Leesburg Pharmacy Owner a Finalist for National Award

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Today, PCCA announced that Cheri Garvin, RPh, president and CEO of the Leesburg Pharmacy and The Compounding Center in Leesburg, VA has been chosen as a finalist for the 2014 Evelyn Timmons Advocacy Award. The prestigious award pays tribute to Evelyn Timmons, a pioneer in the compounding industry, by honoring a passionate, committed, and tenacious female compounding pharmacist who is advancing the compounding pharmacy industry in their community and as a profession.

PCCA staff and members submitted the names of potential recipients for consideration. To be considered for the award, the female compounder must exhibit the following:

• Has been a PCCA member pharmacist and owner for at least five (5) years
• Demonstrates commitment in her practice
• Demonstrates selfless advocacy locally and nationally on behalf of all compounding pharmacists
• Embraces learning and education
• Fosters a successful and growing practice
• Participates in PCCA’s Member Rewards Program 

“We are proud to announce the finalists for this year’s Evelyn Timmons Advocacy Award,” said Jim Smith, President of PCCA. “This year’s finalists represent a group of female compounding pharmacists who are committed to protecting and advancing today’s compounding industry. Cheri Garvin and her fellow finalists are passionate about providing customized medicines to patients who depend on it, and play a critical role in contributing to a healthier community.” 

The recipient of the Evelyn Timmons Advocacy Award will be announced at PCCA’s Members-Only Reception during the International Academy of Compounding Pharmacists “IACP’s Compounders on Capitol Hill” event on Monday, May 19, 2014, in Arlington, Va., and also will be recognized at PCCA’s International Seminar on October 8-11, 2014, in Houston, Texas.

Cheri has been contributing to the compounding professional for the past 24 years, and has co-owned the Leesburg Pharmacy and The Compounding Center since 2009. She is passionate about the patients she serves and  spends a great deal of time advocating for their access to compounded medication and educating local groups, churches, schools and legislators about the industry. Cheri’s advocacy efforts on behalf of her community include:

• Working with Congress and representatives of the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) around the need for appropriate drug disposal. Shortly thereafter, the National Take Back Initiative launched;
• Joining forces with Congressman Frank Wolf (R-VA) to educate Virginia residents about Lyme disease. These ongoing efforts have increased awareness of the disease, the limitations of testing, and the controversies surrounding treatment;
• Along with a coalition of Virginia pharmacists, educating regional insurance companies on compounded medication as a vital option for patient care; and
• Earlier this year, hosted a visit from Senator Time Kaine (D-VA) to showcase the Leesburg Pharmacy and The Compounding Center, the relevance of compounding and its impact on his constituents, and the issues facing the industry.

“To be nominated for the Evelyn Timmons award, along with other women who are making remarkable advancements for compounding in their community, is humbling,” said Cheri Garvin. “I’ve learned over the years that if we as community compounding pharmacists don’t speak up and address important issues, then someone else will talk for us.   I hope my advocacy and education efforts help to make a difference for our patients, the physicians we work with, and our community.”

 Evelyn Timmons, RPh, was a pioneer and a nationally renowned figure in the use of bio-identical hormones for women, as well as a long-standing advocate of pharmacy compounding. As one of the first female pharmacists in Arizona, she received numerous national awards during her career. Timmons was the first woman president of the American College of Apothecaries (ACA), and was among the first full fellows of the International Academy of Compounding Pharmacists (IACP).