Nashville, Tenn. — May 11, 2026 — The Tennessee Pharmacists Association (TPA) today announced the recipients of its annual awards that recognize significant contributions to pharmacy practice and exceptional patient care in Tennessee. The honorees will be recognized at an awards banquet during the TPA Summer Meeting in Florence, Alabama on July 10, 2026.
“We are proud to recognize these outstanding individuals whose leadership, innovation, and commitment to advancing pharmacy continue to strengthen the profession and improve the health of communities across Tennessee,” said TPA CEO Anthony Pudlo.
The award recipients include:
Carolina Davis, PharmD Candidate | Student Allegiance Award
Davis, a student pharmacist at ETSU’s Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy, has distinguished herself through her energy, enthusiasm, and passion for advocacy. Since her P1 year, she has served in TPA’s Student Society of Pharmacists as both a Member at Large and Delegate, consistently elevating the student voice within the profession.
As TPA’s inaugural Executive Intern in Association Management, Carolina has championed student engagement in advocacy and encouraged peers to take an active role in shaping the future of pharmacy. Through her authentic leadership and commitment to connection and growth, she continues to strengthen student involvement across Tennessee.
David Pesterfield | Barbara McAndrew Herald Award
Pesterfield has championed the pharmacy profession through strong partnerships with colleges of pharmacy, mentorship, and advocacy. He inspires students to embrace their role in improving public health, while also elevating the profession within the business and healthcare communities through leadership, collaboration, and a focus on patient-centered care.
A dedicated advocate at both the state and national levels, David has strengthened pharmacy’s voice in government and empowered others to engage in the legislative process. His continued support—both financial and personal—of professional organizations has advanced leadership development, education, and advocacy efforts, leaving a lasting impact on pharmacy across Tennessee.
Kate Cozart, MEd, PharmD, BCPS, BCGP, BCACP | Student Advocate Award
Cozart is an ambulatory care Clinical Pharmacist Practitioner at the VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System in Clarksville, recognized for her leadership, advocacy, and commitment to pharmacist well-being. A dedicated mentor, she has trained more than 70 students and residents, promoting balance between professional passion, advocacy, and personal wellness.
Over the past four years, she has spoken at more than 50 events and authored or co-authored eight books focused on resilience and thriving in pharmacy. Honored as the 2024 Tennessee Health-System Pharmacist of the Year, Kate continues to inspire with her authentic leadership and dedication to empowering the next generation of pharmacists.
Rebecca Moak, PharmD | Kendall M. Lynch Award for Excellence in Public Health and Regulation
Moak, a graduate of the University of Louisiana Monroe, built a strong foundation in both community and institutional pharmacy before relocating to East Tennessee, where she served at the Knox County Health Department providing diabetes and HIV education to patients throughout the community.
In 2011, she transitioned to a pharmacist investigator role with the Tennessee Board of Pharmacy, serving nearly 15 years until her retirement in early 2026. As part of the first cohort trained in sterile compounding, Dr. Moak also played a key role in leading statewide education efforts for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians.
McKesson | Partner in Excellence Award
McKesson Corporation is a healthcare services leader dedicated to improving patient outcomes and supporting the sustainability of community pharmacy. Through initiatives like the Amplify program, McKesson invests in state pharmacy associations by providing funding, resources, and training to strengthen the profession and expand patient care services.
At a time of declining sponsorships, McKesson’s continued financial, policy, and practice support has been vital in advancing patient safety and equipping pharmacists with the tools needed to deliver high-quality care. Their partnership reflects a shared commitment to advocacy, empowering pharmacists and reinforcing the future of pharmacy practice.
Nicole Rosenke, PharmD | Herman Lubin Industry Partner of the Year Award
Rosenke exemplifies this award through her leadership, collaboration, and commitment to improving patient outcomes. In her role with Abbott, she has advanced the pharmacy profession across Tennessee by building innovative partnerships, including helping launch TPA’s TPA on Tour initiative and securing early support to expand statewide engagement and professional development opportunities.
Her passion for diabetes care and continuous glucose monitoring has empowered pharmacists to enhance care for patients with chronic conditions. Known for her vision, enthusiasm, and dedication, Nicole has strengthened connections between industry and practice while inspiring colleagues and communities alike.
Julia Friedman, PharmD, MABS, 340B ACE | Shelby Rhinehart Public Service Award
Friedman serves as Senior Director of Pharmacy for Erlanger Health System, leading a broad portfolio that includes inpatient, ambulatory, infusion, specialty, retail, managed care, and 340B programs. Known for her energy and dedication, she has become a leading advocate for protecting patient access and advancing the 340B program across Tennessee.
She has been instrumental in educating lawmakers, using data and patient stories to demonstrate the program’s impact, and played a key role in the passage of SB 1414 / HB 1242 in 2025, which added state-level protections to the 340B drug pricing program. Julia continues to lead with passion and purpose, championing care for vulnerable patients and strengthening access to critical pharmacy services.
Shevette Milan-Kizer, CPhT | Health-System Pharmacy Technician of the Year Award
Milan-Kizer has made exceptional contributions to pharmacy practice through her dedication to patient-centered care as a pediatric pharmacy technician at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. She plays a vital frontline role, collaborating with providers to triage patient needs, ensure accurate order entry, and support timely access to therapy through her expertise in prior authorizations.
A respected leader and mentor, Shevette is known for her professionalism, teamwork, and commitment to developing others. She actively trains new technicians and supports her colleagues, making a lasting impact on her team, the pharmacy, and the patients and families they serve.
Margo Cox, CPhT | Pharmacy Stars – Shining Star Compounding Pharmacy Technician Award
For more than 15 years, Margo Cox has been a trusted presence at Marcom’s Pharmacy, recognized for her expertise in compounding and her commitment to patient care. She approaches every prescription with precision, focus, and a strong sense of responsibility, ensuring high-quality, customized medications for every patient.
Known for her kindness and team-first attitude, Margo fosters a supportive environment for both patients and colleagues. Her dedication, consistency, and quiet leadership have helped shape the pharmacy’s high standards while building lasting relationships within the community.
Regional One Health Clinical Ambulatory Pharmacy Team | Innovative Health-System Pharmacy Practice Award
Under the leadership of Kay Ryan, Regional One Health’s ambulatory clinical pharmacy program exemplifies innovation, collaboration, and excellence in patient care. A team of pharmacists and residents delivers comprehensive services across multiple clinics, managing chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and anticoagulation while expanding access through transitions of care, heart failure, and smoking cessation programs that improve outcomes and continuity of care.
The program continues to advance practice through pharmacist-led initiatives, impactful research, and a novel clinical surveillance tool that enhances medication safety and proactive patient management. Strong emphasis on education and resident involvement has driven program growth, with ongoing teaching, research, and clinical service expansion further strengthening its role as a leader in ambulatory pharmacy care.
Cookeville Regional Medical Center (CRMC) PGY-1 Acute Care Pharmacy Residency Program | Health-System Pharmacy Residency Program of the Year Award
Under the leadership of Residency Program Director Dr. Jeremy Walley, the CRMC PGY-1 Acute Care Residency has built a strong reputation for innovation, patient care improvement, and leadership development in a rural community setting. Since its founding in 2011, the program has delivered an academic medical center–level experience while serving Cookeville, Tennessee, and has driven meaningful clinical advancements, including improved heparin dosing protocols, a benzodiazepine-sparing initiative, and ongoing projects to enhance transitions of care, pain management, and medication safety.
The program offers unique learning opportunities, including a specialty pharmacy rotation and resident-driven initiatives that support service expansion. It emphasizes leadership and education through conference participation, teaching opportunities, and community outreach such as health classes and career programs. Through its commitment to innovation, education, and community engagement, the CRMC residency program continues to shape skilled pharmacists and improve patient care.
Kelly Bobo, PharmD, BCPPS, FASHP, FPPA | Health-System Distinguished Service Award
Bobo has dedicated nearly 30 years to advancing pediatric pharmacy at LeBonheur Children’s Hospital, where she has served as both Clinical Manager and Pharmacy Director. Her leadership has upheld high standards of care and driven innovation, including integrating the KIDs list into formulary management and clinical decision support – an initiative that enhanced pediatric medication safety and earned a 2021 Pediatric Pharmacy Association Best Practice Award.
A passionate educator and leader, she has trained generations of residents as Residency Program Director and served for two decades as faculty at the University of Tennessee College of Pharmacy. Her professional service includes national and state leadership roles, while her community involvement, highlighted by leading a major hospital fundraiser, reflects her deep commitment to patient care, mentorship, and service.
Cynthia Brasher, PharmD, MS, BCSCP | Health-System Pharmacist of the Year Award
Brasher is a leader in health-system pharmacy, serving as Manager of Compounding at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. She oversees sterile and non-sterile compounding operations and ensures compliance with USP <795>, <797>, and <800>, strengthening hazardous drug management and advancing medication safety for pediatric patients.
She has demonstrated sustained leadership at the local, state, and national levels through roles with TPA, TSHP, and ASHP. A respected educator and national speaker, Cindy contributes to certification content, publications, and continuing education, exemplifying a strong commitment to patient safety, professional development, and the advancement of pharmacy practice.
Alissa Nathans, PharmD, BCACP, CHC, BC-ADM | Distinguished Young Pharmacist Award
Nathans has made a significant impact at the national, state, and local levels through her leadership with TSHP/TPA and the Mid-South College of Clinical Pharmacy. She expanded residency engagement, launched innovative programs like a residency interview webinar, and strengthened partnerships with colleges of pharmacy while increasing professional development opportunities.
Clinically and academically, she has advanced ambulatory care services at Regional One Health, standardized workflows, and mentored residents. She contributes to pharmacy excellence as a BCACP exam item writer and is an active community volunteer. Known for her skill, empathy, and dedication to mentorship, Dr. Nathans exemplifies outstanding leadership and commitment to patient care.
Anyarat ‘Anna’ Rikard, PharmD, MHA, BCGP, CPEL, AACC | Excellence in Innovation Award
Rikard, outpatient pharmacy manager at Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare, has demonstrated exceptional leadership by expanding patient-centered pharmacy services. She transformed the Meds-to-Beds program into a system-wide model that improved medication access, strengthened discharge education, and reduced 30-day readmissions among high-risk patients by 10–15%, earning national recognition for advancing transitions of care.
She also developed pharmacist-led CGM and comprehensive medication management programs that improved outcomes for patients with diabetes and heart failure, including reducing readmissions by up to 20%. Through these innovative efforts, Rikard has elevated the role of pharmacists and created scalable models that enhance care quality, access, and patient outcomes.
Tara Kelley, PharmD, CSP, MMHS | Champion of Pharmacy Award
Kelley was a respected leader in specialty pharmacy, serving as executive director of specialty pharmacy services at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. She led clinical, operational, and research initiatives while advancing an outcomes-based, patient-centered care model that earned national recognition, including an ASHP Best Practices Award and multiple Specialty Pharmacy Patient Choice Awards.
A nationally recognized expert and active ASHP leader, Kelley was admired for her leadership, mentorship, and collaborative spirit. Her contributions to research, education, and professional service left a lasting impact on the specialty pharmacy field and the many colleagues and patients she inspired.
Rick Sain, PharmD, FTPA | Bowl of Hygeia Award
Sain exemplifies the spirit of the Bowl of Hygeia Award through more than 36 years of compassionate, patient-centered care and leadership at Reeves-Sain Drug Store. His work has strengthened the role of independent community pharmacy and reinforced public trust in pharmacists as accessible, trusted healthcare professionals.
Beyond his career, he has shown exceptional civic leadership, serving in key roles with the Tennessee Pharmacists Association, Murfreesboro Breakfast Rotary Club, and the UT College of Pharmacy Alumni Association, while remaining active in numerous community boards. His lifelong commitment to service, mentorship, and community well-being has made a lasting impact on both the pharmacy profession and the Murfreesboro community.
Jay Phipps, PharmD, MBA, FACA, FACVP | Tom C. Sharp Pharmacist of the Year Award
Phipps earned his Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in 1999 while serving as an Ensign in the U.S. Public Health Service. He founded Phipps Pharmacy in McKenzie and now serves as President and CEO of Phipps Pharmacy and PhippsCare. His professional achievements include fellowships with the American College of Apothecaries and the American College of Veterinary Pharmacists, along with leadership roles in TPA, APhA, NCPA, and ACVP.
In addition to his professional service, Dr. Phipps has demonstrated strong civic leadership in his community. He has served in multiple local roles, including the Chamber of Commerce, Carroll County Prevention Coalition, and as a Commissioner for Carroll County, reflecting his ongoing commitment to community development and public service.
For more information about these awards, please visit tnpharm.org/about/awards.
About The Tennessee Pharmacists Association
The Tennessee Pharmacists Association represents the profession of pharmacy across the state, united for the purpose of promoting safe and effective medication use to improve the health of patients. Since 1886, the Tennessee Pharmacists Association has preserved and advanced the interests of the profession and has served the professional needs of all pharmacists, student pharmacists, and pharmacy technicians. For more information, please visit tnpharm.org.