2021 TPA Award Recipients

On June 19, during TPA’s 2021 Virtual Summer Meeting (June 17-19), TPA honored the following individuals and entities for excellence and dedication to pharmacy. Congratulations! We appreciate your outstanding contributions to patients and the profession!

Please click on the names below to learn more about TPA’s 2021 award winners!

WILLIAM L. “BILL” GREENE, BS Pharmacy, PharmD, BCPS, FASHP, FCCP

Shelby Rhinehart Public Service Lifetime Achievement Award

William L. “Bill” Greene, BS Pharmacy, PharmD, BCPS, FASHP, FCCP, of Germantown, TN, was recently honored with the 2021 Shelby Rhinehart Public Service Lifetime Achievement Award by the Tennessee Pharmacists Association (TPA), in recognition of his work and support of the pharmacy profession.

Dr. Greene received his bachelor’s in pharmacy from the University of North Carolina and his Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Pharmacy. He currently serves as the Chief Pharmaceutical Officer for the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, and has been an active member of the Tennessee Pharmacists Association and Tennessee Society of Health-System Pharmacists for over 30 years, serving as President of both organizations and on numerous committees throughout the years. He is a Fellow of both the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists and the American College of Clinical Pharmacy and has written numerous journal articles, commentaries, and book chapters. Dr. Greene has also been heavily involved in many regulatory and legislative priorities in the state of Tennessee throughout his career. He was instrumental in passage of the collaborative pharmacy practice law in 2014, which allowed pharmacists to play a more official role in team-based health care. Dr. Greene’s passion for TPA and for advocating for the profession are obvious to all around him, as he encourages other pharmacists and pharmacy professionals to be involved in TPA and their profession, knowing that they can make a real difference.

Dr. Greene and his wife, Cheryl, have two children, Elisa and Nathan. He is a former member of the Board of Trustees for the Evangelical Christian School and an active member of the Kirby Woods Baptist Church.

The Shelby Rhinehart Public Service Lifetime Achievement Award was created in 2002 to recognize individual support of the pharmacy profession through legislative and service efforts in honor of the late pharmacist and Representative Shelby A. Rhinehart, who served 36 years in the Tennessee General Assembly. TPA congratulates Dr. Greene on receiving the 2021 Shelby Rhinehart Public Service Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his career of public service to the profession of pharmacy and his many contributions to patient care through high-quality education.

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JONATHAN C. HUGHES, PharmD, BCPS, BCACP

Distinguished Young Pharmacist

Jonathan C. Hughes, PharmD, BCPS, BCACP, of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, was recently recognized by the Tennessee Pharmacists Association (TPA) as the 2021 Distinguished Young Pharmacist, in recognition of his dedication to the expansion of Ambulatory Care pharmacy services, advocacy for the pharmacy profession, and investment in future generations of pharmacists.

Dr. Hughes received his Doctor of Pharmacy at the University of Kentucky in 2015 prior to completing his PGY-1 and PGY-2 residencies in Ambulatory Care at the VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System.  In 2017, he began working at Saint Louise Family Medicine Center in Murfreesboro, TN, where he provides comprehensive medication management services to patients as an Ambulatory Care Clinical Pharmacy Specialist.  Dr. Hughes established the PGY-2 Ambulatory Care program at Ascension Saint Thomas Health and currently serves as Residency Director.  In 2021, he was appointed as Pharmacist Supervisor within Ascension Medical Group Tennessee.  Dr. Hughes carries two specialty board certifications, has authored 9 peer-reviewed publications, and has presented multiple research projects at national pharmacy and medical meetings.

In addition, Dr. Hughes serves as preceptor for residents and students of both pharmacy and medicine.  He is an assistant professor for the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) College of Pharmacy and affiliate faculty for Lipscomb College of Pharmacy and Belmont College of Pharmacy.  He was recognized as the Middle Tennessee Preceptor of the Year by UTHSC College of Pharmacy in 2020.  Dr. Hughes serves on various committees on the local, state, and national levels and has also served as a panelist in the 2019 BPS Ambulatory Care Role Delineation Study and the 2020 BPS Ambulatory Care Standard Setting Panel.

Dr. Hughes and his wife, Katie, have triplet daughters, Violet, Meredith, and Felicity Anne, and a son, Benjamin. 

The Distinguished Young Pharmacist Award was created in 1987 by Pharmacists Mutual Companies to encourage newer pharmacists to become involved in association activities and civic projects, and to recognize one such pharmacist in each state for individual excellence and outstanding contributions.

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SHAWNA D. LIGHTFOOT, MBA

Barbara McAndrew Herald Award

Shawna D. Lightfoot, MBA, of Hendersonville, Tennessee, was recently recognized by the Tennessee Pharmacists Association (TPA) with the 2021 Barbara McAndrew Herald Award for her work to support the profession of pharmacy and pharmacist-provided patient care in Tennessee.

Originally hired in 2001 by Dr. Baeteena Black and Dr. Roger Davis as the Accountant for TPA and the Tennessee Primary Care Network, Ms. Lightfoot became the TPA Controller in 2009.  In her 20 years with TPA, she has gone above and beyond for members, truly exemplifying and supporting the mission and vision of the organization.  Ms. Lightfoot helped bring TPA’s financial systems into the 21st century and has played a major role in the organization’s history and success.

The daughter of Bernice and Odell Lightfoot of Portland, TN, Ms. Lightfoot is an active member of the Temple Church of Nashville.

The Barbara McAndrew Herald Award is supported by Germantown pharmacist Paula Bailey Hinson and sponsored by the Tennessee Pharmacists Association.  TPA congratulates Ms. Lightfoot for her outstanding work and contributions to patient care and pharmacy practice.

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THOMAS MARCROM, PharmD

Bowl of Hygeia Award

Thomas Marcrom, PharmD, of Manchester, Tennessee, was recently awarded the 2021 Bowl of Hygeia Award for his outstanding record of civic leadership and encouraging pharmacists to take active roles in their communities. 

Dr. Marcrom has served in various capacities throughout his distinguished 40-year pharmacy career.  Those roles include Vice President and Pharmacist of Marcrom’s Pharmacy, Vice President and Director of Pharmacy of Marcrom’s Home Care, and General Manager and Clinical Pharmacist of American Home Patient, all in his hometown of Manchester, Tennessee.  Dr. Marcrom earned his Bachelor of Science in biochemistry from Lipscomb University in 1976, then went on to get his Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from the University of Tennessee College of Pharmacy in 1980 where he graduated with honors and was awarded the Dean’s Award and Upjohn Achievement Award.  He earned his Doctor of Pharmacy in 1982 at the University of Tennessee College of Pharmacy and was Vice President of his pharmacy class.  He has provided decades of service to his profession as President of Tennessee’s District 5 Pharmacy Association and as preceptor for the University of Tennessee College of Pharmacy and Lipscomb University College of Pharmacy, where he served as a member of the Medical Missionary Team to Honduras in 2015, which was organized by members of his church.  He has shared his expertise with numerous state and pharmacy association committees related to home infusion and drug formulary over a number of years. 

Dr. Marcrom has consistently invested in the future of his community by being a charter board member of the Coffee County Educational Foundation, Hospice of the Highland Rim, and the Coffee County Drug Court.  He is Past President of the Coffee County High School Alumni Association.  Dr. Marcrom has been an ardent supporter and participant in community theater in both Coffee and Cannon counties.  His acting roles have included Captain Hook in Peter Pan, Simeon in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Charlie Anderson in Shenandoah, and George Banks in Mary Poppins.

Dr. Marcrom is an active member of Forest Mill Church of Christ, where he serves as a Bible Teacher and Worship Leader.  He has been involved in numerous ministries, including youth activities, group singing at the local jail, medical missions to Panama, providing music for countless funerals, and often officiating the service for church family, friends, and patients. 

Dr. Marcrom and his wife Elaine have two children, Brian and Allison.

Established in 1958, the Bowl of Hygeia Award recognizes pharmacists who have outstanding records of civic leadership in their communities and encourages pharmacists to take active roles in the affairs of their respective communities. The award is presented annually by participating state pharmacist associations, including those in the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.  In addition to service through their local, state, and national pharmacy associations, award recipients have devoted their time, talent, and resources to a wide variety of causes and community service. The Bowl of Hygeia is sponsored by the American Pharmacists Association Foundation, the National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations, and the American Pharmacists Association.  TPA congratulates Dr. Thomas Marcrom for his lifetime of service and his numerous contributions to patient care and pharmacy practice advancement.

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JENNIFER TWILLA, PharmD, BCPS, FCCP

Tom C. Sharp Pharmacist of the Year

Jennifer Twilla, PharmD, BCPS, FCCP, of Lakeland, Tennessee, was recently recognized by the Tennessee Pharmacists Association (TPA) as the 2021 Tom C. Sharp Pharmacist of the Year for her distinguished work in the profession of pharmacy and excellence in the areas of teaching, patient care, leadership, service delivery and advocacy for the profession.

Dr. Twilla currently serves as the Interim Director and Clinical Pharmacy Manager at Methodist University Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. She received her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) and then went on to complete a PGY1 residency at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Memphis, Tennessee, and a PGY2 residency in Internal Medicine at Methodist University Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee.  Dr. Twilla also serves as an Assistant Professor for the UTHSC College of Pharmacy and previously served as the residency program director (RPD) at Methodist University Hospital.  During her tenure as RPD, the Methodist University Hospital residency program earned the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) Foundation Award for Excellence in Residency Training and the Tennessee Society of Health-System Pharmacists (TSHP) Residency Program of the Year.  She is a former secretary of TSHP and a former president of the Mid-South College of Clinical Pharmacy.  Her contributions to patient care in internal medicine and congestive heart failure have been recognized with the Clinical Practice Award from the American College of Clinical Pharmacy and the TSHP Health-System Pharmacist of the Year Award.  Additionally, she regularly contributes to the global body of literature and has authored over 35 peer-reviewed publications in medical and pharmacy journals.  Dr. Twilla served as Interim Director of Pharmacy at Methodist University Hospital during the COVID pandemic and was selected to lead the community vaccination efforts for the entire Methodist Healthcare System, overseeing over 15,000 vaccinations from Methodist University Hospital to date. 

Dr. Twilla and her husband, Brad, have been married for 20 years, and have a son, Harrison.

Sponsored by the Tennessee Pharmacists Association, the Tom C. Sharp Pharmacist of the Year Award is named in honor of Tom C. Sharp, Sr., who served as TPA’s chief executive officer for 30 years, and his son, Tom C. Sharp, Jr., who served as TPA’s chief executive officer for 30 years following his father’s tenure.  TPA congratulates Dr. Twilla for her outstanding work and contributions to patient care, leadership, and pharmacy education and practice.

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JASON VINSON, PharmD

Excellence in Innovation Award

Jason Vinson, PharmD, of Germantown, Tennessee, was recently recognized by the Tennessee Pharmacists Association (TPA) with the 2021 TPA Excellence in Innovation Award.  This national award, coordinated by the National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations and sponsored by Upsher-Smith Laboratories, is given annually to a pharmacist who has demonstrated significant innovation in practice, resulting in improved patient care and advancement of the profession of pharmacy.

Dr. Vinson earned his Doctor of Pharmacy degree at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) College of Pharmacy.  He served as the Director of Pharmacy and Medication Safety Officer at St. Francis Hospital Bartlett from 2007 to 2017, after which he served as the Market Director of Pharmacy and Medication Safety Officer from 2017 to 2019.  In 2019, Dr. Vinson formed his own company, Specialty Consultative Pharmacy Services, LLC, and is contracted with Mike Pulido, DDS in Germantown, TN.  In this unique practice, Dr. Vinson performs Medication Therapy Management, antibiotic and opioid stewardship, and is involved in education and initiatives for medications used in dentistry.  In addition, he serves as a preceptor for the UTHSC College of Pharmacy and Union University College of Pharmacy. Dr. Vinson is involved in multiple committees through the Tennessee Pharmacists Association and the Tennessee Society of Health-System Pharmacists.

Dr. Vinson also serves as a community leader to raise awareness around epilepsy, sharing his daughter’s story.  As a guest speaker for LeBonheur Children’s Hospital, they routinely participate in golf outings, grand openings, and company fundraising parties, in addition to speaking with other families to provide support.

Dr. Vinson and his wife, Jessica, have a daughter, Kayden.

TPA congratulates Dr. Jason Vinson for his outstanding work and contributions to patient care and pharmacy practice.

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Tennessee Department of Health Vaccine-Preventable Diseases and Immunization Program (VPDIP)

Partner in Excellence

The Tennessee Department of Health Vaccine-Preventable Diseases and Immunization Program (VPDIP) was recently recognized by the Tennessee Pharmacists Association (TPA) as the 2021 TPA Partner in Excellence.

Tennessee’s VPDIP is responsible for promoting the proper use of all recommended vaccines, in collaboration with the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other partners. VPDIP began engaging with the Tennessee Pharmacists Association (TPA) in the Summer of 2020, to discuss pharmacies’ involvement in the COVID-19 vaccination efforts.  Early on, VPDIP recognized the role of the pharmacist and pharmacy technician in the hospital, long-term care, and community settings.  By turning to partners in the community for input and working with other organizations, they were able to get the vaccine out as quickly and as equitably as possible.  Their tireless efforts over the next year led to over 5 million COVID-19 vaccinations in the state of Tennessee by June of 2021. TPA specifically thanks Ms. Cassie Jones, Ms. Cristi Chambers, Ms. Liz Harris, Ms. Nathalie Hartert, Dr. Paul Petersen, Mr. Sean Kice, Dr. Christopher Wilson, Ms. Vicky Reed, Dr. Michelle Fiscus and all of the Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) COVID-19 Vaccine Response Team for their dedication to the pharmacy community.

The TPA Partner in Excellence award provides visible recognition to an organization, association, or other entity that has worked closely with TPA to improve patient outcomes, promote patient safety, increase the quality of care within the larger healthcare system, and elevate the standards for pharmacist-provided patient care.  TPA congratulates the Tennessee Department of Health Vaccine-Preventable Diseases and Immunization Program for their outstanding work and contributions to patient care and pharmacy practice.

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