NABP Honors Leaders at the Forefront of Public Health Protection at Association's 105th Annual Meeting

May 20, 2009 12:00 am

The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy^® (NABP^®) honored leaders in the protection of public health at the Association’s 105th Annual Meeting, held May 16-19, 2009, in Miami, FL. Each year, the Association presents awards to individuals who have worked with unwavering dedication to ensure NABP’s continued service to the regulation of pharmacy practice and its efforts to assist the state boards of pharmacy in protecting the public health.

Those honored leaders include 2009 Honorary President Lydia D. Main, RPh; 2008-2009 NABP President Rich Palombo, RPh; the Oregon State Board of Pharmacy, the 2009 Fred T. Mahaffey Award recipient; the 2009 John F. Atkinson Service Award recipient Tram Vu, PharmD; the 2009 Henry Cade Memorial Award winners Walt Slijepcevich, RPh, and David Searle, RPh, both of Pfizer Inc; and the 2009 Lester E. Hosto Distinguished Service Award (DSA) recipient Edith G. Goodmaster.

Abbreviated biographies for the award winners follow:

2009 Honorary President: Lydia D. Main, RPh
Lydia D. Main is currently serving her fifth term as a member of the West Virginia Board of Pharmacy. As an active member of NABP, Ms Main has served on numerous committees and task forces, including the Committee on Resolutions, the Task Force on Expanded Use of Internet in Pharmacy Practice and Regulation, the Committee on Law Enforcement/Legislation, the Task Force on Electronic Transmission of Prescriptions, and the Committee on Constitution and Bylaws. In addition to her services with NABP and the Board of Pharmacy, Ms Main supports the practice of pharmacy through other services throughout the state. Ms Main is the past president of the West Virginia University School of Pharmacy Alumni Association, and a member of the West Virginia Pharmacist Association. She has also served on the Executive Committee and Board of Directors for Valley Mental Health of Monongalia, Preston, and Harrison counties in West Virginia. For 34 years, Ms Main has been mayor for Masontown, where she also has co-owned and operated Main Pharmacy for the past 52 years. Ms Main graduated from West Virginia University School of Pharmacy.

NABP President’s Award: Rich Palombo, RPh
During his presidency, Richard Palombo supported NABP as it has developed new services to enable the Association to persist in its mission to protect public health. His dedication and leadership were invaluable through it all. Through his direction and support, NABP made great strides toward developing an accreditation program for community pharmacies that assists the boards of pharmacy in overseeing continuous quality improvement and patient safety. It was also under Mr Palombo’s leadership that NABP addressed the importance of standardizing the information provided on prescription labels. This impetus led to the commissioning of the Task Force on Uniform Prescription Labeling Requirements and the development of recommendations to achieve this goal and thereby improve patient medication therapy outcomes. Mr Palombo’s support and commitment were invaluable as the initiatives of 2008 and 2009 have come to fruition. Mr Palombo holds a bachelor of science degree in pharmacy from Temple University School of Pharmacy.

Fred T. Mahaffey Award: Oregon State Board of Pharmacy
The Oregon State Board of Pharmacy was hon­ored with the Fred T. Mahaffey Award in recognition of its exemplary service and dedication to NABP’s mission of protecting the public health. In July 2006, Oregon became the first state to adopt a rule requiring prescriptions for all pseudoephedrine products in an attempt to reduce the manufacture and abuse of methamphetamine across the state. From July 2006 to December 2008, the Oregon State Board of Pharmacy has seen a 95% reduction in methamphetamine labora­tories throughout the state.

John F. Atkinson Service Award: Tram Vu, PharmD
Tram Vu, a drug agent for the Florida Department of Health, received the first ever John F. Atkinson Service Award. Since May 1997, Ms Vu has assisted the Florida Board of Pharmacy in protecting the public health throughout her inspections of pharmacies in 22 counties. In addition to her inspection responsibilities, Ms Vu serves on the Development and Review Committee for the Florida Certified Designated Representatives for Prescription Drug Wholesaler Exam. Ms Vu’s vast knowledge of inspection and investigative techniques has made her an important resource to her colleagues. She has helped train new drug agents based on her understanding of the Florida Drug and Cosmetic Act and other state and federal regulations. Ms Vu has also provided hands-on training and presentations to other drug agents and pharmacy inspectors on Chapter 499 issues including pedigree papers and authentication. Ms Vu obtained her doctor of pharmacy degree from the University of Florida.

Henry Cade Memorial Award: Walt Slijepcevich, RPh
Walt Slijepcevich serves as director/team leader of pharmacy development for the Pfizer US Trade Group. His responsibilities include maintaining and enhancing the relationships with the national and state retail pharmacy associations. Mr Slijepcevich is also the primary contact to the pharmacy clinical database providers. Before beginning his career at Pfizer, Mr Slijepcevich worked for Caremark from 1984 to 1993. In 1991 he was named general manager of Caremark’s pharmacy benefits management (PBM) operation. In 1993 Mr Slijepcevich served as director of clinical services and brand pharmaceutical purchasing at Eckerd Drug where he was responsible for building Eckerd’s PBM operation. Mr Slijepcevich obtained his bachelor of science degree in pharmacy from the University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Pharmacy.

Henry Cade Memorial Award: David Searle, RPh
David Searle began his pharmacy career in 1970. He purchased his first pharmacy in 1979 and eventually owned and operated three independent community pharmacies for 20 years. In 1998 Mr Searle joined Pfizer as a clinical education consultant where he worked with community pharmacies to assist in the implementation of patient-focused programs. Mr Searle currently is director of pharmacy development for the Pfizer US Trade Group working as a liaison between Pfizer’s medical teams and the database providers to manage drug-drug interactions and pricing data. Mr Searle also works with national and state pharmacy associations to enhance relationships and engage in policy dialog. He graduated from the University of the Pacific.

Lester E. Hosto Distinguished Service Award: Edith G. Goodmaster
Edith G. Goodmaster was first appointed public member of the Connecticut Commission of Pharmacy in 1988, and has served for 20 consecutive years. During this time she has been an active member of the Commission of Pharmacy, attending every meeting, as well as compliance hearings, examination sessions, and on occasion has filled the position of chair. She currently is serving her third term as District 1 treasurer. Ms Goodmaster is also an active member of NABP, serving on numerous NABP committees and task forces, including the Committee on Constitution and Bylaws, the Task Force on Model Guidelines for Formulary Development, Committee on Law Enforcement/Legislation, task forces on Recycling Safety Closure Prescription Containers and Prescription Drug Diversion from Common Carriers, and most recently, the Task Force on Medication Collection Programs. She is also Commission liaison for the Unwanted Medication Disposal Program. Ms Goodmaster obtained her associate of science degree from New Haven State Teacher’s College.

Larissa Doucette