Who Will Be The 2012 Next-Generation Pharmacist™?

DURHAM, N.C., Feb. 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Parata Systems and Pharmacy Times are proud to announce the start of the third annual Next-Generation Pharmacist™ program. The 2012 awards will be presented at a special event held at the San Diego Zoo on Monday, Oct. 15, concurrent with the National Community Pharmacists Association Annual Convention.

The event will honor pharmacists, technicians and student pharmacists who embrace and embody the future vision of pharmacy in the following categories:

1. Rising Star of the Year
2. Entrepreneur of the Year
3. Civic Leader of the Year
4. Technology Innovator of the Year
5. Patient Care Provider of the Year
6. Technician of the Year
7. Long-Term Care Pharmacist of the Year
8. Military Pharmacist of the Year
9. Future Pharmacist of the Year
10. Lifetime Achievement Award

"Now in its third year, the Next-Generation Pharmacist awards are bringing well-deserved recognition to the talent and dedication of our hard-working and trusted pharmacy professionals," said Tom Rhoads, CEO of Parata Systems. "We're eager to begin this year's program by accepting nominations for talented pharmacists who are making a difference in the industry."

One of the category winners will be tapped for the program's highest honor: "Next-Generation Pharmacist." This award recognizes a pharmacist whose uncompromising vision for pharmacy, or the pharmacy industry overall, embodies the essence of the awards program. The 2011 Next-Generation Pharmacist was Major Jeffrey Neigh, PharmD, BCPS, deputy chief of pharmacy at Eisenhower Army Medical Center in Fort Gordon, Ga., who was also the 2010 recipient of the prestigious Albert B. Prescott Leadership award.

"MAJ Neigh has been such a strong example of exactly the kind of pharmacist we hope to have representing our program," said Tighe Blazier, President of Pharmacy Times. "Last year we received nearly 350 nominations from 40 states, so we are excited to see the talent that this year's program attracts."

Nominations are evaluated by an independent panel of esteemed judges, chaired by Pharmacy Times Editor-in-Chief Fred Eckel. As the 2011 Next-Generation Pharmacist, MAJ Neigh will serve on this year's judging panel. Up to three finalists may be named in each category, and all finalists will be invited to the awards event as guests of the founding sponsors.

Nominations are now being accepted at www.nextgenerationpharmacist.com, and the deadline for entries is May 18, 2012. Entries can be submitted online or via mail. Visit the website to enter online or download an electronic entry form.

The program is open to licensed pharmacists practicing in all environments, including chain, independent, institutional and government settings, as well as technicians and student pharmacists in two special categories.

About Parata Systems
Durham, N.C.-based Parata Systems, LLC, was founded in 2001 and provides powerful pharmacy automation technology to improve dispensing safety and productivity. Next-generation Parata Max® and Parata Mini® deliver the highest accuracy, speed and productivity for the lowest cost per prescription. Parata® medication management system's customized unit- and multi-dose packaging improves safety and adherence for retail and long-term care patients and eases the demands of short-cycle dispensing. Pharmacy 2000™ software extends consistency and accuracy across the pharmacy's entire prescription workflow. 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. Each issue contains articles and features covering medication errors, drug interactions, patient education, pharmacy technology, disease state management, patient counseling, product news, pharmacy law, and specialty pharmacy. Pharmacy Times is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) as a provider of free continuing pharmacy education. Learn more at www.pharmacytimes.com, [email protected] or 609-716-7777 and on Facebook at Facebook.com/PharmacyTimes and on Twitter (@Pharmacy_Times). Pharmacy Times is published by Intellisphere, LLC, a leading provider of health care publishing, research, information, and education.

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

SOURCE Parata Systems