Featured Stories
Women in Hospitality Take Center Stage at AAHOA's 5th Annual HerOwnership Conference in Nashville
ATLANTA, Georgia, Oct. 4 -- The Asian American Hotel Owners Association issued the following news release:
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Women in Hospitality Take Center Stage at AAHOA's 5th Annual HerOwnership Conference in Nashville
NASHVILLE, TN., October 2 -- Nashville is known for great music and big talent. This week, it also served as the backdrop for women hotel owners and hospitality leaders from across the country to learn, connect, and share what it takes to build successful hospitality businesses. AAHOA's 5th annual HerOwnership Conference, held September 27-28, focused on the practical side of ownership,
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ATLANTA, Georgia, Oct. 4 -- The Asian American Hotel Owners Association issued the following news release:
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Women in Hospitality Take Center Stage at AAHOA's 5th Annual HerOwnership Conference in Nashville
NASHVILLE, TN., October 2 -- Nashville is known for great music and big talent. This week, it also served as the backdrop for women hotel owners and hospitality leaders from across the country to learn, connect, and share what it takes to build successful hospitality businesses. AAHOA's 5th annual HerOwnership Conference, held September 27-28, focused on the practical side of ownership,covering operations and capital, technology, financial planning, and portfolio growth.
Masterclass sessions focused on legal issues, hotel financing, and lending sponsored by Bridge, and bookkeeping, wills and trusts, and daily hotel operations. Other sessions included a roundtable on leading with purpose, hosted by the AAHOA Charitable Foundation, as well as discussions on creating long-term hotel value, along with sponsored sessions addressing issues that directly affect hotel owners, building a brand with purpose with Red Roof, AI technology with M3, and portfolio diversification with Primrose. The event also featured a reception, Boots & Beats, with country singer Molly Lovette.
"HerOwnership continues to show what is possible when women in our industry have a place to connect, share their experiences, and learn from one another," AAHOA Chairman Rahul Patel said. "We heard honest conversations about ownership, leadership, business growth, and the challenges that come with building a career in hospitality. The connections made here will continue long after the conference, and that is what makes HerOwnership so valuable to AAHOA and our members. Thank you to Purnima Patel, AAHOA Women Hoteliers Director, Eastern Division, Arti Patel, AAHOA Women Hoteliers Director, Western Division, and the Women Hoteliers Committee for their work and dedication in planning this event."
The keynote speaker was Simi Shah, Founder & CEO of South Asian Trailblazers, an award-winning media platform, community, and advisory agency focused on elevating South Asian voices. Shah, who grew up in the hospitality industry, spoke about her path to creating the company, the role her family played in her career and media platform, personal branding, and the importance of AAHOA to the hospitality community.
Shah reflected on the influence of the hospitality industry on her life and career.
"I would not be the person I am today if I had not grown up in this industry," she said. "I am so glad I grew up in the AAHOA community."
She also recognized the influence of AAHOA's founders on her work, describing them as the "giants on whose shoulders I stand" as she builds a podcast highlighting the achievements of South Asians.
"Being in Nashville, it was hard not to think about Dolly Parton and the example she has set as a woman who built something of lasting value and stayed true to her vision," AAHOA President & CEO Laura Lee Blake said. "That same confidence came through at HerOwnership. Women hotel owners know the value of what they have built, and they are making decisions every day about how to grow and protect it. I am incredibly proud to be part of an association that champions women and honors the tremendous contributions they make to our industry every day."
"Opening the door for other women is one of the most important things we can do," said Arti Patel, AAHOA Women Hoteliers Director, Western Division. "If each of us opens the door for five women and helps them find their place in this industry, the impact can continue long after this conference. We have an opportunity to make sure the next woman has someone willing to open that door for her."
"HerOwnership gives women a place to share what is really happening in their businesses and learn from each other," said Purnima Patel, AAHOA Women Hoteliers Director, Eastern Division. "Some of the best conversations happen between sessions, when women are talking about the challenges they are facing and sharing ideas and solutions. Those connections are a big part of what makes this conference special."
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About AAHOA
AAHOA is the largest hotel owners association in the nation, with Member-owned properties representing a significant part of the U.S. economy. AAHOA's 20,000 members own 60% of the hotels in the United States and are responsible for 1.4% of the nation's GDP. More than 1 million employees work at AAHOA member-owned hotels, earning $51.3 billion annually, and member-owned hotels support 4.2 million U.S. jobs across all sectors of the hospitality industry. AAHOA's mission is to serve and protect the business interests of our members through profit-driven member benefits and services, effective advocacy, industry leadership, professional development, and impactful community engagement.
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Original text here: https://www.aahoa.com/news-details/women-in-hospitality-take-center-stage-at-aahoas-5th-annual-herownership-conference-in-nashville
[Category: Travel]
Tony Award-Winning 'Schmigadoon' Creator Cinco Paul Honored With The ASCAP Foundation Richard Rodgers New Horizons Award
NEW YORK, Oct. 4 -- The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers issued the following news:
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Tony Award-Winning "Schmigadoon" Creator Cinco Paul Honored with The ASCAP Foundation Richard Rodgers New Horizons Award
NEW YORK, Oct. 2, 2026 - The ASCAP Foundation recognizes musical theater writer Cinco Paul, creator of the two-time Tony Award-winning musical Schmigadoon, with The ASCAP Foundation Richard Rodgers New Horizons Award. The award is presented to composers of musical theater who have made a significant contribution to American musical culture.
Paul's Tony-winning achievements
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NEW YORK, Oct. 4 -- The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers issued the following news:
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Tony Award-Winning "Schmigadoon" Creator Cinco Paul Honored with The ASCAP Foundation Richard Rodgers New Horizons Award
NEW YORK, Oct. 2, 2026 - The ASCAP Foundation recognizes musical theater writer Cinco Paul, creator of the two-time Tony Award-winning musical Schmigadoon, with The ASCAP Foundation Richard Rodgers New Horizons Award. The award is presented to composers of musical theater who have made a significant contribution to American musical culture.
Paul's Tony-winning achievementsinclude his work as the sole writer of the book, lyrics and musical score for Schmigadoon. He is among a small number of music creators who have written every aspect of a Broadway show, along with ASCAP members Lin-Manuel Miranda (Hamilton) and Jonathan Larson (Rent).
"Cinco Paul is a master storyteller and writer, and no one is more deserving of this award," said ASCAP Foundation President Paul Williams. "The original work, craft and artistry that made Cinco successful in TV and film were destined to be a hit on Broadway. We are honored to support him and the inspired legacy of Richard Rodgers with this award."
"The Richard Rodgers New Horizons Award honors the exceptional voices defining musical theatre," said Patricia Leonard, Executive Director of The ASCAP Foundation. "We are proud to celebrate Cinco Paul, whose distinguished Broadway debut with Schmigadoon! upholds the legendary artistry and innovative spirit of Richard Rodgers."
The ASCAP Foundation Richard Rodgers New Horizons Award was established to honor ASCAP composers and lyricists who make a significant Broadway or off-Broadway debut. Funded by the Estate of Mary Rodgers and the Rodgers Family Foundation, the award continues to give composers the encouragement and inspiration to bring new musicals to the stage. Previous recipients include Michael R. Jackson (A Strange Loop), Lin-Manuel Miranda (Hamilton), Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (Dear Evan Hansen) and David Hein and Irene Sankoff (Come From Away).
On Monday, October 5, Carnegie Hall will host "A Celebration of Rodgers & Hart," an all-star celebration of the timeless music Richard Rodgers created with Lorenz Hart. The program features an extraordinary lineup from Broadway and beyond, including Joshua Boone, Shoshana Bean, Darren Criss, Savion Glover, Ethan Hawke, Patti LuPone, Lizzy McAlpine, Elizabeth Gillies, Michael Feinstein, Santino Fontana, Lilli Cooper, Awa Sal Secka and more.
Tickets are on sale through the Carnegie Hall website, at (212) 247-7800 or at the Box Office on 57th Street and Seventh Avenue. Premium concert seating tickets and an exclusive post-concert reception with the artists and special guests is also available on a limited basis. For inquiries, please contact Patricia Leonard, Executive Director of The ASCAP Foundation, at tickets@ascapfoundation.org.
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About Cinco Paul
Cinco Paul is an Emmy and Tony-winning writer best known for his blockbuster family films co-written with Ken Daurio. Their films, which combined have made over $4 billion dollars worldwide, include the first three Despicable Me movies, Horton Hears A Who, The Lorax, and The Secret Life Of Pets, among others.
Paul also co-created and was the showrunner for both seasons of Apple TV's Schmigadoon!, writing all of the songs (earning a Grammy nomination and an Emmy). He then wrote the book, music and lyrics for the stage adaptation currently running on Broadway at the Nederlander Theater, which won the Tony for Best Musical and won him Tonys for Best Book and Best Original Score.
Other recent work includes the Sacha Baron Cohen Netflix movie Ladies First, a new musical TV series at Apple TV, and Sweet Jesus, a new stage musical co-written with Bekah Brunstetter.
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About The ASCAP Foundation
Founded in 1975, The ASCAP Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization established as a separate entity from ASCAP. Our mission is to nurture the next generation of extraordinary songwriters and composers with mentorship, recognition, and vital financial support at critical turning points in their careers. Through professional workshops, grants, scholarships, and profound community outreach initiatives, the Foundation ensures that emerging talent across all genres can thrive. This enduring mission is fueled entirely by the generosity of ASCAP members and music lovers nationwide, who partner with us to keep the legacy of American music vibrant and alive. www.ascapfoundation.org.
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Original text here: https://www.ascap.com/press/2026/10/10-2-richard-rodgers-new-horizons
[Category: Arts/Cultural]
NCPA Foundation Recognizes Megan Smith as Outstanding Faculty Liaison of the Year
ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, Oct. 4 [Category: Pharmaceuticals] -- The National Community Pharmacists Association issued the following news release:
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NCPA Foundation Recognizes Megan Smith as Outstanding Faculty Liaison of the Year
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KANSAS CITY, MO. (Oct. 4, 2026) - The National Community Pharmacists Association Foundation has named Megan Smith, PharmD, associate professor and director of the PGY1 Community-Based Residency Program at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, as the 2026 Outstanding Faculty Liaison of the Year. The award recognizes a faculty liaison who demonstrates exceptional
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ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, Oct. 4 [Category: Pharmaceuticals] -- The National Community Pharmacists Association issued the following news release:
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NCPA Foundation Recognizes Megan Smith as Outstanding Faculty Liaison of the Year
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KANSAS CITY, MO. (Oct. 4, 2026) - The National Community Pharmacists Association Foundation has named Megan Smith, PharmD, associate professor and director of the PGY1 Community-Based Residency Program at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, as the 2026 Outstanding Faculty Liaison of the Year. The award recognizes a faculty liaison who demonstrates exceptionalleadership and commitment to independent pharmacy, their NCPA Student Chapter, and the community. Smith was recognized as part of NCPA's Annual Convention, being held Oct. 3-6 in Kansas City, Mo. The selection was made through a blind selection process to guarantee fairness and impartiality.
Smith received her Doctor of Pharmacy degree in 2013 from the University of North Carolina Eshelman School of Pharmacy. She remained at UNC to complete a PGY1 Community Pharmacy Residency at Kerr Drug, followed by a two-year post-doctoral fellowship focused on practice-based research and education in community pharmacy. That training shaped the focus of her career: developing and testing workable, scalable models for advanced clinical services in independent and community pharmacy settings.
She has built a career dedicated to elevating the role of community pharmacists in patient care -work that has earned her national and state-level recognition. At UAMS, she directs one of the largest community-based pharmacy residency programs in the country, preparing new pharmacists to deliver advanced patient care services -from point-of-care testing to chronic disease management -in community settings. In addition to her academic role, she continues to practice as a community pharmacist at the Pharmacy at Wellington, an independent pharmacy in Little Rock, keeping her research and teaching grounded in day-to-day patient care.
Smith has been a driving force behind practice transformation efforts at both the state and national level. She was a founding member of the Arkansas Community Pharmacy Enhanced Services Network, part of a nationwide, clinically integrated network that helps community pharmacies deliver and get recognized for enhanced patient care services. She continues to serve the network as academic network facilitator, helping to certify pharmacists and student pharmacists in community-based point-of-care testing and connecting academic training with real-world practice transformation. Smith has also developed multiple point-of-care testing algorithms that have accelerated adoption of these services across community pharmacy, and regularly volunteers her weekends to precept students at a local free health clinic.
Her contributions have been recognized repeatedly by state and national pharmacy organizations, including the 2022 NCPA Foundation Preceptor of the Year Award, the 2023 Excellence in Innovation Award (Arkansas, NASPA/Upsher-Smith Laboratories), and the 2025 inaugural CPESN(r) Academia Leader of the Year Award.
Smith is an active member of the American Pharmacists Association and the Arkansas Pharmacists Association and serves as chapter co-adviser for the NCPA Student Chapter at UAMS. Her research and scholarship -much of it in collaboration with colleagues at UNC and across the CPESN network -has focused on topics including point-of-care testing implementation, medication therapy management models, eCare plan documentation, and the development of community pharmacy research fellowships. She also serves on the Task Force of the Academia-Community Pharmacy Practice Transformation Collaborative, working to align pharmacy education with the evolving needs of community practice nationwide.
Through her dual role as educator and practicing pharmacist, Smith continues to advocate for community pharmacists as integral members of the coordinated care team -training the next generation of pharmacy leaders while helping to build the infrastructure that allows community pharmacies nationwide to deliver, document, and sustain advanced patient care services.
The NCPA Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization established in 1953 to honor the previous incarnation of NCPA, the National Association of Retail Druggists (NARD) Executive Secretary John W. Dargavel. Contributions to the foundation are tax-deductible as charitable donations to the extent permitted under federal tax law. The NCPA Foundation's mission is to improve community-based health care by advancing the sustainability, growth, and public understanding of independent community pharmacists -the most accessible health care providers. For more information, go to www.ncpafoundation.org.
NCPA
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Original text here: https://ncpa.org/newsroom/news-releases/2026/10/04/ncpa-foundation-recognizes-megan-smith-outstanding-faculty
NCPA Foundation Announces 2026 Sharlea Leatherwood Memorial Trailblazer Award
ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, Oct. 4 [Category: Pharmaceuticals] -- The National Community Pharmacists Association issued the following news release:
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NCPA Foundation Announces 2026 Sharlea Leatherwood Memorial Trailblazer Award
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KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Oct. 4, 2026) - During the National Community Pharmacists Association's Annual Convention, Oct. 3-6 in Kansas City, Mo., the NCPA Foundation announced the recipient of this year's Sharlea Leatherwood Memorial Trailblazer Award. The award honors the memory of Sharlea Leatherwood, former NCPA and NCPA Foundation President.
Xiaoyan Qin, PharmD, of Newton
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ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, Oct. 4 [Category: Pharmaceuticals] -- The National Community Pharmacists Association issued the following news release:
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NCPA Foundation Announces 2026 Sharlea Leatherwood Memorial Trailblazer Award
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KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Oct. 4, 2026) - During the National Community Pharmacists Association's Annual Convention, Oct. 3-6 in Kansas City, Mo., the NCPA Foundation announced the recipient of this year's Sharlea Leatherwood Memorial Trailblazer Award. The award honors the memory of Sharlea Leatherwood, former NCPA and NCPA Foundation President.
Xiaoyan Qin, PharmD, of NewtonCenter, Mass., received the award, given to someone who is blazing the trail for independent pharmacy owners and future generations of independent pharmacy. The selection was made through a blind selection process to guarantee fairness and impartiality.
"The Trailblazer Award is about recognizing someone who has overcome real obstacles and worked hard to get to where they are," said Mark Riley, NCPA Foundation Board of Trustees member. "Xiaoyan's story, coming to this country, building a career, and then building four pharmacies around the belief that patients deserve a real relationship with their pharmacist, is exactly what this award was created to honor. It means a great deal to the trustees to be able to recognize her this way."
Qin came to the U.S. in 1998 from Shanghai, China, to attend Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, where she earned a Doctor of Pharmacy degree. After graduation, she grew dissatisfied with the corporate approach to care and came to believe there was room in the market for a full-service pharmacy offering private consultations, personalized recommendations, and unique products at affordable prices. She opened Union Pharmacy in Newton Center in 2019 and added a Newtonville location two years later. A third location followed in Needham in 2024. When she noticed customers driving in from Belmont, a fourth location became the obvious next step.
Customers and others have taken notice of her approach. Qin was a guest of Rep. Jake Auchincloss (D-Mass.) at then-President Joe Biden's State of the Union address in 2023, in recognition of her work giving people a community-centered care option.
Qin's drive to improve the patient experience extends beyond the counter. Alongside her husband, she developed SimpLED, a system that speeds up prescription pickup and check-in for will call, cutting down on wait times and giving staff more time to spend with patients rather than searching for orders.
During COVID, Union Pharmacy donated masks to local hospitals, provided thousands of vaccines, and offered multiple diagnostic tests.
"As an independent pharmacy, we always ask the question of our customers: what is more important than your health and your time? You are not a number to us," Qin said. "We are here for the residents of our community."
The NCPA Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization established in 1953 to honor the previous incarnation of NCPA, the National Association of Retail Druggists (NARD) Executive Secretary John W. Dargavel. Contributions to the foundation are tax-deductible as charitable donations to the extent permitted under federal tax law. The NCPA Foundation's mission is to improve community-based health care by advancing the sustainability, growth, and public understanding of independent community pharmacists -the most accessible health care providers. For more information, go to www.ncpafoundation.org.
NCPA
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Original text here: https://ncpa.org/newsroom/news-releases/2026/10/04/ncpa-foundation-announces-2026-sharlea-leatherwood-memorial
NCPA Foundation Announces 2026 Scholarship Recipients
ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, Oct. 4 [Category: Pharmaceuticals] -- The National Community Pharmacists Association issued the following news release:
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NCPA Foundation Announces 2026 Scholarship Recipients
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KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Oct. 4, 2026) - During the National Community Pharmacists Association's Annual Convention, Oct. 3-6 in Kansas City, Mo., the NCPA Foundation announced the recipients of this year's NCPA Foundation scholarships. The NCPA Foundation proudly awards scholarships each year to college students pursuing community pharmacy ownership, recognizing those with demonstrated leadership
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ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, Oct. 4 [Category: Pharmaceuticals] -- The National Community Pharmacists Association issued the following news release:
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NCPA Foundation Announces 2026 Scholarship Recipients
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KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Oct. 4, 2026) - During the National Community Pharmacists Association's Annual Convention, Oct. 3-6 in Kansas City, Mo., the NCPA Foundation announced the recipients of this year's NCPA Foundation scholarships. The NCPA Foundation proudly awards scholarships each year to college students pursuing community pharmacy ownership, recognizing those with demonstrated leadershipqualities, academic achievement and an interest in independent community pharmacy. Scholarship awardees receive funds to be put toward their school tuition, complimentary registration to this year's NCPA Annual Convention, and a travel stipend.
For the second time, the NCPA Foundation awarded four Partners in Pharmacy need-based scholarships providing $10,000 to pharmacy students who demonstrate a strong commitment to independent community pharmacy and significant financial need. This additional investment honors the original Partners in Pharmacy Scholarship founders' intentions to support those students most in need.
"Scholarship support does more than help with the cost of pharmacy school," said Bill Osborn, PharmD, NCPA Foundation Trustee and Program Committee chair. "It gives students opportunities and the confidence to think bigger about their future. For many student pharmacists, that support can help them see independent community pharmacy ownership as something they can actually achieve."
Congratulations to the following NCPA student members receiving a 2026 NCPA Foundation scholarship:
J.C. and Rheba Cobb Memorial Scholarship in Government Affairs
Audrey Calvin, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Neil Pruitt Sr. Memorial Scholarship for Entrepreneurism
Jeremy Cates, Samford University McWhorter School of Pharmacy
William B. Simmons Memorial Scholarship in Pharmacy Management
Tanvi Patel, Presbyterian College School of Pharmacy
Presidential Scholarship, sponsored by McKesson RxOwnership
Augustine Agyeman, Mercer University College of Pharmacy
Erin Dummer, North Dakota State University
Ansli McDonald Prickett, Auburn University Harrison College of Pharmacy
Sutton Murray, Medical University of South Carolina, College of Pharmacy
Kaley Quam, North Dakota State University - College of Pharmacy
Faaria Rafat, Roosevelt University College of Science, Health and Pharmacy
Mackenzie Reinert, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy
Rylee Ugen, Butler University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Amber Whitten, South University School of Pharmacy
Partners in Pharmacy Scholarship
Maci Bradley, The University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy
Sandra Fenelon, St. John Fisher University
Mallory George, Medical University of South Carolina
Britteni Kane, University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy
Caitlin Lazaro, University of Washington School of Pharmacy
Jansen Rogers, Auburn University Harrison College of Pharmacy
Nnenna Ugwa, Howard University College of Pharmacy
Katherine Zhou, Duquesne University
The NCPA Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization established in 1953 to honor the previous incarnation of NCPA, the National Association of Retail Druggists (NARD) Executive Secretary John W. Dargavel. Contributions to the foundation are tax-deductible as charitable donations to the extent permitted under federal tax law. The NCPA Foundation's mission is to improve community-based health care by advancing the sustainability, growth, and public understanding of independent community pharmacists -the most accessible health care providers. For more information, go to www.ncpafoundation.org.
NCPA
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Original text here: https://ncpa.org/newsroom/news-releases/2026/10/04/ncpa-foundation-announces-2026-scholarship-recipients
Jessica Hung Receives NCPA Foundation's NARD Ownership Award
ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, Oct. 4 [Category: Pharmaceuticals] -- The National Community Pharmacists Association issued the following news release:
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Jessica Hung Receives NCPA Foundation's NARD Ownership Award
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KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Oct. 4, 2026) - Jessica Hung, co-owner of Semmes Pharmacy in Semmes, Ala., has received this year's NARD Ownership Award from the National Community Pharmacists Association Foundation as part of NCPA's Annual Convention, being held Oct. 3-6 in Kansas City, Mo. The selection was made through a blind selection process to guarantee fairness and impartiality.
The NARD
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ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, Oct. 4 [Category: Pharmaceuticals] -- The National Community Pharmacists Association issued the following news release:
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Jessica Hung Receives NCPA Foundation's NARD Ownership Award
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KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Oct. 4, 2026) - Jessica Hung, co-owner of Semmes Pharmacy in Semmes, Ala., has received this year's NARD Ownership Award from the National Community Pharmacists Association Foundation as part of NCPA's Annual Convention, being held Oct. 3-6 in Kansas City, Mo. The selection was made through a blind selection process to guarantee fairness and impartiality.
The NARDOwnership Award recognizes an independent community pharmacist who embraces entrepreneurial spirit through promotion and demonstrated excellence in the field of community pharmacy ownership. NARD, or the National Association of Retail Druggists, was for a century the name associated with independent pharmacy. The organization was founded in 1898, and now, as NCPA, represents the nation's community pharmacists.
This year's NARD Ownership Award was generously sponsored by the Cascadia Pharmacy Group. "Jessica represents exactly what we hoped to celebrate when we chose to sponsor this award," says Jeff Harrell, PharmD, CEO of CPG. "She's built something lasting for her patients and her community, while also making sure the next generation of pharmacists has a path to follow. Stories like hers are why independent ownership remains such a vital part of American health care."
Hung is a 2014 graduate of Auburn University's Harrison College of Pharmacy. Before pharmacy school, she spent eight years working as a pharmacy technician -experience that shaped her interest in helping patients navigate and safely use their medications. Upon graduation, she joined Semmes Pharmacy as a clinical pharmacist, where she went on to build several of the pharmacy's signature clinical service lines, including medication synchronization, medication therapy management, immunizations, and point-of-care testing. In 2024, she became an owner of Semmes Pharmacy. She is forever grateful to her business partners, Lancer Smith and Alan Browning, who took a chance on her and gave her the opportunity to build a career she once only dreamed of.
She is dedicated to advancing independent community pharmacy through innovative patient care, clinical services, and community engagement. She serves as the managing network facilitator for CPESN Alabama and on the Board of Trustees for the Alabama Pharmacy Association. She is passionate about expanding the role of pharmacists in value-based care, public health, and collaborative practice. She is also an active leader and advocate for the profession at both the state and national levels. She has been recognized with the Alabama Pharmacy Association's Innovation in Pharmacy Practice Award, a Distinguished Young Pharmacist Award, and has twice been named Auburn University Harrison College of Pharmacy Preceptor of the Year.
Her clinical leadership was tested -and proven -during the COVID-19 pandemic. Semmes Pharmacy was selected as one of just three pharmacies in Alabama to administer COVID-19 vaccines during the initial phase of the state's rollout in December 2020. Under Hung's direction, the effort expanded to include several additional partner pharmacies, and by mid-2021 the network had administered roughly 10,000 vaccines. That commitment to immunization and public health has continued, with Semmes Pharmacy receiving national recognition from the National Adult and Influenza Immunization Summit as a 2026 Immunization Neighborhood Champion. She is quick to acknowledge that accomplishments of that scale are never achieved alone. They require an entire team, and Hung believes she is blessed to work alongside the very best at Semmes Pharmacy.
A dedicated mentor, Hung continues to precept student pharmacists from Auburn University and several other colleges of pharmacy, taking pride in showing the next generation how community pharmacists can serve as accessible, trusted members of the health care team.
The NCPA Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization established in 1953 to honor the previous incarnation of NCPA, the National Association of Retail Druggists (NARD) Executive Secretary John W. Dargavel. Contributions to the foundation are tax-deductible as charitable donations to the extent permitted under federal tax law. The NCPA Foundation's mission is to improve community-based health care by advancing the sustainability, growth, and public understanding of independent community pharmacists -the most accessible health care providers. For more information, go to www.ncpafoundation.org.
NCPA
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Original text here: https://ncpa.org/newsroom/news-releases/2026/10/04/jessica-hung-receives-ncpa-foundations-nard-ownership-award
Blake Torres Receives National Preceptor of the Year Award from NCPA Foundation
ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, Oct. 4 [Category: Pharmaceuticals] -- The National Community Pharmacists Association issued the following news release:
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Blake Torres Receives National Preceptor of the Year Award from NCPA Foundation
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KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Oct. 4, 2026) - Blake Torres, co-owner and managing partner of West Side Pharmacy and Compounding, was named the recipient of the 2026 National Preceptor of the Year Award by the National Community Pharmacists Association Foundation as part of NCPA's Annual Convention, being held Oct. 3-6 in Kansas City, Mo. This award recognizes a pharmacist who
... Show Full Article
ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, Oct. 4 [Category: Pharmaceuticals] -- The National Community Pharmacists Association issued the following news release:
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Blake Torres Receives National Preceptor of the Year Award from NCPA Foundation
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KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Oct. 4, 2026) - Blake Torres, co-owner and managing partner of West Side Pharmacy and Compounding, was named the recipient of the 2026 National Preceptor of the Year Award by the National Community Pharmacists Association Foundation as part of NCPA's Annual Convention, being held Oct. 3-6 in Kansas City, Mo. This award recognizes a pharmacist whohas made a significant contribution to the education of pharmacy students as a preceptor in a community practice setting. Preceptors demonstrate commitment to students as professional mentors and teachers and display high standards of professionalism. The selection was made through a blind selection process to guarantee fairness and impartiality.
Torres, a health care executive, state health official and passionate advocate for community pharmacy, continues to advance patient access and sustainable health care models throughout Saline County and the state of Arkansas. He leads one of Arkansas's premier independent pharmacy operations, driving clinical innovation while expanding local access to essential health services.
Based in Benton, Ark., West Side Pharmacy and Compounding is a locally owned independent pharmacy dedicated to providing personalized patient care, specialized compounding, immunizations, clinical services, and home delivery. A 2014 graduate of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Pharmacy, Torres has consistently dedicated his career to expanding patient services, combating health care barriers, and fostering education by mentoring the next generation of health care professionals.
Torres launched COVID-19 testing in the summer of 2020, months before vaccines were available, and later opened the state's first independent monoclonal antibody infusion site, treating patients who previously had no option outside a hospital. Students on rotation see this work firsthand, gaining hands-on exposure to disease state management, medication therapy management, patient counseling, compounding, and insurance reconciliation, alongside site visits to long-term care facilities, health screenings, and state capitol advocacy days.
Seth Heldenbrand, PharmD, associate dean experiential education professor of pharmacy practice, who nominated Torres for the award, pointed to an unmatched track record in student development. "Every student who completed an APPE rotation at this practice over the past two years gave their preceptor a perfect 5.0 out of 5.0 on every scored evaluation metric," he said. "Students describe a preceptor who explains the reasoning behind every clinical, workflow, and business decision rather than expecting them to absorb it by observation. That kind of consistency across multiple cohorts isn't luck. It reflects a deliberate approach to teaching."
In addition to his clinical operations, Torres is a vocal advocate at the state legislative level, routinely testifying before legislative panels to protect independent community pharmacies and fighting for pharmacy benefit manager reform. His state-level public service was recently reaffirmed by Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders (R), with his reappointment to the Arkansas State Board of Health for a term running through December 2029.
Under Torres' strategic leadership, West Side Pharmacy and Compounding continues to build upon more than 75 years of service from its longstanding South Street location in Benton. That legacy has entered a new chapter with the opening of a brand-new, state-of-the-art second location on Military Road. The new facility significantly expands West Side's capabilities and regional reach, bringing together advanced sterile compounding, long-term care pharmacy, traditional retail pharmacy, and expanded clinical services while positioning the organization to meet the evolving health care needs of Saline County and communities throughout Arkansas.
The NCPA Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization established in 1953 to honor the previous incarnation of NCPA, the National Association of Retail Druggists (NARD) Executive Secretary John W. Dargavel. Contributions to the foundation are tax-deductible as charitable donations to the extent permitted under federal tax law. The NCPA Foundation's mission is to improve community-based health care by advancing the sustainability, growth, and public understanding of independent community pharmacists -the most accessible health care providers. For more information, go to www.ncpafoundation.org.
NCPA
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Original text here: https://ncpa.org/newsroom/news-releases/2026/10/04/blake-torres-receives-national-preceptor-year-award-ncpa
