School Hands out Annual Preceptors, AHEC Instructor Awards

The UNC School of Pharmacy has named its 2008 Preceptors of the Year and the Area Health Education Center Faculty Instructor of the Year.

Suzie Cala Harris, PharmD, BCPP, was named the UNC AHEC Faculty Instructor of the Year. The award recognizes an outstanding faculty member who has had a positive impact on students’ advanced practice experience.

Jane Maney, RPh, received the Community Preceptor of the Year Award. The Hospital Preceptor of the Year Award went to Jennifer Askew, PharmD, CPP, and Allison Walls, PharmD.

The Preceptor of the Year Award recognizes an outstanding preceptor who has participated in the School’s Professional Experience Program and who has had a positive effect on students’ experiential education. Preceptors are experienced pharmacists who teach UNC pharmacy students during the students’ fourth year and after their first and second years. Preceptors provide valuable hands-on experience and first-hand knowledge of pharmacy practice. Approximately 30 percent of a UNC pharmacy student’s education is spent with a preceptor, and it is the students who submit nominations for the Preceptor of the Year awards.

“Suzie, Jane, Jennifer, and Allison exemplify the School’s commitment to preparing our students to be leaders in the profession of pharmacy,” says Bob Blouin, dean of the School. “Our preceptors and AHEC faculty are invaluable in continuing the success of our professional program.”

UNC AHEC Faculty Instructor of the Year

Suzie Cala Harris, PharmD, BCPP

Harris joined the School’s faculty in 2005 and has precepted more than twenty students on her psychiatry rotation at UNC Hospitals.

This is what two of the students who nominated Harris had to say about her:

“She is one of the highlights of choosing the UNC program. I hope that she continues in this role as her personality is well suited to the various demands of her students.”

“Suzie goes above and beyond her job as an AHEC faculty member and I have really appreciated everything she has done for me. I have never gone to see her and had her say she was too busy to talk.”

UNC Community Preceptor of the Year

Jane Maney, RPh

Maney became a UNC pharmacy preceptor in 2006 and has precepted more than a dozen PharmD students in introductory and advanced community rotations at her independent community pharmacy, Janes Rx Drugs, in Mars Hill, which is in the Mountain AHEC region.

This is what two of the students who nominated Maney had to say about her:

“Jane is one of the most caring preceptors that I’ve had. She truly cares for people. I have known Jane to organize a group of people to go help one of her patients with housework because the patient was unable to take care of these things herself.”

“She is an incredible role model and such an integral part of the community. She has a wonderful business, and her patients absolutely adore her. Ever since I have known that wanted to be a pharmacist, Jane is who I have wanted to be.”

UNC Hospital Preceptors of the Year

Jennifer Askew, PharmD, CPP

Askew, PharmD, CPP, is the manager of outpatient/employee pharmacy services for New Hanover Health Network. She has been a UNC pharmacy preceptor since 2006 and has precepted more than twenty students in introductory and advanced hospital and community rotations, as well as practice management rotations.

This is what two of the students who nominated Askew had to say about her:

“Although I learned a lot on rotation form Dr. Askew herself, I also learned to be a more independent thinker. She challenges her students to think for themselves and to answer their own questions.”

“The most apparent strength of Dr. Askew as a preceptor is her innate ability to share her extensive knowledge and expertise by relating her experiences as a student, resident and a professional.”

Allison Walls, PharmD

Walls has been a UNC pharmacy preceptor since 2005 and has precepted more than fifteen students on her oncology rotation at Carolinas Medical Center. 

This is what two of the students who nominated Walls had to say about her:

“Allison is a great teacher; she can simplify complex material to an easily understood level.”

“She adapts quickly to changing assignments in the hospital while still taking time to educate me as to what she is doing. I feel very much included in most of her daily activities.”