2024 Award Recipients

Christopher A. Zaleski, PharmD

Class of 2017

Dr. Christopher Zaleski completed his PharmD degree at the UNMC College of Pharmacy in 2017. From there, he began his career as a pharmacist at the Nebraska Medicine Retail/Specialty Pharmacy.  
 
Dr. Zaleski has worked at Nebraska Medicine since that time and has been promoted three times in seven years. He rose in the ranks from pharmacist, to supervisor, to HUB pharmacy supervisor, and then to the HUB pharmacy manager, which is the position he holds now. In this role, he has direct oversight of the Centralized Services and Automation Room teams, including two supervisors and 42 direct reports. The teams he oversees have many responsibilities related to four Nebraska Medicine pharmacies. In addition, his role includes working with vendors to optimize workflows to provide a safe and quality patient experience.   

Dr. Zaleski has accomplished a lot in his short time as a pharmacist. In addition to his promotions at Nebraska Medicine, he also helps to educate future pharmacists as a preceptor.  He speaks to pharmacy technicians at their national convention and works with students on mock interviews.  

He was recently asked to serve as an instructor for the P1 students in the Introduction to Contemporary Compounding course. 

Dr. Zaleski has held numerous leadership and membership roles in professional societies dedicated to pharmacy. Some include: the Nebraska Medicaid Total Care Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee, the Pharmacy Community Engagement Committee (Chair) and the Nebraska Medicine Pharmacy Transitions of Care Committee.  

Most importantly, Dr. Zaleski’s approach to pharmacy is that of someone who truly cares about the patient's outcome. His leadership and workflow improvements directly benefit the patient and contribute to the prevention of potentially dangerous errors.  

Jacob H. Dering  

In recognition of his outstanding contributions and lifelong dedication to pharmacy, Jacob H. Dering is the College of Pharmacy's 2024 Distinguished Alumnus Award. His contributions have left an indelible mark on the field of pharmacy, the communities and patients he served, as well as his family – which boasts of two more pharmacists, his daughter Dr. Ally Dering-Anderson class of 1986, and his grand-daughter Dr. Jolyn (Anderson) Merry class of 2012. 

After graduating, Mr. Dering founded an independent pharmacy in Crete, Nebraska, which he owned and operated for decades. His dedication to patient care and community well-being was evident in every prescription filled and every consultation offered. He fostered a sense of trust that we all hope to have in our health care team.  

In addition, he embodied a passion for nurturing the next generation of pharmacists. As a preceptor for pharmacy students from the UNMC College of Pharmacy, he imparted his wisdom and practical skills to shape the pharmacists of the future. His commitment to mentorship sets him apart from other College of Pharmacy alumni. 

His influence extended into many aspects of pharmacy. He is well known as a trusted advisor, lending his expertise to various committees, including the Chancellor's Advisory Committee at UNMC. His tenure on the Nebraska Board of Pharmacy and as the pharmacist member of the Board of Advanced Practice Nurses demonstrated his dedication to regulatory excellence and patient safety.  

In recognition of his service and leadership, the Nebraska Pharmacists Association honored Dering with the prestigious Bowl of Hygeia Award.   

He is also a past member of the Doane College Board of Trustees and has given generously to the College of Pharmacy’s many philanthropic initiatives such as the white coat fund. 

Throughout his career, Mr. Dering remained a steadfast ambassador for UNMC and the pharmacy profession. His exemplary character, unwavering integrity, and tireless dedication creates an enduring legacy that continues to inspire future generations of pharmacists.