Alumni Awards
Since 2020, the CU Pharmacy Alumni Association has recognized graduates for their outstanding work in pharmacy. View past and current recipients below.
Distinguished Alumni Award
The Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes graduates of the University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy who have made distinguished contributions to the practice of pharmacy or demonstrated major accomplishments in a professional pharmacy practice or significant contributions in pharmaceutical research and development.
Horizon Alumni Award
The Horizon Alumni Award recognizes recent graduates within the last 10 years of the University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy who have made outstanding contributions to the practice of pharmacy or demonstrated potential for major accomplishments in a professional pharmacy practice or significant contributions in pharmaceutical research and development.
Lifetime Achievement Award
The Alumni Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes graduates of the University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy who have made significant contributions to the advancement and practice of pharmacy and/or pharmaceutical sciences over the whole of their career.
2022
Laura Tyndall, PharmD (RPh '82)
When a healthcare professional confessed to murdering 40 people with drugs in hospitals in the states of New Jersey and Pennsylvania from 1988 to 2003, Laura shifted her pharmacy career to focus on the implementation of safety initiatives in healthcare systems to avoid future tragedies. Her theme of “Medications, Murder and Modernization of Healthcare Safety” positioned her as an pioneering professional in modern day informatics as she developed and piloted training programs to healthcare professionals in using health information technology and electronic medical record systems.
Kristin Speer, PharmD '12
Kristin embarked on starting a consulting business, recently creating an LLC to offer clinical consulting in pain and palliative care.
She also co-founded the Psychedelic Pharmacist Association, recognizing the needs around psychedelic-based medicine in mental health.
Edward Skaff, RPh '59
He's owned and operated three pharmacies in Colorado over the course of a 44-year career in the profession. Ed also served on the Board of Directors of the Colorado National Bank of Evergreen, the Development Council for the CU School of Pharmacy, and the University of Colorado Board of Trustees.
Ed also received a Lifetime Achievement award from the Evergreen Chamber of Commerce.
2021
Distinguished Alumni Award
Boris Tabakoff, PhD '70 & BS Pharmacy '66
Dr. Boris Tabakoff is a nationally recognized researcher. After obtaining his bachelor’s degree from the CU School of Pharmacy in 1966, Tabakoff returned to the School to pursue a PhD in Pharmacology.
He completed his doctorate in 1970, while discovering the first members of what is now called the aldose reductase family of enzymes. His work with these enzymes completed the metabolic map for the biogenic amine neurotransmitter substances, characterizing the production of reduced metabolites. These metabolites are still commonly used to monitor physiological activity of noradrenergic and serotonergic systems in humans and other animals.
Tabakoff is currently a faculty member of CU Pharmacy as a tenured professor in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences.
Horizon Alumni
Award
Lucas Smith, PharmD '14
Dr. Lucas Smith is the owner of Buena Vista Drug. The Colorado Springs native started working at Buena Vista Drug in July of 2014 shortly after graduating from the CU School of Pharmacy the same year. At 29, Smith became the sole owner of Buena Vista Drug on U.S. 24 when he and his wife purchased the independent Pharmacy in August of 2017. They continue to expand and bring new services and the highest standard of care to the community.
In addition, he operates the Salida Pharmacy & Fountain, which conjures a nostalgic sensation by reintroducing the concept of combining a fully functioning pharmacy with an old-fashioned soda fountain. Smith was also the recipient of the 2017 Distinguished Young Pharmacist of the Year by the Colorado Pharmacists Society.
In addition, he operates the Salida Pharmacy & Fountain, which conjures a nostalgic sensation by reintroducing the concept of combining a fully functioning pharmacy with an old-fashioned soda fountain. Smith was also the recipient of the 2017 Distinguished Young Pharmacist of the Year by the Colorado Pharmacists Society.
2020
Distinguished Alumni Award
Debra Devereaux, BS '76
Debra Devereaux worked for the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center after graduation, moving through the ranks to become the assistant director of pharmacy.
She managed Wyoming Medicaid’s drug utilization review program for 16 years at the University of Wyoming School of Pharmacy and served as an Adjunct Professor. She is also an honorary University of Wisconsin Resident.
Devereaux consulted for the Gorman Health Group in 2006, eventually becoming Senior Vice President of Pharmacy and Clinical Solutions until December 2018. Currently, Devereaux and former colleagues have formed the Rebellis Group, a consulting enterprise focused on innovative strategies for health plan operations and technology.
Devereaux was selected by CU Pharmacy as the Distinguished Coloradan for 2003. She also received the Colorado Pharmacists Association Bowl of Hygeia award in June 2020. In addition, Devereaux has a long history of involvement with the American Society of Health-system Pharmacist as a past president and an ASHP fellow.
She managed Wyoming Medicaid’s drug utilization review program for 16 years at the University of Wyoming School of Pharmacy and served as an Adjunct Professor. She is also an honorary University of Wisconsin Resident.
Devereaux consulted for the Gorman Health Group in 2006, eventually becoming Senior Vice President of Pharmacy and Clinical Solutions until December 2018. Currently, Devereaux and former colleagues have formed the Rebellis Group, a consulting enterprise focused on innovative strategies for health plan operations and technology.
Devereaux was selected by CU Pharmacy as the Distinguished Coloradan for 2003. She also received the Colorado Pharmacists Association Bowl of Hygeia award in June 2020. In addition, Devereaux has a long history of involvement with the American Society of Health-system Pharmacist as a past president and an ASHP fellow.
Horizon Alumni
Award
Kevin Kerr, PharmD '11
Dr. Kevin Kerr is the Director of Clinical Development at Aerie Pharmaceuticals where he leads early- and late-stage clinical programs to develop novel treatments for ophthalmic diseases with unmet medical need. Prior to his tenure at Aerie Pharmaceuticals, Kerr spent nine years at Allergan working on clinical-stage programs. He also served as the USC-Allergan Fellowship Program Coordinator and a fellowship mentor. He was Allergan’s first post-doctoral fellow from CU. He has authored and co-authored approximately two dozen scientific publications and is a co-inventor in 3 patents.
Kerr has remained active with the CU community as an APPE preceptor, providing oversight for more than 30 pharmacy students (many from CU) on advanced experience rotations.
He eared four degrees in the University of Colorado system and remains committed to his alma mater as an annual guest lecturer for the Introduction to the Pharmaceutical Industry Elective course as well as a speaker in the Dean’s Leadership Convocation series.