By PCCA

In 2020, we were proud to honor some wonderful compounding pharmacists who make a big difference in each of their communities. We typically present our Compounding Pharmacists of the Year for the United States and Canada as well as the George Roentsch Scholarship recipient in person at PCCA events every year. Due to the pandemic — but thanks to technology, along with help from each pharmacy’s staff — we presented the awards to these extraordinary and deserving pharmacists virtually this year.

Congratulations to Gopesh Patel, RPh, Our 2020 M. George Webber Compounding Pharmacist of the Year

Gopesh Patel poses with his painting of Dr. M. George Webber, which he received as part of his award.

We are proud to name Gopesh Patel, RPh, of VLS Pharmacy in Brooklyn, New York, and New Drug Loft in New York City, as our 2020 M. George Webber Compounding Pharmacist of the Year. This award is presented annually to an American independent pharmacist who has demonstrated service excellence to patients, health care providers and pharmacy colleagues.

PCCA President Jim Smith presented the award to Gopesh virtually on October 26 and announced it publicly on November 6 during our virtual International Seminar 2020 to the more than 1,300 attendees from around the world.

“What an honor it is to have someone of Gopesh’s caliber and character blessing the lives of patients in his community and blessing those in the PCCA community,” Jim said. “In 2020, his care and compassion especially stood out through his work with patients afflicted with COVID-19 and their physicians, and his commitment to protect the members of his community with hand sanitizer donations and much more. We're all enriched because of our knowledge of him and our friendship with him.”

A PCCA member since 2009, Gopesh is the compounding pharmacist-in-charge and owner at VLS Pharmacy and New Drug Loft. He is a 1979 graduate of MS University in Baroda, India. Gopesh is also a member of the Pharmacists Society of the State of New York, Alliance for Pharmacy Compounding, American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine and American College for Advancement in Medicine. He regularly contributes to industry trade publications as well.

Gopesh served a two-year term on PCCA’s Advisory Council 5 (2016–2017) and is a longtime member of PCCA’s Concierge Compounding program. He is especially passionate about advocating for compounding pharmacy in New York and on Capitol Hill. He recently hosted New York Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke in his pharmacy to share patient access barriers and the role compounding plays in health care.

Jim presented the award to Gopesh virtually, and Gopesh’s family and pharmacy staff also joined him to help celebrate the honor. PCCA Vice President of Public Affairs, Communications, Education and Human Relations Lizzie Harbin and PCCA member Jerry Beamer, RPh, a fellow Advisory Council member, also spoke about how Gopesh has influenced them personally and professionally as a leader in the compounding industry. Congresswoman Clarke also shared her congratulations via video.

“Thank you for this honor. I’m truly humbled by it,” Gopesh said. “I always want to serve – anyone who has a problem or a difficult time. I like to help them. That’s how my family grew up, that’s what I’m following and I tell my daughters to do the same. I like teaching and sharing with others so that we can save lives. My reward has always been helping people feel better.”

Congratulations to Karen Francis, RPh, PHC, Our 2020 Canadian Compounding Pharmacist of the Year

Karen Francis poses with her Canadian Compounding Pharmacist of the Year trophy.

We are proud to name Karen Francis, RPh, PHC, of Compounding Wellness Pharmacy in Mount Pearl, Newfoundland, as our 2020 Canadian Compounding Pharmacist of the Year. This award is presented annually to a Canadian independent pharmacist who has demonstrated service excellence to patients, health care providers and pharmacy colleagues.

PCCA team members including Amanda Cassel, PCCA Canada General Manager, and Dianna Fenerty, Business Development Representative for Atlantic Canada, British Columbia and Quebec, presented the award virtually on December 12, 2020, during the pharmacy’s annual holiday party.

At the event, Karen was surrounded by her colleagues, several family members and our virtual PCCA team as she accepted the award. She was overwhelmed by the honor of receiving the award and touched to be celebrating with the community that supported her compounding journey. PCCA shared a video consisting of many congratulatory messages from her pharmacy staff, prescribers and PCCA team members. The sentiment throughout expressed how much Karen has contributed to compounding.

“It’s been a thrill to work with Karen, and I am so happy that we are finally able to present this award to her,” said Dianna. “The time, energy and effort she dedicates to the profession of personalized medicine influences and touches so many lives, including her patients and their families, community physicians, all her wonderful staff, and other PCCA members.”

Karen is the second member to win this award from the province of Newfoundland and has joined the top tier of PCCA members through her passion for compounding and overall patient care.

“I love being part of PCCA,” Karen said as she accepted the award. “You know, really this award needs to have the names of everyone here on it because I am nobody without my team.”

Karen graduated as a pharmaceutical chemist from the College of Trades and Technology in St. John’s, Newfoundland, and opened her own pharmacy in 1995. She joined PCCA in 2003 and has grown her compounding business to include both nonsterile and sterile facilities.

She is known affectionately as “the Hormone Lady” to many in her community. Karen has dedicated her career to putting the needs of patients first, which has driven her to learn and educate others about customized therapy options to optimize her patient outcomes in all areas from infertility and hormone issues to pain management and beyond. She is also a consistent advocate for compounding in Newfoundland and Labrador, continually communicating with legislators on the benefits of compounding and sharing her expertise on appropriate skills and facilities required to customize medications.

Congratulations to Omar Eliwa, RPh, the Recipient of the 2020 George Roentsch Scholarship

Omar Eliwa celebrates with his pharmacy staff as he accepts the 2020 George Roentsch Scholarship via Zoom.

We are proud to award the 2020 George Roentsch Scholarship to Omar Eliwa, RPh, of Welltopia Pharmacy in Thiensville, Wisconsin. PCCA Director of Member Engagement Erin Michael, MBA, MS, CPhT, presented the award to Omar virtually on October 20 and announced it publicly on November 5 during our virtual International Seminar 2020.

Established in 2010, this scholarship is given annually to an up-and-coming independent pharmacist and PCCA member who embodies the innovative and sharing nature for which George Roentsch was well-known in the pharmacy compounding community. The scholarship provided Omar with complimentary registration to our virtual International Seminar as well as an all-expenses-paid trip to International Seminar 2021 in Houston, Texas.

“Omar has always looked for ways to serve his patients in unique and innovative ways,” Erin said. “Most recently, he has been able to pivot during the COVID-19 pandemic, utilizing things like social media, his website, public service announcements and other means to make sure that his patients are taken care of during these uncertain times. He has also been featured in state and national news stories discussing the compounding options available at his pharmacy as well as supplements to help patients stay healthy.”

Passionate about patient care, Omar treats his customers as if they are members of his own family. He has over 10 years of experience as an independent pharmacist and enjoys exploring personalized medicine options by working closely with practitioners to create specific compounds to meet patients’ needs. He is also a frequent contributor on Milwaukee’s morning talk show, The Morning Blend, and has gained the trust of his community as the go-to resource for integrative health and wellness options.

Omar is always thinking outside the box and offers several services within his practice to provide excellent patient care. Through the pharmacy’s free All in One program, he offers individualized, easy-to-open packaging, which allows patients to easily keep track of their medications. He also offers a six-month Health Coaching program where patients benefit not only from obtaining a healthier lifestyle but also networking with peers during special events hosted by the pharmacy. And through his popular blog, newsletters and webinars, he educates patients on an array of health-related topics.

Omar is a frequent attendee of compounding educational events and a member of PCCA’s Concierge Compounding program — a platform that promotes peer-to-peer sharing of compounding techniques to enhance patient care. He also frequently shares with colleagues outside of this program, whether at live educational events or via email or phone calls.

“His state-of-the-art compounding pharmacy, highest quality standards and level of patient care have earned Omar his place among PCCA’s brightest rising stars in the world of compounding,” said Erin. “We couldn’t be more proud to bestow this honor.”

See the wonderful pharmacists we honored in 2019 on The PCCA Blog: “ PCCA’s 2019 Honored Compounding Pharmacists ”

The late M. George Webber, PhD, for whom PCCA’s U.S. Compounding Pharmacist of the Year award is named, was a longtime professor with the University of Houston College of Pharmacy and was instrumental in the formation of PCCA in 1981. He was unwaveringly committed to meeting patient needs and upholding the highest quality and ethical standards, and shared his expertise and love for compounding with his colleagues and his students for more than 40 years.

The late George Roentsch, RPh, for whom PCCA’s annual George Roentsch Scholarship is named, was the owner and pharmacist of The Apothecary in Keene, New Hampshire, and is fondly remembered for his work, which advanced the art and science of custom-made prescription medications. George was passionate about pharmacy compounding and generously shared many of his formulas and innovations with fellow compounders.