Tennessee Pharmacists Association

Recognizing the Excellence and Dedication of Pharmacists, Pharmacy Professionals, Student Pharmacists, and Pharmacy Programs in Tennessee

TPA Awards

Click the names below to read about each TPA Award and submit nominations.

TPA Awards are presented at the TPA Pharmacy Day on the Hill and the TPA Summer Meeting.

Help extraordinary pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, pharmacy professionals, student pharmacists, innovative practices, or supporting organizations get the recognition they deserve by submitting TPA Awards nominations!

Nominations are accepted on a rolling basis.

Annual Nomination Deadlines
December 1 
Shelby Rhinehart Public Service Award
Student Allegiance Award
Student Advocate Award 
March 1 – all other awards

Recipient to be selected by the TPA Board of Directors

Submit a Nomination

This award is generously supported by Dr. Paula Bailey Hinson and is presented in recognition of Barbara McAndrew, who served as the first consumer member of the Tennessee Board of Pharmacy. During her time as a consumer member of the Board, Ms. McAndrew actively promoted the profession of pharmacy and the ideals of pharmacist-provided care, to the public, to the business community, to government, and to other health care providers.

Sponsored by the American Pharmacists Association Foundation and the National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations (NASPA) and administered by NASPA.

Submit a Nomination

Established in 1958, the Bowl of Hygeia Award recognizes pharmacists who possess outstanding records of civic leadership in their communities. In addition to service through their local, state, and national pharmacy associations, award recipients devote their time, talent, and resources to a wide variety of causes and community service.

Criteria:

– The recipient must be a pharmacist, licensed, and a member of the Association.

– The recipient must be living. Awards are not presented posthumously.

– The recipient has not been a previous recipient of the award.

– The recipient is not currently serving nor has served within the past two years as an officer of the Association in other than an ex-officio capacity.

– The recipient has compiled an outstanding record of community service, which, apart from his/her specific identification as a pharmacist, reflects well on the profession.

Submit a Nomination

TPA established the Champion of Pharmacy Award in 2023 as a tribute to the leadership and service of the late Charles A. Champion, a longtime Memphis pharmacist. The award reflects Champion’s passion for involvement in the community and the profession and recognizes an individual who has mentored, supported and guided their community and profession in a transformative way.

Sponsored by Pharmacists Mutual

Submit a Nomination

Pharmacists Mutual presents the “Distinguished Young Pharmacist Award” at TPA’s Annual Convention. This award was initiated by Marion Laboratories in conjunction with TPA in 1987 to encourage newer pharmacists to participate in Association and community activities and to annually recognize one such person in the state for involvement and dedication to the practice of pharmacy.

Criteria:

– Degree in Pharmacy received within the last 10 years.

– Licensed and in good standing to practice in state Association.

– Current membership and participation in the state pharmacy association.

– Participate in national pharmacy associations, professional programs, and/or community service.

Submit a Nomination

This award recognizes qualified pharmacists who have demonstrated significant innovation in their practice, method, or service, directly or indirectly resulting in improved patient care and/or advancement of the profession of pharmacy.

Criteria:

– The recipient has demonstrated innovative primacy practice resulting in improved patient care.

– The recipient must be a practicing pharmacist, licensed in Tennessee.

– The recipient must be a member of TPA.

Submit a Nomination

Presented to an individual member in recognition of:

– Sustained service and accomplishment for a career of not less than twenty years in the profession.

– Active membership in TSHP.

– Professional standing in the community and health-system practice.

– Contributions in the area of health-system pharmacy practice, research, and/or publications.

– Implementation of innovative approaches to practice.

– Civic service and enhancement of the profession in the view of the public.

A pharmacist cannot be eligible more than once every 5 years.

Submit a Nomination

Presented to an individual member in recognition of:

– Significant contributions to the profession of pharmacy and health-system practice over the past twelve to twenty-four months.

– Development and implementation of advanced health-system pharmacy practice programs, research, and/or publications.

– Personal enrichment endeavors through specialized training and advanced degrees.

– Active membership in the TSHP.

– Demonstrated leadership qualities.

A pharmacist cannot be eligible more than once every 5 years.

Submit a Nomination

Presented to a residency program in recognition of:

– Sustained service and accomplishment through innovative services/activities developed as a result of the program, etc.

– Residency Director’s current active membership in TSHP.

– ASHP accredited residency program.

– Contributions in the area of health-system pharmacy practice, e.g., change in practice at the institution, innovative research, and/or residency project publications.

A residency program cannot be eligible more than once every 10 years.

Submit a Nomination

Presented to an individual member in recognition of:

– Significant contributions to the hospital over the past twelve to twenty-four months.

– Personal enrichment endeavors through specialized training and advanced degrees.

– Active membership in the Tennessee Society of Pharmacy Technicians (TSPT).

– Demonstrated leadership qualities.

A technician cannot be eligible more than once every 5 years.

Sponsored by the Tennessee Pharmacists Association in honor of Herman Lubin

Submit a Nomination

Presented for the first time in 1975, this award is given annually in memory of the late Herman Lubin, Memphis pharmacist and 1973 TPA President. It recognizes outstanding service to pharmacists and the profession of pharmacy.

Submit a Nomination

Presented to a pharmacy staff in recognition of:

– Efforts which advanced the level of pharmacy services through development of advanced drug distribution and I.V. systems, patient education programs, clinical services, and/or extended outpatient services

– Demonstrated active participation in professional societies

– Advances in pharmacy practice which have been implemented within the past twenty-four months

A pharmacy cannot be eligible more than once every 10 years.

Recipient to be nominated and selected by the Tennessee Board of Pharmacy

An award to recognize those individuals whose efforts to protect the public health and safety greatly furthered the goals and objectives of the Board. Individuals who qualify for this award show exemplary service to the public health through enforcement, regulation, or other public health initiatives.

Sponsored by the Tennessee Pharmacists Association

Submit a Nomination

Created in 2015, the TPA Partner in Excellence Award provides visible recognition to an organization, association, or other entity that has worked closely with the TPA to:

– Improve patient outcomes.

– Promote patient safety.

– Increase the quality of care within the health care system.

– Elevate the standards of pharmacist-provided patient care.

Submit a Nomination – Final year available 2027

Started in 2025, this award recognizes an exemplary pharmacy technician in Tennessee who demonstrates exceptional skills, dedication, and innovation in pharmaceutical compounding. This award aims to highlight the critical role pharmacy technicians play in ensuring the accurate preparation and dispensing of compounded medications, ultimately enhancing patient care. With support by Pharmacy Stars, the honoree receives a complimentary TPA meeting registration for a meeting of their choice.

Criteria

  1. Compounding Expertise: Significant experience and proficiency in pharmaceutical compounding, including knowledge of various compounding techniques and procedures.
  2. Professionalism: The recipient should exhibit a commitment to upholding safety, quality standards, and regulatory compliance in all compounding activities.
  3. Patient Care Focus: The recipient should demonstrate a strong commitment to patient care, including interactions with patients and healthcare professionals, and contributing positively to patient outcomes.

Recipient to be selected by the TPA Board of Directors

Submit a Nomination

This award is presented in honor of Shelby Rhinehart, who was a pharmacist, a state legislator and one of Tennessee’s most vocal and powerful advocates for patients and pharmacy practice. This award is given to an individual in recognition of their work through a distinguished career supportive of the pharmacy profession through legislative or service efforts.

Submit a Nomination

TSSP’s Student Advocate Award is presented annually to a professor, preceptor, or other pharmacist, who has demonstrated devotion to the success of student pharmacists through a commitment of life-long leadership which directly encouraged, inspired and facilitated the development of TSSP organization members to perform to their fullest potential.

Submit a Nomination

TSSP’s Student Allegiance Award is presented annually to a final year pharmacy student with a minimum of two years of continuous affiliation with the TSSP who has not served as president or president-elect, who has demonstrated unusual devotion to TSSP, and through their outstanding contributions has directly benefited TSSP, TPA or both.

Sponsored by the Tennessee Pharmacists Association in honor of Tom C. Sharp, Sr., and Tom C. Sharp, Jr.

Submit a Nomination

The Pharmacist of the Year Award was instituted in 1958 to provide recognition to a member of the Association who has distinguished the profession. In 1965, following the death of Tom C. Sharp, Sr., who had served as the Association’s Executive Director for 30 years, the award was presented in his honor and has since borne his name. In 2001, the Award was re-named to also honor the service of Tom C. Sharp, Jr., who served as Executive Director for 30 years as well.


Fellow of TPA (FTPA) Program

Established in 2024 with the inaugural honorees announced in 2025, the Fellow of TPA program is an esteemed recognition of professional achievement, service, and dedication to the profession of pharmacy and the Tennessee Pharmacists Association. Click here to learn more.

 

TPA is committed to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment for pharmacists, student pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and other pharmacy professionals. TPA and all of its wholly-owned subsidiaries are proud to provide equal membership, employment, and volunteer service opportunities to all eligible persons without regard to race, color, religious creed, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, or mental or physical challenges.