SACRAMENTO--Recently, the California Pharmacists Associations named two new inductees into the California Pharmacy Hall of Fame. The award recognizes individual pharmacists for their lifelong contributions to the profession of pharmacy, which have had significant impact and have been inspirational to others. This year’s honorees have devoted themselves to the future of their profession by investing in student pharmacists at their respective schools of pharmacy as well and participation in high-profile pharmacy organizations. They join a distinguished group of past winners who have gone above and beyond to advance the profession.

2009 Hall of Fame Donald Floriddia, Pharm. D.

Donald Floriddia has dedicated his life to educating student pharmacists to become the pharmacy leaders of tomorrow. He has devoted his time to support professional programs, educational endeavors and provides mentorship at the local, state and national levels of pharmacy.

As Ronald DeBellis stated in his letter of support, “There are many pharmacists in California who are worthy of this distinction, but few who have shaped so many lives in the profession of pharmacy on both a personal and professional level as Don.” Legions of student pharmacists have credited Dr. Floriddia with setting them in the right direction for an outstanding pharmacy career, in which they have fearlessly approached leadership positions, knowing how important it is to get and stay involved through every phase of their professional lives. In addition, Dr. Floriddia’s support and influence is evident the sheer numbers of successful alumni who have consistently held major offices in national and state organizations.

For almost 40 years, Donald Floriddia has been an educator at the University of the Pacific, Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. He has served as the Associate Dean for Student Affairs, Chair of the Department of Pharmaceutics and Medicinal Chemistry; advocated for students and much more.

Don is the recipient of numerous awards including CPhA Pharmacist of the Year in 1994, APhA’s Outstanding ASP Chapter Advisor Award in 1994, and the Merck Sharp and Dohme Pharmacist Achievement Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Profession of Pharmacy in 1990.

2009 Hall of Fame Robert Day, Pharm. D.

Robert Day’s accomplishments span over 45 years in the profession of pharmacy. Shortly after graduation, Bob became the second Pharm. D. in the nation to be appointed as a full time faculty member at UCSF. Due to Bob’s vision, the Office of Student Affairs was created and Bob later became Associate Dean.

Bob has always been a champion for student pharmacists and was instrumental in shaping the student role within APhA. In a letter of support for him, Bob was quoted as saying “I cannot think of any career that would have been as rewarding as working with and teaching some of the nation’s best and most dedicated students all these years.”

Bob has had many “firsts” in his professional career including the creation of the nation’s first over the counter (OTC) curriculum. His voluminous curriculum vitae also attests to his talents of advocating for student involvement in professional activities and development.

In addition to honing the minds of student pharmacists, Bob was instrumental in organizing the “Tripartate” Committee which ultimately led to the merger of the Northern and Southern Pharmaceutical Associations to become the California Pharmacists Association. Bob has been, and continues to be, an inspiration to multiple generations of practitioners and student pharmacists. CPhA is proud to present Robert Day with the 2009 California Pharmacy Hall of Fame Award.

About CPhA

The California Pharmacists Association is the largest state pharmacy association in the nation and the professional society representing all pharmacists in California. The mission of the Association is to act as the leader in advocating the role of the pharmacist as an essential provider of health care and to support pharmacists in providing optimal patient care.

For more information about CPhA, please visit www.cpha.com.