The award, which is conferred at the discretion of the ASHP Board of Directors, may be presented annually at the ASHP national meeting or other appropriate function. There is no limit to the number of awards that may be conferred each year.
2024 Recipients
Magdi H. Awad, PharmD, MSA, RPh
Director of Pharmacy
AxessPointe Community Health Center
Associate Professor, Pharmacy Practice
Northeast Ohio Medical University
Rootstown, Ohio
Dr. Awad is a staunch advocate for the expansion of clinical pharmacy services, reimbursement for pharmacist-provided patient care, and provider status for pharmacists. He has avidly worked throughout his career to integrate pharmacists into sustainable care models to reduce barriers to access, improve patient outcomes, and advance pharmacy practice. He regularly shares his vast knowledge and experience with others to expand the reach of these critical services.
Dele Solaru, PharmD, MBA
Chief Pharmacy Officer
U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM)
Washington, DC
Dr. Solaru’s vision, leadership, and influence were essential in establishing pharmacist provider status under the Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) Program. The decision to require reimbursement for pharmacists’ services by insurance carriers builds upon ASHP’s advocacy to expand pharmacist recognition as clinical care providers by Medicare, commercial health plans, and state Medicaid programs and expands access to essential clinical services for millions of patients.
Criteria and Eligibility
ASHP members are invited, annually, to suggest nominees in writing with substantiating evidence. The award is intended to recognize an elected government official, public servant, or an organization whose involvement in public policy and advocacy supports the improvement of medication safety and health outcomes and the advancement of pharmacy practice. Support can be demonstrated either through a recent singular, significant achievement or for career-long contributions and accomplishments at the local, state, or national level. Examples include but are not limited to outstanding contributions to the visibility, value, and advancement of pharmacy practice and health policy through political and legislative activity, patient advocacy, civic leadership, and/or environmental stewardship with regard to ASHP’s strategic priorities and key advocacy issues.
Nominees may be pharmacists or non-pharmacists, regardless of practice area or ASHP membership status. Current ASHP Board members and ASHP staff are not eligible.
Nominating Instructions
Nominations are accepted year-round and are to be transmitted electronically during this period using the Award Nominations Form. Please see the Call for Award Nominations to reference the criteria for the award as well as the nomination instructions.
Nominations received by October 1 will be reviewed by the Awards Committee, and selections will be made the following February. In some years, selections are not made for all awards.
If you have any questions about the Awards Program, please contact the Office of Member Relations at [email protected].
Past Recipients
| 2023 | Alex J. Adams, PharmD, MPH |
| 2023 | Julie Groppi, PharmD, FASHP |
| 2022 | Representative Gary Merchant, MBA, RPh |
| 2022 | Colorado Pharmacists Society led coalition involved in the passage of H.B. 21-1275, Medicaid Reimbursement for Services by Pharmacists |
| 2021 | ADM Brett P. Giroir, MD |
| 2021 | Coalition of New Mexico pharmacy professionals involved in the passage of H.B. 42, Pharmaceutical Services Reimbursement Parity |
