Madison Eddy (current chapter president) and Laney Skipper Furey (past chapter president) celebrate earning National Chapter of the Year.
For the fourth time in the last eight years, the Harrison College of Pharmacy’s student chapter of the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) was named National Chapter of the Year. The chapter was formally recognized during the NCPA Annual Convention in Kansas City in October.
“It means so much more than just receiving an award, it means that community pharmacy was advocated for,” said Laney Skipper Furey, last year’s chapter president and a member of the Harrison College of Pharmacy’s Class of 2027. “It means that Auburn University students and members of our community were exposed to community pharmacy and that, hopefully, a seed was planted.”
Chapter of the Year is awarded to the chapter that excelled in promoting independent pharmacy through innovative events and service activities, including advocacy, event participation, community service and outreach, and fundraising, among others.
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With more than 75 NCPA chapters across the country, it is a meaningful accomplishment for the Harrison College of Pharmacy (HCOP) chapter to be among the top. The chapter was also honored as Chapter of the Year in 2018, 2021 and 2024, with a first-runner-up finish in 2025.
“It makes receiving Chapter of the Year even more meaningful because there are so many incredible student pharmacists across the country who are passionate about community pharmacy and are doing great things within their own chapters and communities,” said Furey.
“Community pharmacy is constantly evolving, and there is such a need for innovative pharmacists who are willing to find new ways to serve their patients, advocate for the profession and keep healthcare accessible within their communities. Chapter of the Year is an incredible honor, but the impact we were able to make along the way is what I am most proud of.”
Chapters are evaluated by their end-of-the-year report, highlighting areas where they supported NCPA’s mission. Focusing on advocacy, the chapter was heavily involved in the Alabama Pharmacy Association Legislative Day, as well as lead-up events like Drafts on the Tracks, Drafts on Dauphin and policy meetings.
The chapter also introduced a community pharmacy panel to highlight the many different paths available within community pharmacy. The panel included clinical pharmacists, a compounding pharmacist, a staff pharmacist, a pharmacy owner and a pharmacy resident.
Through their Support Local Campaign, the chapter was able to highlight and promote local community pharmacies while also raising funds to help students attend professional and advocacy events.
Supporting the local community, the chapter partnered with the Drug Enforcement Agency for Drug Take-Back Days in Auburn and Mobile. Members also partnered with the War Eagle Wellness Clinic for monthly volunteer opportunities.
“What tied all of those initiatives together was that we didn’t want our chapter to simply talk about supporting community pharmacy,” said Furey. “We wanted our students to experience it through advocacy, service, professional relationships and direct involvement in the community.”
Having the opportunity to walk across the stage and accept the award from NCPA President Dr. Kristen Riddle, Furey could hear the “War Eagle” cheers coming from the crowd with a number of fellow students, faculty and Auburn alumni in attendance.
“It was incredible. In that moment, I was reminded of just how supported our chapter is and how many people have invested in its success,” said Furey. “I may have been the one walking across the stage to accept the award, but it represented every student, faculty member, alumnus, pharmacist and supporter who helped our chapter get there.”
Others from Auburn honored
In addition to Chapter of the Year, students and alumni took home individual awards at the NCPA Annual Meeting.
Ansli Prickett, a member of the Class of 2028, and Jansen Rogers, a member of the Class of 2027, recently received scholarships. Prickett received the NCPA Presidential Scholarship while Rogers received the NCPA Foundation Partners in Pharmacy Scholarship.
Danny Cottrell, a member of the HCOP Class of 1979, was honored with the NCPA Foundation’s Dargavel Medal. Cottrell was recognized for his more than four decades of a career defined by pharmacy leadership, political advocacy and hometown generosity.
Dr. Jessica Hung, a member of the HCOP Class of 2014 and co-owner of Semmes Pharmacy in Semmes, Alabama, received this year’s NARD Ownership Award from the NCPA Foundation. The NARD Ownership Award recognizes an independent community pharmacist who embraces entrepreneurial spirit through promotion and demonstrated excellence in the field of community pharmacy ownership.
