American Pharmacists Association Recognizes 2026 Immunization Champions for Their Impact
The American Pharmacists Association (APhA) has recently unveiled the recipients of the esteemed 2026 APhA Immunization Champion Awards. This program recognizes the remarkable efforts of individuals, pharmacy practitioners, teams, and organizations that have significantly enhanced vaccination access, delivery, and public health outcomes across the United States. These awards serve to highlight the indispensable role that pharmacists and their teams play in the immunization landscape, collaborating closely with communities to expand access to vaccines, improve public confidence, and ultimately protect public health.
Michael D. Hogue, PharmD, FAPhA, FNAP, FFIP, the executive vice president and CEO of APhA, expressed the significance of the Immunization Champion Awards, stating, "These awards spotlight the incredible impact pharmacists, pharmacy teams, and their partners deliver in advancing immunization efforts nationwide. The honorees exemplify innovation, collaboration, and an unwavering commitment to ensuring vaccines reach the populations that need them the most."
The awarded individuals and organizations demonstrated outstanding contributions in various categories. The highlights for the 2026 APhA Immunization Champion Awards include:
Nominees for these awards were carefully evaluated based on several criteria, including their overall impact, collaborative efforts, innovative approaches, ability to navigate challenges, and their potential in creating new opportunities to expand immunization services and to enhance vaccination rates.
The formal presentation of the 2026 APhA Immunization Champion Awards will take place at an award reception designed to honor these outstanding recipients and their vital contributions to public health. The program for these prestigious awards enjoys the support of notable sponsors such as Pfizer, Merck, Moderna, and VaxServe, a Sanofi Company.
Established in 2008, the APhA Immunization Champion Awards program is designed to recognize and honor the extraordinary contributions of pharmacists and their collaborators in significantly improving vaccination rates nationwide. The first awards were presented in 2009, marking years of dedicated efforts by these professionals. Today, a substantial number of pharmacists, student pharmacists, and pharmacy technicians administer millions of vaccinations each year, reflecting their vital role as accessible and trusted immunizers within communities.
APhA acknowledges the dedicated workforce of over 500,000 pharmacists, student pharmacists, and pharmacy technicians trained to administer vaccines. Their collective efforts continue to have a measurable impact on public health, further reinforcing the importance of vaccinations as a pivotal aspect of healthcare.
Founded in 1852, the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) stands as the sole organization dedicated to advancing the entire pharmacy profession. Based in Washington, DC, APhA leads the way for pharmacists, student pharmacists, and pharmacy technicians, aiming to optimize medication use, enhance patient health outcomes, and ensure patients have seamless access to pharmaceutical care. Through effective advocacy, high-quality education, and the provision of practical tools and resources, APhA disseminates evidence and fosters opportunities for collaboration and mutual learning among its members. As a key voice in the development of national guidelines, policies, and best practices, APhA is committed to advancing both the pharmacy profession and overall patient care.
To discover more about APhA and its initiatives, visit www.pharmacist.com.
Michael D. Hogue, PharmD, FAPhA, FNAP, FFIP, the executive vice president and CEO of APhA, expressed the significance of the Immunization Champion Awards, stating, "These awards spotlight the incredible impact pharmacists, pharmacy teams, and their partners deliver in advancing immunization efforts nationwide. The honorees exemplify innovation, collaboration, and an unwavering commitment to ensuring vaccines reach the populations that need them the most."
2026 Award Winners
The awarded individuals and organizations demonstrated outstanding contributions in various categories. The highlights for the 2026 APhA Immunization Champion Awards include:
- - Corporate/Institution Award: National Winner - Elements Pharmacy, Studio City, CA. Honorable Mention - University of Maryland School of Pharmacy's Peter Lamy Center on Drug Therapy and Aging, Baltimore, MD.
- - Pharmacy Team Member Award: National Winner - Chyanne Coe, Semmes, AL. Honorable Mention - Abby L. Bode, Cincinnati, OH.
- - Friend of Pharmacy Award: National Winner - Helene McDowell, Madison, WI. Honorable Mention - Charlene A. Wong, Chapel Hill, NC.
- - Individual Practitioner Award: National Winner - Alanna R. Scott, Florence, SC. Honorable Mention - Benjamin Prewitt, Cincinnati, OH.
- - Outstanding Career Achievement Award: National Winner - Sandy (Jeong Yeon) Rhie, Seoul, South Korea. Honorable Mention - Robert Yagar, Long Beach, CA.
- - Travel Health Award: National Winner - Raana Sidky, Eastvale, CA.
Nominees for these awards were carefully evaluated based on several criteria, including their overall impact, collaborative efforts, innovative approaches, ability to navigate challenges, and their potential in creating new opportunities to expand immunization services and to enhance vaccination rates.
The formal presentation of the 2026 APhA Immunization Champion Awards will take place at an award reception designed to honor these outstanding recipients and their vital contributions to public health. The program for these prestigious awards enjoys the support of notable sponsors such as Pfizer, Merck, Moderna, and VaxServe, a Sanofi Company.
The Legacy of the Immunization Champion Awards
Established in 2008, the APhA Immunization Champion Awards program is designed to recognize and honor the extraordinary contributions of pharmacists and their collaborators in significantly improving vaccination rates nationwide. The first awards were presented in 2009, marking years of dedicated efforts by these professionals. Today, a substantial number of pharmacists, student pharmacists, and pharmacy technicians administer millions of vaccinations each year, reflecting their vital role as accessible and trusted immunizers within communities.
APhA acknowledges the dedicated workforce of over 500,000 pharmacists, student pharmacists, and pharmacy technicians trained to administer vaccines. Their collective efforts continue to have a measurable impact on public health, further reinforcing the importance of vaccinations as a pivotal aspect of healthcare.
About the APhA
Founded in 1852, the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) stands as the sole organization dedicated to advancing the entire pharmacy profession. Based in Washington, DC, APhA leads the way for pharmacists, student pharmacists, and pharmacy technicians, aiming to optimize medication use, enhance patient health outcomes, and ensure patients have seamless access to pharmaceutical care. Through effective advocacy, high-quality education, and the provision of practical tools and resources, APhA disseminates evidence and fosters opportunities for collaboration and mutual learning among its members. As a key voice in the development of national guidelines, policies, and best practices, APhA is committed to advancing both the pharmacy profession and overall patient care.
To discover more about APhA and its initiatives, visit www.pharmacist.com.
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