Higginbotham Selected as PPA Pharmacist of the Year

The Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association (PPA) presented Dr. Suzanne Higginbotham with the Pharmacist of the Year Award at its 2017 Annual Conference on Sept. 23.

Higginbotham is director of the Duquesne University Pharmacy and Center for Pharmacy Care. In addition, she is an adjunct professor in the School of Pharmacy, where she also serves as coordinator of the Residents/Fellows Program and oversees administration and delivery of the certificate programs offered for pharmacists and student pharmacists.

The PPA’s Pharmacist of the Year Award is presented to a pharmacist who has demonstrated dedication to the profession; contributed time and effort to the various professional organizations; furthered the profession of pharmacy through community service; and embodied those qualities of attitude and leadership, which exemplified the profession.

“I am extremely honored to receive the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association (PPA) Pharmacist of the Year Award,” said Higginbotham. “Being a member of PPA has afforded me wonderful opportunities as a pharmacist to promote the efforts of my profession through advocacy and education.”

Under Higginbotham’s direction, the Duquesne University Pharmacy and Center for Pharmacy Care were recognized this year by the American Pharmacist Association as its national Immunization Champion Award winner for community outreach. Located in Pittsburgh’s Hill District neighborhood, the pharmacy and Center for Pharmacy Care have helped to increase vaccination rates in the area as well as other underserved populations in surrounding communities. Higginbotham has also helped expand the pharmacy and center’s efforts in providing medication therapy management services and disease state counseling to University employees and now offers these same services plus point-of-care testing and immunizations to the community at large.

In addition, Higginbotham works with Duquesne’s third-year pharmacy students to ensure their understanding of naloxone therapy, its administration and implementation—an increasingly important initiative in light of the nation’s current opioid crisis.

Higginbotham has a bachelor’s degree in biology and chemistry from The Ohio State University and a doctor of pharmacy degree from Duquesne University.