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Donor Recognition Ceremony Honors Legacies
Donor Recognition Ceremony Recognized Donors and Special Honorees
On July 29, 2022, the Tennessee Pharmacists Research and Education Foundation (TPREF) hosted a special event to recognize donors to the Building Tennessee’s Pharmacy Future campaign (listed at right), and to celebrate two pharmacists whose generosity of spirit inspired generosity in others and whose dedication led to monumental advances in pharmacy practice.
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Dr. Gary Cripps and Dr. Micah Cost were honored by their colleagues with Legacy Contributions that allowed areas in the Center for Tennessee Pharmacy to be permanently commemorated in their names. This private gathering celebrated the individuals, their families, and those who contributed to the initiatives.
To honor the brilliance, vision, and sacrifice of pharmacist Gary Cripps, TPA leaders Ray Marcrom, Baeteena Black, and Roger Davis set out to have the TPA conference room named for Dr. Cripps. “In the past,” said Dr. Marcrom, “pharmacy was often left out of critical health care decisions in Tennessee. But thanks to the efforts of Dr. Cripps and many of our pharmacists, we now have a seat at the table.” An innovative and forward-thinking pharmacy leader, Dr. Cripps moved pharmacy ahead in the early days of the TennCare pharmacy program and in many other ways. A plaque memorializing Dr. Cripps’
Gary Cripps contributions to pharmacy practice in Tennessee hangs in what is now the Gary Cripps Executive Conference Room, etched with the names of his devoted peers who successfully reached their fundraising goal of $50,000 to honor him posthumously for his lifetime of service and commitment to others.
With Micah Cost’s tenure as TPA Executive Director coming to an end in 2021, the TPA Executive Committee organized an effort to honor his legacy and his many contributions to pharmacy in Tennessee. Due to Dr. Cost’s commitment to students and the future of pharmacy, the Committee decided to raise $25,000 for the privilege of naming the student workroom in his honor. Kim Jones, 2021-2022 TPA President, spearheaded efforts to bring the fundraising initiative to TPA members. As a result, the Center for Tennessee Pharmacy, which Dr. Cost was instrumental in bringing into existence, now
Micah Cost houses the newly-redesigned Micah Cost Center for Professional Development, a space for student pharmacists. A plaque honoring him as ”Mentor, Guide, and Champion for Tennessee Pharmacy” displays the 60+ individuals who contributed to Building Tennessee’s Pharmacy Future in his name.
Gary Cripps Family in the
Gary Cripps Executive Conference Room
Pharmacy Legends ($10,000 or Greater)
Baeteena Black Alan Corley and Family Micah Cost First Pharmacy Services Donald Jones Pharmacy Plus Programs Anthony Pudlo Rick Sain Martha and David Shepard
Pharmacy Visionaries ($5,000 – $9,999)
Don Branam Terry Brimer Roger Davis Doug Duncan
Paula Hinson Ray Marcrom Leslie Shepard Wolfe
Building Tennessee’s Pharmacy Future DONORS
Pharmacy Innovators ($2,500 – $4,999)
Denise Barker Jim McBride
Lucy A. Shell Buddy Stephens
Pharmacy Champions ($1,000 – $2,499)
Emily Brinser Phonzie Brown Debbie Byrd Dianne Duncan Glen Farr FountainRx Jason Greene Hollin Hicks Justin Kirby Kay Ryan Joe Saffles Larry Shepherd Eddie Sturgeon Mark Sullivan Natalie Tate Whit Taylor Randle Williams
Olugbenga Abijo Jennifer Aiken Julianna Bolton Brad Boucher Christopher Bowens Cindy Brasher Beth Breeden Richard Breeden Andrea Bryant Larry Calhoun Tom Campbell Rick Chinouth
Peter Chyka Terry Cost Kelly Covert Brian Cross Diane Crutchfield Tamara Davis Sarah Eudaley Jeanne Ezell Carla Fahhoum Chris Finch Andrew Finney Stephan Foster Teresa Fulcher Ned Giles Jeremiah Glass Stacey Grant Bill Greene David Gregory Justin Griner Monica Guttman Tracy Hagemann Patricia Harris Nancy Hart Rebecca Hopper
Lisa Hull Jason Hutchens Sarah Isaacs Kim Jones Todd Karpinski Brittany Kelley Jason Kizer Linda Knecht Jeff Lewis Shawna Lightfoot Rob Lucas Sheila Mitchell
Sharon Moore Tara Moore John Muchka Kam Nola Gene Parsons Paul Peterson Jay Phipps Ashley Pugh Emily Quintanilla Laura Raney Julie Schuffman Susan Shepard Gena Stewart Kent Stoneking Jennifer Tatum-Cranford Jimmy Torr Judy Trac Brenda Warren James Wheeler Casey White Steve Zaver
Baeteena Black, Buddy Stephens, Doug Duncan, and Ray Marcrom Rebecca Hopper, Roger Davis, Alan Corley, and Denise Barker
During the ceremony, TPA unveiled a striking new permanent display featuring the names of everyone who had contributed to Building Tennessee’s Pharmacy Future. Larger than 6’x6’, this display will be updated periodically as new donors contribute and current donors transition to higher levels of giving.
COVID-19 Updates
Point-of-Care Testing and Treatment
Pharmacists have been essential for community health throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Pharmacy has made strides as a profession, including our ability to provide point-of-care testing and subsequently order necessary therapies. According to HealthData. gov (bit.ly/3ptV3WN) as of August 3, 112 established locations in Tennessee have the capacity to provide this service to our communities.
In addition, the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for Paxlovid allows pharmacists to determine if patients are eligible to receive this medication, based on adequate health information. Medication lists and patients’ kidney and liver function are assessed and considered when making the decision to prescribe Paxlovid.
Pharmacists can continue to support Tennessee communities by expanding point-of-care testing capabilities in their pharmacies, which allow patients improved access to care. If you want to expand this service into your pharmacy, visit the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services web page addressing “Expanding State and Territorial Test to Treat Locations” (bit.ly/3bgUWon) to learn more. Pharmacists specifically interested in prescribing Paxlovid may email Calita Richards with the Tennessee Department of Health at calita.richards@tn.gov.
Pediatric Vaccinations
On June 18, 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released the recommendation for children as young as 6 months of age to receive the COVID-19 vaccination series and for children 5 years and older to receive boosters.
In Tennessee, the collaborative practice agreement (CPA) between the pharmacy and the physician dictates patient age limits on pharmacists’ ability to administer vaccines. There is no standard restriction in Tennessee statutes or within the Board of Pharmacy rules. Pharmacies should review their CPAs to ensure that they can vaccinate down to 6 months old, prior to administering any vaccinations for this population.
The PREP Act limits pharmacy technicians to vaccinating only individuals 3 years old or older.
Advancing Pharmacy Practice Through the Next Decade: PAI 2030
ASHP’s Practice Advancement Initiative 2030 (PAI 2030) provides pharmacy teams with guidance for advancing healthcare, patient outcomes, and pharmacy practice through 59 recommendations. Specifically, the PAI 2030 Self-Assessment Tool is designed to help determine how well your practice setting aligns with the PAI 2030 recommendations.
The survey format is applicable to both institutional and ambulatory care pharmacy practice settings. Participants can complete the assessment, which takes about 45 minutes, from the perspective of a single practitioner or as an organization. The results will identify several areas for improvement. From there, a list of priorities for implementing change can be developed.
So far, only two health systems in Tennessee have conducted official assessments. Here are some tips to help you get started:
1. Consider using learners to complete the assessment. — Student pharmacists on APPE management rotations or PGY1/PGY2 pharmacy practice residents can help complete the self-assessment while learning more about your health-system. 2. Consider using learners to complete the assessment. — The tool provides an analysis of gaps in your practice, to help as you develop the strategic plan for your department. 3. Block time on your calendar. — Having a dedicated timeframe for completing the 45-minute assessment can keep you focused and on track. You can also print out the assessment and complete it at your own pace.
