The Iowa Pharmacy Association (IPA) presented awards to Drake University alumni, faculty and a current student at its Annual Meeting, which took place on June 5 and 6 in Des Moines. These prestigious awards recognize exceptional service to the profession of pharmacy.
Cheryl Clarke, Professor Emerita of Pharmacy Practice, received the Thomas R. Temple Mentorship Award. This award recognizes an individual who “has mentored, supported and sponsored pharmacists in a transformative way,” according to the IPA.
Clarke graduated from Drake’s Pharmacy program in 1986, then returned to Drake as a professor in 2009. Clarke served as the Assistant Dean for Clinical Affairs for more than a decade before her retirement in 2024.
In addition to teaching in the Pharmacy Practice department, Clarke led the implementation of experiential education programs for several new degree programs, including the Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) and the Master of Clinical Psychopharmacology.
Kit Reimer, a fourth-year Drake Pharmacy student, won the Jerry Karbeling Leadership Award. This honor is presented each year to a Drake student and a University of Iowa student who participate actively in professional organizations and the political process.
Reimer served as a legislative intern for State Representative John Forbes and as the Executive Intern for the Pharmacy Quality Alliance. Reimer is also an active presence on campus, from her participation in the Student Leadership Development Series to her volunteer service with Meals from the Heartland.
Allie Schlicher, PH ‘10, was named the Health-System Pharmacist of the Year. This award recognizes a health-system pharmacist who demonstrates exceptional service to the pharmacy profession and the community.
Schlicher works as the Pharmacy Clinical Manager and PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency Program Director at UnityPoint – Iowa Methodist in Des Moines. In this role, Schlicher oversees recent PharmD graduates and supports their continuing education in the field.
Mike Pursel, PH ‘79, MBA ‘84, was named Honorary President of the Iowa Pharmacy Association. This award recognizes a pharmacist who has demonstrated “lengthy and sustained commitment” to the pharmacy profession in Iowa.
The IPA praised Pursel for his involvement in state and national healthcare organizations, including his eight years on staff with the IPA. Pursel retired in June after more than 40 years in the pharmacy industry.
Sue Mears, PH alumna, received the IPA Appreciation Award for her longstanding work for the State of Iowa.
Mears works as a pharmacist compliance officer in the Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing. In this role, Mears has advised the Iowa Board of Pharmacy in rulemaking and tracking legislative actions related to the pharmacy profession.
The IPA credited Mears as a leader of the “Pharmacy Practice Act,” a 2024 law that updated the state’s regulatory framework for pharmacists.
Several members of the Drake community were also appointed to the IPA Board of Trustees.
• Andrew Wagner, PH’17 – Trustee Region 4, which includes
• Stacy Johnson, third-year pharmacy student – Student Pharmacist
• Greg Johansen, PH’76 – Honorary President