At the 2024 annual meeting, held in Coralville, Iowa, June 20–21, the Iowa Pharmacists Association (IPA) recognized pharmacists and student pharmacists for their contributions of leadership, patient care, professional involvement, and public service. The awards serve to capture Iowa pharmacy’s spirit of service and its culture of professionalism. A student and several faculty and alumni from the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (CPHS) were honored with awards and recognition.
Kaitlyn Thomas, fourth-year Drake pharmacy student, received the Jerry Karbeling Leadership Award for her determination to offer better healthcare and affordable medication to marginalized and disenfranchised groups. This award was established by the IPA Foundation as a tribute to the leadership and service of the late Jerry M. Karbeling. Recipients of this award have outstanding involvement in professional organization and the political process as it relates to the pharmacy profession.
Renae Chesnut, former CPHS dean (2016–2024) and professor of pharmacy practice, was recognized as a Robert G. Gibbs Distinguished Pharmacist for her over 30 years of unwavering commitment to the pharmacy profession. The award, established in honor of past IPA Executive Officer Robert G. Gibbs, is the highest recognition bestowed to a pharmacist by IPA. In years the award is presented, a $500 scholarship grant is also awarded to an Iowa-based college of pharmacy.
Lynn Kassel, associate professor of pharmacy practice and clinical pharmacist at MercyOne West Des Moines Medical Center, was recognized with the Excellence in Innovation Award for her contributions to the development of standardized intake and documentation forms, perioperative antibiotic regimens, and interventions to increase patient efficacy and safety. The Excellence in Innovation Award recognizes pharmacists who have demonstrated significant innovation in their respective practices.
District 44 House Representative John Forbes, PH’80, from Urbandale, Iowa, received the Individual Appreciation Award for his integral voice and pharmacy advocacy in the statehouse. The IPA Appreciation Award recognizes individuals and corporations for their support of organized pharmacy in the state of Iowa.