Her vital contribution to the UNMC College of Pharmacy’s innovative projects studying the evolving role of community pharmacists in patient-centered health care has resulted in a national award for Ally Dering-Anderson, Pharm.D.
Dr. Dering-Anderson is one of two recipients for distinguished achievement in pharmacy practice as part of the 2015 American Pharmacists Association-Academy of Pharmacy Practice and Management (APhA-APPM) Awards. She is among those to be honored at the APhA Annual Meeting and Exposition in San Diego, March 27-30.
The APhA website states “the award recognizes an individual who has developed and/or implemented an innovative, original pharmacy program or service which is significant to their area of practice.”
UNMC’s point-of-care testing studies, in which Dr. Dering-Anderson, clinical assistant professor of pharmacy practice, played a key role, looked at how community pharmacists can provide care for patients with illnesses such as influenza (flu) or Group A Streptococcus (strep throat).
These studies were a collaboration with Ferris State (Mich.) University, had over 50 participating pharmacies in three states and were funded in part by a grant from the National Association of Chain Drug Stores Foundation.
And in Kearney, the UNMC College of Pharmacy, Walgreens, and the Kearney Clinic, P.C., rolled out a new model in the treatment of patients with hypertension and type-2 diabetes. In it, community pharmacists partner with physicians in order to help patients meet their wellness goals.
Again, Dr. Dering-Anderson was one of the project’s drivers.
“Ally has been integral in all of the community pharmacy-based research projects we have worked on over the last three years,” said Don Klepser, Ph.D., associate professor of pharmacy practice, and the studies’ principal investigator. “She spends a great deal of time in the community seeing patients. That unique perspective makes her an advocate for both patients and the practicing pharmacists, which does nothing but strengthen our studies.”
“It’s really an honor,” Dr. Dering-Anderson said of the APhA award, “but it’s not about me, it’s about these programs.”
UNMC collaborators on the projects include Dr. Klepser, Keith Olsen, Pharm.D., Paul Dobesh, Pharm.D., and former faculty Julie Oestreich, Ph.D., Pharm.D., now at the University of Kentucky, who championed Dr. Dering-Anderson’s nomination.
Dr. Olsen, chair of pharmacy practice, said: “Ally Dering-Anderson is the most passionate person I know and the greatest advocate for community pharmacy and pharmacists.”
Dr. Klepser said: “Her energy and passion for patient-centered care and the pharmacy profession always leaves me in awe.”
Ally's passion for students and patients, pharmacy profession and improving health care in the community are beyond belief. She works relentlessly and tirelessly at each. One needs only to chat with her to see immediately that 'glow'. Congratulations, Ally. You are inspiring!
Ally is an absolute master at communicating with the media. Kudos to her for a well deserved award!