The Pharmacist of the Year Award is presented annually to a member of Michigan Pharmacists Association as the highest honor in Michigan pharmacy. The recipient of this lifetime achievement award is selected for his or her professional excellence, exemplary service and dedication to advancing the profession and public health. This award is given for the culmination of achievements over the career of the individual.

It takes into consideration:

• long-term, consistent dedication and outstanding achievements that have led to the advancement of the profession of pharmacy, public health and MPA.
• a large variety of skills, attributes and accomplishments are combined to determine who is most qualified to win this award.
• an individual strong in character, cumulative professional accomplishments and the ability to properly represent and model what pharmacy as a profession encompasses.
• understanding the goals of pharmacy, and significantly contributes to how these goals may be accomplished.

Sponsored by American Pharmacists Association and the National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations, with support from Boehringer-Ingelheim

The Bowl of Hygeia Award is presented annually to a pharmacist who has made outstanding professional contributions and has participated in community or governmental activities that reflect well on the pharmacy profession. The Bowl of Hygeia derives its name from the Greek goddess, Hygeia, who was the guardian over the healing potion contained in the bowl.

It takes into consideration:

• recognized activities that contribute to building stronger or more successful communities.
• the amount of time given and difference that the individual makes within the community (or government).
• service activities that do not necessarily promote the profession of pharmacy, such as involvement in food banks, community parks and recreation, youth activities, efforts to support the needy in the community, schools, etc.
• governmental activities such as contributions to policy and decision-making within the political arena, increasing pharmacy’s visibility by working with various government representatives or legislators, or focusing attention on the health and well-being of the public in public policy, etc.

The Executive Board Medal Award is presented annually to an individual who has demonstrated an extraordinary personal commitment to MPA. The award was developed to recognize individuals who have been instrumental to the Executive Board and to the Association in advancing pharmacy’s agenda.

It takes into consideration:

• cumulative service over the span of the individual’s advisory period.
• contributions that help advance the profession of pharmacy.
• leadership qualities such as vision for the advancement of the profession, problem-solving, strategic planning and implementation, ability to motivate, adaptability and perseverance, ability to oversee and manage projects, and selflessness and cooperation.

Sponsored by Upsher-Smith Laboratories, Inc.

The Excellence in Innovation Award is presented annually to an individual or team who has demonstrated an innovative pharmacy practice program, resulting in improved patient care or safety, advancement of the profession, enhanced pharmacy systems or other professional development.

It takes into consideration:

• activities that may involve pioneering new models or systems that improve pharmacists’ impact as members of the health care team; patient safety and outcomes; patient care in general; pharmacy systems or processes; and other professional development.
• a system or tool for pharmacy professionals that will directly or immediately impact care or the profession and/or serve as an example or template for other pharmacy professionals to follow.
• cumulative achievements or a single, outstanding program/project completed or conducted over time.

Sponsored by Pharmacy Services Inc.

The Distinguished New Pharmacist Practitioner Award is presented annually to an MPA member pharmacist who has been licensed to practice for less than 10 years and participates in local, state and national pharmacy associations, professional programs and/or community service.

It takes into consideration:

• licensure for less than 10 years.
• cumulative contributions over the course of one’s early pharmacy career (10 years or less) or a significant achievement (within 10 years or less of licensure).
• any area of practice, such as research, long-term care, health systems, community, nuclear pharmacy, home infusion, hospice, etc.
• accomplishments or participation in local, state or national pharmacy associations, including involvement in Committees, Boards, projects, etc.
• involvement in professional programs.
• contributions in the workplace that improve patient care and/or safety, pharmacy systems, increasing or enhancing the pharmacist’s role(s) in providing health care.
• an apparent desire and dedication to the advancement of the profession of pharmacy.

Sponsored by Michigan Pharmacy Foundation

The Fred W. Arnold Public Relations Award is presented annually to an MPA member or team of MPA members who have shown outstanding achievement and dedication to the pharmacy profession through community education and awareness.

It takes into consideration:

• cumulative events throughout the course of a career or for specific activity(s) that promotes the profession of pharmacy to the community and increases the visibility of pharmacy professionals.
• education and awareness activities that convey information with the goal of positively impacting a person’s health and/or decision-making through information, screening, improved prevention or treatment.
• reaching out to positively influence health and lifestyle by acting as the patient’s partner or mentor.
• community education and awareness involving public speaking, presentations, ad campaigns, health screenings, various drives and fundraisers, etc.
• smaller endeavors that have a high impact on a specific segment of the population. Examples include, but are not limited to, assisting small groups with understanding Medicare Part D, focused specialty counseling for diabetics in Asheville-like programs, etc.
• qualities such as originality, creativity, the ability to assess and address the most pressing health issues currently facing a given population or group, effectiveness in connecting and relating health care information to the audience, and excellent public speaking and group facilitating abilities.

This is the only award that requires the potential recipient to complete the application. Click here to access the Fellow of MPA application.

The designation Fellow of the Michigan Pharmacists Association recognizes achievements and dedication to the practice of pharmacy and the community. This distinction signifies the recipients’ actions well beyond regular pharmacy practice.

It takes into consideration:

• three areas: professional actions in practice, public service and pharmacy association participation, all of which help define a well-rounded pharmacist.
• Student MPA and/or MPA membership for a minimum of five years.
• a minimum of 25 points in each of three categories, with a total of 100 points needed overall, to earn the fellowship (points may be retroactively added from the beginning of an applicant’s pharmacy career).

The Pharmacy Hall of Honor was established by Michigan Pharmacists Association in 1986 to recognize members who have provided volunteer leadership in service to the Association by participating on Committees and in designated Association programs. Each year, qualifying members who have accumulated 500 points for their volunteer activities are inducted into the Hall of Honor. Any member is eligible to recieve Hall of Honor points. Members can accumulate a maximum of 100 points per year.

Criteria for points is as follows:

• Serving on an organizational unit (Board, Committee, Task Force, etc.) – 10 points per meeting
• Serving as a delegate on behalf of an MPA organizational unit – 10 points per session
• Contributing an article in a MPA publication – 25 points per article
• Giving a continuing education presentation – 25 points per presentation
• Enrolling in Pharmacy PAC – 10 points per year
• Serving as an officer or chair of an organizational unit (Chairman, President, President-elect, Secretary, Treasurer, Committee Chair, etc.) – 25 points per year

Hall of Honor points are tracked and maintained by MPA staff.