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WASHINGTON, D.C. — The HDA Research Foundation announced recipients of the Karen J. Ribler Scholarship at the Sixteenth Annual CEO Roundtable Fundraiser in Washington, D.C. The Foundation also named three appointments to its Board of Directors.
Now in its sixth year, this annual scholarship is geared toward students pursuing graduate-level degrees who work within HDA-member distributor and manufacturer companies. Named for the Foundation’s former COO, Karen J. Ribler, the scholarships support the continued efficiency and effectiveness of the pharmaceutical supply chain by fostering knowledge and leadership through education and professional development opportunities.
The 2024 Karen J. Ribler Supply Chain Scholars are:
Margaret Rode
Transportation Analyst, Cencora, Inc.
MBA, The Ohio State University
Mark Frey
Sr. Analyst: Business Insights, Solutions and Analytics, Hikma Pharmaceuticals
Masters in Translational Data Analytics, The Ohio State University
Trey Hardy
Promotions Manager, Cencora, Inc.
MBA, Saint Joseph University
Veronica Williamson
Patient Assistance Specialist, Cencora, Inc.
MS Human Services, Walden University
“The Karen J. Ribler scholarship continues to support the industry’s next generation of leaders by assisting them in their educational pursuits,” said Perry Fri, executive vice president and COO, HDA Research Foundation. “On behalf of the HDA Research Foundation, I am proud to announce this year’s award winners, a talented group of individuals helping to strengthen the healthcare supply chain.”
Since the program’s inception, the Foundation has disbursed nearly $70,000 in scholarships to 27 recipients. As part of the Foundation’s enduring commitment to education in the healthcare distribution sector, the scholarship program will expand next year to include HDA manufacturer and distributor members seeking any level of degree and individuals pursuing professional certifications. The next application period will open in the spring of 2025.
Additionally, the Foundation announces three individuals to its Board of Directors, with terms beginning in 2025:
- Layne Martin, SVP/GM: Specialty Distribution, Morris & Dickson
- Dave Rekenthaler, Chief Commercial Officer, Granules Pharmaceuticals
- Keith Meckstroth, Head of U.S. Gx Retail, Viatris
Al Paonessa, CEO, KeySource and Bob Potter, Head of Brand Sales and Trade Relations, NA, Viatris will end their Board terms at the end of the year.
“Al and Bob have worked incredibly hard and expertly guided the Foundation’s Board,” said Steve Giuli, Chair of the Foundation Board of Directors and Vice President of Government Affairs and Trade Relations, Apotex Corp. “On behalf of the Foundation, I want to thank them for their service and express our excitement about working with Layne, Dave and Keith in the coming year. Together, we will help advance the Foundation’s mission and continue to serve as a thought leader to industry stakeholders.”
For additional information on the HDA Research Foundation and its initiatives, visit hda.org/foundation. View a full list of Foundation directors here.
