NASP Celebrates Leadership, Excellence and the Future of Specialty Pharmacy

inSPire2026 gave us the opportunity to recognize and celebrate the exceptional individuals and organizations whose leadership, service, and commitment to excellence continue to strengthen specialty pharmacy and advance patient care.

During our time together in National Harbor, Maryland, NASP welcomed eight newly elected members to the NASP Board of Directors:

Vivian Berni, MPH (ThermoSafe); Kevin Cast (Archbow Consulting); Marc Choquette, PharmD, MBA (St. Luke’s); Cameron Franklin, MPA, CHC (Onco360); Caroline Girardeau, PharmD, MBA, PMP, BCPS (ACHC); Prasad Karanam, MBA (Keycentrix); Grant Knowles, PharmD, CSP (Senderra Specialty Pharmacy); and Shannon Wiley, JD (Bass, Berry & Sims).

We were also pleased to welcome Chandra Wahrgren, MBA (Moda Partners and Ardon Health & Emerging Health) as Chair of the NASP Board of Directors.

The Specialty Pharmacy Certification Board (SPCB) welcomed seven newly elected members: Bonnie Dugie, PharmD, MBA, CSP, FTSHP (VytlOne); Emily Eastman, PharmD, MBA, CSP (UK Specialty Pharmacy); Kimberly Epps, PharmD, CSP (LUX Infusion); Brenda Gray, PharmD, CNSC, CVAA(c), VA-BC, BCSCP, FASPEN (Medesto Health); Grant McGuffey, PharmD, MBA, CSP (UAB Medicine); Rhonita Mitchell, PharmD, CSP (Visante); and Thomas Steele, PharmD, MBA, CSP (RelianceRx).

Jonathan Ogurchak, PharmD, CSP, CPHIMS (Zeal Specialty Pharmacy) was welcomed as Chair of the SPCB.

inSPire2026 also provided the perfect setting to honor our 2026 NASP Industry Award recipients, recognizing individuals and organizations whose contributions are making a meaningful difference across specialty pharmacy:

• Specialty Pharmacy of the Year: Optum Specialty Pharmacy
• Specialty Pharmacist of the Year: Van Chau, PharmD, BCGP, CSP, UC Davis Health
• Specialty Pharmacy Technician of the Year: Erin Dwiggins, AcariaHealth Specialty Pharmacy
• Distinguished Service Award: Alexis El-Khouri, PharmD, BCPS, CPS Solutions
• Specialty Pharmacy Service Excellence Award: Niki Parker, AcariaHealth Specialty Pharmacy
• Strategic Channel Partner of the Year: Claritas Rx
• Manufacturer of the Year: Pfizer
• Caregiver of the Year: Caryl Morreale, BS Pharmacy, Lumicera Health Services

We were equally proud to celebrate the future of specialty pharmacy by recognizing this year’s Ron Bookman Memorial Scholarship recipients. These emerging professionals represent the next generation of talent, leadership, and innovation that will continue to shape our profession and the care of specialty patients for years to come:

The 2026 Ron Bookman Memorial Scholarship recipients are:

• Kamille Buck, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
• Jaylin Flores, Texas A&M University Irma Rangel College of Pharmacy
• Diem Nguyen, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Pharmacy
• Isabell Peters, The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy
• Evan Walker, University of Pittsburgh College of Pharmacy

We also celebrated the recipients of our 2026 Poster Awards and all who contributed to this year’s Abstract & Poster Program. Their commitment to advancing and sharing complex clinical literature, outcomes, research, and real-world experience is essential to advancing specialty pharmacy practice, demonstrating its value, and continually improving the care we provide to patients:

The 2026 Poster Award winners are:

• Specialty Pharmacy Outcomes & Practice-Based Research: Laura Petry, Vanderbilt Specialty Pharmacy, for “Real-world outcomes of adalimumab biosimilar transitions in patients from inflammatory bowel disease and rheumatology clinics.” Authors: Laura Petry, Autumn D Zuckerman, Joshua DeClercq, Katie Cruchelow. Organization: Vanderbilt Specialty Pharmacy.
• Specialty Pharmacy Products, Services, or Programs: Jessica Lynton, Optum Specialty Pharmacy, for “Impact of a virtual pharmacy service on biosimilar conversion, total cost of care, and the provider experience.” Authors: Jessica Lynton, Janelle Vircks, Kristi Allsup, Andrew Hayden. Organization: Optum Specialty Pharmacy.
• Digital Engagement/Technology in Specialty Pharmacy Services: Victoria Weavill, Shields Health Solutions, for “Digital technology intervention impact on staff productivity in a health system specialty pharmacy.” Authors: Victoria Weavill, Sonia Patankar, Ramamohana Jonnala, Martha Stutsky. Organization: Shields Health Solutions.
• Education, Workforce & Policy in Specialty Pharmacy: Amanda Kibbons, Vanderbilt Specialty Pharmacy, for “Alternative funding vs. traditional coverage: implications for specialty medication access.” Authors: Autumn D Zuckerman, Katie Williford, Amanda Kibbons, Martha Stutsky, Chloe Kim, Alicia Verret, Stephanie Barrus, Jenny Loucks, Kama Thomas, Samantha Curry, Rebecca Freedman, Lisa Cristofaro, Kate McCarthy, Diana Gabelman, Karen Thomas, Matt Plassmeier, Rikki-Lynn Bressler, Lakyn Husinka-Prosser, Kristin Sigmon, Jennifer Carter, Elizabeth McNeer, Leena Choi. Organization: Multi-site Study, Lead Site Vanderbilt Health.
• Attendee Choice Award: Jessica Lynton, Optum Specialty Pharmacy, for “Impact of a virtual pharmacy service on biosimilar conversion, total cost of care, and the provider experience.” Authors: Jessica Lynton, Janelle Vircks, Kristi Allsup, Andrew Hayden. Organization: Optum Specialty Pharmacy

From established leaders and outstanding organizations to emerging professionals and those expanding the body of knowledge that informs our practice, inSPire2026 gave us so much to celebrate and even more reason to be excited about the future of specialty pharmacy.

Congratulations to all our 2026 honorees and newly elected leaders. Thank you for the expertise, passion, curiosity, and commitment you bring to this community and for the many ways you continue to move NASP, specialty pharmacy practice, and patient care forward.