Excellence in teaching, mentorship, and research was on full display as the Department of Clinical Pharmacy at the CU Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences celebrated its first annual faculty awards. The ceremony was part of the annual Clinical Pharmacy retreat and highlighted the dedication and impact of faculty members who are shaping the future of pharmacy practice and scholarship, inspiring the next generation of pharmacists.
“Creating the Department of Clinical Pharmacy awards helps recognize and celebrate excellence in patient care, teaching, research, and service,” said interim Department Chair and Professor Tyree Kiser, PharmD. “We thought it was extremely important to acknowledge specific outstanding contributions of DOCP faculty, and we want to create a culture of excellence, collaboration, and professional growth, while enhancing the visibility and reputation of the department within and external to CU Pharmacy. Such awards not only motivate faculty to strive for excellence but also highlight the vital role clinical pharmacy faculty play in improving health outcomes.”
This year’s Department of Clinical Pharmacy winners are:
Impactful Scholar of the Year Award: Michael DiStefano, PhD Dr. DiStefano is an Assistant Professor in the Center for Pharmaceutical Outcomes Research in the Department of Clinical Pharmacy. His research is primarily focused on health technology assessment, prescription drug policy, and direct-to-consumer pharmaceutical advertising. He is particularly interested in the ethical considerations that arise in each of these research areas. To advance research in these areas, Dr. DiStefano draws on both empirical research methods and conceptual and normative analysis.
Clinical Care Award: Ben Hill, PharmD Dr. Hill is an Assistant Professor and clinical pharmacy specialist at CU Family Medicine. His Clinical pharmacy services provided for patients include medication therapy management, drug information, pharmacotherapy consults, and population health management. Dr. Hill takes residents and students at his A.F. Williams Family Medicine Center. Dr. Hill’s areas of interest include diabetes, cardiovascular disease, gender-affirming care, thyroid disorders.
Rising Star Award: Debbie Gallegos, PharmD Dr. Gallegos is a people-driven pharmacist with a drive for the human connection in every interaction. With a background in rural hospital pharmacy, she comes to the University with a history of wearing multiple hats and dealing with limited resources in a smaller community setting. Gallegos uses positive people interactions to drive accountability and learning. She enjoys helping mentor students and preceptors alike in pharmacy and leadership and demonstrates how those come together for patient care and interdisciplinary success.
Rising Star Award: Kelsey Schwander PharmD Dr. Schwander is a Clinical Assistant Professor at CU Pharmacy. Her practice site is the Marcus Institute for Brain Health on the Anschutz Medical Campus, where she serves as the clinical pharmacist and works on a multidisciplinary healthcare team to provide assessments and medication recommendations for patients who have suffered from brain injury.
The nominees for each category were:
Impactful Scholar of the Year Award
Clinical Care Award
Rising Star Award for Early Career Faculty
“Department of Clinical Pharmacy faculty combine deep clinical expertise with a passion for teaching, research, and patient care,” Dr. Kiser said. “They lead cutting-edge initiatives, secure competitive grants, publish impactful research, and shape national conversations in pharmacy practice, outcomes, and education.
At the same time, they mentor PharmD and PhD students and residents and fellows with genuine dedication, inspiring the next generation of pharmacists and researchers. Their ability to balance innovation, scholarship, and compassionate care makes them stand out as leaders and role models—not just within CU, but across the profession.”