The American Pharmacists Association (APhA) today announced the selection of recipients of its 2018 Immunization Champions Awards recognizing individuals and organizations who have made extraordinary contributions toward improved vaccination rates within their communities.

 “The APhA Immunization Champion Awards program helps us tell the story regarding pharmacists’ contributions to and impact on the health of communities and as valued members of the immunization neighborhood, according to Mitchel Rothholz, RPh, MBA, APhA Chief Strategy Officer.  This year is the 10^th anniversary for presentation of the awards.  We applaud the more than 320,000 pharmacists trained to administer vaccines and who are making a difference in their communities.”

The APhA Immunization Champion Awards consist of six categories of recognition, including individual practitioners, friend of pharmacy’s immunization efforts, corporation/institution, partnership with other health care providers and public health, community outreach, and pharmacy team member. Nominees were evaluated based on the areas of impact, collaboration, originality, and overcoming challenges and creating opportunities for pharmacists. APhA also recognizes Merck, Sanofi Pasteur, and Seqirus for their support of this awards and recognition program

The 2018 Immunization Champions Awards are as follows:

INDIVIDUAL PRACTITIONER

National Winners

• Andrew DeMotto, PharmD, BCPS, NCPS (Whiteriver, AZ)
• Holly E Gurgle, PharmD, BCACP, CDE (Salt Lake City, UT)

Honorable Mention

• Tuong-Lan Nguyen, PharmD (Broken Arrow, OK)
• Luis Rosado, PharmD (Morovis, PR)

FRIEND OF PHARMACY

National Winner

• Kimberly Battreall, LPN (Omaha, NE)

OUTSTANDING CAREER ACHIEVEMENT

National Winner

• William L. Atkinson, MD, MPH (Saint Paul, MN)

CORPORATION/INSTITUTION

National Winner

• Albertsons Companies (Boise, ID)

Honorable Mention

• Fred's Pharmacy (Memphis, TN)

PARTNERSHIP

National Winner

•  Project VACCINATE (Seattle, WA)

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

National Winner

• Reeves-Sain Drug Store (Murfreesboro, TN)

Honorable Mention

• Brandy Turner, PharmD (Richmond, VA)

PHARMACY TEAM MEMBER

National Winner

• Cecilia Dudero, CPhT (Santa Clara, CA)

The American Pharmacists Association established these special awards in 2008, and made the first presentations in 2009, to recognize the value and extraordinary contributions pharmacists provide to improving the vaccination rates in their communities.

Pharmacists, in collaboration with physicians, public health officials, and other immunization stakeholders, are recognized as important members of the immunization neighborhood, with millions of vaccinations administered by pharmacists each year.