OPA announces 2024 awards and honors
The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy is proud to congratulate our faculty members and alumni who were recently named recipients of the Ohio Pharmacists Association (OPA) 2024 awards and honors. Honorees were recognized at the OPA 146th Annual Conference on April 5-7 in Columbus.
Board Installations
Jennifer Rodis, PharmD, FAPhA, associate dean for outreach and engagement, was installed as OPA president. She was also honored with a Leadership Award by the National Community Pharmacists Association. Dr. Rodis earned her doctorate of pharmacy degree at Ohio Northern University College of Pharmacy, and previously served OPA as executive committee member-at-large, president-elect, vice president, and chair/co-chair of the public and professional relations committee.
“We congratulate Jennifer on her installation as president of OPA. She has been a valued member of the Association, and we look forward to continuing to work with her as president” said Dave Burke, OPA executive director.
Julie Cymbola, RPh, PharmD, was installed as trustee representing District 9. Cymbola earned a BS in Biology at Bowling Green State University and a PharmD at The Ohio State University. She is Manager of Supply Chain Product Management at Cardinal Health, where she supports the pharmaceutical supply chain by providing clinical and industry expertise. Dr. Cymbola previously practiced more than a decade leading Kroger pharmacies in Central Ohio.
“Julie Cymbola has been a valued member of the Ohio Pharmacists Association, and we look forward to working with her on the Board of Trustees.” said David Burke, OPA Executive Director.
Nick Newman, RPh, PharmD, was installed as vice president. Dr. Newman is a graduate of Ohio Northern University College of Pharmacy and completed a PGY1 Residency at The Ohio State University. He is the pharmacist-in-charge at Essentra Pharmacy in Morrow Country. Dr. Newman serves as the chair of OPA’s Political Action Committee (PAC) and Independent Special Interest Group. His vision is to inspire other pharmacists to become and remain engaged in progressing the profession of pharmacy to better serve our patients.
“Nick Newman has been a valued member of the Association, and we look forward to working with him on the Board of Trustees,” said Dave Burke, OPA Executive Director.
Larry Schieber, RPh, was installed as treasurer. Schieber graduated from The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy with a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy. He owns and operates Schieber Family Pharmacy in Circleville with his wife Kim. Schieber has been very active in OPA and was the recipient of the 1996 Bowl of Hygeia award, 2010 Generation Rx Champions award and the 2018 Keys Award. He is also an OPA past president from 2013-2014 and has served on the board for the Ohio Pharmacists Foundation.
“We are pleased to have Larry Schieber on our Association’s executive committee and Board of Trustees in the position of treasurer. He has been a valued member of the organization and the pharmacy community, and we look forward to continuing to work with him as treasurer,” said Dave Burke, OPA Executive Director.
Dana M. Wilkerson, RPh, PharmD, MS, BCACP, was installed as president-elect. Dr. Wilkerson is the specialty pharmacy panager at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. She earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree at Northeast Ohio Medical University College of Pharmacy and her master’s degree in Health-System Pharmacy Administration from The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy. She completed a combined postgraduate year one (PGY1) Community-based Pharmacy Practice and PGY2 Community-based Pharmacy Administration and Leadership residency program with Ohio State and The Kroger Co. Dr. Wilkerson has served as vice president of OPA, chair of OPA’s membership services and development committee, and she is a member of the legal and regulatory and practice advancement and innovation committees. Dr. Wilkerson was awarded OPA UNDER 40 recognition in 2022.
“Dana Wilkerson has been a valued member of the Association, and we look forward to working with her as president-elect.” said Dave Burke, OPA Executive Director.
Faculty Awards
Maria Coyle, PharmD, FCCP, BCPS, BCACP, CLS, clinical associate professor, is the 2024 recipient of the Good Government Award for major contributions to the public through government and/or legislative service/education at the local, state, or national level. Dr. Coyle received her BS Pharmacy in 1991 and her PharmD in 1999 from Ohio State. In addition to teaching at the college, she is an ambulatory clinical pharmacist specialist at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. Dr. Coyle has served on the FDA’s Nonprescription Drug Advisory Committee for a total of eight years, including as the chairperson from 2022-2023. Under her leadership, two notable prescription medications, naloxone and norgestrel, received approval for over-the-counter (OTC) use.
“By making notable contributions to the profession of pharmacy through her work with the FDA and roles as an educator and clinical pharmacist, Maria Coyle is positively impacting her students and peers. If you want to make a difference and change things for the better, you have to be involved, and Maria is an excellent example of this,” said David Burke, OPA Executive Director.
Rebecca Lahrman, PharmD, MS, BCACP, assistant professor - clinical, is a 2024 recipient of an UNDER 40 Award in recognition of her leadership, excellence, and vision in the practice of pharmacy. Dr. Lahrman is a graduate of University of Cincinnati (UC) James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy. Her clinical pharmacy practice sites is Shrivers Pharmacy and Wellness. Dr. Lahrman is being recognized for her tireless dedication to professional service and pharmaceutical education. She has been instrumental in the community space, providing the newest vaccines to patients and working closely with the American College of Clinical Pharmacy to highlight clinical community pharmacy services. She has been integral in expanding recognition for Ohio Pharmacists in their battle for provider status. Dr. Lahrman also precepts many pharmacy and medical students and has served as OPA’s New Practitioner LaunchPad Coordinator for several years. Lastly, she volunteers with Rising Suns Non-Profit Pharmacy to ensure access to medications in Southeast Ohio.
“We are pleased to recognize Rebecca Lahrman who has exemplified leadership, excellence, and vision in her practice. She is a valued member of the Association, and we look forward to her future contributions to the profession of pharmacy,” said Dave Burke, OPA Executive Director.
E. Michael Murphy, PharmD, MBA, assistant professor - clinical, is a 2024 recipient of an UNDER 40 Award in recognition of his leadership, excellence, and vision in the practice of pharmacy. Dr. Murphy currently serves as co-fellowship director at Ohio State and is an advisor for state government affairs for the American Pharmacists Association (APhA). He is being recognized for his impact on the profession of pharmacy so early in his career. Dr. Murphy was instrumental in the provider status initiative by adjusting provider definitions to include the developing roles of pharmacists. He is also championed for his role in assisting pharmacy locations with implementation of pharmacist-driven services and interpretation of Ohio laws and regulations for proper reimbursement. Dr. Murphy is passionate about enhancing patient care by expanding pharmacists’ roles and recognition. Throughout his career, he has instructed and mentored students at Ohio State and currently precepts students as an APhA-ASP advisor.
“We are pleased to recognize E. Michael Murphy who has exemplified leadership, excellence, and vision in his practice. He is a valued member of the Association, and we look forward to his future contributions to the profession of pharmacy,” said Dave Burke, OPA Executive Director.
Alumni Awards
Jason Bester, PharmD, received the OPA UNDER 40 Award. Bester currently serves as a Pharmacy Manager with Kroger Health in Wheelersburg, Ohio. He is being recognized for his leadership and personnel development. Dr. Bester has been instrumental in ensuring effective implementation of changes in the pharmacy in recent years. He encourages his staff, of nine technicians, to achieve their full potential through additional state certifications and immunization training. Due to his efforts, his pharmacy has become a model for others in the district. Dr. Bester is well respected and trusted within his community and goes above and beyond to care for patients. His dedication to his staff, peers and the practice of pharmacy makes him a superb pharmacist and member of OPA.
T’Bony Jewell, PharmD, MBA, received the OPA Distinguished Young Pharmacist Award. This award recognizes a pharmacist who has graduated in the last 10 years and made significant contributions to the profession of pharmacy. Dr. Jewell currently serves an assistant professor of social and administrative sciences at Ohio Northern University Raabe College of Pharmacy. Dr. Jewell's work is dedicated to developing innovative educational practices and fostering inclusive teaching environments. She is an active member of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy and remains involved in the Social and Administrative Sciences and the Minority Special Interest Groups (SIGs).
Stacey Poling, PharmD, RPh, received the OPA Generation Rx Award. This award recognizes a pharmacist who has demonstrated commitment to education and prevention efforts for prescription drug abuse and misuse in the community. Dr. Poling currently works as a pharmacist with Kroger Pharmacy. In her role, she has held various community events focused on medication safety and public health. She has partnered with Project FORT to host biannual Drug Take Back days for community members to dispose of unwanted medications and learn about safe medication use. She has also held “One Smart Cookie” events to provide education on the use of naloxone for opioid overdose reversal.
Ariel Williams, PharmD, BCACP, received the OPA UNDER 40 Award. As a graduate of Chicago State University College of Pharmacy, Dr. Williams practices at a Clinical Pharmacy Manager for PrimaryOne Health and a Clinical Advisor. Dr. Williams teaches as an adjunct faculty member at Franklin University. She is being recognized for her leadership and continuous involvement in pharmacy organizations. Dr. Williams participates in several committees through OPA, PrimaryOne Health and Ohio State Pharmacy Residency Program, including being OPA’s Pharmacy Economics Committee Vice Chair. Her leadership extends beyond the nine organizations she is a part of, to include precepting students and residents, publications and research. For this excellence, she was invited to attend the Ohio Pharmacist Association Emerging Pharmacy Leaders Conference in 2022.