Pharmacy Podcast Network, the world’s largest network of podcasts dedicated to pharmacy professionals and industry insiders leading pharmacy care, has honored two Wilkes alumni, Cody Morcom, PharmD ’20 and Courtney Smith, PharmD ’14, with Pharmacy 50 awards for 2024.
“The Nesbitt School of Pharmacy is proud to have two alumni recognized as being among the most influential leaders in pharmacy. I believe what makes this honor more special for Dr. Smith and Dr. Morcom is that this recognition is coming from their peers,” said Jonathan Ference, dean of the Nesbitt School of Pharmacy.
Designed to recognize the 50 most influential leaders in pharmacy, the Pharmacy 50 Awards showcase distinguished professionals making their mark on pharmacy’s evolving landscape with expertise in fields including community pharmacy, long-term care, specialty pharmacy and digital health.
Morcom received a direct commission to the United States Air Force in December 2018 through the Health Professions Scholarship Program while attending Wilkes. Today, Major Morcom is the chief of satellite pharmacy at Travis Air Force Base, California. He also leads the 22nd Air Task Force’s Medical Element and serves as the delta flight commander for 67 Medics and Security Forces Defenders out of Fairchild Air Force Base in Spokane County, Washington, and Beale Air Force Base in Yuba County, California. He is also the president-elect for the Society of Air Force Pharmacy, the co-chair of the American Pharmacists Association Public Health Education Committee and a contributing writer for Pharmacist Consult.
“I’m eternally grateful for the leadership and mentorship I received while a student of Dean Ference’s and of Wilkes. While the recognition is great, the impact on others is what I value the most,” said Morcom.
Smith was one of Pennsylvania’s first certified pharmacists in the state’s medical cannabis program. She also served as the past central region director of the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association, was a past board member of the International Society of Cannabis Pharmacists and has served as a subject matter expert for the Specialty Pharmacy Certification Board (SPCB). Her work and advocacy center on the enhancement of patient education and patient-centered quality care. She currently holds the role of medication safety and compliance specialist for Penn State Health and is an adjunct lecturer in the Nesbitt School of Pharmacy.
“After graduating, I took unique pivots in my career, during which I gathered wisdom, grit and grace that quietly shaped my purpose. Wilkes helped me gain the knowledge and confidence to continue to evolve,” said Smith. “Over time, my skills aligned, and I arrived exactly where I was meant to be.”
“I’ve always known that Drs. Smith and Morcom were special pharmacists and know the rest of our profession knows how great they are. They are both assets to their patients, their colleagues and our profession,” said Ference. “As Dean of the Nesbitt School of Pharmacy, I am most proud of them serving as role models for our current student pharmacists.”
Read more on Pharmacy Podcast Network.