ST. PAUL, Minn. — The American Pharmacists Association (APhA) has selected Deborah Wexler, founder and executive director of the Immunization Action Coalition (IAC), to receive 2012 APhA Immunization Champion Award — Friend of Pharmacy.
APhA said Wednesday that Wexler will be recognized during a special awards ceremony at the APhA Annual Meeting and Exposition in New Orleans on March 11.
The Friend of Pharmacy Award, part of APhA’s Immunization Champion Awards program, honors a nonpharmacist who has supported, facilitated or advocated for pharmacists’ role in immunizations.
"Dr. Wexler has been a long-time advocate and collaborator with the pharmacy profession and association, recognizing the important public health role pharmacists can and do play in addressing our nation’s immunization delivery system puzzle," Mitch Rothholz, chief strategy officer of the APhA, said in a statement. "She has recognized and educated others regarding the profession’s accessibility, knowledge and skills. Pharmacies are located where people live, and their extended hours and reach complement the efforts of other immunization stakeholders. Dr. Wexler is a strong supporter of inclusive coalitions that utilize the contributions of all participants, including pharmacists."
APhA added that the award also is being given to Dr. Wexler in recognition of her work as the executive director of IAC. The association noted that the IAC website (www.immunize.org) provides invaluable support and information to immunizers from various practice settings nationwide. APhA said it uses IAC’s materials in its Pharmacy-Based Immunization Delivery certificate training program and immunizing pharmacist listserv.
In addition, Wexler is a frequent collaborator with APhA on immunization projects and "a vocal advocate for the expansion of pharmacists’ immunization role across the lifespan and the value of collaboration involving all stakeholders," the association stated.
"I am consistently impressed by the dedication of pharmacists — medical professionals who are found on corners in every community in America — reaching out and helping to prevent disease by offering immunizations," Wexler commented. "I am delighted to be recognized as a friend of pharmacists in their important immunization work."
