Awards Criteria and History

Criteria

We grant the following awards annually to individuals who uphold the values inherent to the pharmacy community. Use this information to help you nominate your colleagues for our awards program. 

Harold R. Popp

This award was established by MPhA in 1969 in honor of the Senator Harold R. Popp to recognize one pharmacist annually for outstanding services to the profession of pharmacy. This is the highest honor bestowed by the association. Harold R. Popp was born in Hutchinson, Minnesota. He graduated from Hutchinson. He received his bachelor's degree in pharmacy from University of Wisconsin–Madison. Popp was the owner of Popp Rexall Drug Store in Hutchinson. Popp served on the Hutchinson School Board from 1949 to 1953 and as mayor of Hutchinson from 1953 to 1958. Popp served in the Minnesota Senate from 1959 until death in 1969.

Nominations for this award should reflect the following characteristics.

  • Demonstrates high character among peers and is highly esteemed both inside and outside of the profession of pharmacy
  • Commitment to serving the advancement of the pharmacy profession
  • Community engagement efforts that reflect the value of service displayed by Harold R. Popp

Bowl of Hygeia

Established in 1958, the Bowl of Hygeia Award recognizes pharmacists who possess outstanding records of civic leadership in their communities and encourages pharmacists to take active roles in their communities. The award is presented annually by participating state pharmacy associations, including those in the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. In addition to service through their local, state, and national pharmacy associations, award recipients devote their time, talent, and resources to a wide variety of causes and community service. This award is sponsored annually by the National Alliance for State Pharmacy Associations (NASPA).

Nominations for this award should reflect the following characteristics.

    • Contributes to building stronger or more successful communities, engaging in acts of service to the community or government, as well as other activities that may not necessarily promote the profession of pharmacy, but reflect positively on the profession
    • Contributes to policy and decision making within the political arena, increasing pharmacy's visibility, or focusing on the health and well-being of the public in public policy

    Distinguished Young Pharmacist

    Sponsored by Pharmacists Mutual Companies, the Distinguished Young Pharmacist Award recognizes a young pharmacist within his/her first ten years of practice who has distinguished himself/herself in the field of pharmacy. This pharmacist is also a participant in national pharmacy associations, professional programs, state association activities and/or community service.

    Nominations for this award should reflect the following characteristics.

    • Ability to distinguish themselves in the profession within the first 10 years of practice, in leadership, and workplace contributions
    • Participation in local, state, or national pharmacy organizations, including committee or board participation
    • Involved in professional programs with an apparent desire and dedication to the advancement of the profession of pharmacy

    Excellence in Innovation

    Sponsored by Upsher Smith, the Excellence in Innovation award recognizes excellence in innovative pharmacy practice resulting in improved patient care.

    Nominations for this award should reflect the following characteristics.

      • Pioneered positive new models or systems that improve patient care and patient safety/outcomes and/or advance professional development

      Pharmacy Technician

      Presented by MPhA, the Pharmacy Technician Award recognizes pharmacy technicians in any practice setting who demonstrate leadership in pharmacy and in their community.

      Nominations for this award should reflect the following characteristics.

          • Demonstrates leadership skills and teamwork and serves as a role model for coworkers
          • Develops processes to improve patient care
          • Involved in professional leadership programs
          • Demonstrates leadership and professionalism in the community

          Pharmacy Advocacy

          Presented by MPhA, the Pharmacy Advocate Award recognizes a person who has gone above and beyond to advocate and support pharmacy in any practice setting. They demonstrated leadership in the workplace and the community and are a role model that inspires others to become engaged. 

          Nominations for this award should reflect the following characteristics.

                • Instrumental in growing and advocating for the profession
                • Supports and inspires others to become engaged and make a positive impact on pharmacy
                • Promotes teamwork and exudes professionalism by participation in community service

                History

                Harold R. Popp

                1969 - John E. Quistgard
                1970 - Arnold D. Delger
                1971 - Henry M. Moen
                1972 - Charles V. Netz
                1973 - Russell F. King
                1974 - William F. Appel
                1975 - Kitty Alcott
                1976 - J. Roger Vadheim
                1977 - Kendall B. Macho
                1978 - Neal W. Schwartau
                1979 - Frank D. DiGangi
                1980 - John H. Nelson
                1981 - Lowell J. Anderson
                1982 - Lawrence C. Weaver
                1983 - Roland Leuzinger
                1984 - Barry Krelitz
                1985 - Carl Oberg Jr.
                1986 - Russ Boogren
                1987 - Gary Schneider
                1988 - Bruce Benson
                1989 - Donald P. Gibson
                1990 - Doris Calhoun
                1991 - Howard Juni
                1992 - Gilbert Banker
                1993 - Karl Leupold
                1994 - Barb Jones
                1995 - Gary Raines
                1996 - David Holmstrom
                1997 - Julie Johnson
                1998 - Keith Pearson
                1999 - Marv Dyrstad
                2000 - Michael A. Kelly
                2001 - Herb Whittemore
                2002 - John Stevens
                2003 - James A. Armbruster
                2004 - Marilyn Eelkema
                2005- Steven Simenson
                2006 - Dale Olson
                2007 - Paul Iverson
                2008 - Christine Koentopp
                2009 - Randall Seifert
                2010 - Marilyn K. Speedie
                2011 - Rod Carter
                2012 - William Diers
                2013 - Bruce Thompson
                2014 - Stephen Schondelmeyer
                2015 - Jeffery Lindoo
                2016 - Dr. Dawn Carlson
                2017 - Todd Sorensen
                2018 - Jill Strykowski
                2019 - Patricia Lind
                2020 - Molly Ekstrand
                2021 - Michelle Aytay
                2022 - Jason Varin
                2023 - Daniel Rehrauer
                2024 - Lynda Welage
                2025 - John Hoeschen

                Bowl of Hygeia

                1959 - Ted F. Maier
                1960 - Arnold M. Grais
                1961 - Paul C. Anderson
                1962 - Orace Hanson
                1963 - William D. Nelson
                1964 - Argyll W. Peterson
                1965 - Maynard L. Johnson
                1966 - Willard J. Hadley
                1967 - Bernard H. Trygstad
                1968 - Andrew G. Sanders
                1969 - Burton D. Magnuson
                1970 - Russell F. King, Jr.
                1971 - Roger Vadheim
                1972 - Frank E. DiGangi
                1973 - Jack R. Andrews
                1974 - Russell A. Boogren, Jr.
                1975 - Carl W. Oberg, Jr.
                1976 - Arnold D. Delger
                1977 - Earl A. Schwerman
                1978 - Ronald O. Leuzinger
                1979 - Lowell J. Anderson
                1980 - Robert W. Foster
                1981 - Andrew Johnson
                1982 - Doris Calhoun
                1983 - Harold McMahon
                1984 - Richard Kienzle
                1985 - Gary Schneider
                1986 - Brad Stanius
                1987 - Donald P. Gibson
                1988 - John H. Nelson
                1989 - James Alexander
                1990 - Herb Whittemore
                1991 - Don Dinndorf
                1992 - Robert Warren
                1993 - Chuck Frost
                1994 - Robert Setzer
                1995 - Robert Reutzel
                1996 - Howard Juni
                1997 - Mike Hart
                1998 - John Stevens
                1999 - Dale Olson
                2000 - Julie K. Johnson
                2001 - Sherwood Peterson, Jr.
                2002 - Terry L. Hartmann
                2003 - Richard C. Sundberg
                2004 - Steven T. Simenson
                2005 - Brian Isetts
                2006 - Paul Iverson
                2007 - Vern Peterson
                2008 - Gary Raines
                2009 - Patty Lind
                2010 - Gregory Trumm
                2011 - John Hoeschen
                2012 - Larry Leske
                2013 - Harvey Buchholz
                2014 - Brent Thompson
                2015 - Jenny Houglum
                2016 - Linnea Forsell
                2017 - Denise Frank
                2018 - Laura Schwartzwald
                2019 - Karen Bastianelli
                2020 - Kendra Metz
                2021 - Julie Jackman
                2022 - Todd Lemke
                2023 - Tim Gallagher
                2024 - Lucy Johnson
                2025 - Deborah Keaveny

                Distinguished Young Pharmacist

                1987 - Kathryn Nygren
                1988 - Lucy Johnson
                1989 - Jeffrey Shapiro
                1990 - Mary Hayney
                1991 - Nancy Ruhland
                1992 - Sherwood Peterson
                1993 - Scott Benson
                1994 - Karen Schramm
                1995 - Jason Varin
                1996 - John Hoeschen
                1997 - Roger McDannold
                1998 - Denise Wolff
                1999 - Molly Ekstrand
                2000 - Laura Odell
                2001 - Debra Sisson
                2002 - Michele Grossman-Johnson
                2003 - Todd Sorensen
                2004 - Terry Hietpas
                2005 - Mark Dewey
                2006 - Michelle Aytay
                2007 - Stephanie Davis
                2008 - Sarah Westberg
                2009 - Julie Fike
                2010 - Dan Rehrauer
                2011 - Sarah Leslie
                2012 - Stacy Steber
                2013 - Nick Giller
                2014 - Keri Hager
                2015 - Allyson Schlichte
                2016 - Justine Meierhofer
                2017 - Kati Dvorak
                2018 - Caitlin Frai
                2019 - Anthony Olson
                2020 - Rebecca Pickler
                2021 - Anjoli Punjabi
                2022 - Mckaya Kastner
                2023 - Tegan Buckley
                2024 - Swetha Pradeep
                2025 - Christine Kroger

                Excellence in Innovation

                1994 - Keith Pearson
                1995 - John Loch
                1996 - Tom Jackson
                1997 - Laura Miller
                1998 - Peters Institute
                1999 - Sherwood Peterson Jr.
                2000 - Paul Iverson
                2001 - Ronald Hartmann
                2002 - Tiffany Elton
                2003 - John D. Anderson
                2004 - Daniel J. Rehrauer

                2005 - Jeremy Johnson
                2006 - April Hanson
                2007 - Vyvy Vo
                2008 - Bruce Thompson
                2009 - Shannon Reidt
                2010 - Amanda Brummel
                2011 - Camille Kundel
                2012 - Conrad O. Thompson
                2013 - First Light Health System Pharmacy Team
                2014 - Julie Gambaiani
                2015 - Kristin Janke
                2016 - CentraCare Health Paynesville Pharmacy

                2017 - Anjoli Punjabi
                2018 - Alison Knutson
                2019 - Joe Dvorak
                2020 - Alison Kingsbury
                2021 - Keri Hager
                2022 - Paria Sanaty Zadeh
                2023 - Tiana Butler
                2024 - Derek Borkowski
                2025 - Andrew Russell 

                Pharmacy Technician

                2004 - Heidi Miller
                2005 - Jamie Jesnowski
                2006 - Cheryl Blegen
                2007 - Sandra Christensen
                2008 - Jennifer Sandberg
                2009 - Tina Nathe
                2010 - Carole Lentz
                2011 - Robbin Leach
                2014 - Amber Smith
                2015 - Calley Caron
                2016 - Kyle Lynn Buckingham
                2017 - Baron Tisthammer
                2018 - Vanessa Nei
                2019 - Julie Schumacher
                2020 - Anna Waletzki
                2021- Matt Winans
                2022 - Nancy Jorgenson
                2023 - Cindy Haedt
                2024 - Beth Clarine
                2025 - Kristen Peterson

                Pharmacy Advocacy

                2019 - Rowan Mahon 2020 - Jason Varin 2021 - Brent Thompson 2022 - Bruce Nustad 2023 - Tamara Bezdicek 2024 - Jason Miller 2025 - Jordan Banister