April 23, 2022
Today, the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy honored excellence and accomplishment during the 2022 Awards Ceremony. Award recipients are as follows:
Academic and Professional Awards:
OFFICE OF PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AWARD
Kimberly Ruth Gromek
This award, sponsored by the Office of Professional Education, is given to a graduating student who has excelled in pharmacy studies.
JAMIE GASAWAY KILAR PATIENT CARE AWARD
Caroline Luther Herron
This award recognizes a student who has exhibited the highest standards of knowledge, dedication, and compassion in patient care at the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy. This award is provided by the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy Foundation and made possible through the generosity of Jamie Gasaway Kilar, BSPhar ’95, PharmD ’97.
REDDICK-WICKER AWARD
Christian Asia Brown
The Reddick-Wicker Award recognizes individuals who have been proactive in advancing opportunities for education at the School and beyond, to increase cultural awareness, sensitivity, and equity. This award is provided by the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Endowment at the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy Foundation.
BALLENGER-SMITH AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN THE PATIENT CARE LABORATORY
Kaley Joy Hart
This award is presented for outstanding performance by a first, second, or third-year student in the Patient Care Laboratory who demonstrates excellence in professionalism, written and verbal communications, pharmaceutical compounding, medication administration, and patient care. This award is provided by the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy Foundation and is given by E. Scott Ballenger, BSPhar ’91, and Jennifer Smith Ballenger, AB ’87, to honor William L. Ballenger’s 23 years teaching at the North Carolina State School of Education and Robert L. Smith’s 26 years as a lab instructor at the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy.
LYNN F. KIEFFER EXCELLENCE AWARD
Caroline Anderson Childs
This award recognizes a graduating student from the Asheville campus who possesses outstanding records of academic achievement, campus leadership, and community engagement. This award is presented annually on behalf of the faculty and staff of the Asheville campus to a student who has demonstrated excellence in the classroom, has embraced professional dispositions, and has contributed to promoting the profession of pharmacy and serving others through community outreach events in Western North Carolina. Funding for this award is provided by the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy Foundation and given by Lynn Kieffer, BSPhar ’77, and Bob Kieffer.
PHARMACOENGINEERING & MOLECULAR PHARMACEUTICS ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Ellen Elizabeth Montgomery
This award recognizes a professional student, who not only excelled in the Pharmaceutics & Drug Delivery course during the first year of the PharmD curriculum, but who also advanced the field through superiorc ontributions in teaching or research in the area of pharmaceutics. This award is given in honor of Leaf Huang, Ph.D. Fred Eshelman Distinguished Professor, in recognition of his service to the School and generous support of the division.
JOHN C. HOOD, SR. AWARD IN PRACTICE ADVANCEMENT AND CLINICAL EDUCATION
Meghan Peterson
The Division of Practice Advancement and Clinical Education recognizes a graduating student who excels in clinical-therapy courses and demonstrates the highest level of professionalism and exemplary patient care during his or her pharmacy immersion experiences. This award is provided by the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy Foundation, and given by family and friends of John C. Hood Sr., a third-generation pharmacist whose father was a charter member of the North Carolina Pharmaceutical Association.
JAMES L. CREECH AWARD IN PHARMACOTHERAPY AND EXPERIMENTAL THERAPEUTICS
James Bernard Collins IV
The Division of Pharmacotherapy and Experimental Therapeutics recognizes a graduating student who has demonstrated a high degree of professional motivation and concern about the role of the pharmacist in the delivery of health care. Funding for this award is provided by the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy Foundation and given by Jimmy Creech, BSPhar ’38.
IRVIN GRAHAM AWARD IN PHARMACEUTICAL POLICY & OUTCOMES
Kelly Ann Jankowski
The Division of Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy recognizes a student who achieves excellence in the division as evidenced by his or her involvement in pharmaceutical policy and outcomes research, teaching, or service projects. Funding for this award is provided by the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy Foundation and given by L. Irvin Graham, BSPhar’ 48.
M.L. JACOBS AWARD IN MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
Caveen Datta
The Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry recognizes a graduating pharmacy student who achieved excellence in medicinal chemistry coursework and research. This award is provided by the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy Foundation and was established in memory of M. L. Jacobs, a medicinal chemist who was dean of the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy from 1946 to 1950.
O. BOWMAN AWARD
Lindsay Rebecca Ratner
This award is presented to a student in the Research and Scholarship in Pharmacy program in recognition of exemplary work and dedication to their mentored, in-depth longitudinal research project. Funding for this award is provided by the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy Foundation and is given by Fred O. Bowman Jr., MD ’50, in honor of his father, who served as general counsel to the North Carolina Pharmaceutical Association and the North Carolina Board of Pharmacy.
Activities and Service Awards:
BOKA HADZIJA STUDENT EXCELLENCE AWARD
Pamela Nicole Vega Rios
The student body presents this award as peer recognition for all-around service and dedication to the profession of pharmacy. The award was established in 1998 by the Student Senate and named in memory of Boka W. Hadzija, PhD, a pharmacy faculty member, in recognition of her many contributions to the students and educational programs of the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy.
MIKEY NAM AWARD FOR WELL-BEING AND RESILIENCE
Kyle Joseph Ritter
This award is given in memory of Mikey Nam, a UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy student on the Asheville campus who passed away in 2017, to a pharmacy student who demonstrates strong leadership in well-being or resiliency. Mikey not only emphasized the importance of improving oneself, but also motivated others to make a positive difference in the community. The recipient embodies the same core values as Mikey—inclusion, friendship, compassion, and joy. This award is provided by the KE Beta Mu Well-Being & Resiliency Endowment at the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy Foundation.
GEORGE H. COCOLAS PHARMACY STUDENT BODY AWARD
Paul Christopher Parish
The student body recognizes a member of the graduating class who has demonstrated the highest qualities of character, deportment, scholarship, participation in extracurricular activities, and promise of future distinction in the profession of pharmacy. This award is given by the Student Senate and is in memory of George H. Cocolas, PhD ’56, former associate dean of the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy.
KAPPA EPSILON AWARD
Elizabeth A. Powell
The Lambda Chapter of Kappa Epsilon recognizes a student who has demonstrated leadership, character, service, and scholarship.
PHI LAMBDA SIGMA LEADERSHIP AWARD
Esha Thakkar
The Epsilon Chapter of Phi Lambda Sigma recognizes a student who has most noticeably developed and exercised effective leadership skills within the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy by creating positive change, developing relationships, and empowering others.
SAMUEL B. BURRUS FAMILY AWARD FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE
Aliyah Patricia Cruz
This award is presented to a graduating PharmD student who exhibits outstanding and unselfish civic, community, or church volunteer service provided outside the scope of regular pharmacy practice. This award is provided by the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy Foundation and was established by Blanche Burrus Clark, BSPhar ‘41, and Henry Clark, BA ’37, CMED ’39, and is supported by members of the Burrus family in memory of Samuel B. Burrus, who graduated in 1915 from the Southern College of Pharmacy in Atlanta.
SAMUEL B. BURRUS FAMILY AWARD FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE
Barry Bunting, Pharm.D. ’98
This award is presented to an alumnus or alumna who exhibits outstanding and unselfish civic, community, or church volunteer service provided outside the scope of regular pharmacy practice. This award is provided by the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy Foundation and was Established by Blanche Burrus Clark, BSPhar ‘41, and Henry Clark, BA ’37, CMED ’39, and is supported by members of the Burrus family in memory of Samuel B. Burrus, who graduated in 1915 from the Southern College of Pharmacy in Atlanta.
Teaching Awards:
PY1 INSTRUCTOR OF THE YEAR
Adam Persky, Ph.D., FACSM
Professor & Associate Dean of Professional Education
The PY1 class recognizes a faculty member who teaches coursework in the first year of the professional curriculum in recognition of exemplary instructional ability and interest in the students and the educational programs of the School.
PY2 INSTRUCTOR OF THE YEAR
Suzanne C. Harris, Pharm.D.
Assistant Professor, Division of Practice Advancement and Clinical Education
The PY2 class recognizes a faculty member who teaches coursework in the second year of the professional curriculum in recognition of exemplary instructional ability and interest in the students and the educational programs of the School.
PY3 INSTRUCTOR OF THE YEAR
Dennis Williams, Pharm.D.
Associate Professor, Division of Pharmacotherapy and Experimental Therapeutics
The PY3 class recognizes a faculty member who teaches coursework in the third year of the professional curriculum in recognition of exemplary instructional ability and interest in the students and the educational programs of the School.
OVERALL INSTRUCTOR OF THE YEAR
Suzanne C. Harris, Pharm.D.
Assistant Professor, Division of Practice Advancement and Clinical Education
The graduating class recognizes a faculty member who has demonstrated the most exemplary instructional ability and interest in the students throughout the four years of the professional program.
CLAUDE PAOLONI PRECEPTORS OF THE YEAR
The graduating class recognizes three preceptors for outstanding contributions to the educational development of future pharmacists. These individuals have demonstrated high standards of professionalism, ethics, and clinical practice. Provided by the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy Foundation, these awards are given by the Paoloni family in memory of Claude Paoloni and in recognition of his many years of service to the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy. Claude Paoloni was instrumental in the evolution of the clinical pharmacy program and the growth and development of the AHEC system for statewide pharmacy student education.
Jessica J. Auten, Pharm.D., BCOP
Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Malignant Hematology
University of North Carolina Medical Center
Anna Burke Baird, Pharm.D.
Clinical Pharmacist
Realo Drugs
Christopher Evans, DNP, AACRN, ANP-BC
UNC Division of Infectious Disease
Pharmacy Alumni Association Award:
PHARMACY ALUMNI ASSOCIATION DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD
Terrence Burroughs
The Distinguished Alumni Award is presented to an alumnus or alumna of the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy whose accomplishments or contributions enhance the School and profession of pharmacy at the local, state, national, or international levels. This award is given by the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy Alumni Association.
Phi Lambda Sigma Pharmacy Leadership Society:
The goal of Phi Lambda Sigma is to recognize outstanding leaders in the profession of pharmacy. Phi Lambda Sigma members are expected to uphold the high standards of the society and of the profession and to dedicate themselves to further the advancement of pharmacy through exemplary leadership, character, and achievement.
| Class of 2023 | Class of 2024 |
|
Jonathan Boucher Amanda Brademeyer Valeria Laboy Collazo Kennedy Concannon Kathryn Flynn Joshua Fowler Julian Garcia Kendra Gee Megan Griffin Belyun Gutierrez Tatiana Hines Melanie Mills Sophia Mortha Akina Nana Sarah Peterson Rada Zunich |
Elizabeth Powell
Aliyah Cruz Abby Catherman Christopher Parish Claudia Kennedy Hannah Feinman Hawi Tasissa Jasmine Perry Kevin Rhash Kristen Goodrich Lily Hiott Megan Byrne Pamela Vega Samantha Valliant Zoe Tu |
Rho Chi National Honor Society:
| Class of 2024 | Class of 2023 | Class of 2022 |
| Audrey Jean Allen Angela Bonetti Sara Elizabeth Bosek Paul Chan Isabel Cheng Andrew Dobbs Lauren Fasth Layna Perini Fox Emily Hardy Katelyn Hernandez Jennifer Jacobson Reanna Jereb Brooke Jordan-Brown Shana Katz Kyndal Lemonds Malerie Leviner Catherine Liu Julia Mesawich Quynh Nguyen Sean Michael O’Connor Alex Perez Caroline Todd Cassandra Ann Twisdale Donna Wesslen Leah White Jennifer Zhao |
Cami Lynn Andreini Leah Dawn Baker Emily Howe Barbour Amanda Leigh Brademeyer Catherine E. Donnell Robyn Elizabeth Dryer Stephen Michael Robert Duncan Kendra Louise Gee Suzan Gomes Jeffrey Michael Harrington Kaley Joy Hart Aimee Ho Courtney Paige Jackson Kyle Christopher Jansen McKenzie Finch Jones Rebecca Lynn Kielminski Daria Elizabeth Kovasckitz Anna Li Katie O’Malley Marks Ashton Brooke O’Hara SiTong Shu Justin David Durant Southern Sydney Caroline Stocks Jacob Paul Stroud Justin Andrew Suero Esha Thakkar Brandyn Charles Wilcox Marshall Dean Winget Stephania Jia Zhang |
Stephanie Zhang Viraj Barot Hannah Pelton Bensky James Bernard Collins Monica Cozad Jeryon M. Davis Mia Gabrielle Demarco Elizabeth Sterling Feininger Keven Humberto Gomez Kimberly Ruth Gromek Lauren Hochstetler Jasmine Ann Johnson Claudia Jayne Kennedy Chloe Elizabeth Knoell Betty Akinyi Kobia Michael Lawson Laskowitz Ashleigh Elizabeth Lovelace Abigail Jeanette Mathes Hannah Aymen Naguib Paul Christopher Parish Kevin Alan Rhash Kyle Joseph Ritter Taylor Lee Rudisill William Henry Saenger Daniel J. Tobben Luis Gerardo Trejo Zoe Huan Tu Emma Marie Ueland Ashlyn Noel Whitesell Jennifer Quinn Wilson |
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