The National Community Pharmacists Association Foundation awarded several community pharmacists for their service to the profession at the 2025 Annual Convention and granted scholarships to several pharmacy school students.
Erik Nelson, owner of five pharmacies in the Spokane, Wash., and Post Falls, Idaho areas, received the 2025 NARD Ownership Award at the NCPA Annual Convention. He has helped advance the profession through the development of clinical services, innovative partnerships, and involvement with community partners, alongside serving as a student preceptor for the Washington State University College of Pharmacy.
The foundation also recognized Heather Lyons-Burney, clinical associate professor and assistant director of experiential learning at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Pharmacy, as the 2025 Outstanding Faculty Liaison of the Year. She is NCPA faculty adviser and faculty mentor for student teams competing in the Good Neighbor Pharmacy NCPA Pruitt-Schutte Student Business Plan Competition and poster presentations at the NCPA Annual Convention.
Matt Binder, owner of Ostroms Drug & Gift, Bob Johnson’s Pharmacy, and Madison Park Pharmacy, all in the Seattle area, was named the recipient of the 2025 National Preceptor of the Year Award. He currently precepts 14 students, encouraging advocacy and contextual awareness in his mentorship approach.
The foundation also awarded several students with scholarships. For the first time, the foundation awarded four Partners in Pharmacy need-based scholarships providing $10,000 to pharmacy students who demonstrate a strong commitment to independent community pharmacy and significant financial need.
The recipients include:
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J.C. and Rheba Cobb Memorial Scholarship in Government Affairs: Colby Cormell, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
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Neil Pruitt Sr. Memorial Scholarship for Entrepreneurism: Ashleigh Ewens, Mercer University
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William B. Simmons Memorial Scholarship in Pharmacy Management: Hannah Grace Matthewson, University of Georgia
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Presidential Scholarship, sponsored by McKesson RxOwnership: Tiffany Chao, Rutgers University; Ty Davenport, University of Oklahoma; Emily Fisher, University of South Carolina; Rachel Helbling, University of Texas at Austin; Cindy Lu, University of Pittsburgh; Amber Martin, University of Montana; Evelyn McHaney, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences; Oluwateti Omilana, Howard University; Ellie Twedt, University of Iowa
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Partners in Pharmacy Scholarship: Kara DiNardo, West Virginia University; Armin Dogic, Drake University; Mackenzie Gunn, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center; Mark Hanin, University of Southern California; Hannah Lerma, University of Texas at Austin; Madison Shreffler, North Dakota State University; Laney Skipper, Auburn University; Andrea Tucker, Auburn University
You can read the full news release here.
