Nashville, Tenn. — July 19, 2024 — 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 were recognized at an awards banquet during the TPA Summer Meeting in Memphis, Tennessee.
“We are honored to recognize the remarkable achievements of these individuals whose dedication to the study, practice, or advancement of pharmacy has created a profound impact on the profession and the public health of Tennesseans,” said TPA CEO Anthony Pudlo.
The award recipients include:
Kaitlin Mooney, PharmD | Student Allegiance Award
Mooney, a recent graduate of the Union University College of Pharmacy, acted as an exemplary leader within the TPA Tennessee Society of Student Pharmacists (TSSP).
Mooney led various initiatives on campus to engage her peers in TPA’s advocacy efforts benefiting the pharmacy profession. She organized a watch party for TPA’s webinar on state policy, a giveaway to encourage attendance at the TPA Winter Meeting, and a luncheon where student pharmacists contacted members of Congress to request co-sponsorship of the Equitable Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act (S 2477 and HR 1770) and the Pharmacy and Medically Underserved Areas Enhancement Act (S 1491).
Lt. Gov. Randy McNally | Barbara McAndrew Herald Award
McNally, a retired pharmacist, has served Tennessee as a legislative leader for nearly four decades, earning honorable titles as the 87th speaker of the senate and lieutenant governor.
Throughout his political tenure, McNally has demonstrated exceptional advocacy and leadership by helping the pharmacy profession overcome its challenges and evolve through meaningful legislation.
In recent years, he has been a key sponsor of legislation that provides significant, enforceable PBM reform in Tennessee. This legislation has since become a model for all states to follow to curb PBMs’ detrimental effects on pharmacy practice and patient care.
Sheila Bush | Kendall Matthew Lynch Award for Excellence in Public Health and Regulation
Bush, a Tennessee Board of Pharmacy administrator, coordinates the Board’s meetings and application and licensure efforts. She was selected for the award for her leadership and significant contributions to public health and the Tennessee pharmacy community.
Bush began her employment with the Tennessee Board of Pharmacy in 2009 and has been a state employee of Tennessee for 35 years.
Sarah Uroza, PharmD | Student Advocacy Award
Uroza, an associate professor at the Lipscomb University College of Pharmacy, was acknowledged for her exceptional mentorship of student pharmacists. As a faculty advisor for TPA and APhA-ASP, she influenced students’ professional growth and development.
Uroza is also recognized for her remarkable efforts to deliver public health services. She organized “Bison Flu Fest,” a campus-wide flu vaccine campaign that engaged student pharmacists, residents, and pharmacists.
CPESN Northeast TN | Partner in Excellence Award
CPESN Northeast TN, led by Managing Network Facilitator Rebecca Wagers, has been instrumental in uniting independently owned and operated pharmacies to advance the quality of care and improve patient outcomes.
Its collaborative efforts with a Tennessee health system and multi-state Accountable Care Organization (ACO) — a group of doctors, hospitals, and other health care providers — have enhanced pharmacy access to patient electronic health records. CPESN Northeast TN’s initiatives have showcased the value of Tennessee’s community-based pharmacy practices and pharmacists’ impact on patient health outcomes.
Monica Mefford | Herman Lubin Sales Representative of the Year Award
Mefford, a Pfizer medical sales representative with over 20 years of experience, has been recognized for her exemplary service to pharmacists and the pharmacy profession. Her extensive knowledge and commitment to excellence have established her as an expert in her field, where she has educated numerous health care practitioners on various pharmaceutical products.
Mefford’s approach goes beyond service; she is deeply committed to enhancing patient care by supporting health care professionals.
James Eoff, PharmD | Shelby Rhinehart Public Service Lifetime Achievement Award
Throughout his 45 years at the University of Tennessee College of Pharmacy, Eoff served as executive associate dean, dean of student affairs and professor of clinical pharmacy. He directed the Minority Center of Excellence, securing $6.5 million in HRSA grants and boosting minority enrollment to 30%. He also chaired the Admissions Committee for over 30 years and continues to lecture and curate the College’s memorabilia.
Additionally, Eoff served as president of the Tennessee Board of Pharmacy in 1978 and president of TPA in 1996.
Eoff’s role in shaping future generations of pharmacists through his educational endeavors has left a lasting mark on the profession.
Janisha Livermore, CPhT | Health-System Pharmacy Technician of the Year Award
Livermore has played a pivotal role in addressing pharmacy technician staffing shortages at the University of Tennessee Medical Center (UTMC) through innovative solutions. She initiated two significant programs — a critical shift bonus for current staff and a pharmacy tech intern program — that alleviated staffing challenges, enhanced operational efficiency and boosted technician morale and engagement.
Livermore is highly regarded as a leader within her health system and has also served in a leadership capacity within TPA’s technician society, the Tennessee Society of Pharmacy Technicians (TSPT). Her efforts extend beyond her immediate responsibilities — she also oversees “TechTalk,” a monthly educational program that enhances her team’s clinical knowledge and professional development, and creates marketing materials on advanced credentialing.
Covenant Health Pharmacy Team | Innovative Health-System Pharmacy Practice Award
The Covenant Health Pharmacy Team includes System Director of Pharmacy Katy Wright, pharmacy leaders, clinical pharmacists, residents, interns, students and technicians at ten acute care facilities across East Tennessee. Their collaborative efforts led to significant advancements in the management of pneumonia treatment across Covenant Health facilities.
Specifically, the team addressed the mismatch between unspecified pneumonia diagnoses and broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy. A comparative study of the period six months before and six months after implementation of this initiative showed a 3% reduction in readmission rates for pneumonia, signaling improved patient outcomes.
The Covenant Health Pharmacy Team improved care and reimbursement outcomes by documenting clinical decisions as part of the pharmaceutical care provided. This initiative brings opportunities to expand the pharmacists’ role in documentation into other areas beyond pneumonia, underscoring the vital role of pharmacists in interdisciplinary health care teams.
Blount Memorial Hospital PGY1 Residency Program | Health-System Pharmacy Residency Program of the Year Award
The Blount Memorial Hospital PGY1 Pharmacy Residency Program, under the leadership of PGY1 Residency Director and Clinical Coordinator Jessica Sterchi, has excelled in integrating residents into critical aspects of health care delivery, significantly enhancing patient care and organizational efficiency.
The program’s immense support of its residents’ professional development, research and quality improvement projects has prepared them for successful careers in pharmacy.
Marilyn D. Lee, PharmD | Health-System Distinguished Service Award
Lee, a director of clinical pharmacy at Regional One Health, has more than four decades of experience in clinical pharmacy and health care education. Her active participation in TPA, including her roles on numerous committees and the association’s House of Delegates, underscores her dedication to the pharmacy profession.
Lee has made substantial contributions to the field through her published articles, poster presentations and participation in state committees. However, her most significant impact lies in her commitment to training Tennessee pharmacy residents and student pharmacists. She supervises students on monthly rotations and teaches at the University of Tennessee’s Colleges of Pharmacy, Allied Health, and Dentistry.
Kate Cozart, MEd, PharmD, BCPS, BCGP, BCACP | Health-System Pharmacist of the Year Award
Cozart, a clinical pharmacist practitioner at the VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System (TVHS) Community-Based Outpatient Clinic in Clarksville, Tennessee, was selected for the award based on her exceptional impact on pharmacy through leadership, education and support of resiliency and wellness.
Her primary role involves managing chronic disease states, including diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and tobacco use. Her expertise allows her to educate patients and health care providers on the latest recommendations for managing these conditions.
Cozart serves as a mentor for PGY1 and PGY2 residents and as a preceptor for their longitudinal academia rotation. Additionally, she coordinates the Preceptor Development Committee for clinical pharmacy specialists and clinical pharmacists at TVHS. She holds positions on the TVHS Residency Advisory Board, Residency Executive Committee and the VHA PBM Education Advisory Committee.
Rachel Barenie, PharmD, JD, MPH | Distinguished Young Pharmacist Award
Barenie, a licensed pharmacist and attorney, has significantly contributed to the pharmacy profession with her expertise and exceptional accomplishments in pharmacy, law and public health.
Barenie is an assistant professor at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) College of Pharmacy’s Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Translational Science and assistant director of the Office of Continuing Professional Development at UTHSC. She is an affiliated researcher with the Program on Regulation, Therapeutics, and Law at Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital.
Barenie plays a pivotal role in pharmacy legislation and advocacy. As the co-chair of TPA’s Public Affairs Committee, she drafted legislation to influence pharmacy practice in Tennessee. Nationally, she is the co-chair of the Pharmacy Law Educators Committee with the American Society of Pharmacy Law (ASPL) and was recently honored as an ASPL Diplomate, recognizing her leadership potential in law and pharmacy.
Steve Pate, DPh | Excellence in Innovation Award
Pate, the deputy chief pharmaceutical officer at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, has distinguished himself through the implementation of the St. Jude Domino’s Village Pharmacy Kiosk, also known as the TDV Kiosk.
The TDV Kiosk represents a highly innovative concept as Tennessee’s first medication dispensing kiosk approved by the Tennessee Board of Pharmacy, increasing patient access to medications, enhancing convenience, and improving the overall patient experience.
Pate’s vision and commitment to advancing pharmacy practice through this unique service demonstrate his ability to lead transformative changes within health care settings.
Eugene (Gene) O’Neal Hoover Jr., PharmD | Pharmacy Champion Award
Hoover exemplified the role of a pharmacy champion through exceptional leadership and service. Upon graduating from the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy in 1985, Hoover began his 38-year career at Walgreens, where he served as the regional healthcare director for the Tennessee and West Kentucky region.
In 2008, Hoover was selected to the 2008 School of Pharmacy Distinguished Alumni at his alma mater.
Hoover’s enduring generosity has left a lasting impact on the pharmacy community across Tennessee. He is remembered for treating his colleagues and community with care and respect.
Glen Farr, PharmD | Bowl of Hygeia Award
Farr is well-known in the Tennessee pharmacy community as an educator and provider of continuing education. He served as the professor of clinical pharmacy and associate dean of the University of Tennessee College of Pharmacy in Memphis for 46 years, and he currently serves as the professor emeritus of clinical pharmacy and translational science.
His contributions to pharmacy are extensive. Farr has written over 50 articles in professional literature, authored or edited over 20 books or educational courses and presented more than 600 papers and speeches locally, nationally and internationally.
Farr, a former TPA president, has been recognized with numerous awards, including TPA’s Tom C. Sharp Pharmacist of the Year Award in 1983, TPA’s Health-System Distinguished Service Award in 1997, the University of Tennessee National Alumni Association’s Teacher of the Year Award in 2002, and the University of Tennessee College of Pharmacy Outstanding Alumnus in 2007.
Richard Randolph, PharmD | Tom C. Sharp Pharmacist of the Year Award
Since 1996, Randolph has served as the clinical services and education director at Marcrom’s Pharmacy & Wellness Center in Manchester, Tennessee. There, he has been instrumental in coordinating the education of student pharmacists and pharmacy residents, administering immunizations and other clinical services and ensuring regulatory compliance.
Randolph’s career began with pre-pharmacy studies at Middle Tennessee State University. He earned his Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Tennessee College of Pharmacy in Memphis and completed a pharmacy practice residency at the University Medical Center in Jacksonville, Florida, where he refined his skills under the mentorship of Program Director Thomas D. Keith, PharmD.
Known for his compassion and sincerity in patient interactions, Randolph embodies the true spirit of a pharmacist dedicated to patient care and professional integrity.
For more information about these awards, please visit tnpharm.org/about/awards.
To view the digital awards booklet, click here.
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.