Amy Kennedy Receives APhA Distinguished Achievement in Service Award
Amy Kennedy, PharmD, associate clinical professor and assistant department head at the University of Arizona R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy, receives the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) Distinguished Achievement in Service Award.
The APhA leads the pharmacy profession by supporting pharmacists, student pharmacists, and pharmacy technicians in their role optimizing medication use and patient health outcomes and ensuring patients have access to pharmacists’ care. APhA advocates at the national and state levels to give pharmacists a voice in decisions that affect their future while promoting their undeniable value to health care teams. Nominees of this award must be involved in APhA-related activities, have received other awards and recognition, participated in community service and other professional associations, and have created an impact on practice & profession within the nominee’s focus area.
“I am deeply honored to be awarded the APhA Distinguished Achievement in Service award,” said Kennedy. “APhA has been my professional home since I was a pharmacy student and I'm grateful for the mentors, particularly at VCU School of Pharmacy, who showed me the importance of service and how it deepens connections and allows us to effectively advocate for ourselves and our profession.”
Kennedy, who joined the College of Pharmacy in 2010 as an assistant professor, is now an associate clinical professor and assistant department head of the Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science. Recently, she was announced as the director of the Rural Health Professions Program/Health Disparities Certificate, aligning with her focus on pharmacists' impact on underserved populations.
“We are tremendously proud of Dr. Amy Kennedy for receiving the American Pharmacists Association Distinguished Achievement Award in Service,” said Jason Karnes, PharmD, PhD, John A. and Frances P. Ware Endowed Department Head of Pharmacy Practice and Science. “This national recognition reflects her exceptional leadership, tireless commitment to advancing our profession, and profound impact on the communities we serve.”
Wendy Mobley-Bukstein, PharmD, professor at Drake University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, recommended Kennedy for the award. “What sets Amy apart is not just the quantity of their service, but the quality. She approaches every challenge with a spirit of excellence, integrity, and compassion. Her contributions have consistently exceeded expectations, earning her the respect and admiration of colleagues, students, and leaders across the field.” Mobley-Bukstein continued, “Dr. Kennedy has consistently gone above and beyond in her service to APhA. Her leadership roles within APhA include being a member of the New Practitioner Advisory Council, elected to APhA-APPM Member-at-Large, chair of the APhA-APPM Education Committee, sitting in the House of Delegates with the APhA-APPM delegation, APhA-APPM Policy Standing Committee, and she has served at least one time on all of the House of Delegates policy committees. Her participation in the policy development process has been marked by innovation, collaboration, and a deep commitment to advancing the mission of the APhA and the profession of pharmacy.”
“I strongly encourage all faculty, staff and students to find their professional service home as I did with APhA," recommends Kennedy. "It has created lasting friendships and enriched my career in so many ways. Professional service is one of the best ways to give back and enhance the profession and lives of patients we serve.”
Kennedy will receive this award at the APhA Annual Meeting & Exposition in Los Angeles this coming March.