At the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) Annual meeting in March, two UT College of Pharmacy alumni were honored for their contributions to the profession.
Brent Reed, PharmD, BCPS-AQ Cardiology, FAHA, was selected for the Distinguished New Practitioner Award, which was established in 2010 to “recognize an individual new practitioner who has demonstrated distinctive achievements in mentorship, service, and commitment to the profession of pharmacy.” Dr. Reed is a former APhA Trustee, National President of APhA-ASP, and Chair of the APhA New Practitioner Advisory Committee. He is an American Heart Association Fellow, and sits on its Council on Clinical Cardiology Clinical Pharmacology Committee. His research and practice focus on cardiovascular therapy in critical care, decompensated heart failure, transplantation, and mechanical circulatory support. Dr. Reed currently serves as assistant professor at The University of Maryland College of Pharmacy and as a clinical pharmacy specialist in cardiology at the University of Maryland Medical Center. He is also a member of the UT College of Pharmacy Class of 2009. Dr. Reed said of the award, “One of the things I was fortunate to learn about pharmacy early on is that it’s like standing on the shoulders of giants – anything I have been able to do for this profession or for my patients is only because I’ve had so many phenomenal mentors along the way.” The full story can be found at http://www.pharmacist.com/brent-reed-receives-2014-apha-distinguished-new-practitioner-award
Leslie Shepard, PharmD, was selected for the Generation Rx Award of Excellence for her efforts in substance abuse education in and around her community of Dickson. Dr. Shepard has been instrumental in the implementation of a drug take-back program, including a 24-hour depository where any unused medications can be discarded. She has worked for Community Care Pharmacies since 1999, and currently serves as Secretary for the Society of Independent Pharmacists. She is also a member of the UT College of Pharmacy Class of 2010. When asked about receiving the award, Dr. Shepard said, “I am very honored to have received the Generation Rx Award of Excellence. My work with the Drug Free Dickson Coalition has been extremely rewarding and fulfilling. I am proud of the Cardinal Health Generation Rx Program for all the work they are doing to prevent prescription drug abuse. Pharmacists are uniquely positioned in the healthcare field and community to have a tremendous impact on the prescription drug abuse epidemic in our country. I encourage all pharmacists and student pharmacists to be involved in local organizations and events that are addressing this problem (DEA take back days, health fairs, etc.).” The full story can be found at https://www.pharmacist.com/leslie-shepard-receive-2014-apha-generation-rx-award-excellence.