California Pharmacists Take Top Honors.

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. -- Several members of the California Pharmacists Association were honored for their achievements in the profession of pharmacy over the weekend at the California Pharmacists Association and the Pharmacy Foundation of California's Annual Meeting and Education Faire held in Palm Springs, CA. The award recipients are well known for their lifelong support, innovative contributions, leadership and mentorship to the profession and the community.

Taking home the highest honor the Association has to offer, Paul Lofholm, Pharm. D., FACA., FACVP received the Pharmacist of the Year Award for 2007. Paul's advocacy for the profession of pharmacy and the role of the pharmacist has been exemplary. He is very active in the Association and provides leadership to other pharmacists by encouraging them to increase their commitment and dedication to the improvement of public health in areas such as diabetes, smoking cessation and substance abuse, among others. Paul's list of accolades is long and distinguished. He received his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of California, San Francisco in 1964 and is a community pharmacist, teacher, nursing home consultant and owner of Ross Valley Pharmacy in Larkspur, CA. and Golden Gate Pharmacy in San Rafael, CA. He is a member of the Marin County Pharmacist Association (Past President), The California Pharmacists Association, Past Board of Trustee Member, District 1, The Pharmacy Foundation of California, The Premium Pharmacists Network, The American Pharmacists Association, The National Community Pharmacists Association, American College of Veterinary Pharmacists, and The American College of Apothecaries (Past President and currently the Vice President for Clinical Affairs).

In 2006, Paul was inducted into the California Pharmacy Hall of Fame. He has also received numerous awards including, the American Pharmacists Association, Daniel B. Smith Award for Outstanding Community Pharmacist in the Nation in 1972, the UCSF Alumnus of the Year Award in 1976, the Albert E. Rossica Award for Preceptor of the Year Award in 1986, and the J. Leon Lascoff Award for outstanding service to the profession in 1997.

Dr. Lofholm joined the Faculty at his Alma Mater in 1966, where he is a Clinical Professor of Pharmacy at both the University of San Francisco and at the Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences at University of the Pacific in Stockton. He also precepts pharmacy students from both Universities, and acts as the Pharmacy Residency Director as well.

Peter Caldwell, Pharm. D received the 2007 Bowl of Hygeia Award. He is the model of outstanding and continuing community activity both in and out of the pharmacy profession and demonstrates through his actions that pharmacists are an important part of the overall health of every community. He is very active in his community and volunteers his time towards many efforts including the Muscular Dystrophy Telethon Executive Lock Up, Better Breather s group for the American Lung Association, lectures at Santa Barbara City College, and mentors pre-pharmacy students at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Peter Caldwell is so well known for his community ties and knowledge of pharmacy that he is often called upon by local media to provide his viewpoint on pharmacy-related news. Peter owns and operates LM Caldwell Pharmacist, which was once owned by his father.

Jason Kim, Pharm. D has been selected as the Distinguished New Practitioner of the Year for 2007. The award recognizes new practitioners who have demonstrated energetic leadership for the profession of pharmacy through community, political, and professional activities and who is well recognized by their peers. Jason Kim continually strives to be on the cutting edge of pharmacy's future and is always looking for ways to expand and improve the practice of pharmacy such as the My Pharmacist program in the San Diego area. Jason received his Pharm. D. degree from the Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy at University of the Pacific in 2004 and quickly began to take on leadership roles in the profession as a CPhA Board of Trustee Representative for the San Diego region, and as President of the San Diego County Pharmacists Association. In addition, he is a member of the CPhA Disaster Preparedness Committee, a founding member of the CPhA Student Pharmacist and New Practitioner Summit Committee, and a member of the CPhA Policy Committee.

Two members were chosen for the 2007 Innovative Pharmacist Award: John Cronin, Pharm. D. J.D., and Robert Graul, Pharm. D. Both have taken the lead to implement new programs in their practice to promote pharmacists as crucial and valuable members of a patient's healthcare team. Specifically, Cronin and Graul both have implemented the My Pharmacist medication therapy management (MTM) program in their individual pharmacies. By taking forward-thinking concepts and turning them into reality, both Graul and Cronin epitomize the definition of an innovator. John Cronin is the owner of CWL Pharmacies, Inc. and also received the CEO's 2006 Distinguished Service Award of the Year Award for his contributions to the Association over the last year. Robert Graul owns Rancho Santa Fe Pharmacy and Spirit Shoppe and recently was appointed by Governor Schwarzenegger to the California State Board of Pharmacy.

The 2007 Pharmacy Technician of the Year Award was given to Dan Wills, of Grandpa's Pharmacy in Placerville, CA. Dan goes above and beyond what is required of him to promote not only pharmacy technicians, but the overall profession of pharmacy. Working as a pharmacy technician since the year 2000, Dan spent a number of years in business management, earning a dual Master's of Business Administration from USC in International Business and Entrepreneurship in 1996. He understands what it takes to run a successful business, having owned three companies and having worked for a Fortune 500 company. Through his business acumen, Dan has helped Grandpa's Compounding Pharmacy become one of the "100 Fastest Growing Businesses" in the Sacramento region. In addition, Dan has worked with both the California State Board of Pharmacy and Department of Health Services on compounding regulations.

David Truong received the 2007 Pharmacy Student of the Year Award. David demonstrates what the award is all about through his tireless efforts to bring diverse personalities with various interests together to work towards a common goal. During the 2005-2006 academic year, David served as the University of Southern California's (USC) APSA Chapter President, which is an organization that combines the student pharmacy chapters of CPhA, the American Pharmacist Association (APhA), the California Society of Healthcare Practitioners (CSHP), and the American Society of Healthcare Practitioners (ASHP) under one umbrella. During his tenure, he coordinated important projects including health fairs, local association activities, membership recruitment drives, legislative advocacy efforts and professional development seminars. Because of his leadership abilities, David helped his chapter receive a grant from APhA in 2006 for their work in providing free health services to the homeless and indigent patients in the Los Angeles area.

Additional awards were given for inductees into the California Pharmacy Hall of Fame. This prestigious honor is designed to recognize individuals who are, or have been, an inspiration to the practice of pharmacy in California, as exemplified by a long and distinguished history of service, achievement in several arenas, character, innovation, trend setting and altruism. The year's recipients include: Bernard Bubman, Charles Green, Earl Mindell, and Jody Stewart.

Bernard Bubman began his journey into a career in pharmacy after graduating from the University of Illinois College of Pharmacy in 1963. In 1971, Bernard opened a health food store with a prescription department called Great Earth. After expanding Great Earth to 12 stores, he sold it to a Fortune 500 company, which took the store onto international recognition. Bernard has exemplified the art of and science of pharmacy, always pioneering new concepts and ideas to improve the field of pharmacy and the lives of his patients.

Charles Green is an inspiration to the practice of pharmacy. He has served and represented the profession of pharmacy in almost every capacity at the local, state, and national levels. Charles has served as President of CPhA in 1983 , was given the Pharmacist of the Year award in 1981, and served as President of APhA (the American Pharmacists Association) in 1988- becoming one of five Californians who have served in this capacity in 154 years. As an innovative pharmacy practitioner, educator, professional association members, and community leader, Charles has actively promoted the profession of pharmacy and has led by example, encouraging pharmacists and student pharmacists to attain the highest levels of professional and leadership roles. Charles is a graduate of the University of Pacific School of Pharmacy, wh ere he received his pharmacy degree in 1968. He went on to become the President and CEO of Green Brothers Pharmacy in Stockton, CA.

Earl Mindell is the author of the internationally-published book, The Vitamin Bible, which has sold over 13 million copies and has been translated into 33 languages. He has written numerous other best-selling books on nutrition, drugs, vitamins and herbal medicines. Earl was partners with Bernard Bubman in the Great Earth chain of stores. Earl Mindell is an icon in the fields of health, pharmacy, medicine and complimentary health. His passion for pharmacy has not changed since the day he graduated from pharmacy school in 1963. Earl is also dedicated to preserving the history of pharmacy and has turned his garage into an apothecary shop containing historical items that date back to the 1800's.

Jody Stewart has had, and continues to have, a long and distinguished career in pharmacy, which spans over four decades. Since Jody graduated from pharmacy school in 1962, she has been involved with every aspect of the profession of pharmacy. She has taken active roles in advocating and representing the practice of pharmacy. Currently, Jody works for Raley's in Sacramento, where she is working to move the practice beyond traditional pharmacy, towards a "well-being" approach to healthcare. Jody's dedication to move the profession forward is an inspiration to those who know her and to those who do not. Jody is active in her community and very involved in the lives of her children and grandchildren.

The California Pharmacists Association is comprised of many local pharmacists associations throughout all regions of the state. Two were recognized for their efforts to go above and beyond the call of duty in providing for the needs of their members and the community as well. The CPhA Chapter of Excellence Awards went to the San Diego County Pharmacists Association and the San Mateo County Pharmacists Association.

The California Pharmacists Association is the largest state pharmacy association in the nation and the professional society representing all pharmacists in California. The mission of the Association is to act as the leader in advocating the role of the pharmacist as an essential provider of health care and to support pharmacists in providing optimal pharmaceutical care.

More information on the Awards Criteria please visit: www.cpha.com