Michael Harvey, a fourth-year student pharmacist at the Drake University College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences (CPHS), was announced as the winner of the 2019 American Pharmacists Association (APhA) Good Government Student Pharmacist-of-the-Year Award during the APhA Political Leadership Reception held during the APhA Annual Meeting in Seattle, Washington. Established in 2004, this award recognizes a student pharmacist with an outstanding record of advocating for the pharmacy profession, organizing grass-roots political activities within their local APhA-ASP (Academy of Students in Pharmacy) chapter, and raising awareness of local and national pharmacy issues among student pharmacists.
Harvey, originally from De Pere, Wisconsin, has built an extensive record of involvement in professional organizations and advocacy for the profession of pharmacy since joining the CPHS as a pre-pharmacy student in 2013. As both President of the CPHS APhA-ASP Chapter and the professional pharmacy fraternity, Phi Delta Chi-Psi Chapter, Harvey utilized his leadership positions to motivate members of these chapters to participate in Iowa Pharmacy Association (IPA) Legislative Day and other IPA activities. In 2017, Harvey was selected from a pool of strong candidates to serve as a Legislative Intern for Iowa State Representative John Forbes (PH’80). Harvey has also served as the Drake Student Representative on the IPA Board of Trustees, participated in the 2016 Bill Burke Leadership Conference, and was selected for induction into Phi Lambda Sigma, the pharmacy leadership society.
“I am extremely humbled to receive this award. It reflects the exceptional opportunities that Drake offers its students. It is important that as future pharmacists, we are engaged in policy and advocacy to ensure pharmacists can continue to practice at the top of their license and provide excellent patient care,” said Harvey. “My classmates and I are surrounded by faculty and staff that want to help us succeed and grow into the next generation of pharmacy practitioners. Because Drake is located in Des Moines, pharmacy students have access to state government officials, the Iowa Board of Pharmacy, and the Iowa Pharmacy Association. This gave my classmates and me extensive opportunities for involvement in public affairs, policy and advocacy. I would not be receiving this award if it were not for these incredible opportunities.”
“This recognition of Michael’s work is well-deserved,” said Renae Chesnut, dean and professor of the College. “He has pursued opportunities provided by our college that allow students to pursue their areas of interest. Furthermore, he has led advocacy efforts that have encouraged other students to become involved in the legislative process to fulfill our mission of preparing our learners to be tomorrow’s health care leaders.”