Drake Reiter, a fourth-year student pharmacist at the Drake University College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences (CPHS), was announced as the winner of the 2019 Future Pharmacist Award during the Next-Generation Pharmacists Award Gala held on October 25 in San Diego. Sponsored by Parata and Pharmacy Times, the national Next Generation Pharmacist™ awards program honors pharmacists, technicians, students and industry advocates in 11 categories who are defining the future of pharmacy. The Future Pharmacist Award is given to a student pharmacist who demonstrates spirit and passion for the profession of pharmacy through a combination of academic achievement and evidence of industry advocacy, patient advocacy, technology innovation, or civic leadership/environmental stewardship to the profession.
Reiter, originally from Keokuk, Iowa, has built an impressive record of leadership and advocacy as a Drake student pharmacist. Reiter is committed to advocating for the profession of pharmacy and the needs of his patients, as evidenced by his service as a legislative intern for Iowa State Representative John Forbes, PH’80, and his selection to participate in National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) RxIMPACT advocacy activities. As a student leader, Reiter has served as president of the American Pharmacist Association Academy of Student Pharmacists (APhA-ASP) chapter at Drake, facilitated a university-wide symposium on alcohol awareness, completed the CPHS Student Leadership Development Series, and represented the college as a student ambassador. Reiter’s commitment to meeting the needs of his patients, often in an innovative manner, is evident by his work as a clinical services intern at CHC Health, his high placement in the CPHS APhA National Patient Counseling Competition and the DELTA Rx Next Top Entrepreneur Competition, and his selection for Drake’s Lon N. Larson Engaged Practitioner Award finalist.
“I am humbled and honored to be chosen as the winner of the Next-Generation Future Pharmacist award. The track record of success for Drake University students winning this award speaks volumes to the variety of quality opportunities that are afforded to students in the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences,” said Reiter. “The commitment that the CPHS administration, faculty, and staff consistently show to the success of their students is what sets Drake apart from other colleges of pharmacy.”
The college has a stellar record for the Next-Generation Future Pharmacist Award with more finalists being selected for 7 years of the 10-year history of the award than any other pharmacy program:
- 2010 – Kathryn McDonald Starbuck
- 2012 – Huy Nguyen
- 2013 – Natalie Schmitz
- 2014 – Laura Vollmer (winner)
- 2015 – Natalie Roy
- 2018 – Matt Glasow (winner)
- 2019 – Drake Reiter (winner)
“This is a well-deserved honor and recognizes the impact that Drake has had on our college, the profession, and our community,” said Renae Chesnut, dean and professor of the College. “Our college’s outstanding record over the past 10 years in this award is a testament to the opportunities that Drake students have to excel.”
About the Next-Gen Pharmacist™ Awards
Sponsored by Parata and Pharmacy Times, this national awards program honors pharmacists, technicians, students and industry advocates who are defining the future of pharmacy. Since 2010, more than 200 pharmacy leaders have been named finalists or winners. An independent panel of judges evaluates all entries for adherence to professional standards, experience as it relates to each category, and advancement of the profession. The three highest-scoring entries in each category are named finalists, and the top-scoring entry is named the category winner.