns at no charge to reduce mother-to-child HIV transmission is one of the achievements I am proudest of.

Source of Inspiration

My work is dedicated to the multitude of friends I lost to HIV/ AIDS, especially during the 1980s and 1990s before there was treatment.

Personal Philosophy

The good works and deeds one performs today may go unrecognized, but they build a platform for a better self and community going forward.

Vision for Pharmacy

I see pharmacists having more influence in policy making, being more respected as members of the health care team, and having a continuous expansion of services to provide.