The Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association (PPA) presented members of the Pitt Pharmacy faculty and alumni with several awards during the PPA’s 2017 Annual Conference on September 23, 2017 in Pocono Manor, Pennsylvania.
Associate Dean for Community Partnerships Melissa McGivney, PharmD, FCCP, FAPhA 
was awarded The Excellence in Innovation Award which 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. The tradition of designing innovative pharmaceuticals has been the commitment of Upsher-Smith Laboratories and is driven by the ever-changing needs of patients, physicians, pharmacists, and healthcare organizations. Their perspective is not “more products,” but the right products that make people’s lives better.
Currently, McGivney is an Associate Professor and Director for Community Practice at the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy. She first visualized the idea of bringing a state pharmacist’s network to Pennsylvania over 10 years ago. She turned the work of her residents into tangible next steps when she helped to create The Pennsylvania Project. When that project ended, McGivney continued to envision how to leverage and morph her and her resident’s work by partnering with PPA. As a result, the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Care Network (PPCN) came to fruition. What separates her in part from her colleagues is ability to turn a vision into reality specifically by turning roadblocks into opportunity. Her goals are accomplished by creative thinking, fostering teamwork, and creating both approaches and methods that have not yet been realized. Currently, she serves as a board member for PPCN.
Professor Kim Coley, PharmD, RPh, FCCP was presented with the The Preceptor of the Year award. This award is presented 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.
Coley received her Bachelor of Pharmacy Degree from the University of Pittsburgh, her PharmD from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, and is currently a Professor at the University Of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy. She serves as the chair of the PPA Editorial Review Board which brings peer reviewed articles from the hands of the writers to the hands of PPA members to read, learn, share and enjoy. As a mentor for pharmacy students, she fosters an environment where she is genuinely invested in her students’ success and challenges them to see their full potential. She translates her years of experience and knowledge to pay it forward through the education of our future pharmacists.
The Ten Under Ten Awards recognize the top ten pharmacists practicing for less than ten years who demonstrate commitment to advancing the profession, involvement in PPA and other pharmacy associations, and/or service to their community. SEVEN of the awards were presented to PittPharmacy alumni!
The 2017 Ten Under Ten recipients are:
Brandon Antinopolous, PharmD, Community Practice Research Fellow at the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy, 2014 Graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy
Sarah Dombrowski, PharmD, BCACP Clinical MTM Pharmacist at Geisinger Health System, 2012 Graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy
AJ Greco, PharmD
, Administrative Pharmacist at Duquesne University Mylan School of Pharmacy, 2007 Graduate of Duquesne University Mylan School of Pharmacy
Mindy Kozminski, PharmD, BCACP, Executive Manager for the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Care Network, 2009 Graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy
Jamie McConaha, PharmD, CGP, BCACP
, Assistant Professor at Duquesne University – Mylan School of Pharmacy, 2007 Graduate of Duquesne University – Mylan School of Pharmacy
Kyle McCormick, PharmD, Pharmacist Patient Care Director at Gatti Pharmacy, 2014 Graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy
Stephanie McGrath, PharmD, Clinical Pharmacist at the Rite Aid Pharmacy, 2007 Graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy
Roshni Patel, PharmD, Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice at Thomas Jefferson University – Jefferson College of Pharmacy, 2011 Graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy
Nicole Pezzino, PharmD, CDE, Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice – Nesbitt School of Pharmacy, 2014 Graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy
Renee Richardson, PharmD
, Clinical Pharmacy District Leader at Giant Eagle Pharmacy, 2009 Graduate of Duquesne University – Mylan School of Pharmacy
