#United States #Washington #Pinnacle Awards #APhA Foundation #Kari Trapskin

APhA Foundation Reveals 2026 Pinnacle Award Recipients

The American Pharmacists Association (APhA) Foundation has honored three outstanding recipients of the 2026 Pinnacle Awards, an initiative recognizing remarkable contributions to the field of pharmacy and medication management. This year, Kari Trapskin received the prestigious Category 1 Individual Award for Achievement, while two initiatives, Advancing Kidney Health through Optimal Medication Management (AKHOMM) and the Phoenix Indian Medical Center Immunization Clinic, were awarded the Category 2 Team Award for Collaboration, Innovation, and Impact.

Celebrating Individual Excellence: Kari Trapskin

Kari Trapskin, PharmD, has been a pivotal force in transforming pharmacy practice for over two decades. Currently, the Senior Vice President of Practice Transformation at the Pharmacy Society of Wisconsin, her work centers on empowering pharmacists to enhance patient outcomes through effective medication management. Trapskin has been instrumental in establishing the Wisconsin Pharmacy Quality Collaborative (WPQC), a model that has evolved from a pilot project to a nationally recognized framework involving more than 200 accredited pharmacies. The collaboration has successfully delivered over 23,000 services to Wisconsin Medicaid recipients since its inception in 2012. In her role, Trapskin champions the notion that well-supported pharmacists can profoundly impact chronic disease management.

Team Innovation: Advancing Kidney Health through Optimal Medication Management (AKHOMM)

The AKHOMM initiative is a national effort aimed at optimizing the therapeutic management of individuals suffering from chronic kidney disease (CKD) and cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome (CKM). This innovative project promotes a collaborative healthcare approach that emphasizes patient engagement and education. By integrating patient perspectives into their continuous education curriculum and research frameworks, AKHOMM not only addresses the educational needs of healthcare professionals but also fosters a deeper understanding of patient requirements. This model is designed to overcome barriers to effective medication therapy and paves the way for improved health outcomes across diverse patient populations.

Phoenix Indian Medical Center Immunization Clinic: A Model of Excellence

The Phoenix Indian Medical Center Immunization Clinic represents another exemplary team recognized for its comprehensive pharmacist-led immunization program. By utilizing the E3 initiative (Every Patient, Every Encounter, Every Recommended Vaccine), the clinic has revolutionized immunization delivery and preventive health practices within American Indian and Alaska Native communities. During the last fiscal year alone, the clinic facilitated over 5,800 patient visits and administered more than 8,800 vaccines. Their commitment to excellence is further reflected in their implementation of technology-enabled solutions like Barcode Medication Administration (BCMA), which enhances medication safety and accuracy.

A Legacy of Innovation

The Pinnacle Awards, established in 1998, serve to highlight significant advancements in medication optimization, reinforcing the value of collaboration across healthcare teams. Award recipients exemplify excellence in boosting medication adherence, minimizing adverse drug events, and fostering communication within healthcare environments. APhA Foundation Executive Director, Benjamin Bluml, expressed pride in recognizing these outstanding individuals and teams, stating, “These teams and individuals continue to demonstrate excellence in advancing quality health outcomes, and we are proud to recognize their achievements.”

Through initiatives like these, the APhA Foundation is inspiring future generations of pharmacists to innovate and enhance patient care continually. Supported by an educational grant from Merck, the Pinnacle Awards not only honor current leaders in the field but also serve as a beacon for aspiring professionals in pharmacy practice.

For more information about the Pinnacle Awards and the incredible work of this year's recipients, visit the APhA Foundation’s official website.