Next-Generation Pharmacist 2019 Future Pharmacist of the Year Award

The Next-Generation Pharmacist® Awards is a national program that salutes pharmacy professionals who are defining the industry’s future. Pharmacy Times® and Parata Systems, cofounders of this prestigious program, now in its seventh year, recognize pharmacy leaders who embody the innovation and inspiration in pharmacy and the future vision of the profession.

The Future Pharmacist Award is given to a student or recent graduate who shows spirit and passion for the profession through academic achievement, industry advocacy, patient advocacy, technology innovation, civic leadership, or environmental stewardship.

Drake Reiter, a pharmacy student at the Drake University College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences in Des Moines, IA, was named the 2019 Future Pharmacist of the Year. His fellow nominees were Madison Reed, a student at Ohio Northern University in Ada, OH; and Nashel Patel, a student at the University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences in Aurora, CO.

WINNER

Drake Reiter

Student, Drake University

SOURCE OF INSPIRATION

I was inspired to enter the pharmacy profession because I wanted to spend my life helping others. Seeing how many patients pharmacists can impact on a daily basis made the choice to pursue pharmacy very easy for me.

GREATEST ACHIEVEMENTS

My greatest achievements in pharmacy have been serving as a legislative intern in the Iowa House of Representatives and working to pass pro-pharmacy legislation, as well as serving as Drake University’s American Pharmacists Association Academy of Student Pharmacists chapter president.

PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is ‘What are you doing for others?’” This quote by Martin Luther King Jr exemplifies the mind-set that I have tried to adopt and the life I have tried to live on a daily basis.

VISION FOR PHARMACY

What I envision for the profession of pharmacy is complete collaboration with the medical profession. I see a world where patients visit their physician for a diagnosis, then they see their pharmacist for treatment of their disease or illness.

OTHER FINALISTS

Madison Reed

Student, Ohio Northern University

SOURCE OF INSPIRATION

I was attracted to pharmacy as a career because of my passion for helping others live healthier lives. While being raised in an extremely underserved community, I knew I wanted to offer support to patients that were poverty stricken.

GREATEST ACHIEVEMENTS

One of my greatest achievements thus far was coauthoring a manuscript that describes a technology outreach at Ohio Northern University. This outreach consists of first- to fifth-year pharmacy students educating older adults on how to retrieve reliable health information from the internet.

PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY

My personal philosophy is to lead by example. Great leadership takes strength of character and a firm commitment to do what is right, which is why I strive to live by this mind-set in my personal and professional life.

VISION FOR PHARMACY

My vision for the pharmacy profession is that pharmacists will be more involved in medication therapy management, especially in an ambulatory care setting. Pharmacists will use their clinical knowledge and judgment while working with prescribers to aid in chronic disease state management.

Nashel Patel

Student Pharmacist, University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

SOURCE OF INSPIRATION

I chose to enter the pharmacy profession to serve my community and impact patients and the health care profession in a significant way. I solidified my interest in pharmacy through internships in various areas of pharmacy during my undergraduate career..

GREATEST ACHIEVEMENTS

Leading the Women’s Health Campaign at my school and winning a national award from American Pharmacists Association Academy of Student Pharmacists has been my greatest achievement in pharmacy school because it allowed me the opportunity to present our chapter’s successes to a room full of pharmacists and student pharmacists from across the nation.

PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY

Implement your passion in an impactful way, and take initiative to achieve your goals. Always stay positive, be resilient, and remember that you have the knowledge and capacity to make a difference.

VISION FOR PHARMACY

The profession of pharmacy is constantly growing, creating more and more opportunities for pharmacists to be involved in all aspects of patient care. Pharmacists are in an ideal position to make impacts on patients both locally and globally.