Pharmacist of the Year Award
Presented to a licensed pharmacist practicing in Colorado who has demonstrated dedication to the profession of pharmacy, contributed time and effort to Colorado Pharmacists Society (CPS), furthered the profession of pharmacy through community service and embodied those qualities of attitude and leadership which exemplify the profession. It should be noted that this is the highest award of the Association and should be only given to someone who has outstanding and lasting contributions to the profession that will endure for a long period. The nominee must be a current member of CPS.
Past Recipients:
2025 Robert Willis
2024 Dan Scales
2023 Jennifer M. Biltoft
2022 Michael Hinnenkamp
2021 Tara Vlasimsky
2020 Sunny Linnebur
2019 Sarah Anderson
2018 Joel Marrs
2017 Emily Zadvorny
2016 Rebecca Moote
2015 Kristi Mihok
2014 Laura Borgelt
2013 Jeannine Dickerhofe
2008 Mary Newell
2007 Carole Shelton
2006 Geoffrey Lawton
2005 Paul Limberis
2004 Grant Bray
2003 Norman Kwong
2002 Sue Downard
2001 Larry Clark
Student Pharmacist of the Year Award
This award recognizes an outstanding student who has shown dedication to advancing the profession of pharmacy, especially as it is practiced in Colorado. This dedication may be demonstrated through activities related to Colorado Pharmacists Society (CPS), but may also include involvement in other pharmacy organizations, volunteer activities, and legislative advocacy. The award recipient will have taken on leadership roles and encouraged fellow students to advocate for the pharmacy profession. Must be a current active P1 to P4 student at a Colorado school of pharmacy and in good academic standing. The nominee must be a current member of CPS.
Past Recipients:
2025 Hailey Murphy
2024 Emily Gray
2023 Kennedy Drew
2022 Christina Bartholomew
2021 Ashley Franco
2020 Kelli Rourke
2019 Jackson Friesth
2018 Julia Cahill
2017 Kyle Troska
2016 Paul Cornelison
Pharmacy Technician of the Year Award
This award recognizes an outstanding pharmacy technician who has shown dedication to advancing the profession of pharmacy, especially as it is practiced in Colorado. This dedication may be demonstrated through activities related to Colorado Pharmacists Society (CPS), but may also include involvement in other pharmacy organizations, volunteer activities, and legislative advocacy. The award recipient will have taken on leadership roles and encouraged fellow technicians to advocate for the pharmacy profession. The nominee must be a current member of CPS.
Past Recipients:
2025 Rebecca Aspy
2024 Jessica Bonner
2023 Summer Stevenson
2022 Alice Casey-Erickson
2021 Jack Link
2020 Annelise Navant
2019 Emina Mednolucanin
2018 Angela Fullerton
2017 Nicole Wallace
Friends of Pharmacy Legislator Award
Presented in recognition of a legislative champion who promotes, develops and advances the profession of pharmacy.
Past Recipients:
2025 Senator Dylan Roberts, Representative Kyle Brown
2024 Senators Joann Ginal and Perry Will; Representative Chris deGruyKennedy
2023 Senators Sonya Jaquez Lewis and Perry Will; Representative Iman Jodeh
2022 Senators Sonya Jaquez Lewis and Perry Will
2021 Senators Joann Ginal and Barb Kirkmeyer; Representatives Susan Lontine and Perry Will
2020 Senator Faith Winter; Representatives Sonya Jaquez Lewis and Kyle Mullica
2019 Senator Jack Tate; Representatives Dominque Jackson and Dylan Roberts
2018 Representatives Jon Becker and Daneya Esgar
CPS Guardian Angel Award
Presented in recognition and admiration of continuous support of CPS and its volunteers.
Past Recipients:
2018 Rebecca P. Snead - National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations (NASPA)
Champion of Pharmacy Lifetime Achievement Award
A CPS award, given only at the discretion of the Board of Directors, to individuals who have shown a substantial and sustained commitment and contribution to both the profession of pharmacy and the Colorado Pharmacists Society.
Past Recipients:
2022 Gina D. Moore
2017 Ralph Altiere and Rodney Carter
Appreciation Award
A CPS award, given only at the discretion of the Board of Directors, to individuals who have gone above and beyond in some capacity to further the Mission of the Colorado Pharmacists Society.
Past Recipients:
2024 Marta Brooks
Externally Sponsored Awards
Bowl of Hygeia Community Service Award
Sponsored by American Pharmacist Association Foundation and NASPA with support from Boehringer Ingelheim
This award is given in recognition of an individual association member who 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. The recipient must be a licensed pharmacist practicing in Colorado and a member of the Association. The recipient must be living. Awards are not presented posthumously. The recipient has not been a previous recipient of the award. The recipient is not 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. The recipient has compiled an outstanding record of community service, which, apart from his/her specific identification as a pharmacist, reflects well on the profession.
Past Recipients:
2025 Douglas Fish
2024 Vicki Einhellig
2023 Connie Valdez
2022 Joseph Saseen
2021 Nancy Stolpman
2020 Debra Deveraux
2019 Tom Branigan
2018 Catherine Jarvis
2016 Randy Knutsen
2015 not given
2014 Wendy Anderson
2013 Ronald Kennedy
2012 Jeannine Dickerhofe
2011 Paul Limberis
2010 Tim Mead
2009 Dennis Helling
2008 Larry Clark
2007 Thomas Stock
2006 Gerald Young
2005 Richard Doyle
2004 Tad Anderson
2003 Tom Arthur
2002 Stan Grigg
2001 Gary Buss
2000 Ben Finch
1999 Harold Bober
1998 Nelyda Whaley
1997 Rita B. Morrill
1996 Joe Valdez
1995 Lou Koroshetz
1994 Glen O. Bakke
1993 Casey Clark
1992 Lillian Bird
1990 Dennis Ludwig
1989 George Anderson
1988 B.P. (Bo) Bogan
1987 Robert Easterday
1986 Dwight Sullivan
1985 Carrol D. Clark
1984 D. Kinney
1983 M Brown
1982 Ted Billinger
1981 Athur Hassan
1980 John Adams
Distinguished Young Pharmacist Award
Sponsored by Pharmacists Mutual
This award honors an early-career pharmacist who has demonstrated outstanding leadership, advocacy, and/or service to the profession. The recipient will have made a measurable impact on pharmacy practice and shown a clear commitment to advancing the profession. At the time of nomination, the recipient must have received their pharmacy degree within the past 10 years, hold an active pharmacist license in Colorado, and be an active member of the Colorado Pharmacists Society. Nominees will be evaluated based on their involvement in CPS, leadership, advocacy for the profession, and community service.
Past Recipients:
2025 Kari Allan
2024 Lucas Orth
2023 Alison Betten
2022 Alvin Oung
2021 Sara Wettergreen
2020 Kelsey McNeil
2019 Morgan Payne
2018 Jeremy Vandiver
2017 Lucas Smith
2016 Kim Swanson Ward
2015 Jessica Angleson
2014 Jodie Malhotra
2013 Sarah Anderson
2011 Tara Vlasimsky
2009 Nancy Gallegos
2008 Erin Hendrick
2007 Andrew Bjork
2006 Tisha Silva
2005 Joel Giles
2004 Jeremiah Stellish
2003 Robert Serravo
2002 Shari Bohn
2001 Andrew Davis
2000 Janice Conner
1999 Tony Jones
1998 Susan Downard
1997 G. C. Lawton
1996 Diane Lumpkin
1995 David Lorenzo
1994 Jag Khatter
1993 Brian Myers
1992 Paul Carpino
1991 Tad & Heidi Anderson
1990 Laura Moore
1989 Dave Archuleta
1988 Sue Ellen Gary
1987 Bradley Haas
ASHP Leadership Award
Sponsored by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP)
This award is presented annually to the Chair of the CPS Academy of Health-System Pharmacists for exceptional leadership and service during their term.
Past Recipients:
2025 Ali Singer
2024 Michelle Hilaire
McKesson Leadership Award
Sponsored by McKesson
This award is presented annually to the incoming President of state pharmacy associations in recognition of their commitment to leadership and service.
Past Recipients:
2025 Sara Wettergreen
2024 Sarah Bow
2023 Lisa Nguyen
2022 Leticia Smith
2021 Robert Willis
NCPA Leadership Award
Sponsored by the National Community Pharmacists Association
This is a historic award that the National Community Pharmacy Association gives each year to the incoming President of state associations. It is meant to help raise the awareness of independent pharmacy practice and help support the issues of independent pharmacy.
Past Recipients:
2025 Sara Wettergreen
2024 Sarah Bow
2023 Lisa Nguyen
2022 Leticia Smith
2021 Robert Willis
NASPA Excellence in Innovation Award (Discontinued in 2024)
Sponsored by Upsher-Smith
The Excellence in Innovation award is a national award coordinated by the National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations, and generously sponsored by Upsher-Smith Laboratories, Inc. to recognize and honor 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. At every level of their business, they are driven to be the best.
Past Recipients:
2024 Lynn Flach
2023 Holly Rabideau
2022 Melissa Rodgers
2021 Michelle Izor
2020 Rachael Duncan
2019 Vicki Einhellig
2018 Amber Cizmic
2017 Paul Shaw
2016 Meghan Jeffres
2015 Amy Stump
2014 Kevin Kaucher
Generation Rx Award (Discontinued in 2019)
Sponsored by Cardinal Health Foundation
This award program recognizes excellence in community-based prescription drug abuse prevention at state pharmacy associations. This award honors a pharmacist who has demonstrated outstanding commitment to raising awareness of the dangers of prescription drug abuse among the general public and among the pharmacy community.
Past Recipients:
2018 Jennifer Davis
2017 Michelle Hilaire
2016 Sunny Linnebur
2015 Cody Taylor
2012 Robert Valuck