KU News Release
More Information
Tools
Email Page
Print PageContact: Gene Hotchkiss, School of Pharmacy, (785) 864-3591.
School of Pharmacy honors students, faculty and Kansas pharmacists
LAWRENCE — During its hooding ceremony and senior recognition and awards program, the University of Kansas School of Pharmacy honored graduates, two faculty members and three Kansas pharmacists.
Ken Audus, dean of the School of Pharmacy, presided as 114 students were hooded in recognition of their completion of doctor of pharmacy degree requirements. The PharmD degree is a six-year undergraduate professional degree program. Genevieve Kautz, Leawood, represented the Class of 2009 as the graduate speaker.
Representing the Kansas Pharmacists Association, Terry Kepka of Ellsworth, 1971 pharmacy graduate, presented doctor of pharmacy nameplates to the graduates. The nameplates are required to be on display by pharmacists at their practice sites and were sponsored by the Kansas Pharmacists Association, the Kansas Independent Pharmacist Service Corporation Pharmacy and the Kansas Society of Health System Pharmacists.
Awards were presented to graduates who had distinguished themselves with outstanding academic performance and excellence in professional development and community service activities through their involvement in pharmacy-student organizations. The award winners are listed by hometowns below.
In addition, faculty and preceptor adjunct faculty earned special recognition.
Rick Dobrowsky, professor of pharmacology and toxicology, was selected by pharmacy students for the Rho Chi Teaching Award in recognition of teaching excellence in the PharmD curriculum. Janelle Ruisinger of the Department of Pharmacy Practice received the Roche Faculty Preceptor of the Year Award in recognition of excellence in experiential teaching by a faculty preceptor.
Pharmacists from Mission, Salina and Wichita received Preceptor of the Year Awards to recognize service and excellence in experiential teaching by adjunct faculty: Lisa Everett, O’Brien Pharmacy in Mission, community pharmacy; Steve Blanner, Salina Regional Health Center Pharmacy, clinical pharmacy; and Joe Slechta, Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, hospital pharmacy.
Established in 1885, KU’s School of Pharmacy enrolls about 420 students in the PharmD program. For the past seven years, KU has ranked in the top five U.S. schools of pharmacy in funding from the National Institutes of Health and last year ranked 16th among public programs by U.S. News and World Report. An estimated 63 percent of KU pharmacy graduates live and work in Kansas after graduation, providing a range of vital health care services.
The PharmD graduates who received awards are listed below by hometown, parents’ names, previous schools attended (when available) and award.
CHEROKEE COUNTY
From Columbus 66725
Amanda Kay Carpino, daughter of Craig Carpino and Sharon Carpino; Columbus Unified High School; Merck Award, given to three students who have demonstrated outstanding performance in pharmacy practice courses.
COFFEY COUNTY
From Lebo 66856
Eric Scott Gourley, son of Doyle and Lori Gourley; Lebo High School; Mylan Excellence in Pharmacy Award presented in recognition of high academic achievement and professional motivation in professional development and community service.
DOUGLAS COUNTY
From Lawrence 66049
Paul W. Huffer; Topeka West High School; bachelor’s degree in English from KU, spring 1990; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology George F. Traiger Award for academic excellence in toxicology courses.
Angela Denise Valadez; bachelor’s degree from Southwestern Oklahoma State University; Nontraditional PharmD Student Award in recognition of excellence in the nontraditional PharmD curriculum.
FINNEY COUNTY
From Garden City 67846
Aimee Ann Zeller, daughter of Robert and Patricia Zeller; Garden City Senior High School; TEVA Outstanding Student Award in recognition of outstanding achievement in the study of pharmacy and professional development and community service activities.
JACKSON COUNTY
From Holton 66436
Brooke Ashley Black, daughter of Brian and Karol Bell; Holton High School; Wolters Kluwer Health Facts and Comparisons Award for recognition of excellent academic achievement and outstanding patient communication skills.
JOHNSON COUNTY
From Leawood 66209
Genevieve Margaret Kautz, daughter of Frederick and Pamela Kautz; Blue Valley North High School, Overland Park; Academy of Student Pharmacists Professionalism Award for demonstration of leadership and promoting academic and community service professionalism and Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry Walter F. Enz Award for academic excellence in pharmaceutical chemistry courses.
Mnesha Rajesh Patel, daughter of Rajesh and Alka Patel; Blue Valley North High School, Overland Park; Department of Pharmacy Practice Roy W. and Loretta R. Gee Integrated Laboratory Award for excellence in department of pharmacy practice pharmacy care laboratory courses.
From Merriam 66203
Mark Andrew Stanfield; John Glenn High School, New Concord, Ohio; bachelor’s degree from the University of Cincinnati; GlaxoSmithKline Patient Care Award in recognition of outstanding performance in patient relations by a student during their advanced experiential rotations in hospital and community pharmacy practice.
NESS COUNTY
From Ness City 67560
Melissa Sue Rufenacht, daughter of Benjie and Randae Rufenacht; Ness City High School; National Community Pharmacists Association Outstanding Student Award for excellence in leadership, service and promotion of career pathways in independent community pharmacy.
SEDGWICK COUNTY
From Wichita 67207
Angela Sue Campbell, daughter of Teddy and Karen Boettcher; Wichita High School East; Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry Walter F. Enz Award for academic excellence in pharmaceutical chemistry courses.
From Wichita 67212
Christopher Paul Loucks, son of Terry and Michelle Loucks; Wichita High School Northwest; Merck Award, given to three students who have demonstrated outstanding performance in pharmacy practice courses.
SHAWNEE COUNTY
From Topeka 66609
Kristen Marie Powell, daughter of Julie Hinrichsen; Shawnee Heights Senior High School, Tecumseh; bachelor’s degree from Washburn University; Roche Pharmacy Communications Award in recognition of excellence in promotion of effective pharmacist/patient communication as a component of a pharmacist’s service to their patients and community.
WICHITA COUNTY
From Leoti 67861
Tyson Wade Mullen, son of Kevin and Kathy Mullen; Wichita County High School; Eli Lilly Achievement Award in recognition of high academic performance and outstanding leadership and professional service to the profession of pharmacy.
ARIZONA
From Paradise Valley 85253
Kami Elizabeth Colyer, daughter of Toni Colyer; Saguaro High School, Scottsdale, Ariz.; Department of Medicinal Chemistry Dr. Edward E. and Clarine F. Smissman Memorial award for academic excellence in medicinal chemistry courses.
MISSOURI
From Lee’s Summit 64064
Courtney Christina Reddell, daughter of June White; Lee’s Summit North High School; Perrigo Award in recognition of excellence in nonprescription medication studies.
From St. Joseph 64503
Noah Benjamin Smith, son of Dennis and Nancy Smith; Hiawatha (Kan.) High School; bachelor’s degree from Pittsburg State University; Merck Award, given to three students who have demonstrated outstanding performance in pharmacy practice courses.
NORTH DAKOTA
From Fargo 58103
Jennifer Marie DeVos, daughter of Denny and Sue Devos; South High School; Kansas Pharmacists Association Outstanding Service Award in recognition of student leadership and service to the profession of pharmacy in Kansas and Academy of Student Pharmacists-American Pharmacists Association Award in recognition of outstanding leadership and service to the Academy of Student Pharmacists.
BELIZE
From Belize City
Lucy Stun, daughter of Ming Xong Stun; Department of Pharmacy Practice Clinical Skills Award in recognition of demonstrated excellence in clinical skills during advanced pharmacy practice experiential rotations.
MALAYSIA
From Johor
Xiao Tian Yaw, daughter of Kin Yan Yaw; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology Faculty Award for academic excellence in pharmacology courses.
The University of Kansas is a major comprehensive research and teaching university. University Relations is the central public relations office for KU's Lawrence campus.
kunews@ku.edu | (785) 864-3256 | 1314 Jayhawk Blvd., Lawrence, KS 66045