Several People Honored at ASHP 2016

LAS VEGAS -- Several ASHP members were honored this week at the 2016 Midyear Conference and Exhibition.

Mary Ann Kliethermes, PharmD, Vice Chair and Professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice at Chicago College of Pharmacy at Midwestern University in Downers Grove, Ill., was awarded the Distinguished Leadership Award for her work to expand patient care roles for pharmacists in current and emerging health care models.

Established in 2001, the ASHP Award for Distinguished Leadership recognizes individuals who have achieved excellence in pharmacy practice leadership.

“Dr. Kliethermes’ work has helped to broaden opportunities for pharmacists to use their clinical knowledge to improve patient care,” ASHP President Lisa M. Gersema, PharmD, said in a press release. “We are pleased to recognize her leadership and the significant contributions she has made to pharmacy practice. “

In addition to the Distinguished Leadership award, Dr. Kliethermes has received the ASHP Distinguished Service Award (2008). She is a Fellow of the Chicago Institute of Medicine (2009) and was named Outstanding Faculty of the Year (2014) by the Chicago College of Pharmacy and Illinois Pharmacist of the Year (2003) by the Illinois Council of Health-System Pharmacists (ICHP). She also received ICHP’s Shining Star Award (2015).

Lee Vermeulen, BSPharmD, MS, Director of the University of Kentucky Healthcare Office for Value and Innovation in Healthcare Delivery (OVIHD), is the recipient of ASHP’s 2016 Donald E. Francke Medal.

ASHP established the Francke Medal to honor individuals who have made significant contributions to international pharmacy practice. Francke, a key leader of ASHP in its formative years, was noted for his longtime service to American and international pharmacy. He served as editor of the American Journal of Hospital Pharmacy for 22 years and was the first American Vice President of the International Pharmaceutical Federation’s (FIP’s) Section of Hospital Pharmacists.

Mr. Vermeulen has served in several leadership roles within the Hospital Pharmacy Section of the FIP and as a member of the FIP Board of Pharmaceutical Practice. He is actively involved in the FIP Pharmabridge program, which seeks to improve pharmacy services in low-income and emerging countries. He has also contributed to the work of several other international organizations, including the International Society of Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR), the International Society of Oncology Pharmacy Practitioners (ISOPP), and the European Association of Hospital Pharmacy (EAHP).

“Mr. Vermeulen’s work has been instrumental in helping to set the course for the future of pharmacy practice around the world,” said ASHP President Lisa M. Gersema, PharmD. “We are proud to present him with the 2016 Francke Medal in recognition of his important achievements.”

Mary Choy, PharmD, Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice at the Touro College of Pharmacy and Clinical Pharmacist in Internal Medicine at Metropolitan Hospital, both located in Harlem, New York, N.Y., is the recipient of the 2016 ASHP and Association of Black Health-System Pharmacists (ABHP) Leadership Award.

The ASHP-ABHP Leadership Award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership in efforts to reduce racial and ethnic disparities in health care.

Dr. Choy is dedicated to promoting cultural awareness and improving health literacy. She has worked to address public health issues related to smoking cessation, improving low immunization rates, and improving diabetes management and other chronic conditions that face minority communities in the New York City area. She has partnered with several groups (including the New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene, the New York University Center for the Study of Asian American Health, the New York City Coalition for a Smoke-Free City, the Brooklyn Smoke-Free Partnership, and the Chinese-American Planning Council) to train community health workers, conduct health fairs, and provide immunizations. A Past President of the New York City Society of Health-System Pharmacists (NYCSHP), Dr. Choy championed the organization’s involvement in public health initiatives, including an annual Community Flu Clinic, and sought opportunities for pharmacy students to participate in patient care activities.

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