Bernadette Cornelison named 40 Under 40 Honoree by Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Bernadette Cornelison, PharmD, MS, BCPS, an assistant clinical professor at the University of Arizona R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy, has been selected as one of the honorees for the 2023 Class of 40 Under 40 Honorees by the Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
The individuals chosen for this honor exemplify leadership and commitment within the community. The 40 Under 40 Awards also recognize and acknowledge individuals who contribute to the advancement and improvement of their local community. Dr. Cornelison is among 40 honorees who will be celebrated during the 40 Under 40 Awards Breakfast on December 8.
“This award is symbolic of the impact I have on my community, especially with my patients and students,” Dr. Cornelison said. “This profession sometimes requires time away from family, so this award is a humbling recognition of the service we provide to the community, in addition to our personal commitment and responsibilities.”
In addition to co-coordinating the self-care therapeutics course for first-year pharmacy students and over-the-counter medications course for undergraduate students, Dr. Cornelison is an ambulatory care clinical pharmacist at Banner Health.
Dr. Cornelison was nominated by Brian Erstad, PharmD, MCCM, FCCP, FASHP, BCPS, a professor and head of the Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science at the Coit College of Pharmacy. Among the qualities he highlighted were positivity and optimism.
“The theme of optimism weaves into her daily perspective on life and in her teaching of hundreds of students,” Dr. Erstad said. “She also works with several patients every year that have uncontrolled diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and patients who want to quit using tobacco.”
Ensuring equal access to healthcare is a top priority for Dr. Cornelison. Regardless of the barriers to accessing medications, whether economic, cultural, or linguistic, she works diligently to meet patients’ specific health needs and desired health outcomes.
In collaboration with the Tucson Family Advocacy Program, the local International Rescue Committee and with teachers who instruct English as a Second Language, she created resources for underserved communities to help individuals gain a better understanding of pharmacy services. These resources and the process developed to create them have been recognized both locally and internationally.
“Working with underserved populations, I have witnessed many patients aren’t just battling their health or medical issues, but sometimes also racial or cultural challenges,” she said. “Sometimes, just making an extra phone call or spending an extra minute to understand the true challenges of each individual, can really make an impact on someone’s life.”
Dr. Cornelison’s selflessness also extends into the classroom. She mentors at least 10 students every year and continues to mentor students as they navigate their careers in pharmacy. As a faculty member and a mentor, she hopes her students gain the knowledge and expertise to provide high-quality patient care within their community.
“No matter where our students end up practicing, whether it be research and development, community, hospital, or ambulatory care pharmacy, we serve our communities to protect them from a myriad of risks,” she said.