University of the Sciences in Philadelphia

At the recent four-day 2009 Annual Conference of the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association (PPA) in Lancaster, Pa., University of the Sciences alumni and students helped steal the show. John Gans P'66, PharmD'69 and Rosemarie O’Malley Halt P'89, MPH'10 took home two of PPA’s most prestigious awards, while students Greg Yugov PharmD’12 and Will Galson PharmD’13 were recognized for their work.

PPA presented Dr. Gans with the Mortar and Pestle Award for having “influenced and inspired the profession in countless ways, instilling his passion for pharmacy and patient care, and helping change and create new pathways for the pharmacists.” Dr. Gans, who is currently serving at the University as executive director of healthcare leadership in Mayes College of Healthcare Business and Policy, recently retired after 20 years of service to the American Pharmacists Association.

O’Malley Halt was chosen as the recipient of the 2009 Wyeth Pharmaceuticals Bowl of Hygeia Award. Widely recognized as the international symbol for the pharmacy profession, and considered their most prestigious award, the Bowl of Hygeia honors pharmacists who have provided outstanding service to their communities and performed notable public service.

In addition to her studies as a graduate student in public health and service to the alumni board of directors, O’Malley Halt is a part-time instructor for Safe Medication Programs throughout Pennsylvania for ECELS/PA Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

The University’s chapter of the American Pharmacists Association-Academy of Student Pharmacists (APhA-ASP) also took home an award, beating out area pharmacy programs for first place in the PPA’s 2008-2009 Medication Adherence Project. Chapter representatives Yugov and Galson presented at the conference and accepted the award. The Medication Adherence Project is a competition to enhance students’ clinical, communication, and problem solving skills, and ultimately improve medication adherence among patients in community settings.

The Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association is a statewide professional organization representing pharmacists in all practice settings united for the purpose of assuring a high quality of professional practice, promoting patient pharmaceutical care which is concerned with preserving and protecting public health, and protecting the professional integrity and economic security of members.