UMSOP Leaders Earn Top National Honors at APhA Annual Meeting

Faculty, students, alumni, and board member recognized for advancing pharmacy practice, patient care, and public health innovation.

By Pam Carder
April 20, 2026

Image: APhA-ASP chapter, Nicole Brandt, Sandy Jeong Rhie, Deanna Tran, Hoai-An Truong, and Thomas Menighan

Leaders, students, and alumni from the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy (UMSOP) were recognized on the national stage at the 2026 annual meeting of the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) in March, earning top honors that highlight the School’s leadership, innovation, and impact across the pharmacy profession.

UMSOP Student Chapter Named National Chapter of the Year

The UMSOP chapter of the American Pharmacists Association- Academy of Student Pharmacists (APhA-ASP) was named 2026 Chapter of the Year, the organization’s highest honor recognizing the most well-rounded and exemplary chapter in the nation.

The chapter also earned national recognition as first runner-up for the Operation Substance Use Disorder Award and second runner-up for the OTC Medication Safety Award.

These honors build on strong regional success earlier in the year. At the APhA-ASP Midyear Regional Meeting in November, the chapter received awards for Operation Diabetes, Operation Heart, and Operation Reproductive Health.

“This recognition really reflects how passionate our student pharmacists are about getting involved and making a difference,” said Abby Le, a third-year student pharmacist and president of the UMSOP APhA-ASP chapter. “We’ve worked hard to create opportunities for as many students as possible to lead, serve, and grow, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see that commitment recognized on a national level.”

Lamy Center Team Recognized for Expanding Vaccine Access and Equity

The Peter Lamy Center on Drug Therapy and Aging team, led by executive director Nicole Brandt, PharmD ‘97, MBA, BCGP, FASCP, the Parke-Davis Chair in Geriatric Pharmacotherapy, received an Honorable Mention for the 2026 APhA Immunization Champion Award.

Brandt, on behalf of the team, was recognized for leading a large-scale, community-based vaccination initiative that significantly expanded access to immunizations among older adults and individuals with disabilities across Maryland.

Through the Aging & Disability Vaccination Collaborative, Brandt and her colleagues reached more than 105,000 adults with vaccine education and facilitated more than 23,000 vaccinations – delivered by pharmacists, student pharmacists, and pharmacy technicians in settings ranging from community centers to patients’ homes.

“Our goal was to meet people where they are and remove the barriers that too often prevent them from getting vaccinated,” Brandt said. “By bringing together pharmacists, community partners, and public health organizations, we were able to expand access, build trust, and ensure that even the most vulnerable populations could receive the care they need.”

The initiative reduced barriers by providing transportation assistance, coordinating appointments, and delivering vaccines directly into underserved urban, suburban, and rural communities. Its innovative, data-driven model — combining outreach, referral services, and community-based care — has improved immunization rates, advanced health equity, and secured continued funding for future expansion.

Alumni Honored for Global Impact in Pharmacy Practice

Sandy Jeong Rhie, PharmD ‘23, PhD, received the APhA Outstanding Career Achievement Award in recognition of her impactful contributions to advancing pharmacy practice internationally.

In 2023, Rhie launched South Korea’s first pharmacy-based immunization certification training program, establishing a workforce development framework to support future pharmacist-provided vaccination services. Her work has helped lay the foundation for expanding the role of pharmacists in preventive care and strengthening public health infrastructure.

Deanna Tran, PharmD ‘11, BCACP, FAPhA, director of member relations-pharmacy student forum at the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, received a Distinguished Achievement Award in Service, which recognizes individuals who have made a significant or sustained contribution to pharmacy practice and have advanced the missions of APhA and pharmacy practice.

Hoai-An Truong, PharmD ’05, MPH, professor of pharmacy administration and public health at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, received the Bowl of Hygeia Award from the National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations and the APhA Foundation.

Established in 1958, the award recognizes pharmacists who possess outstanding records of civic leadership in their communities and encourages pharmacists to take active roles in their communities. The award is presented annually at the APhA Annual meeting by participating state pharmacy associations, including those in the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. In addition to service through their local, state, and national pharmacy associations, award recipients devote their time, talent, and resources to a wide variety of causes and community service.

Board of Visitors Member Receives Profession’s Highest Honor

Thomas E. Menighan, BSPharm, MBA, ScD, a member of UMSOP’s Board of Visitors, was named the 2026 Remington Honor Medalist, widely considered the highest honor in pharmacy.

Presented by APhA, the award recognizes exceptional and sustained contributions to the advancement of the profession. Named for Joseph P. Remington, a pioneering pharmacist and educator, the medal honors individuals whose impact spans research, practice, education, and leadership.

“Tom Menighan is a humble leader who would rather uplift others than take credit for himself,” said Michael D. Hogue, PharmD, executive vice president and CEO of APhA. “He has made a significant impact on so many aspects of our profession and is well-deserving of this recognition.”

Menighan also delivered the Remington Lecture during the APhA Annual Meeting & Exposition.

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