John A Gans P’66, PharmD’69 has been awarded the 2009 Remington Honor Medal, the pharmacy profession’s highest honor administered by the American Pharmacists Association (APhA). The award will be bestowed upon Dr. Gans during the APhA Annual Meeting and Exposition in San Antonio, Tex, April 3-6, 2009.
The Remington Honor Medal was established in 1918 to recognize distinguished service on behalf of American pharmacy during the preceding year, culminating in the past year, or during a long period of outstanding activity or fruitful achievement. It was created by the then APhA New York Chapter in honor of Joseph P. Remington (1847-1918), eminent community pharmacist, manufacturer, and educator.
Dr. Gans has been APhA’s executive vice president and chief executive officer since 1989. Prior to joining APhA, Dr. Gans served on the faculty and was dean of the School of Pharmacy at the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science (now known as University of the Sciences in Philadelphia), where he earned his pharmacy degree in l966 and his doctorate in pharmacy in 1969. Recently, Dr. Gans was presented with an honorary degree from the University at its commencement ceremony in May 2008.
In describing Dr. Gans’ contributions to the pharmacy profession, one of his nominators wrote, “Without a doubt, it is John’s never failing passion for pharmacists’ expanding roles in patient care that makes him an outstanding leader in pharmacy and health care policy. He is an individual who is never satisfied with the status quo, especially in the face of evidence that medications are not achieving their intended goals.”
Dr. Gans’ influence on healthcare and medication use expands beyond the profession of pharmacy. As Dr. Michael Maves, current executive vice president of the American Medical Association, wrote in his letter of support, “He has helped me, and by influence the AMA, better understand the benefits of collaborative team care. His imposing physical stature is matched only by the size of his heart and his intellect…that draws you in and makes him a compelling voice for the profession. He has always been a stalwart voice and example for the profession of pharmacy.”
Dr. Gans began his career in 1966 as a community pharmacist in Broomall, Pa. During 1967-68, he held a residency at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Following his residency, he became assistant director of pharmacy at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and held that position from 1968-70. Dr. Gans was a pioneer in the area of parenteral nutrition and clinical pharmacy. From 1974 to 1985, he served as the managing director of pharmaservices, a consultant firm to nursing homes.
Dr. Gans has served as the founding chairman of the Delaware Valley Regional Poison Control Program which established a 24-hour regional poison control center in 1985. In 1980-81, he served as president of the Pennsylvania Society of Hospital Pharmacists and, in 1986-87, as president of the American Society of Hospital Pharmacists.
Earlier this year it was announced that Dr. Gans would step down in 2009 as EVP and CEO of APhA after nearly 20 years of service to the organization.