2021 TSHP Award Recipients

On June 19, during TPA’s 2021 Virtual Summer Meeting (June 17-19), the Tennessee Society of Health-System Pharmacists (TSHP), a Society of the Tennessee Pharmacists Association, honored the following individuals and entities for their accomplishments and commitment to excellence. Congratulations! We appreciate your dedication to health-system pharmacy and the patients you serve!

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

KAY McCURDY RYAN, DPh, MS, MBA, FASHP

Distinguished Service Award

Kay McCurdy Ryan, DPh, MS, MBA, FASHP, of Memphis, TN, was recently recognized by the Tennessee Society of Health-System Pharmacists (TSHP), a Society of the Tennessee Pharmacists Association (TPA), as the 2021 Health-System Distinguished Service Award.

Originally from Dyer, Tennessee, Dr. Ryan graduated from the University of Tennessee Health Center College of Pharmacy (UTHSC) with a BS in Pharmacy before completing a residency at what was then Methodist Hospital Central in Memphis.  She then went on to continue her education, receiving a Master of Science in Pharmacy Administration from UTHSC and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Memphis.  Dr. Ryan served as Director of Pharmacy Services at Regional One Health (ROH) from 1981 to 2020. In 2020, she was promoted to Vice President of Retail and Specialty Pharmacy at ROH.  As one of the longest-serving pharmacy directors in the state of Tennessee, Dr. Ryan’s influence is profound in serving as a mentor to countless students, residents, and pharmacists. Beyond her impact in the pharmacy health system, she has remained a tireless advocate for her profession at the local, state, and national levels.  She served as TPA President for 1991-1992 and has served as chair of multiple committees within the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), TSHP and TPA.  She was named a Fellow of ASHP in 1994.

Dr. Ryan and her husband, Mike, have been married 39 years. They have two daughters, Mary-Michael Ryan and Sarah-Catherine Ryan Formiller, also a pharmacist, and a granddaughter, Sadie Kay, born in 2020.

The Health-System Distinguished Service award recognizes sustained service and accomplishment for a career of 20 or more years in the pharmacy profession.  It is presented to a pharmacist who has made significant contributions in health-system pharmacy practice, research and/or publications; implemented innovative approaches to practice; and achieved professional standing in the community and health-system practice.  TPA congratulates Dr. Ryan for her distinguished service with significant contributions to her profession.

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MARK SULLIVAN, PharmD, MBA, BCPS, FASHP

Pharmacist of the Year

Mark Sullivan, PharmD, MBA, BCPS, FASHP, of Franklin, TN, was recently recognized by the Tennessee Society of Health-System Pharmacists (TSHP), a Society of the Tennessee Pharmacists Association (TPA), as the 2021 Health-System Pharmacist of the Year.

Dr. Sullivan received his BS Pharmacy from Auburn University, his Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy and went on to earn a Master of Business Administration from Belmont University.  Dr. Sullivan currently serves as the Associate Chief Pharmacy Officer of Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC), where he oversees pharmacy operations for the adult, psychiatric and rehabilitation hospitals as well as on- and off-campus clinics.  During his time in this role, Dr. Sullivan directed transformation of the deployment of pharmacists and technicians to a patient-facing, integrated model supporting providers and nurses with a leadership team.  He has served on a variety of professional committees and received multiple honors and awards, due to his leadership and example.

In May of 2020, the Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) partnered with VUMC to distribute their initial supply of remdesivir to hospitals and patients across the state.  Dr. Sullivan was part of a small team of physician and pharmacist experts who collaborated with TDH to establish this distribution process.  Dr. Sullivan became the point of intake for requests and interfaced with directors of pharmacy across the state.  He worked with TDH to ensure proper data submission related to COVID monoclonal antibody inventory and utilization at VUMC and led frequent meetings with VUMC pharmacy leadership on COVID-related topics, ranging from investigational studies to state and hospital metrics.

Dr. Sullivan and his wife, Lori, have two daughters, Katie Norona and Emily Burgess, and a grandson, Jude.

The Health-System Pharmacist of the Year award is presented to a pharmacist who has made significant contributions to the profession of pharmacy and health-system practice.  This award recognizes the development and implementation of advanced health-system pharmacy practice programs, research, and/or publications; personal enrichment endeavors through specialized training and advanced degrees; and demonstrated leadership qualities.  TPA and TSHP congratulate Dr. Mark Sullivan for his outstanding work and contributions to patient care and pharmacy practice.

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TAMIKA L. WATKINS, CPhT

Pharmacy Technician of the Year

Tamika L. Watkins, CPhT, of Arlington, Tennessee, was recently recognized by the Tennessee Society of Health-System Pharmacists (TSHP), a Society of the Tennessee Pharmacists Association (TPA), as the 2021 TSHP Pharmacy Technician of the Year.  Ms. Watkins has worked in pharmacy since 2001 and received her Pharmacy Technician Certification in 2006 from the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB).  After working for several years in specialty pharmacy as a Pharmacy Technician Supervisor, she joined Methodist Le Bonheur Hospital Pharmacy in 2013.  Ms. Watkins has taken on many roles since being at Methodist Le Bonheur Hospital Pharmacy, such as Automations Specialist, Lead Pharmacy Technician, and presently, Pharmacy Technician Supervisor.

Ms. Watkins is a recognized problem solver, a superior communicator, and highly skilled at handling complex projects.  She says of herself that she has a belief in superior patient service standards and approaches her days with a “patient first” attitude.  She is also a champion for trans-cultural diversity, enhancing cultural awareness and sensitivity at the hospital.

Ms. Watkins is very family-oriented and community-oriented.  She serves as Band President and Vice President of Publicity of the Parent Teacher Student Association at her son’s school.

TPA and TSHP congratulate Tamika Watkins for her outstanding work and contributions to patient care and pharmacy practice.

Pharmacy technicians provide essential support to pharmacists and enhance the delivery of patient care and services.  This award is presented to an individual who exercises exemplary pharmacy technician practice.

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BLOUNT MEMORIAL HOSPITAL INPATIENT PHARMACY

Innovative Health-System Pharmacy Practice of the Year

Blount Memorial Hospital Inpatient Pharmacy, Maryville, Tennessee, led by Director of Pharmacy, Rob Lucas, PharmD, MBA, BCPS, FASHP, was recently recognized by the Tennessee Society of Health-System Pharmacists (TSHP) and Tennessee Pharmacists Association (TPA) as the 2021 Tennessee Innovative Health-System Pharmacy Practice of the Year.  This award is given annually to a pharmacy program in Tennessee that has demonstrated advances in pharmacy practice as well as efforts which elevate the level of pharmacy services through development or changes in practice at the institution.

Blount Memorial Hospital Inpatient Pharmacy has experienced tremendous growth and success, despite the global pandemic.  In the last two years, the pharmacy has completely overhauled the drug distribution system, converted to new automation and workflow processes, and simultaneously implemented a clinical support surveillance system.  Working in collaboration with executive staff, Blount Memorial was able to design and develop two new ambulatory care services leading to improved patient care in the community.  When the COVID pandemic hit, the pharmacy was at the forefront, leading initiatives to deliver care with COVID treatments, medication management, a monoclonal antibody (MAB) infusion clinic, and vaccine clinics.  

A shared, rotating model for providing critical care and emergency department pharmacy specialists on the weekends was implemented in mid-2019, enhancing the performance and impact of critical care pharmacists.  Internal Medicine services pivoted from daily rounds with hospitalists to rounding with the pulmonology team, to assist with managing medications in the heavy volume of COVID patients.  The pharmacy management team has made a push during the past two years to identify and financially support pharmacists and pharmacy technicians gaining advanced training in specialty areas, such as sterile compounding, nutrition support, and medication histories.  Pursuit of additional certifications in patient safety and pain management are underway.  During the past two years, the department has gone from having five board-certified pharmacists to twelve.  One of the most significant pharmacy research projects during the past two years was “Outcomes Associated with Changing from MicroScan to MALDI-TOF/Phoenix Technology in a Mid-Size Community Hospital.”  This resident-led study of 137 patients revealed a significant decrease in time to organism identification, from 24 hours in the MicroScan group to six hours in the MALDI-TOF/Phoenix group, significantly improving patient care. 

TSHP and TPA congratulate Blount Memorial Hospital Inpatient Pharmacy, as well as Dr. Rob Lucas and his team, for their outstanding work and contributions to patient care and pharmacy practice.

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REGIONAL ONE HEALTH, PGY2 AMBULATORY CARE PROGRAM
Program Director: Drew Armstrong, PharmD, BCACP, AAHIVP

Pharmacy Residency Program of the Year

The Post-Graduate Year 2 (PGY2) Ambulatory Care Program at Regional One Health (ROH), Memphis, Tennessee, was recently recognized by the Tennessee Society of Health-System Pharmacists (TSHP), a Society of the Tennessee Pharmacists Association (TPA), as the 2021 TSHP Pharmacy Residency Program of the Year for its post-graduate residency programs. 

Over the past two years, under the direction of Residency Program director Drew Armstrong, PharmD, BCACP, AAHIVP, Ambulatory Care Residents of Regional One Health helped facilitate expansion of pharmacy services in a major way.  Patients are now seen in pharmacist-run clinics for HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), Hepatitis C, Outpatient Parenteral Antibiotic Therapy (OPAT), and three additional clinics for hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia management.  Aside from this expansion, Ambulatory Care Residents fulfill a wide array of roles within health-system pharmacy practice.  Through the Specialty Pharmacy, residents are exposed to several clinics working with multiple disease states and disciplines, including sickle cell, rheumatology, and pulmonology.  Outside of traditional ambulatory care roles, residents may participate in inpatient rounding with the Internal Medicine team, or triaging patients in a primary care role within the Emergency Department.

Ambulatory Care Residents of Regional One Health also have opportunities to serve as pharmacy educators in the health system and in the community.  Annually, residents attend the MidSouth Mission of Mercy Health Fair to talk with patients about uncontrolled diabetes and hypertension.  Participating in the Memphis Area Pharmacy Society and the Mid-South College of Clinical Pharmacy, they are also given opportunities to serve as instructors at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Pharmacy.

This award is given annually to a pharmacy residency program in Tennessee that has demonstrated sustained services and contributions to health-system pharmacy practice, such as changes in practice at the institution, innovative research, and/or residency project publications.  TSHP and TPA congratulate the Post-Graduate Year 2 (PGY2) Ambulatory Care Program at Regional One Health (ROH), as well as Dr. Drew Armstrong and their team, for their outstanding work and contributions to patient care and pharmacy practice.

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