2018 Award Candidates

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Pharmacist of the Year

Dr. Joel C. Marrs, PharmD, BCPS-AQ Cardiology, BCACP, CLS, ASH-CHC

Dr. Joel C. Marrs is an Associate Professor in the Department of Clinical Pharmacy at the University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (SSPPS). He currently practices at Denver Health where he provides direct patient care through clinic and telephonic visits focusing on cardiovascular risk reduction pharmacotherapy with an emphasis on resistant hypertension.  Dr. Marrs was nominated for the Pharmacist of the Year award based on his dedication to promoting pharmacy through various organizations at local and national levels, excellent delivery of patient care, and his work to educate future and current pharmacists to advance the profession.

Dr. Marrs is a member of the Colorado Pharmacists Society (CPS) and participates on the Academy of Health-System Pharmacists education committee and the CPS membership committee. Additionally, he served as an American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) Colorado Delegate from 2013-2016, he is a past vice-chair and chair of the ASHP Section of Clinical Specialists and Scientists Educational Steering Committee and a past member of the ASHP Council of Therapeutics. 

Dr. Marrs consistently delivers comprehensive and individualized patient care which his patients recognize and appreciate. Some patients have even told their primary care providers they do not understand why they need to make an appointment with them as, “Dr. Marrs takes care of everything for me.” He incorporates these values while teaching the many students he precepts. Dr. Marrs is the immediate past chair of the Curriculum Committee at the University of Colorado SSPPS and is the co-director of the Colorado Pharmacy Residency Teaching Certificate Program. Within his clinical practice at Denver Health, he has served as a preceptor to 43 IPPE/APPE students and 33 PGY1 and PGY2 residents.

He has given over 60 national presentations, and has written or served as a contributing author to over 60 peer reviewed scientific manuscripts and book chapters, as well as over 25 scientific abstracts presented at major scientific meetings. Lastly, he is an advocate for the profession through his encouragement of pharmacists seeking board certification through the Board of Pharmacy Specialties (BPS). He speaks for the ASHP Board Certification Review Courses for Pharmacotherapy and Ambulatory Care in the areas of primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease.

Dr. Marrs was part of a team at the Denver Health Eastside Clinic who received one of six ASHP 2013 Best Practice Awards and was awarded the 2017 Next Generation Pharmacist Patient Care Provider of the Year Award. He was also recognized by ASHP with the 2017 ASHP SCSS Distinguished Service Award.  He received his PharmD from Butler University. Upon graduation, he completed a PGY1 Pharmacy Practice residency at Mount Carmel Medical Center in Columbus, Ohio followed by a PGY2 Family Medicine residency at the University of Colorado in Denver, Colorado. He earned his certificate in Public Health Sciences and is currently working on his Masters of Public Health with emphasis in epidemiology on the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.

Technician of the Year

Angela D. Fullerton, CPhT

Ms. Angela Fullerton has over 18 years’ experience as a Certified Pharmacy Technician and currently works at Evans Army Community Hospital Pharmacy. She was nominated for the Pharmacy Technician of the Year award based on her involvement in the Colorado Pharmacists Society (CPS) work group that met over the summer of 2017 to complete the sunrise application for pharmacy technician regulation in Colorado. Ms. Fullerton never missed a meeting, offered great suggestions and was very effective at networking with other pharmacy technicians to assist in gathering information.  Her participation was essential to the success of the sunrise application process.

Ms. Fullerton earned an Associate’s Degree in Liberal Arts from Allan Hancock College and her Pharmacy Technician Certificate of Achievement from Community College of Southern Nevada. She is an Expert Defense Medical Logistics Standard Support (DMLSS) pharmacy supply technician with experience in procurement of all pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical supplies. Ms. Fullerton is also lead pharmacy technician at new Soldier Readiness Center Pharmacy in charge of the Deployment Prescription Program (DPP) enrollment process through Express-Scripts mail order Pharmacy. As of January 2018 over 9,500 soldiers were enrolled in the DPP program to ensure needed medication is sent to their deployment location sites. She is a member of CPS and was Civilian of the Quarter for Minot AFB, ND in 2003 as well as Pharmacy Technician of the Year for the USAF Academy, CO in 2008.

Student Pharmacist of the Year

Julia Cahill

Julia Cahill is a third-year pharmacy student at University of Colorado School of Pharmacy and earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a concentrating in molecular biology from the University of San Francisco. She was nominated for Student Pharmacist of the Year due to her dedication to pharmacy, excellent critical thinking skills and interest in learning. Julia has completed numerous projects to contribute to Kaiser Primary Care service including projects regarding osteoporosis, the hypertension clinic, eye care safety and diabetes.  She is an active member of Rho Chi’s philanthropy committees and is often involved in planning programs and events. In the Student National Pharmaceutical Association (SNPhA), Julia has participated in national chapter events and meetings. She also attended a national conference where she debated amendments and voted on resolutions.

Julia currently works as a Pharmacy Intern at Kaiser Permanente Primary Care. She is also a Tutor and Facilitated Group Learning Leader at the University of Colorado School of Pharmacy. She received the Merck Manuals Award for Academic Excellence. In addition to being a member of the Colorado Pharmacists Society, Julia is also a member of Phi Lambda Sigma and SNPHA where she was a P1 Liaison, Legislative/Immigration Chair, and Chapter Delegate. She is also a member of the Student Ethics Committee and the American College of Veterinary Pharmacists.

Scott Denney

Scott Denney is a third-year pharmacy student at Regis University and earned a Bachelor of Anthropology from the University of Central Florida. He was nominated for Student Pharmacist of the Year due to his dedication to the advancement of the pharmacy profession and involvement in legislative affairs.  Scott has assisted in organizing a number of legislative activities such a luncheon with speakers from the major CO universities to keep legislators current on medical research done in the state and a debate featuring Senator Aguilar regarding Amendment 69 and universal healthcare at Regis University. He also organized an open forum with lawmakers to discuss proposition 106 (medical aid in dying). Additionally Scott has been involved immunization education and is able to impact patients’ care by showing compassion to everyone he comes in contact with.

Scott currently works as a Pharmacy Intern at CVS Pharmacy. He is a member of Alpha Sigma Nu Jesuit Honor Society which selects students based up on their service to others and the community. Scott is a Colorado Pharmacists Society member and has also been elected as his pharmacy class president and treasurer, the graduate council professional development chair, secretary of Kappa Psi and president of the Regis chapter of the National Community Pharmacist Association. Scott is a CVS and RxPlus scholar. He has also volunteered at a number of places including Animals for Therapy, Mental Health Arts Benefit (2017) and the Denver Rescue Mission to name a few.

Courtney McCaughey

Courtney McCaughey is a third-year pharmacy student at Regis University and earned a Bachelor of Science in Public Health and Bachelor of Science in Microbiology from the University of Arizona. She was nominated for Student Pharmacist of the Year due to her leadership advocating for the pharmacy profession and her encouragement of other students to become involved in organizations ant to take on leadership roles, such as through her involvement as a Student Ambassador for potential Regis pharmacy students. Courtney was president of APhA-ASP and member at large for CPS-ASP where she communicated with twenty pharmacy schools regarding national initiatives. She has also been involved in and has organized students to volunteer in vaccination and screening clinics, Project CURE, the Denver Rescue Mission, and has worked with the elderly, children and disabled.

Courtney currently works as a Pharmacy Intern at King Soopers Pharmacy. She is a member of the Colorado Pharmacists Society, Phi Lambda Sigma, Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy and Phi Delta Chi. She is a volunteer at Argyle Assisted Living and has been volunteering at many locations including the Regis University Blood Pressure Clinic and Health Education, Diabetes Risk and Assessment Education Clinic, and the Denver Rescue Mission, to name a few.

Blake Sears

Blake Sears is a third-year pharmacy student at Regis University and received a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition Science from the University of Georgia. He was nominated for Student Pharmacist of the Year due to his passion for legislation and policy. His involvement in pharmacy policy urged other classmates to begin attending Colorado Pharmacists Society (CPS) meetings and events and he has increased student interest in policy and legislation at Regis University. In 2016 and 2017 Blake led and organized a legislative committee that created a policy that both years was passed at the regional level and was voted on by other chapter leaders of APhA-ASP. 

Blake currently works as a Pharmacy Intern at King Soopers Pharmacy. He is involved in Phi Delta Chi Pharmacy Fraternity and held the positions of President (WCC), Leadership Committee Chair and as the Chapter Delegate at Grand Council in 2017. Blake is also currently the Policy Vice President for the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) – Academy of Student Pharmacists and has also served as a chapter Delegate resenting Regis and Colorado pharmacy students for APhA-ASP in 2016 and 2017. He is also the Vice President for the National Community of Pharmacist Association, the Legislative Chair for CPS and Secretary for the Colorado Pharmacist Coalition. 

Tracey Smith

Tracey Smith is a fourth-year pharmacy student at Regis University and earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of South Florida. She was nominated for Student Pharmacist of the Year due to her involvement with the Colorado Pharmacists Society (CPS) Board of Directors (BOD) from 2016-2017 where she exhibited dedication to the profession of pharmacy and also focused on advancing the opportunities for students.  Tracey was able to grow the CPS Student Academy presence on the Regis School of Pharmacy Campus. She also had a vision for integrating the two Colorado schools of Pharmacy and worked to determine next steps to see the Student Academy grow on the University of Colorado campus. She organized several social events, fundraisers, and two residency showcase events and assisted with the development and planning for the Statewide Protocols Webinar.

Tracey currently works as a Pharmacy Intern at the Colorado Acute Long Term Care Hospital. In addition to serving as the CPS President she also served on the CPS Nominations Committee. She is a member of the American Pharmacists Association where she was was a Fundraiser Committee Member, the American Society of Health System Pharmacists  where she was a Professional Development Committee Member, College of Psychiatric and Neurological Pharmacists where she served as Treasurer, and she also served as Secretary for the Regis University Student Government. Tracey was selected for the RxImpact and Academy on Capitol Hill by the National Association of Chain Drug Stores. Currently she is a volunteer for the Ronald McDonald House.

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