Excitement was in the air at the annual Awards and Scholarships Convocation, where CU Pharmacy recognized outstanding team members.
SANDRA LEAL, PharmD, MPH, FAPhA, received the Distinguished Coloradan Award, the School's highest recognition of lifetime achievement. Dr. Leal is the Vice President of Pharmacy Practice Innovation and Advocacy for CVS Health, Immediate Past President of the American Pharmacists Association, and a CU Pharmacy alumna. Dr. Leal has had diverse experience as a pharmacist, medical director, public health clinician, and as a board member for various groups including the National Center for Farmworker Health.
TYREE KISER, PharmD, Professor, received the President’s Excellence in Teaching Award. Th e President’s Excellence in Teaching Award is an acknowledgement of a faculty member’s outstanding, innovative, and inspirational contributions to the students’ professional development. Th is is the third consecutive year Dr. Kiser has received this award.
ELIZABETH TOMARO, MA, received the Staff Appreciation and Recognition Award, which recognizes staff members for exceptional contributions vital for fostering a positive and thriving work environment. Tomaro is an Academic Student Advisor in the Office of Student Services.
TARA VLASIMSKY, PharmD, was awarded the Excellence in Pharmacy Award, which recognizes individuals who demonstrate exceptional leadership qualities, have advanced the profession of pharmacy, and improved the health and welfare of society. Dr. Vlasimsky is the System Director, Ambulatory Pharmacy for Intermountian Health and a CU Pharmacy alumna.
DANIEL LABARBERA and JED LAMPE, PhDs, received the Innovations in Science award, which celebrates innovative discovery in basic and/ or clinical sciences. Dr. LaBarbera is the founding Director of the Center for Drug Discovery (CDD), established in 2020. Dr. Lampe is an R01-funded principal investigator, educator, and scientific leader in the drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics field.
RAJESH AGARWAL, PhD, and CONNIE VALDEZ, PharmD, received the Faculty of Distinction Award, which recognizes a full-time CU Pharmacy faculty member who demonstrates distinctive traits that make them an outstanding role model for peers and students. Dr. Agarwal is a Professor, Cancer Prevention and Control Program Co- Leader, and holds dual appointments with CU Pharmacy and the University of Colorado Cancer Center. Dr. Valdez is a Professor of Clinical Pharmacy. Her practice site, The Denver Indian Health and Family Services medical clinic, provides primary care and wellness for American Indian Families and the Sheridan Health Services medical clinic provides primary care to low-income patients.
SUNNY LINNEBUR, PharmD, Professor, received the Chancellor’s Teaching Recognition Award from CU Pharmacy; MELANIE JOY, PhD, PharmD, Professor, received the Chancellor’s Teaching Recognition Award for the Graduate School. The purpose of the Chancellor's Teaching Recognition Award is to recognize and reward outstanding teaching and commitment to providing students with a high-quality learning experience.
HEATHER ANDERSON, PhD, Associate Professor and Director of Pharmaceutical Outcomes Research was named CU Pharmacy Distance Degrees and Programs Educator of the Year. The award was chosen based on students’ appreciation of her work.
