Jerry Shelton – Humanitarian Award Recipient 2021

• Class of 1968
• Parker, CO
• Retired

“Jerry has always exhibited great pride in his profession and his moral character is beyond reproach. Through hard work and dedication to his company and the industry in general, he has climbed to one of the highest levels within Merck & Co, which reflects well on SWOSU pharmacy graduates,” states one of the award nominators.

SWOSU Pharmacy Graduate (1968) Jerry Shelton of Parker (CO) was presented the 2021 Humanitarian Award at the Southwestern Pharmacy Alumni Recognition Ceremony on October 30, 2021. The Humanitarian Award recognizes a SWOSU pharmacy graduate who has impacted lives through service and dedication.

A Borger (TX) High School graduate, Jerry attended SWOSU pharmacy school and was actively involved as a Member and Senior Class Student Council Representative with the Phi Delta Chi Fraternity. After college graduation, he became Staff Pharmacist at Meyers & Rosser Prescriptions in Dallas (TX). Following this, he primarily worked for Merck & Co., throughout many of the US states as well as worldwide, until he retired in 2006. Since then, he has been a pharmaceutical industry consultant. He has also served as a member of the dean’s advisory board for the Colorado school of public health and the Advisory Board for Accrual to Clinical Trials Dissemination Network, which is a National Institute of Health (NIH) funded project for sharing scientific health information among major universities.

While excelling in his field as a pharmaceutical representative in the marketing research and development areas, with much of the work being in the vaccine and health related development, Jerry has been a crucial part of a vital service to society.

Jerry has been a leader in the pharmacy profession as well as the community, too. He advocates for the importance of scholarships and how they can positively impact students. He has successfully initiated scholarships and helps support education, including one at the University of Colorado Law School in memory of his daughter, Jenn. Additionally, he helped coordinate a SWOSU pharmacy scholarship in honor of SWOSU pharmacy graduate, Rick Allen. Jerry truly values the impact that scholarships can make on students. Along with this act of generosity,

Beyond his pharmacy career, he loves both participating in and watching sports. When his kids were young, he managed a little league baseball team, coached a girls soccer team, refereed young girls’ soccer teams, and was the assistant coach for a girls’ basketball team. In Jerry’s younger days he enjoyed running. He completed the Long Island New York Marathon in 1984! His current hobbies include biking, skiing, snowshoeing, hiking, reading, and playing with his 2 dogs Max and Milo. In addition, he is a member of the United Methodist Church and has served as a trustee. He and his wife, Jan (a SWOSU graduate with BA degree in Sociology), live in Parker, Colorado, and they have two children – Jeremy and the late Jennifer.

Posted: December 20, 2021

Weston Lovell – Young Professional Achievement Award Recipient 2021

• Class of 2011
• McCurtain, OK
• Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Program Founder/Director, Choctaw Nation Health Services Authority (CNHSA)

“Thank you again for putting together a great ceremony. My wife and I enjoyed the ceremony and the weekend in Weatherford,” said Weston Lovell of McCurtain, Ok. Awards are presented at the Pharmacy Alumni Recognition Ceremony held in conjunction with SWOSU Homecoming -October 15, 2022.

SWOSU Pharmacy Graduate (2011) Weston Lovell of McCurtain (OK) was selected by the SW Pharmacy Alumni Association Alumni Awards Committee to receive the 2021 Young Professional Achievement Award. This award is presented to an SWOSU pharmacy graduate demonstrating outstanding professional achievement and graduated within the last ten years.

After graduating from McCurtain High School, Weston attended SWOSU in Weatherford Oklahoma. During his time at SWOSU he was involved in Kappa Psi (Historian & President), Dean’s Council of Students, Student Government, and worked as a student ambassador at the admissions and recruitment office. After receiving his pharmacy degree at SWOSU in 2011, he moved on to OSU where he received a Master of Science in Healthcare Administration degree.

Weston started his pharmacy journey as a tribal pharmacist at the Cherokee Nation Three Rivers Health Center. He was commissioned as an officer in the United States Public Health Service (USPHS) in November, 2012. After a few years (in 2016), he transferred to the Choctaw Nation Health Services Authority (CNHSA), and still serves there as Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Program Founder/Director.

LCDR Weston Lovell has made critical contributions to the CNHSA, including creating and serving as director of the system-wide Choctaw Nation HCV Program, which has had a major impact within Indian Health Service and the Choctaw Nation. He presented the HCV Program to the Performance Improvement Committee, and it was accepted to be one of the annual performance improvement projects for 2018. His numerous hours of work and dedication have resulted in HCV patients getting the best care in the clinic. He facilitated adding 3 different types of HCV medications to CNHSA formulary to offer treatment to any patient at all CNHSA facilities. Due to this, the morbidity/mortality of these patients has greatly improved.

Lovell has also recently served as the Anticoagulation Clinic Director as well as the Choctaw Nation COVID-19 Vaccine Data Entry/Management Lead. In addition, he has several accolades including multiple USPHS medals for his work as well as the PHS Isolated Hardship Award.
Weston is a member of the Lequire First Baptist Church. He also serves as a member on the McCurtain Board of Education and is the founder of the Kiamichi COA annual scholarship, which provides 3 ($1,500 each) scholarship awards each year.

Weston and his wife, Kristan, live in McCurtain, Oklahoma with their two sons, Walker and Gunner. Weston enjoys spending time outdoors with his family and coaching both of his sons’ little league teams.

Posted: December 13, 2021

Martin Johnston – Professional Achievement Award Recipient 2021

• Class of 1981
• Granbury, TX
• Retired from the United States Public Health Service (USPHS)

“The numerous achievements and accolades, as well as the immeasurable impact and the outstanding accomplishments he has made in his career, strongly reflect what the Professional Achievement Award intends to recognize,” states a member of the Pharmacy Alumni Awards Selection Committee.

SWOSU Pharmacy Graduate (1981) Martin Johnston of Granbury (TX) was one of three recipients who was recognized by the SW Pharmacy Alumni Association and SWOSU College of Pharmacy with the 2021 Professional Achievement Award. This award recognizes pharmacy alumni for their professional achievement, who also personify the SWOSU pharmacy school’s tradition of excellence.

After a long and successful pharmacy career, CAPT (Ret) Martin Johnston retired from the United States Public Health Service (USPHS) in March 2021. His professional pharmacy journey began after college graduation when he worked 10 years in retail pharmacy before becoming a commissioned officer in the United States Army in March 1991, serving in locations such as Fort Carson (CO) and the Soto Cano Air Force Base in Honduras. In 1994, he joined the U.S. Public Health Service and was stationed in Montana with the Indian Health Service as the Chief Pharmacist for the Fort Peck Indian Reservation. In 1996, Johnston transferred to the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) where he served as the Regional Chief Pharmacist for the Mid-Atlantic Region until 2011 when he was chosen for the inaugural position of Chief of Pharmacy Logistics Support for the BOP. In 2016, he was selected as the Director of Pharmacy Programs for the BOP and served in this role until his retirement.

In 2021, Johnston received the Bureau of Prisons Distinguished Service Medal and in 2020, the Public Health Service Senior Officer of the Year award. Under his guidance, the BOP was awarded the elite 2018 American Pharmacist Association Foundation Pinnacle Award. Prior to his selection as the BOP Director of Pharmacy Programs, in 2011 CAPT Johnston was selected as the Agency’s first Chief of Pharmacy Logistics. While serving as the Chief Pharmacist at FCI Morgantown, CAPT Johnston was selected as the Mid-Atlantic Regional Pharmacist Consultant from 2005-2009. He has several presentations and publications as well as numerous professional memberships.

Additionally, he is a Lifetime Member of the SW Pharmacy Alumni Association. While a student in the pharmacy program, he was on the Dean’s Honor Roll and a member of SWPhA, OPhA, and Phi Delta Chi. He and his wife, Jeryl, live in Granbury, Texas. They have three adult children: William, Martin, and Bart; and six grandchildren: Aiden, Noah, Morgan, Scarlett, Parker, and Edward.

Posted: December 6, 2021

Shanna Hamilton – Professional Achievement Award Recipient 2021

• Class of 1992
• Amarillo, TX
• Pharmacist-in-Charge at Advanced Vital Care Home Infusion Services

Shanna Hamilton, who is a Lifetime Member of the SW Pharmacy Alumni Association stated, “It is truly an honor and a privilege to represent SWOSU College of Pharmacy.”

SWOSU Pharmacy Graduate (December 1992) Shanna Hamilton of Amarillo (TX) was one of three recipients who was recognized by the SW Pharmacy Alumni Association and SWOSU College of Pharmacy with the 2021 Professional Achievement Award. This award recognizes pharmacy alumni for their professional achievement, who also personify the SWOSU pharmacy school’s tradition of excellence.

Shanna served as the director of the Covenant Home Infusion Pharmacy in Lubbock for many years, where she was recognized with honors, including the Leadership Excellence Award. Over the years, Shanna has also been awarded the Bright Idea Award for innovation of the patient care model, the Values in Action Award for recognition of outstanding patient care, The Regional Paragon Award, Outstanding Director with Cardinal Health Care, the Outstanding Patient Educator Award at Hendrick Medical Center, and Who’s Who of employees who make a difference at Hendrick Medical center. She is now in Amarillo as the Pharmacist-in-Charge at Advanced Vital Care Home Infusion Services.

She has also served as a research pharmacist for Texas Tech Health Science Center Internal Medicine and Pulmonology departments while working on a Phase 2 clinical trial for a new drug approval to treat autoimmune disorders, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, anti-rejection and COVID, as well as FDA approved drugs seeking an indication for COVID treatment. She is on the speaker bureau for Abbvie/Allergan Anti-infectives division. Allergan published her retrospective study on the readmission rates of patients with ABSSI and the use of Dalvance, called “Clinical Care Models for ASSBI Patients using Dalvance” and it was distributed as marketing material. She also participated in the development of the speaker slide deck for Dalvance and for Billing and Reimbursement of Dalvance.

She has been an active member of the West Texas Pharmacy Association (WTPA) for many years, serving in roles of President, Vice President and Board Member. She has also served as a Continuing Education Speaker for WTPA. In addition to those accolades, she is also a member of Texas Society of Health System Pharmacist and PSHP.

Shanna stated, “I am very dedicated to the future of pharmacy and the education of our healthcare professionals.”

After graduating from Spur High School, Shanna attended SWOSU in Weatherford, Oklahoma. During her time at SWOSU, she was involved in APhA, SWPhA, OPhA, TPA, and Kappa Epsilon.

She has been married to her husband Randy for 35 years. They have two children, Ashlee Barrett and Cheyanne Hamilton, and one grandson, Oliver Thomas Barrett. The pharmacy tradition runs deep in this family as Shanna has followed in her father’s footsteps to become a pharmacist; plus, her daughter Ashlee is a 2019 SWOSU Pharmacy Graduate.

Posted: November 29, 2021

Bill Arrington – Professional Achievement Award Recipient 2021

• Class of 1977
• Stillwater, OK
• Retired; PRN pharmacist at Stillwater Medical Center (SMC)

“I’ve always been grateful for the education that I received at SWOSU, and for the many excellent and caring instructors that I had,” said Bill Arrington of Stillwater, OK.

SWOSU Pharmacy Graduate (1977) Bill Arrington of Stillwater (OK) was one of three recipients who was recognized by the SW Pharmacy Alumni Association and SWOSU College of Pharmacy with the 2021 Professional Achievement Award. This award recognizes pharmacy alumni for their professional achievement, who also personify the SWOSU pharmacy school’s tradition of excellence.

Bill began working at Stillwater Medical Center (SMC) as a staff pharmacist in 1977 and shortly after, he became Director of Pharmacy until his 2019 retirement. The last few years he has been working there as PRN pharmacist.

During his tenure at SMC, he was instrumental in overseeing the completion of two remodels of the pharmacy and initiated the current relocation, all involving additional room for growth of staff, inventory, and services. Due to Bill’s interest in computer technology, he was instrumental in securing SMC Pharmacy as alpha and beta sites in ventures such as Intellidot and Pyxis ES system upgrades. Under his leadership, SMC was the 3rd hospital of any size in Oklahoma (and 30th in the nation) to implement the original Pyxis system. Under Bill’s direction, SMC became a 340b hospital, thus saving the hospital millions of dollars. Additional professional highlights include ASHP presentations on Bedside Medication Bar Coding and Administration and publication in Drug Topics.

Outside of the pharmacy walls, Bill has been a member of the First Christian Church for over 20 years. He has served as an elder and is continuing to serve as a trustee, deacon and serving communion monthly to homebound and nursing home members. Additionally, he has traveled on many medical mission trips to Bolivia with the Methodist Church. Also, Bill has volunteered for 20 years at local community health clinic and has served multiple terms on the local Airport Authority/Advisory Board.

After graduating from Marlow High School, Bill attended SWOSU in Weatherford, Oklahoma. While a student, he worked part-time as Campus Switchboard operator and Line Service at Weatherford Airport (while also getting his pilot license). Once he was admitted to SWOSU’s pharmacy program, he joined both the SWPhA (aka APhA-ASP) and OSHP student groups. He also worked summers and weekends at his hometown drug store.

He is married to Kelly, and they have one son, Matthew. Members of his family who graduated from SWOSU include father-in-law Haydon Battles (1957 – BA Education), brother-in-law Kirk Battles (1984 – Computer Science), and sister-in-law Toni Battles (1985 – M.E. Secondary Language Arts.

Bill is a Lifetime Member of the SW Pharmacy Alumni Association. Through the years, he has found ways to help his alma mater, whether donating equipment to SWOSU College of Pharmacy or donating funds to help with SWOSU College of Pharmacy medical mission trips.

Posted: November 22, 2021

Randy Curry and Steve & Sally Drinnon – Brandy Alumni Award Recipients 2021

• Classes of 1977 (Randy) & 1993 (Steve & Sally)
• Weatherford, OK
• SWOSU College of Pharmacy Rural Health Development Coordinator (Randy); SWOSU College of Pharmacy Assistant Professor of Community Pharmacy (Steve), and SWOSU College of Pharmacy Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience Coordinator, Interprofessional Education Coordinator, and Seminar Course Coordinator (Sally)

The Brandy Alumni Award recognizes outstanding service to the SWOSU College of Pharmacy and the Pharmacy Alumni Association as well as the achievements of an individual(s) working on behalf of the College of Pharmacy through service, on advisory committees or through efforts made to ensure the welfare of the College of Pharmacy. The 2021 Award Recipients are Randy Curry and Sally & Steve Drinnon.

When there was a vital need for immunizations caused by the pandemic, Randy, Steve, and Sally quickly began helping in the Weatherford community but many rural areas in western Oklahoma. Starting in early 2021, they set up and coordinated (along with the help of numerous SWOSU College of Pharmacy faculty, staff and students as well as other campus departments) large scale mass covid vaccination clinics (mostly on SWOSU campus in the Pioneer Cellular Event Center), seeing over 1,000 patients on weekly clinic days during the early months – vaccinating over 20,000 patients. They continued to serve patients for many months, in addition to fulfilling their responsibilities for SWOSU College of Pharmacy as well as their community volunteer commitments.

Randy (a 1977 SWOSU pharmacy graduate) worked in retail pharmacy for many years prior to joining the SWOSU College of Pharmacy in 2012 as Rural Health Development Coordinator. He has built a rural health network of 300+ pharmacists along with some hospitals and is strongly involved in state and national groups, with primary focus on rural healthcare. Prior to the pandemic, he was amongst a handful of volunteer leaders that led pharmacy, nursing, and allied students on medical mission trips. Randy is a Lifetime Member of the SW Pharmacy Alumni Association. He is married to Donna and they have two daughters, Heather Bayless and Hannah Coats, two sons-in-law, Bryan Bayless and Nathan Coats, and five grandchildren, Boston, Hunter, & Brody Bayless, Hutson and Hartley Coats.

Sally (a 1993 SWOSU pharmacy graduate) and Steve Drinnon (SWOSU graduate in 1993 with BS pharmacy degree and 2003 with PharmD degree) worked in western Oklahoma pharmacies for a number of years. In 2013, Steve joined the College of Pharmacy as Assistant Professor of Community Pharmacy. Sally joined in 2018 and is the Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience Coordinator, Interprofessional Education Coordinator, and the Seminar Course Coordinator. Although they stay extremely busy with their College of Pharmacy responsibilities, they both serve as co-directors of the local Agape Medical Clinic, a free indigent care clinic serving rural Oklahomans. And each year, on SWOSU Homecoming Day, they can be found volunteering at the College of Pharmacy Open House giving tours and visiting with alumni. Steve and Sally are both Lifetime Members of the SW Pharmacy Alumni Association. They have two children, Drake and Jillian.

Posted: November 15, 2021

Don & Lucas Coody – Heritage Award Recipients 2021

• Class of 1954 (Don) & 2016 (Lucas)
• Edmond, OK (Don) & Lawton, OK (Lucas)
• Retired (Don) & Director of Government Affairs at Pharmacy Providers of Oklahoma (Lucas)

“The Coody family’s years of service to the pharmacy profession, as well as to their communities and their support of the SWOSU College of Pharmacy, nobly meets the values for the SWOSU College of Pharmacy’s Heritage Award,” said SWOSU College of Pharmacy Dean Dr. David Ralph.

The SWOSU College of Pharmacy Heritage Award recognizes a family with at least two generations of SWOSU pharmacy graduates who have demonstrated a commitment to the University, College of Pharmacy, and the pharmacy profession. The 2021 Recipient is the Coody family: Don Coody (1954) of Edmond, OK and Lucas Coody (2016) of Lawton, OK. The award was presented to Don and Lucas at the Pharmacy Alumni Recognition Ceremony on SWOSU Homecoming Day in Weatherford, Oklahoma.

Don, after graduating from Southwestern pharmacy school in 1954, established a name and reputation for quality care and customer service throughout his pharmacy career, eventually owning 20+ stores. For many years, he was an active member of the Oklahoma Pharmacists Association (OPhA), serving on the Executive Council and numerous committees. For his outstanding service and dedication to OPhA, his community and the pharmacy profession, he was recognized with the nationally known Bowl of Hygeia Award in 2008. Don is a Lifetime Member of the SW Pharmacy Alumni Association. Now retired, he and his wife, Clara Lou, live in Edmond and enjoy time with their family: three children, four grandchildren (including Lucas), and ten great grandchildren.

Lucas graduated from SWOSU College of Pharmacy in 2016. At the Anderson Pharmacy in Lawton, Oklahoma, he worked as the Pharmacist-in-Charge. He has been actively involved with OPhA Legislation, RxSelect Community Pharmacy Enhanced Services, and Oklahoma State Board of Pharmacy committees. Additionally, he has made time to educate pharmacy students on the importance of advocacy in the pharmacy profession and how to get involved with legislation. In 2019, he received the Distinguished Young Pharmacist Award for Oklahoma, presented by the Oklahoma Pharmacist Association. In 2021, he started a new position as Director of Government Affairs at Pharmacy Providers of Oklahoma, which has joined Arete Rx to create AlignRx, the largest independent Pharmacy Services Administrative Organization in the nation. Lucas and his wife, Lauren, live in Lawton with their two daughters.

At the ceremony, each family member received an engraved Heritage Award Commemorative Coin and a College of Pharmacy blanket. Their names will be displayed on a tree stake in the garden area by the College of Pharmacy Heritage Tree, a white bud tree that was planted in 2014 for the College of Pharmacy’s 75th anniversary celebration.

Posted: November 8, 2021

David Warden – Outstanding Pharmacy Alumnus Award Recipient 2021

• Class of 1979
• Norman, OK
• Retired; Former Manager/Supervisor at the Oklahoma City VA Health Care System

“Warden has been a great mentor, especially with the SWOSU College of Pharmacy students,” College of Pharmacy Dean Dr. David Ralph said. “He is a remarkable ambassador for the University and the College of Pharmacy, always promoting the values and qualities of SWOSU College of Pharmacy’s dynamic educational environment.”

David Warden of Norman (OK) was presented the 2021 Southwestern Oklahoma State University College of Pharmacy Outstanding Pharmacy Alumnus Award. The Outstanding Pharmacy Alumnus Award is presented to a SWOSU pharmacy graduate who has demonstrated exceptional support of the College of Pharmacy and outstanding personal achievements in the pharmacy profession.

Originally from Wynnewood, Warden graduated from SWOSU in 1979 with a pharmacy degree. While attending SWOSU, he served on Student Senate and was on both the varsity football team (1974-1975) and track team (1975).

He has been a leader in the pharmacy profession as well as with community and volunteer endeavors. Upon SWOSU graduation, he worked at various pharmacies in Wynnewood, Davis, and Ardmore. Since 2000, until his recent retirement, he worked at the Oklahoma City VA Health Care System, where he has been recognized as Supervisor/Manager of the Year.

He has been a member of the Board of Directors for the Southwestern Pharmacy Alumni Foundation since 2013, most recently serving as president. He was a founding member of the SWOSU Pharmacy Alumni Association Council (PAAC), serving as president and now as the chair of the Recent Graduates Committee. In 2015 he was recognized by the SWOSU College of Pharmacy with the Brandy Alumni Award. Through SWOSU Pharmacy Career Day events, he has recruited and mentored numerous SWOSU pharmacy students and graduates. Warden is a Lifetime Member of the SW Pharmacy Alumni Association.

Warden, along with his son David Jr (2009 SWOSU pharmacy graduate) and his niece, Jeanna Smith (2013 SWOSU pharmacy graduate and current SWOSU pharmacy faculty member), established the Warden Family Scholarship via the Pharmacy Foundation in 2015, thus providing an annual scholarship for SWOSU College of Pharmacy students.

Beyond his pharmacy career, in addition to being a youth sport coach, high school sports referee for 30 years, and assisting with youth mission trips, he serves as a Boy Scouts of America assistant scoutmaster to mentor scouts to the Eagle Rank. He has hosted England scouts on a trip to the United States and took a group of boy scouts on a trip to England, which was hosted by the scout troop from England. Additionally, he enjoys backpacking in Colorado, Grand Canyon, Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico, and Wind River Mountain Range in Wyoming.

Warden is married to Debbie, and they have two children and four grandchildren. Daughter Lindsey is an adult-gerontology acute care advance practice registered nurse, currently working with geriatric trauma patients at OU Health. Son David Jr is currently a pharmacist at a clinic in Southeast Asia, after initially working 11 years at the VA Health Care System. He is married to Britney, and they have four children: Caroline, Colt, Cohen and Conrad.

Posted: November 1, 2021