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Congratulations 2009 Award Winners
See Past WSPA Award Recipients
The Washington State Pharmacy Association (WSPA) was proud to announce its 2009 awards winners, who underscore WSPA’s commitment to the quality of care. The winners were recognized at an awards dinner Nov. 7 during the 2009 WSPA Annual Meeting in Tulalip, Wash.
“This year's award winners span a remarkable breadth of achievement in innovation, research, education, leadership, and accomplishment," said Jeff Rochon, WSPA chief executive officer. "We're very proud to recognize excellence in all of these areas of endeavor, and hope that the example of these remarkable individuals will inspire others.”
2009 Pharmacist of the Year: C.A. Leon Alzola
For his work with the profession, the public and state officials to achieve high standards in the practice of pharmacy, Leon Alzola was named the WSPA 2009 Pharmacist of the Year. Leon graduated from Washington State University in 1991. After practicing in home health care and independent pharmacy for a few years, he changed paths and has spent most of his professional career in community practice/management with Fred Meyer Pharmacy. Leon started out as a staff pharmacist at Fred Meyer and after two months was promoted to pharmacy manager. After three years he was again promoted to pharmacy regional supervisor and was responsible for the day-to-day operations of 25 stores. Currently he is the Director of Pharmacy Operations for Fred Meyers Stores, Inc. and is responsible for the coordination and direct merchandising of sales for the pharmacy departments in 129 Fred Meyer locations.
Leon was appointed to the Washington State Board of Pharmacy (WSBOP) by Gov. Gary Locke and served eight years, two of them as chair. Currently, he is the chair of the Washington Recovery Assistance Program for Pharmacy (WRAPP) and a member of the Board of Directors of the Oregon/Southwest Washington Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. He received the WSPA Distinguished Young Pharmacist Award in 1999 and the Bill Mueller Outstanding Mentor Award in 2005.
Bowl of Hygeia Award: Gordon Tweit
A pharmacist for more than 50 years, Gordon Tweit of Bellingham began working at the Fairhaven Pharmacy in 1941 as a delivery boy. After a stint in the Navy, he went on to own Fairhaven from 1962 to 1991. Today, though Gordy is in his 80s, he visits the pharmacy almost daily to greet customers, sweep the sidewalks, and design window displays.
In the basement of the Fairhaven Pharmacy, Gordy established a pharmacy and history museum, which serves as a depository of Fairhaven and Bellingham history. He attends every major community event to take pictures. For more than 45 years, Gordy has taken pictures of the costumed children and adults at his store on Halloween and then posts the prints in the pharmacy’s display window. After Halloween, he gives the pictures free of charges to the individuals. The Whatcom Museum and International Maritime Museum also consider Gordy an important asset.
According to one of his colleagues, Gordy is the type of community pharmacist that has made pharmacy the most trusted profession in the eyes of the public. “He could be trusted to keep a secret, share a joy or grief, and lend a helping hand to anyone in need.”
Innovative Pharmacy Practice Award: Andy Stergachis
Thinking outside the box is what Andy Stergachis does. Whether he is on the cutting edge of internet pharmacy or pioneering the role of pharmacists in public health and emergency preparedness, Andy’s innovation has impacted pharmacy throughout the world. He earned his pharmacy degree from Washington State University and his M.S. and Ph.D. in Social and Administrative Pharmacy from the University of Minnesota. Stergachis has served as the University of Washington’s Interim Chairman of the Department of Pathobiology, Chairman of the Department of Pharmacy, and Associate Dean of the School of Public Health. From 1998-2003, he was Vice President, Chief Pharmacist at drugstore.com, where he developed Web-based features to promote drug safety and improved consumer decision-making.
In response to the terrorist attacks of 2000, Stergachis identified a growing educational need and widening range of responsibility within the pharmacy profession. He began to speak on the role of the pharmacists in bioterrorism and public health and safety. In 2002, he developed a program on bioterrorism for the World Economic Forum in New York City to explore the preparedness of the medical and public health community. In 2003, Stergachis left drugstore.com and joined the UW’s Center for Public Health Preparedness to focus on improving the capacity of the public health workforce to prepare for and respond to terrorism and public health threats. Stergachis has tirelessly worked with Washington State and local health officers to identify how pharmacists could help them best prepare for man-made and/or natural disasters.
Stergachis has taken his efforts national and internationally working with the World Health Organization and in numerous countries. He has authored over 125 peer reviewed articles and book chapters and monographs. In 1999, American Druggist selected him as one of the most influential pharmacists in the U.S. and he was awarded the American Pharmaceutical Association Foundation 2002 Pinnacle Award for career contributions towards improving quality of care through the medication use process.
Stergachis’ goal is to build both awareness of the need and an actual developed core of pharmacists who are a prepared, trained, willing and able, in conjunction with public health agencies, to combat the unfortunate events of natural or man-made threats to a community’s health and safety. At the local and state level, he chairs the WSPA Emergency Preparedness Committee providing training and technical assistance to help the state and local health departments with planning for mass prophylaxis, antibiotic availability and distribution and administration of vaccines to entire communities.
Pfizer Health System Pharmacist of the Year: Gregory Matsuura
In his shared positions at Washington State University and Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital, Greg’s focus is pharmacy informatics. As infectious disease specialist at YVMH, he created software that screens for patients who are on complicated antibiotic regimens and interfaces with the lab department. He reviews daily reports and works with the physician to tailor a patient's antibiotic therapy as part of the Antibiotic Review Team.
At WSU, Greg supervises a general clinical rotation for students and a specialty rotation with a focus on infectious disease. At the end of Greg’s rotation, one former resident wrote: "Through working directly with you I have learned how to be efficient, accurate, thorough, and dedicated. I will take all of those things you have taught me this year and carry them with me as I move forward in the profession and will not forget the lessons learned or the amazing stories of your childhood. I hope that one day I will become as successful at teaching my students as you have been at teaching me."
Greg also volunteers for an ambulatory HIV clinic and for the for the MEDs program in Yakima, which provides Medication Education Designed for seniors.
Bill Mueller Outstanding Mentor Award: Thomas Rowe
Tom joined MultiCare Health System in 2000 as the clinical pharmacy manager. He eagerly took on the challenge of starting a pharmacy residency program. Over the past decade, his relentless efforts and vision has resulted in the growth of a successful department clinical services and residency program. He has been a teacher, a counselor, a coach, and a motivator to all of the residents throughout the years. As a teacher, he taught all the mentees the clinical knowledge and skills needed to be a competent and exceptional clinical pharmacist. He openly shares his own experiences and pearls of wisdom. As a counselor, he quickly established trusting relationships with all the residents, with his quiet yet comforting demeanor. Even though time is not something he has in excess, he is always willing to thoroughly address any concerns or questions. As a coach, he provides the mentees strength to overcome any difficulties. His positive outlook and can-do attitude encourage all who are fortunate enough to work with him. As a motivator, he is undoubtedly the hardest worker in the whole department, putting in even more hours than the residents. He leads by example, and he demonstrates this on a daily basis. One former resident said, “Tom always sets aside time to meet with his residents and check on their well-being and how their progress in the residency is coming along. And even when time hasn’t been set aside, he’ll put his other projects on hold to answer your question or work through a problem with you. That’s his open door policy. He never makes you feel like you’re bothering him or overwhelming him.”
David Almquist Award: Elizabeth Susan Merk
Where healthcare meets computer science is where you’ll find Sue Merk. Sue is currently the vice president of business development at OneHealthPort, which offers healthcare professionals an easy and secure way to access the provider sites of major health plans, hospitals and online services. OneHealthPort leads a variety of community collaborative projects. Sue is currently the project leader for a new statewide provider credentialing process mandated by State Senate Bill 5346. Sue is also leading the technical design process on a new statewide HealthCare Information Exchange (HIE) mandated by SSB 5501 and funded by Federal grants.
Prior to joining OneHealthPort, Sue worked with Group Health for almost 10 years, starting as a pharmacy director and then moving into executive level roles, including chief information officer and vice president of business systems. Sue was also the sponsor of development of the Group Health Northwest suite of web services. This suite included checking the status of a claim, referral status, capitation payments, claims remittance, and coordination of benefits with other payors.
Sue graduated from Washington State University and was named WSU Preceptor of the Year in 1991. Sue was recognized as the Washington State Society of Health System Pharmacists (WSSHP) Pharmacist of the Year in 1986 and received the WSSHP Leadership Award in 1988 and 1993. Sue was a member of the WSPA Board of Directors from 2001- 2008 and was instrumental in developing an online version of the WSPA pharmacy and technician salary survey.
Sue volunteers her time on a number of Boards and non-profit services including LifeLink Data, Group Health Foundation, Youth Suicide Prevention Program, and the King County Sexual Assault Resource Center. While all these contributions are notable, the most outstanding contribution is the selfless act of allowing the University of Washington School of Pharmacy student leadership to hold a summer retreat at her mountain cabin. “Go Cougs!” said Sue. “Pharmacy Rocks!”
Pharmacist Mutual Distinguished Young Pharmacist of the Year Award: Joshua Neumiller
As assistant professor at the WSU College of Pharmacy, Josh has established himself as a clinician, researcher and teacher at a very young age. Josh always receives outstanding reviews by his students and professional colleagues. One student said, “Dr. Neumiller serves as an excellent mentor to me as a pharmacy resident. He continually takes the time to contribute to my personal development and answer my numerous questions. I see how hard he works on a daily basis and how much he has accomplished in such a short career, and it is inspiring.”
In addition, Josh has made a name for himself in the field of diabetes with numerous journal articles and multiple chapters in the American Diabetes Association PDR book. Josh is being pursued nationwide as a CDE in the field of diabetes and has received numerous grants totaling in excess of $1 million.
Distinguished Leadership Service Award: Larry Simonsmeier
For his work in the development and growth of the profession, Larry M. Simonsmeier, who died July 17, was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Leadership Service Award. He was 65.
Larry was a 1967 graduate of the Drake University College of Pharmacy in Des Moines and the University of Denver College of Law in 1973. After practicing both pharmacy and law he joined the faculty at Washington State University College of Pharmacy as an Assistant Professor and rose through the professorial ranks to be Professor of Pharmacy Law. He continued his affiliation at WSU as Professor Emeritus until his passing.
He also served the College of Pharmacy at WSU in administrative roles as Associate Dean, Acting Dean, and Dean. His decanal term was highlighted by rallying alumni and students to stave off an attempt by officials of the Council on Higher Education of the State of Washington to close the pharmacy degree program at WSU. He relocated to Portland in the late 1990s.
For a quarter century he served as editor of the monthly newsletter of the American Society for Pharmacy Law. He was an editor of Pharmacy Law Digest, the most widely used pharmacy law text and reference in the U.S. For over twenty years he authored a pharmacy law column in Pharmacy Times distributed to 50,000 pharmacies in the U.S. In recognition of his contributions to the field of pharmacy law the American Society for Pharmacy Law annually presents the Larry M. Simonsmeier Award to individuals who have made outstanding written contributions to the fields of pharmacy law, food and drug law, drug policy, or related areas.
Rodney D. Shafer Award: Stephen Setter
Thanks to the pioneering work of pharmacist and educator Stephen Setter, aging Americans are more likely to prolong their ability to live independent lives in their own homes, improving their quality of life and saving themselves (and often the state) the high cost of nursing home care.
As one of only 10 certified geriatric pharmacists in the state of Washington, Steve consults with Elder Services, a social work agency based in Spokane that takes a community-based approach to improving the care of geriatric patients. Many older patients suffer from chronic diseases requiring the attention of four or five doctors, each prescribing a variety of medications. As a result, overmedication can adversely impact their quality of life.
As part of a team of health care providers, Steve makes regular in-home visits to elderly patients, assisting with prescription-related issues, sometimes reducing or even eliminating medications. He also trains in-home caregivers, educating nurses, social workers, physical therapists, and family members about drug interactions and the tell-tale signs that a patient is cognitively impaired due to medication.
Steve serves on the Parkinson’s Regional Center of Spokane board and is a pharmacy consultant to the Northwest Inland Alzheimer’s Association. He has lectured and published extensively on numerous pharmacological topics, particularly geriatric pharmacy, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease, and managing diabetes and its complications. He serves as an ad hoc reviewer for the professional journals Clinical Therapeutics, Postgraduate Medicine, Clinical Neuropharmacology, and the American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy.
He received a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1986 from Michigan State University and a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree in 1996 from Washington State University in Spokane. He completed a post-graduate fellowship in geriatric pharmacy at WSU in 1997. In 2001, he was honored as the Pharmacist of the Year by the Washington State Pharmacy Association.
Pharmacy Student of the Year: Tahnee Marginean
Since her first day of in the University of Washington School of Pharmacy, Tahnee has been extremely involved. Her dedication to the profession is tremendous. Whether it is her volunteer participation in committees and events or her election and appointment to local, regional and national association leadership positions, Tahnee is steadily making her mark on her profession. In her short time as a student pharmacist, she has been involved in numerous UW School of Pharmacy committees including the Senior Leadership Committee, International Pharmaceutical Students Federation Planning Committee, P-4 Giving Campaign UPPOW Auction Committee and Health Fair Planning Committee. She is one of the first to volunteer for WSPA events. She has volunteered as a student assistant at the Northwest Pharmacy Convention and WSPF Scholarship Scramble events and attended WSPA Board of Directors meetings. Her colleagues elected her to be the President of the Unified Professional Pharmacy Organizations of Washington where she led the strong group of student pharmacy leaders to APhA Chapter Achievement national recognition. On a regional level, she was elected as the APhA-ASP Region 7 Regional Delegate and she was appointed to serve on the APhA-ASP Policy Standing Committee and the APhA-ASP Resolutions Committee. She has been awarded the Benson “Golden Pharmacist” Scholarship, the Washington State Pharmacy Foundation Leadership Scholarship and was named the Phi Lambda Sigma Member of the Year.
The award recognizes a student member who made consistent, sustained and outstanding contributions toward the growth and development of pharmacy student participation on both a local and state level.
Outstanding Pharmacy Technician of the Year Award: Bridgett Edgar
As co-owner of Monroe’s Pharm-A-Save, Bridgett acts as lead technician and pharmacy manager, handling all the technology, personnel matters, immunization programs and brace fittings. She is very active in the Legislative and Regulatory Advisory Council and has testified multiple times before legislators on a wide range of issues, including Medicaid audits and cuts. In the past, Bridgett established a flu shot program and implemented a swine flu protocol for cleansing and disposing of all contaminated material. A colleague said of Bridgett: “She is a person that if there is an idea, she runs with it to see if it can work, whether it is changing the workflow in the pharmacy or implementing a community project that gets the word out to patients.”
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