Awards & Nominations

We honor those who have served the profession.

Each year the Arizona Pharmacy Association encourages its members to nominate individuals in the pharmacy profession who they feel have gone above and beyond the call of duty. Look through the awards below and see how you can thank, through acknowledgement, the person who you believe deserves recognition.


Guidance Statement: Generative Artificial Intelligence can be utilized to proofread award nomination text for grammar and clarity. However, it should not be used to write or generate the content of the nomination itself. Additionally, personal details such as names, email addresses, job titles, and places of employment, etc., should not be entered into generative AI tools.


Suggested AI Prompt:
 "Please proofread the following award nomination text for grammar and clarity. Ensure that the original content and ideas remain unchanged, and focus solely on correcting any grammatical errors and enhancing the clarity of the text."

SUBMIT YOUR NOMINATIONS HERE
Person at a reception desk with a medical cross symbol.

Pharmacist of the Year


  • Selection Criteria

    An Arizona pharmacist who has actively demonstrated outstanding leadership and service for AzPA or for the profession of pharmacy in Arizona during the previous two years. Accomplishments should include providing significant AzPA organizational leadership and should reflect ongoing personal time and effort to mentor and/or serve the needs of AzPA members and Arizona pharmacy.

  • Requirements

    Nomination must be made by an AzPA member. The recipient must be an AzPA member and have demonstrated significant involvement in AzPA during the most recent two-year period.

Circle with a plus symbol inside, against a white background.

Technician of the Year


  • Selection Criteria

    An Arizona pharmacy technician who has excelled in the field of pharmacy and has demonstrated a high level of service and professionalism in pharmacy during the previous two years. Contributions can relate to AzPA participation and/or activities related to the pharmacy profession.

  • Requirements

    Nomination must be made by an AzPA member. The recipient must have demonstrated active involvement in AzPA during the most recent two-year period and be a member of AzPA.

Black outline of a graduation cap.

Student of the Year


  • Selection Criteria

    An Arizona PharmD Candidate who has demonstrated significant leadership in Arizona Pharmacy in the previous year. Contributions can relate to AzPA participation, College of Pharmacy participation, and/or activities related to the pharmacy profession within his or her community.

  • Requirements

    Nomination must be made by an AzPA member. The recipient must be an AzPA member and a PharmD candidate enrolled at an accredited College of Pharmacy in the state of Arizona.

Two stick figures, one helping the other climb stairs.

Mentor of the Year


  • Selection Criteria

    A mentor (Pharmacist or Pharmacy Technician) who has actively demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities and consistently supports the professional growth of pharmacists and/ or pharmacy technicians. The ideal candidate possesses deep expertise across multiple areas of the pharmacy profession and is passionate about sharing knowledge, offering valuable insights from their experiences, and guiding others toward achieving their full potential. This individual is approachable, supportive, and exemplifies a forward-thinking mindset. They are committed to ethical integrity, fostering strong networks, and demonstrating leadership and vision in their practice. 

  • Requirements

    Nominations must be made by a mentee. Preference is given to mentors who have participated in the Mentor Connection Program, though this not required. The mentor does not need to part of the current mentoring cycle. The recipient must be an active member of AzPA, recognized for their mentorship and impact on the careers of others in the pharmacy profession. 

Black and white award ribbon icon.

Residency RPD/Preceptor of the Year *NEW*


  • Selection Criteria

    A Residency Program Director/Preceptor who has actively demonstrated outstanding leadership qualities and has a history of significant contributions to residency training in the role of preceptor and mentor. This person is a member of AZPA, an innovative educator and has a track record for instilling these qualities in their residents; positively influencing residents careers.

  • Requirements

    Nominations must be made by a current resident or a member of AzPA who has closely worked with the nominee in their practice setting. The recipient must be an AzPA member and must have a resident presenting this year at Southwestern States Residency Conference.

Mortar and pestle with herbs and leaves.

Distinguished Young Pharmacist

Sponsored by Pharmacist Mutual


  • Selection Criteria

    Nomination must be made by an AzPA member. The recipient must be an Arizona pharmacist, licensed to practice for 5 years or less, and be a member of AzPA.

  • Requirements

    Nomination must be made by an AzPA member. The recipient must have demonstrated active involvement in AzPA during the most recent two-year period and be a member of AzPA.

Caduceus symbol in black against a white background.

Elias Schlossberg

Sponsored by the AZ ASHP State Affiliate


  • Selection Criteria

    This award is the highest level of recognition for an Arizona pharmacist who has made significant contributions to health system pharmacy in the form of sustained exemplary lifetime service that reflects positively on the profession of pharmacy.

  • Requirements

    Nomination must be made by an AzPA member. The recipient must be an AzPA member. The recipient must not have previously received this award. Recipient will be asked to write a brief article that will be published in the Arizona Journal of Pharmacy.

Black and white Caduceus symbol: a snake wrapped around a cup.

Bowl of Hygeia

Sponsored by NASPA and APhA Foundation


  • Selection Criteria

    This award is the highest level of recognition provided to an Arizona pharmacist who:

    1. Has has made considerable contributions in terms of community service which may include involvement in governmental activities separate from, or in addition to, his or her job.
    2. Has compiled an outstanding record of community service, which, apart from his/her specific identification as a pharmacist, reflects well on the profession.
  • Requirements

    Nomination must be made by an AzPA member. The recipient must be a licensed pharmacist and an AzPA member. The recipient must be living-this award is not presented posthumously. The recipient must not have previously received this award. The recipient cannot be currently serving nor has he/she served within the immediate past two years as an officer of the Association in other than an ex-officio capacity. Recipient will be asked to write a brief article that will be published in the Arizona Journal of Pharmacy.

Person holding a pill, symbolizing medication or healthcare.

Exemplary Patient Care


  • Selection Criteria

    An Arizona pharmacist or technician who provides or enables exemplary patient care, regardless of practice setting, by consistently providing exemplary patient care services, serving as a role model for contemporary pharmacy practice, by developing, supporting,  or fostering the development of an innovative pharmacy practice resulting in improved patient care.

  • Requirements

    Nomination must be made by an AzPA member. The recipient must be a member of AzPA.

Black laurel wreath on a white background.

Hall of Fame

Sponsored by the Arizona Pharmacy Foundation


  • Selection Criteria

    A member of AzPA with at least 10 years of practice experience in Arizona who has demonstrated innovation or excellence in practice, education, or research. This person is an Arizona pharmacy pioneer who has been instrumental in advancing the profession of pharmacy by promoting the importance of innovation and integrity in the field.

  • Requirements

    Nomination must be made by an AzPA member. The recipient must be an AzPA member or, in the case of a posthumous award, a past member of APA, AzSHP or AzPA. The recipient must not have previously received this award.

Lightbulb with gear icon, representing ideas, innovation, and problem-solving.

Excellence in Innovation

Sponsored by Upsher-Smith Laboratories, Inc


  • Selection Criteria

    An Arizona pharmacist who has demonstrated innovative pharmacy practice resulting in improved patient care.

  • Requirements

    Nomination must be made by an AzPA member. The recipient must be a licensed practicing pharmacist and a member of AzPA.

Icon of a prescription with a plus sign, a pill, and a medicine tablet.

Outstanding Pharmaceutical Associate


  • Selection Criteria

    A pharmaceutical industry associate, who serves Arizona pharmacy, routinely demonstrates a very high level of professionalism, and is committed to improving medication use by supporting their customer’s patient care goals.

  • Requirements

    Nomination must be made by an AzPA member. The recipient must be a member of AzPA.

Black laurel wreath on white background.

Pharmacy Appreciation


  • Selection Criteria

    An individual who has demonstrated very special or unique interest and concern for the advancement of Arizona pharmacy, as reflected by dedicating significant personal time and effort in completion of one or more special activities or services for AzPA and/or the profession of pharmacy. Examples may include activities such as teaching, committee work, organizational recruitment, legislative processes, and pharmacy-related community involvement.

  • Requirements

    Nomination must be made by an AzPA member. The The recipient may or may not be a pharmacist or AzPA member.

A lightbulb with a gear inside, radiating lines, suggesting an idea or solution.

Corporate Appreciation


  • Selection Criteria

    A corporation or business who serves Arizona pharmacy, routinely demonstrates a very high level of professionalism, and is committed to improving the profession of pharmacy by supporting AzPA in a significant way.

  • Requirements

    Nomination must be made by an AzPA member.

PAST WINNERS


  • 2024 Winners

    Bowl of Hygeia

    Jacqueline Campbell


    Pharmacist of the Year

    Sophia Galloway


    Distinguished Young Pharmacist

    Mohanad Znbaqa


    Excellence in Innovation

    Tincy Maroor


    Exemplary Patient Care

    Linda Williams


    Pharmacy Technician of the Year

    Nick Ruiz


    Pharmaceutical Associates of the Year

    Lindsay Davis

    Angela Feldman


    Student of the Year

    Mikayla Gerdes


    Elias Schlossberg

    Denise Erickson


    Corporate Appreciation

    Boesen & Snow Law


    Pharmacy Appreciation

    Nancy Alvarez

    Melinda Burnworth

    Jackie Campbell

    Brenna Darling

    Chandima Deegala

    Chris Edwards

    Ivan Gong

    Raman Kaur

    Kimberly Langley

    Tincy Maroor

    Erin Raney

    Valerie Richards

    Jacob Schwarz

    Thalia Vega

    Katherine Vodovoz

  • 2023 Winners

    Bowl of Hygeia

    Shareen El-Ibiary


    Pharmacist of the Year

    Reasol Chino


    Distinguished Young Pharmacist

    Yousef Toma


    Excellence in Innovation

    Jenny Bingham


    Pharmaceutical Associate of the Year

    Angili Arora


    Exemplary Patient Care

    Brianne Spaeth


    Technician of the Year

    Kristine Smith


    Student of the Year

    Alex Brown


    Elias Schlossberg

    Melissa Duke


    Hall of Fame

    Nancy Alvarez

    Kevin Boesen

    Ken Bykowski

    Jon Glover

    Tom van Hassel


    Pharmacy Appreciation

    Lyndy Abdelsayed

    Lindsay Davis

    Jose Espinoza

    Sharon Ruditser

    Nick Ruiz

    Nicole Scovis

    Laura "Michelle" Vaughn

    MaryJo Zunic


    Fellows

    Sophia Galloway

    Ryan Gries

    Kimberly Langley

  • 2022 Winners

    Bowl of Hygeia

    John Saliba


    Pharmacist of the Year

    Tenille Davis


    Distinguished Young Pharmacist

    Matthew Gotfryd


    Excellence in Innovation

    Christopher Edwards


    Pharmaceutical Associate of the Year

    Danielle Gilliam


    Exemplary Patient Care

    Jing Li


    Technician of the Year

    Michaelina Peterson


    Student of the Year

    Ramandeep Kaur


    Elias Schlossberg

    Ed Stein


    Hall of Fame

    Michael Dietrich

    Joe Leyba

    Ysenia Rios

    Ron Woodbeck


    Pharmacy Appreciation

    Melinda Browning

    Maura Jones

    Eman Kirolos

    Senator Pace

    Senator Shope

    Brianne Spaeth


    Fellows

    Jessica DiLeo

    Nicole Early


    RPD/Preceptor of the Year

    Brian Kopp


    Corporate Appreciation

    Humana

  • 2021 Winners

    Bowl of Hygeia

    Michael Blaire


    Pharmacist of the Year

    Jimmy Stevens


    Distinguished Young Pharmacist

    Lacey Simpson


    Excellence in Innovation

    Nicole Scovis


    Outstanding Pharmaceutical  Representative

    Jennifer Davis


    Exemplary Patient Care

    Erin Raney


    Technician of the Year

    Melinda Browning


    Student of the Year

    Lindsey Baugham


    Elias Schlossberg

    Ali McBride


    Hall of Fame

    Brian Erstad

    Martha Fankhauser

    Carl Labbe

    John E. Murphy

    John Musil


    Pharmacy Appreciation

    Chris Ferrier

    Dawn Gerber

    Emily Haugh

    Richard Herrier

    Courtney Speaks


    Fellows

    Jenny Bingham

    Dawn Gerber

    Jacob Schwarz