14 from HCOP recognized by APA

Clemice Hurst
Clemice Hurst, a 1994 graduate of the Harrison College of Pharmacy and a resident of Pike Road, received the J. Wayne Staggs Distinguished Service Award. The Distinguished Service Award was established in 1993 and renamed in 2003 in memory of Wayne Staggs. This award recognizes an APA member who has provided exceptional leadership and devoted service to APA.

“APA is so fortunate to have leaders like Clemice Hurst,” said Louise Jones, APA chief executive officer. “She has had a great impact on the pharmacy profession, the patients of this state, and our association.”

An APA member for more than 22 years, Hurst has served as a clinical pharmacist with Alabama Medicaid since 2005 working to ensure providers have an outstanding billing system. Her proactive efforts continue to save state dollars while keeping the pharmacist and patient top priority. She serves on the executive committee of the American Drug Utilization Review Society board, providing a voice for Medicaid Pharmacy Administrators. After hours, she practices at a local independent pharmacy, keeping her skills sharp and doing what she loves, interacting with people.

Darrell Craven
Darrell Craven, a 1982 graduate of the Harrison College of Pharmacy and resident of Birmingham, received the NCPA Leadership Award and was installed as APA president. Each year, NCPA joins with APA to recognize the incoming APA President and his or her dedication of time and energy to the profession of pharmacy.

“Darrell’s dedication to APA is commendable,” said Jones. “We are excited to see what the association accomplishes this year under his leadership.”

An APA member since 1998, he has served the association in multiple ways. Most notably, he served four terms as the chair of the Membership/Member Benefits Committee. In this capacity, he worked tirelessly to attract and retain members. He was awarded the 2016 Mitchel C. Rothholz President’s Award by then President Johnny Brooklere in recognition of his outstanding contributions to APA.

James Jones
James Jones, a 1984 graduate of the Harrison College of Pharmacy and resident of Prattville, received the APA Lester White Good Government Award. Established in 2000, this award recognizes individuals who actively contribute to the community through their involvement in the political process. Their efforts shall raise awareness, improve the pharmacy profession, improve service and education to the patients, and build effective relationships with elected officials.

“James Jones knows who to call, what to say, and is unwilling to back down when it comes to advocating for the profession,” said Jones. “He is incredibly deserving of this recognition.”

Jones is the owner of Jones Drugs in Prattville, Millbrook, Montgomery and Phenix City, and has been a member of APA for over 30 years. He consistently engages with his elected officials, supporting their campaigns, and making sure each one of them understands the importance of community pharmacy in Alabama. He gives of his time and resources to support APA’s legislative efforts year after year. He encourages the pharmacists and technicians who work for him to be members of APA and asks them to attend APA’s Legislative Reception in Montgomery, helping them prepare to talk with their elected officials.

Jessica Hung
Dr. Jessica Hung, a 2014 graduate of the Harrison School of Pharmacy and resident of Mobile, received the Distinguished Young Pharmacist. The award is presented each year to a young pharmacist who has been practicing for 10 years or less, has been actively involved in APA and participates in pharmacy and/or community service on both a state and national level.

“With young professionals like Dr. Hung coming into leadership, APA’s future is bright,” said Jones. “We are thrilled to be able to recognize her achievements with this award.”

Hung, a pharmacist and clinical services manager at Semmes Pharmacy has been an active APA member since 2010, when she joined as a first-year pharmacy student. She is a member of the APA Educational Affairs Committee, was presented the 2021 Excellence in Innovation Award, and was selected as a member of the 2022 APA Leadership Class, meaning that the APA Research and Education Foundation has identified her as a promising leader for the profession.

Drs. Jared and Jacob Johnson
Drs. Jared and Jacob Johnson received the Excellence in Innovation Award. Jared is a 2001 graduate of the Harrison College of Pharmacy while Jacob is a 2004 graduate. The national award is coordinated by the National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations, and is sponsored by Upsher-Smith Laboratories, Inc. to honor a pharmacist who has 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.

"We are proud to recognize the Drs. Johnson for their contributions,” said Jones. “Their willingness to push the boundaries to educate patients has resulted in better care for their communities.”

The Johnsons provide an innovative service committed to educating patients on various health issues at Marble City Pharmacy, their family’s pharmacy in Sylacauga. In a weekly video message created and distributed in conjunction with RadioAlabama and Sylacauga News, the Johnsons address a wide range of medical topics including arthritis, stroke, constipation, diabetes, bad breath, osteoporosis and the importance of talking to your pharmacist, just to name a few.

Dr. Spencer Durham
Dr. Spencer Durham, an associate clinical professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice and director of alumni and professional affairs, received the APA Faculty Member of the Year Award. The award is given in recognition of academic achievement and exceptional leadership of student pharmacists at the local, state and national level. The recipient has provided long-term service and contributions that have benefited APA, has promoted the advancement of student pharmacists within their profession and has mentored students on the importance of professional development.

“His teaching impact is shaping the future of the pharmacy profession through every student pharmacist who seeks his guidance,” said Jones. “We are proud to recognize his contributions in this way.”

Durham, a 2007 graduate of the Harrison College of Pharmacy, is a frequent speaker for APA education events on topics related to infectious diseases and antimicrobial stewardship and he maintains a practice site at the Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System where he specializes in infectious diseases. Through his practice, this recipient serves as a preceptor for both pharmacy students and residents. When APA called upon him to lead a response team on the newly emerging coronavirus, he immediately stepped into action, leading the way as the association navigated its members’ needs through the pandemic. As a result, APA recommended him for appointment by Governor Kay Ivey to the state’s COVID-19 Task Force, where he provided a strong voice for pharmacy.

Dr. Marilyn Bulloch
Dr. Marilyn Bulloch, an associate clinical professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice, received the Mitchel C. Rothholz President’s Award. The award is presented to recognize outstanding voluntary contributions to both the Alabama Pharmacy Association and the profession of pharmacy.

“The recipient of this award is selected by the APA president and recognizes outstanding voluntary contributions to both the Alabama Pharmacy Association and the profession of pharmacy,” said Jones. “Dr. Bulloch’s leadership and support have proven invaluable to the association. We are proud to recognize her contributions with this award.”

Bulloch completed her Doctor of Pharmacy degree at Rutgers University in 2007. She went on to complete an American Society of Health Systems Pharmacy-accredited pharmacy practice residency at Charleston Area Medical Center in Charleston, West Virginia. In 2011, she completed the Faculty Scholars Program through the University of Alabama-Birmingham Geriatric Education Center. Dr. Bulloch actively serves on several committees for both state and national organizations. She practices in acute care pharmacy at DCH Regional Medical Center in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

Ronda Lacey
Ronda Lacey, a 1995 graduate of the Harrison School of Pharmacy and a Birmingham resident, received the APA Advocate Award. The award recognizes members who are strong advocates for APA and consistently participate in its programs, events and activities. The recipient leads by example and encourages others to become involved through engagement in the association.

“Ronda is a loyal and devoted member of APA, driving hundreds, if not thousands of miles across this state year after year to provide highly entertaining and educational programming at our regional meetings and annual conventions,” said Jones. “She’s a leader, mentor, and friend to everyone and to this association and we are eternally grateful for her.”

Lacey is the HIPAA Privacy Officer for the University of Alabama. She also serves as Commander of AL-1 Disaster Medical Assistance Team with the National Disaster Medical System, where she coordinates pharmaceutical needs during times of emergency.

Brooklere Family
The Brooklere Family, Anthony (’58), Sara Jean, Johnny (’85) and Anna (’83), received the APA Advocate Award. The award recognizes members who are strong advocates for APA and consistently participate in its programs, events and activities. The recipient leads by example and encourages others to become involved through engagement in the association.

“They love to serve, they love people and they love pharmacy and APA,” said Jones. “I can’t imagine where this association would be without their leadership, but it certainly wouldn’t be where it is today.”

They own Brooklere Pharmacies in Alabaster, Adamsville, and Sumiton. Both Anthony and Johnny have served in APA’s top office – Johnny even serving a second term. Now Anna serves on the APA Board as a trustee. They toil for days preparing a dinner that can only be described as pure heaven, all in support of the Research and Education Foundation auction. Each of them supports the APA PAC, the Scholarship Foundation, and much more.

Sarah Grace Barnes
Sarah Grace Barnes, a member of the Harrison College of Pharmacy Class of 2024, received the R. Lee Evans Student Professionalism Award. The award is presented annually to a student of HCOP who is an APA member. It recognizes a student-leader who demonstrates a high level of professionalism in school and other pharmacy-related endeavors.

“She truly understands the importance of advocacy for her chosen profession,” said Jones. “Additionally, her heart for serving others is evident, and we look forward to seeing what her future holds.”

Joining APA her P1 year, Barnes has been extremely active in legislative events, including the first-ever Drafts on Dauphine gathering with legislators this past spring. She not only serves as an ambassador and leader among several of the student organizations on campus, but she also serves the University of South Alabama community through the USA student-run free clinic. On top of her studies, she selflessly dedicates many hours each week to ensuring the clinic operates seamlessly and provides exceptional patient care for the underserved population of Mobile.

Ashley Reid
Ashley Reid, an administrative support specialist with the Harrison College of Pharmacy’s Division of Clinical Affairs and Outreach, received the Pharmacy Technician of the Year Award. This award is presented in recognition of dedicated service and commitment to excellence by a pharmacy technician who has been actively involved in APA. The recipient is honored for exceptional leadership skills and service to the pharmacy profession.

“Ashley has been a wonderful asset to her workplace and to the patients they serve,” said Jones. “Technicians are an important part of the practice of pharmacy, and we are proud to recognize Ashley for her contributions.”

Reid is a nationally certified pharmacy technician at Auburn University Clinical Health Services. She has worked in both retail pharmacy with CVS, and with the Harrison College of Pharmacy. She has played an essential role in the COVID operation at Auburn University and helped organize and streamline the processes for vaccine administration. She became certified to immunize to help with this effort.