Upsher-Smith and the National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations (NASPA) Award Pharmacists for Excellence in Innovation

Upsher-Smith Laboratories, LLC (Upsher-Smith) and the National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations (NASPA) are pleased to recognize 47 pharmacists from across the country with the 2022 NASPA Excellence in Innovation Award. This annual award, overseen by NASPA and sponsored by Upsher-Smith, honors innovators in the pharmacy field.

The Excellence in Innovation Award recognizes qualified pharmacists who have demonstrated significant innovation in their practice, method, or service directly or indirectly resulting in improved patient care and/or advancement of the profession of pharmacy. The award is presented by participating state pharmacy associations throughout the year.

“Each year, Upsher-Smith looks forward to partnering with NASPA in their efforts to recognize the men and women who do so much to enhance and improve the practice of pharmacy in their communities,” said Rich Fisher, President and COO of Upsher-Smith. “We are proud to highlight their exceptional work and innovation, and especially their efforts to drive improved patient outcomes.”

Rebecca Snead, Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of NASPA added, “It is an honor to acknowledge these exemplary pharmacists, who have been selected for their commitment to patients and their dedication to advancing the pharmacy profession. We also deeply appreciate Upsher-Smith and participating state pharmacy associations for their continued support of NASPA’s Excellence in Innovation Award.”

The 2022 Excellence in Innovation Award recipients include:

Alabama:
- Jared Johnson, PharmD
- Jacob Johnson, PharmD
Alaska: Justin Ruffridge, PharmD
Arizona: Christopher Edwards
Arkansas: Chester Barber, PD
California: Crystal Zhou, PharmD
Colorado: Melissa Rodgers, PharmD, BCACP
Connecticut: Richard Kiley, PharmD
Delaware: Dr. TaQuina M. Warren
Florida: Lorraine M. Mobley, RPh
Georgia: Ben Ross
Illinois: Eric S. Bandy, RPh
Iowa: Deanna L. McDanel, PharmD, BCPS, BCACP
Kansas: Mary Beth Dameron, PharmD
Kentucky:
- MeLeigha Milby, PharmD
- Nelda Eads, PharmD
Louisiana: Robert “Butch” Ray, RPh
Maine: Sara Couture, PharmD
Maryland: Emily Heil, PharmD, MS, BCIDP, BCPS, AAHIVP
Massachusetts: David DeiCicchi, PharmD, CACP
Michigan: Maria Young, BSPharm
Minnesota: Paria Sanaty Zadeh, PharmD
Mississippi: Carly Brown, PharmD
Missouri: Dr. Bianca Daisy-Bell
Montana: Keaten LaBrel, PharmD
Nebraska: Dr. Nathan L. Suck, PharmD
Nevada: KayLynn Bowman, PharmD, MS, MEd
New Hampshire: Matthew J. Maughan, PharmD
New Jersey: Antonia Carbone, PharmD, BCACP
New Mexico: Uri Bassan, RPh
New York: Steven Pardi, RPh
North Carolina: Tracey Simmons-Kornegay, PharmD
North Dakota: Kevin Martian, PharmD
Ohio: Dustin Carneal, PharmD
Oklahoma: Brant Alexander, PharmD
Oregon: Gregg Wendland, RPh
Pennsylvania: Shawn Nairn, RPh
Puerto Rico: Carlos A. Torrado Delgado, PharmD, JD
Rhode Island: Kenny Correia, PharmD, BCACP
South Carolina: Jarrod B. Tippins, PharmD
Tennessee: Katie Vandenberg, PharmD
Texas: Saba Syed, PharmD, MS, BCACP, BCGP
Virginia: Alexis Page, PharmD, BCACP
Washington: Kathleen Pierce, PharmD
West Virginia: Amber Conrad, PharmD
Wisconsin: Thad Schumacher, PharmD
Wyoming: Eric Saul, PharmD

To learn more about the exceptional work of NASPA Excellence in Innovation Award winners, visit www.upsher-smith.com.

About Upsher-Smith

Upsher-Smith Laboratories, LLC is a trusted U.S. pharmaceutical company that strives to improve the health and lives of patients through an unwavering commitment to high-quality products and sustainable growth. The company brings brands and generics to a wide array of customers, always backed by its attentive level of service, strong industry relationships, and dedication to uninterrupted supply. For more information, visit www.upsher-smith.com.

About the National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations

The National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations (NASPA), founded in 1927 as the National Council of State Pharmacy Association Executives, is dedicated to enhancing the success of state pharmacy associations in their efforts to advance the profession of pharmacy. NASPA’s membership is comprised of state pharmacy associations and over 70 other stakeholder organizations. NASPA promotes leadership, sharing, learning, and policy exchange among its members and pharmacy leaders nationwide. For more information, please visit the NASPA Web site www.naspa.us.