The College of Pharmacy Alumni Council presented Gary Stroy, of Mountain View, Calif., the inaugural Distinguished Alumnus Award at the college’s recent annual Scholastic Honors Convocation.
Stroy (M.S. in pharmacology, ’67), “is recognized as an inventor, an entrepreneur, and an influential leader in both the laboratory and pharmaceutical industries,” said alumni council president Amy Hornig, Pharm.D.
Stroy is currently chair and CEO of Xip Diagnostics, a firm that he co-founded to develop the world’s first single-use digital-read blood analyzer, Dr. Hornig said. The technology is being initially applied to veterinary medicine. But, the hope is it will someday enable the rapid confirmation of a myocardial infarction in hospital emergency departments.
He also co-founded LifeScan, which pioneered the concept of personal blood glucose monitoring for managing diabetes.
It’s the most notable of the several companies he has founded or co-founded, or inventions Stroy has had a hand in, throughout his career. The Silicon Valley Business Journal called him “a serial entrepreneur.”
“His example is one of perseverance, of leadership, and of using your education as the foundation to take risks in your career that will pay off professionally — and in service to others,” Dr. Hornig said.
Additionally, the College of Pharmacy awarded its faculty, non-faculty and site preceptors of the year.
Jeff Kildow, Pharm.D., of Regional West Medical Center in Scottsbluff, was named Outstanding Non-faculty Preceptor by graduating doctor of pharmacy students.
“Dr. Kildow was excellent at balancing experience in both the management and the clinical side of pharmacy. He allowed for the flexibility and encouraged rotation students gain experience in many patient care settings including overnight shifts,” said class of 2019 president Byron Korf, Pharm.D.
Jennifer Foster, Pharm.D., clinical assistant professor of pharmacy practice and science, earned Outstanding Faculty Preceptor of the Year honors.
“Her warm and compassionate way with patients and her ability to motivate them to take charge of their own health care is truly admirable. . . . She is a true role model for our profession, and I think the field of pharmacy would benefit greatly if we all strived to practice like she does,” Dr. Korf said.
Outstanding Preceptor Site of the Year went to the Grand Island VA Medical Center. “Their reputation has been earned through the challenging and diverse patient population students get to work with, but more importantly, the quality of preceptors at this site,” Dr. Korf said.
Drs. Brent Bollwitt, Lourdes Heuermann, Paula Carlson and Lisa Bilslend accepted the honor at convocation.