CPS Awards & Recognition Recipients

CPS Awards

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