Pharmacy Professor Honored for Leadership at ASHP

A pharmacy professional who is active in various New York City-based health care initiatives was honored for her efforts during The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) 51st Midyear Clinical Meeting and Exhibition in Las Vegas this week.

Mary Choy, PharmD, BCGP, FASHP, associate professor of Pharmacy Practice at the Touro College of Pharmacy and clinical pharmacist in Internal Medicine at Metropolitan Hospital, both located in Harlem, NY, was awarded the 2016 ASHP and Association of Black Health-System Pharmacists (ABHP) Leadership Award. The ASHP-ABHP Leadership Award honors those who demonstrate “exceptional leadership in efforts to reduce racial and ethnic disparities in health care.”

Dr. Choy was honored for her dedication to promote cultural awareness and improve health literacy, according to an ASHP. Dr. Choy’s efforts associated with smoking cessation, improving immunization rates, and improving management of diabetes and other chronic conditions affecting minorities in New York City were recognized. She is also an ASHP Fellow who has been recognized by the New York City Council, the New York State Assembly, the American Pharmacists Association, and New York City Society of Health-System Pharmacists.

ASHP noted Dr. Choy partnered with various public service groups throughout New York City to provide training community health workers, conduct health fairs, and provide immunizations, according to ASHP.

“Dr. Choy is an exemplary leader whose passion for pharmacy practice, education, and service are an inspiration to her colleagues and students,” ASHP President Lisa M. Gersema, PharmD, MHA, BCPS, FASHP, said in a press release. “This award honors her leadership in drawing attention to critical public health issues and her efforts to help patients achieve better health outcomes.”