Dr. Christopher Edwards Wins Pharmacy Innovation Award
Christopher Edwards, PharmD, BCPS, an assistant clinical professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science in the University of Arizona R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy, received the Arizona Pharmacy Association’s (AzPA) 2022 Excellence in Innovation award. The award was presented to him during the AzPA Annual Meeting in June.
Christopher Edwards, PharmD, BCPS
The award is given to an Arizona pharmacist who has demonstrated innovative pharmacy practice resulting in improved patient care.
“It was an honor to be recognized by my peers within the state of Arizona for my contributions to pharmacy practice,” Dr. Edwards said. “It was unexpected, but very much appreciated.”
Dr. Edwards was nominated by an anonymous colleague. The nomination letter highlighted his work on advancing pharmacy practice in the emergency department, stating: “His largest contribution to the profession over the course of the past two years has been his work moving Board Certified Emergency Medicine Pharmacist certification forward and serving with the Board of Pharmacy Specialties as chair of the emergency medicine council to develop the exam.”
Dr. Edwards said that his Board of Pharmacy Specialties colleagues “are on track to test and certify the first group of board-certified emergency medicine pharmacists in spring 2023.”
He also works with the American Board of Emergency Medicine as the clinical pharmacy editor for the recertification modules required for close to 40,000 board-certified emergency medicine physicians to maintain their certification. “This body of work helps to ensure patients receive the best possible care when they are seen in the emergency department and represents a major advancement in emergency medicine pharmacy practice,” Dr. Edwards said.
In addition to Dr. Edwards’ contributions to the pharmacy profession, the nomination letter described him as: “an exceptional leader and a remarkable team player who is not afraid to try new things.” The letter also noted he is the host of the PharmCast pharmacy podcast.
AzPA was founded in 1910. Its mission is to serve and represent “all pharmacy professionals by fostering safe and effective medication therapy, promoting innovative practice and empowering its members to serve the health care needs of the public.”