TPA Annual Awards

2023 Award Winners

The Texas Pharmacy Association presented several prestigious awards during the 2023 TPA Conference & Expo.

	Bowl of Hygeia Mary Klein, Pharm.D. • Texas Tech University Recognizes a pharmacist who continually has demonstrated professional excellence and made significant public service contributions to their communities. Sponsored by the American Pharmacists Association Foundation and the National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations.
	Pharmacist of the Year Raj Chhadua, Pharm.D. • ReNue Apothecary Recognizes a pharmacist who has made outstanding contributions to the Texas Pharmacy Association and its mission.
	Distinguished Young Pharmacist Shawn Ahmad, Pharm.D. • Vital Life Pharmacy (ReNue Rx) Recognizes a pharmacist who has graduated within the last 10 years and has demonstrated leadership excellence, made important contributions to their community and the Texas Pharmacy Association, and advanced the practice of pharmacy. Sponsored by Pharmacists Mutual.
	Distinguished Student Pharmacist Haley McKeefer • The University of North Texas Recognizes a third- or fourth-year pharmacy student who has demonstrated leadership excellence, made important contributions to their community and the Texas Pharmacy Association; and advanced the practice of pharmacy.
	Distinguished Pharmacy Technician Rebecca Ellis, CPhT, PhTR • Albertsons/Tom Thumb Recognizes a pharmacy technician who has demonstrated excellence and supported the advancement of the practice of pharmacy.
	Distinguished Service Award Sharon Rush, R.Ph. • The University of Texas at Austin Recognizes an individual who has provided outstanding service to the pharmacy profession, the health care community and the Texas Pharmacy Association. The recipient does not have to be a pharmacist nor a member of the Association.
	Robert L. Hays Outstanding Consultant Pharmacist Linda Albrecht, R.Ph. • Dembny Pharmacy Consultants Recognizes a pharmacist who has demonstrated excellence in consultant pharmacy practice.
	Excellence in Innovation Jobby John, Pharm.D. • Nimbus Healthcare Corporation/Lake Hills Compounding Pharmacy and Wellness Center Recognizes a pharmacist who has demonstrated innovative pharmacy practice resulting in improved patient care and/or advancement of the profession of pharmacy. Sponsored by the National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations and Upsher-Smith Laboratories, Inc.
	Excellence in Patient Outcomes Albertsons/Randalls/Tom Thumb/United Supermarkets Recognizes an organization or company that has made outstanding contributions to advancing pharmacists' ability to improve patient outcomes. This honor recognizes exceptional achievement in public awareness, counseling and pharmacy services aimed at empowering patients to improve their health.
	Student Advocacy Award The University Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy Established by the TPA Student Directors to highlight student achievements and contributions to pharmacy advocacy in Texas.

Award Criteria

The Association’s annual awards are based on nominations submitted by members and selected by a committee of the TPA Association Affairs Council. Self-nominations are not accepted. The Council has the sole discretion as to whether an award is to be presented, and the committee has the sole discretion for selection of the recipient of each award.

To qualify, nominees for TPA awards must be in good standing with the Texas Pharmacy Association and have made contributions to the profession that align with the mission of the Texas Pharmacy Association to elevate the profession and advance the practice of pharmacy to care for patients.