Dean Marie Chisholm-Burns, PharmD, MPH, MBA, FCCP, FASHP is this year’s recipient of the National Pharmaceutical Association (NPhA) Chauncey I. Cooper Award. She received this award at the 68th Annual National NPhA Convention, also the national meeting for the Student National Pharmaceutical Association (SNPhA) during July in Orlando, Florida.
Chauncey Cooper was an active participant and leader in the pharmacy profession. During his life, he received many honors in recognition of his accomplishments to unify, encourage and upgrade black pharmacists in the United States. He served as the NPhA president from 1947 to 1949 and the executive secretary from 1954, the same year he became the founding editor of The Journal of the National Pharmaceutical Association, until 1972. However, that is just part of his story. In truth, his influence stretched beyond that realm. His feats included honorary degrees, awards, scholarship endowments, and Cooper Hall, which was named in his honor at the Howard University Pharmacy School in 1986. He influenced the entire profession; he fostered a place in which ideas, education, community relationship, and integrity would continually grow. Now, Chauncey I. Cooper is forever remembered by the NPhA by establishing the Distinguished Service Medal honoring his leadership and preserving the Association. The Award is given annually to recognize sustained and distinguished service to the profession of pharmacy.
It is incredible opportunity to have Dean Chisholm-Burns receive such an honor. “The award, named after NPhA founder, and in addition to being totally surprised, I am honored and humbled,” said Dean Chisholm-Burns. “I am humbled. I am so glad that all the students, lots of alumni, etc. were there. I am very fortunate.”