Distinguished Alumni Awards

Each year, the UW School of Pharmacy and the Pharmacy Alumni Association (PAA) celebrate the achievements of our graduates through the Distinguished Alumni Awards program. This program recognizes alumni who exemplify excellence, leadership, and impact in the field of pharmacy.

Our Awards

Nominations are accepted for the following three award categories:

Pharmaceutical Sciences/Research Award

Recognizes alumni (PhD or MS graduates) whose research and scientific contributions have significantly advanced the field.

Pharmacy Practice Award

Honors alumni whose professional practice has made a meaningful difference in patient care, pharmacy operations, or the broader healthcare community.

Alumni Impact Award

Celebrates alumni who have made substantial contributions to the School or the profession, demonstrating leadership and creating positive change locally, nationally, or globally.

Nominate

Submit your nomination using our online form by September 30, 2025.

Complete the nomination form

Alumni Impact Award Recipients

2019: Dana Hurley, ’97, ’00, ’04

Early Career Achievement Award Recipients

2021: Laura Hart, ’14, ‘17

2019: William Canestaro, ’17

Pharmacy Practice Award Recipients

2021: Gary Harris, ‘72

2020: Dawn Ipsen, ’01

2019: Ryan Oftebro, ’03

2018: Tim Fuller, ‘69

2017: Timothy W. Lynch, ‘97

2016: Roger A. Woolf, ’85

2015: Nanci Murphy, ’97

2014: Bill Fassett, ’69

2013: Kenneth Thummel, ’87

2012: Jeff Rochon, ’99

2011: Ryan Hansen, ’03, ’12

2009: Steve Singer, ’81

2008: Herb Tsuchiya, ’55

2006: Warren Hall, ’79

2005: Joy Plein, ’51, ’56

2003: Ann Wittkowsky, ’88

2002: Don Downing, ’75

2000: Bev Schaefer, ’70

1999: Ed Wong, ’71

1997: General Jack Babcock, ’37

1996: Shirley Bridge*, ’45

1995: George Bartell, Jr.*, ’53, and Gayle Hudgins Cochran, ’69

1993: Donna Dockter, ’72

1992: Rodney Shafer, ’77

1991: Theodore Taniguchi, ’49

1990: Sidney Nelson, ’68

1989: Evelyn Benson*, ’50

1988: Virgil Sheppard, ’53

1987: Theodore West*, ’48

1986: Douglas McCarter, ’67

1985: Dennis Smith, ’69

1984: Lars Hennum, ’43

1983: Lillie Jones*, ’60, and Don Katterman*, ’48,

1982: Sanford Thal*, ’47

1981: Richard Ramsey, ’55

1980: Nathan Hall*, ’39

1979: Peg Kronfield*, ’42

1978: Phillip Nudelman, ’64

1977: Raymond Ahlquist*, ’35

1976: R.E. Duckering*, ’26, and James Ramseth, ’63

1975: Henry Verhulst*, ’42

1974: Louis Fischer*, ’26, and Forest Goodrich*, ’14

1973: George Benson*, ’47

Pharmaceutical Science and Research Award Recipients

2021: Shelby Reed

2020: Han Kiat Ho, ’05

2019: Cheryl Zimmerman, ’83

2018: Jonathan Watanabe, ’98, ’08, ’12

2017: Deanna Kroetz, ‘90

2016: Cyrus Khojasteh-Bakht, ’98

2015: Mitch Higashi, ’01

2014: Larry Wienkers, ’93

2010: Gail Anderson, ’78, ’81, ’87

2007: Duane Miller, ’69

2004: Hank Yamamura*, ’64, ’68, ’69

2001: Bill Trager*, ’65

1998: John DiGiovanni, ’74, ’78

1996: William Garland, ’74

1995: William Stavropoulos, ’67

*In loving memory