The Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association (PPA) recently honored 4 PittPharmacy alumni with notable awards during PPA’s 2018 Annual Conference held October 2018.
Kyle McCormick, PharmD, was presented with the Preceptor of the Year Award which is given to a preceptor who demonstrates outstanding interaction, knowledge sharing, and who is an exceptional pharmacy role model for students. Only PPA student members may nominate individuals for this award. McCormick is 2014 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy. He currently works for Gatti Pharmacy as a Clinical Pharmacist and preceptor for visiting pharmacy students located in Indiana, Pennsylvania. McCormick serves on PPA’s Educational Foundation Board and has been active member since pharmacy school. He is also a member of the National Community Pharmacists Association and is a Past President of the Allegheny County Pharmacists Association. (photo: left)
Lindsey (Rihtarchik) Meston, PharmD, was the winner of the National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations (NASPA) Excellence in Innovation Award sponsored by Upsher-Smith Laboratories, Inc. The Excellence in Innovation Award recognizes and honors a qualified pharmacist who has demonstrated significant innovation in their respective practice, method or service directly or indirectly resulting in improved patient care and/or advancement of the profession of pharmacy. Meston is a 2015 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy. After completing PGY-1 pharmacy practice and PGY-2 ambulatory care residencies at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, she joined Asti’s South Hills Pharmacy as a Clinical Pharmacist and Director of Clinical Innovation in 2017. Moreover, Meston has been instrumental in getting Asti’s recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as a Diabetes Prevention Program provider. She has personally been commended for her efforts in shifting patient and provider perceptions of community pharmacists into more of an appreciation for them as clinical practitioners. She is also a member of the Allegheny County Pharmacists Association. (photo: second left)
Nicole Pezzino, PharmD, BCACP, CDE, was presented the Distinguished Young Pharmacist Award. The Pharmacists Mutual Insurance Companies “Distinguished Young Pharmacist” Award recognizes new pharmacists for their dedication to and participation in pharmacy organizations, commitment to the practice of pharmacy and involvement in community activities. Pezzino is a 2014 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy and is currently an Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice at Wilkes University Nesbitt School of Pharmacy. Moreover, Pezzino has a clinical practice site at Weis Markets where she works as a community pharmacist and Certified Diabetes Educator. In this role she has also initiated an accredited Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) program and the Diabetes Prevention Program. Pezzino was also recently named a 2018-2019 Faculty Scholar by the National Association of Chain Drugstores Foundation and was previously one of PPA’s Top Ten Under Ten Award recipients. She is also a member of the board of directors of the Lehigh Valley Pharmacists Association and serves as the Academia Practice Director on PPA’s Board of Directors. (photo: third left)Nicholas Wytiaz, PharmD, received the George H. Searight Community Service Award. The George H. Searight Community Service Award is presented to an individual who has shown outstanding devotion and service to PPA, and his or her local association, and for outstanding community service, which has enhanced the image of the profession of pharmacy. Wytiaz is a 2012 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy and is currently a Clinical Staff Pharmacist at West Penn Hospital located in Allegheny County. Wytiaz was very involved with PPA as a student pharmacist and after graduation was quickly elected to the Allegheny County Pharmacists Association Board of Directors as the Programming Committee Co-Chair and Vice President. He has enhanced the image of the profession of pharmacy within the community as a member of the Catholic Medical Association and Allegheny County Medical Reserve Corps. He volunteers for a local soup kitchen and with the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh as a lector, Eucharistic Minister, and volunteer pharmacist at Catholic Charities Free Health Care Clinic. He has also participated in medical mission trips to the Philippines, Peru, and the Dominican Republic. (photo: right)
