CoP faculty members, along with a star student, took center stage at the Georgia Society of Health-System Pharmacists annual meeting held this summer in Amelia Island. Awards and recipients included:
Outstanding Preceptor Award – Dr. Andrew Darley
As this year’s recipient of GSHP’s Outstanding Preceptor Award, Dr. Andrew Darley is a pharmacist and educator whose unwavering dedication to student development has profoundly shaped the pharmacy practice. Since joining the UGA College of Pharmacy in 2014, he has been a driving force in the transformation of experiential education. He developed and precepts the P3 Health System IPPE at St. Mary’s Hospital, a rotation that has served more than 800 students, and co-created a three-week P2 Health System IPPE Block that has offered early, meaningful hospital-based experiences to more than 1,000 students across the state.
His impact as a preceptor is echoed in student evaluations that consistently rate him among the one of the most effective and inspiring educators they’ve encountered. His students routinely cite his ability to challenge them while providing a supportive, engaging learning environment. Under his guidance, students have completed thousands of medication reconciliations and identified medication-related problems that directly benefit patient care—experiences that leave them well-prepared for APPEs and future practice. He is not only a phenomenal teacher and mentor, but a visionary leader in health-system pharmacy education.
The Outstanding Preceptor Award is presented to a pharmacist serving as a preceptor for pharmacy students and/or pharmacy residents. The award recognizes outstanding service to the future of the profession.
Outstanding Community Service Award – Dr. Susan Smith, Clinical Associate Professor
In memory of her father-in-law and as a tribute to those affected by Lou Gehrig’s disease, Dr. Susan Smith and her family have partnered closely with the Live Like Lou Foundation to raise awareness and provide direct support to patients and families facing ALS. Through annual fundraisers coordinated around their children’s birthdays, they have raised more than $50,000 for the foundation, with heartfelt contributions, such as personalized artwork and videos shared with donors and local ALS families. These efforts not only raise essential funds but also build community and bring hope to those facing isolation in the wake of this devastating disease.
Her impact extends even further through her work with the Phi Delta Theta fraternity at UGA, whose national philanthropy supports the Live Like Lou Foundation. With her guidance, the fraternity launched the “Adopt & Serve an ALS Family” program, offering hands-on support, such as home repairs and seasonal decorations to local ALS families. What began as a single act of kindness has grown into a national service initiative, now supporting multiple families in the Athens area and beyond. Dr. Smith and her family’s selfless service, tireless advocacy, and compassionate leadership exemplify the spirit of this award. Her work truly enriches the lives of others and brings meaningful change to her local and extended communities.
The Outstanding Community Volunteer Service Award is presented to a GSHP member who has demonstrated significant contributions to their local community. Volunteer service is not limited to medical services but is inclusive of any volunteer activities (outside normal job duties) that enhance or improve the quality of life of the local community.
Outstanding Pharmaceutical Publication – Drs. Chris Bland, Trisha Branan, Anthony Hawkins, Susan Smith, and Andrea Sikora (adjunct)
A true team effort allowed the UGA Critical Care Collaborative Team (UGAC3), comprised of the above faculty members, to win this award for their publication, “Research and Scholarly Methods: Research Collaboration.” The invited manuscript outlines a practical and comprehensive framework to strengthen team-based scholarship. The article draws from principles of team science and highlights key strategies, such as SMART goal setting, personality-based role alignment, retreat planning, and fostering a culture of mentorship and professional generosity. Rooted in the successful models of UGAC3 and the MRC-ICU collaborative—teams with over 70 publications, 100+ presentations, and millions in grant funding—this work offers scalable solutions to elevate collaboration across the pharmacy profession.
The award for Outstanding Pharmaceutical Publication seeks to recognize GSHP members who have made significant contributions to the pharmaceutical literature within the past year.
Outstanding Pharmacy Student Award – Jill Foster, P4
As the GSHP President for the UGA student organization in 2024-25, Jill Foster, a P4 from Tarpon Springs, FL, served all four extended campuses while based in Savannah. One the
highlights of her presidency developed when she learned about Connect events (designed to connect students with preceptors and encourage involvement in GSHP) being held at the Albany and Augusta campuses. Jill wanted to make sure students across all campuses had the same opportunity, so she worked with directors for the Northeast and Southeast Georgia Districts, along with the Offices of Student Affairs Development and Alumni Relations. to coordinate similar events. Thanks to her initiative and drive, Jill’s efforts were successful. She hopes this initiative will continue to foster student connections with preceptors and active GSHP members, boosting engagement both during pharmacy school and after graduation. In addition, under Jill’s leadership, UGA’s chapter of GSHP has continued to be an active student chapter and maintained ASHP recognition status.
In her academics, Jill has worked on numerous research projects, fulfilling multiple roles including design, data collection, project management, and abstract/manuscript writing. In addition, she demonstrated commitment to her development through professional experience, working as a pharmacy intern at St. Joseph’s/Candler in Savannah. The Outstanding Pharmacy Student Award recognizes excellence in our future pharmacists. Nominations are submitted by preceptors, educators, or any other GSHP member who has had direct contact with a student who has shown exemplary service.
