Army MAJ Jeffrey Neigh Named 2011 Next-Generation Pharmacist™

DURHAM, N.C., Aug. 31, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- "Every patient I come in contact with on a daily basis is a hero," according to MAJ Jeffrey Neigh, PharmD, BCPS, who was named the 2011 Next-Generation Pharmacist™ on Monday night at Boston's John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum. Neigh was among 11 pharmacy professionals honored at the second annual Next-Generation Pharmacist awards, created by Parata Systems and Pharmacy Times to recognize the professionals who are defining the future of pharmacy.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110831/NE60708 )

Neigh, deputy chief of pharmacy at Eisenhower Army Medical Center in Fort Gordon, Ga., won the "Military Pharmacist of the Year" category, qualifying him to compete against the other pharmacist category winners for the evening's top award. Neigh served as chief of pharmacy with the 21st Combat Support Hospital in Kuwait, and was a 2010 recipient of the prestigious Albert B. Prescott Leadership award. He is engaged presently in full-time study toward master's degrees in business administration and healthcare administration. Neigh was selected from among the other pharmacist winners for the evening's top honor for his tireless work ethic and uncompromising commitment to his patients.

"It gives me that joy I take home every day just knowing that in a small way, by providing pharmaceutical care, I have done something for these men and women who have done so much for us," Neigh explained.

The Next-Generation Pharmacist awards honored pharmacy professionals in 10 other categories, selected from nearly 350 nominations received from 40 states and Guam. The 2011 winners represent a true cross-section of the pharmacy industry – from large chain retailers and independent pharmacies, to institutional facilities and long-term care operations:

Civic Leader of the Year: John Forbes, RPh, Medicap Pharmacy, Urbandale, Iowa

Entrepreneur of the Year: Ken Fields, PharmD, ApproRx and Waynesville Pharmacy, Waynesville, Ohio

Future Pharmacist of the Year: Kyle Burcher, The University of Georgia College of Pharmacy, Athens, Ga.

Industry Advocate of the Year: Autumn Wells, PharmD, Family Drug, Inc., Big Stone Gap, Va.

Lifetime Achievement: Whitaker Moose, Sr., BSPharm, Moose Drug Company, Mt. Pleasant, N.C.

Long-Term Care Pharmacist of the Year: Tina Fiebelkorn, BSPharm, Fiebelkorn Pharmacy Consulting Services, Getzville, N.Y.

Patient Care Provider of the Year: Steffany Loper, PharmD, Kroger, Delaware, Ohio

Rising Star of the Year: Abby Caplan, PharmD, Kerr Health LLC of Kerr Drug, Inc., Zebulon, N.C.

Technician of the Year: Jeanne Li, CPhT, Independent Consultant, Elk Grove, Calif.

Technology Innovator of the Year: Diane Gatchell, RPh, Greater Lawrence Family Health Center, Lawrence, Mass.

Winners are profiled on Pharmacy Times' website, www.pharmacytimes.com, and in the magazine's August issue, which was unveiled at the event. The 2011 Next-Generation Pharmacist, Neigh, is featured on the Pharmacy Times cover.

"We couldn't be more proud to feature a pharmacist like MAJ Neigh on the cover of our journal," said Pharmacy Times Editor-in-Chief Fred Eckel, who chaired the judging committee. "All of the 2011 winners are more than deserving of recognition for their dedication and attentiveness to patient care. They truly embody the ideals of the Next-Generation Pharmacist program."

"Now in its second year, the Next-Generation Pharmacist awards are bringing well-deserved recognition to the outstanding contributions of our dedicated pharmacy professionals," said Tom Rhoads, CEO of Parata Systems. "It was a perfect fit to honor these pioneering professionals in a prominent innovation hub like Boston."

The Next Generation Pharmacist program was founded in 2010 by Pharmacy Times and Parata Systems to recognize pharmacy professionals whose exemplary professional practice is defining the future of pharmacy. Sponsors of the 2011 program included Actavis, Catalyst Healthcare, DataLogic, Fougera, Kmart, Managed Health Care Associates, Inc., Novo Nordisk, Parata Financial, Rexam and Upsher-Smith Laboratories.

Next year's awards event promises to be wild; it will be held at the San Diego Zoo on Monday, Oct. 15, 2012. Nominations open on Feb. 1, 2012.  

View winner videos, register for information on next year's awards and learn more about Next-Generation Pharmacist at www.nextgenerationpharmacist.com and www.PharmacyTimes.com, or follow the program on Facebook and Twitter (@nextgenpharm).

About Parata Systems

Durham, N.C.-based Parata Systems, LLC, was founded in 2001, and is the industry's leading provider of pharmacy automation to improve safety, efficiency and customer experience. Next-generation Parata Max® and Parata Mini® automate prescription dispensing with the highest accuracy, speed and output available. PACMED and PACVision are creating a new standard of care in for medication management in long-term care. To learn more, call, click or visit Parata Systems, www.parata.com, [email protected], 1-888-PARATA1 (727-2821), Facebook (Parata Systems) and Twitter (paratasystems).

About Pharmacy Times

Pharmacy Times is the industry's leading publication, providing practical, clinical information pharmacists can use in their everyday practices when counseling patients and interacting with physicians. Learn more at www.pharmacytimes.com, [email protected] or 609-716-7777 and on Facebook at "Pharmacy Times."

Next Generation Pharmacist is a trademark of Parata Systems, LLC.

Available for interviews:
Tom Rhoads, CEO
Parata Systems

Fred Eckel, Editor-in-Chief
Pharmacy Times

SOURCE Parata Systems