Mergenhagen and Madejski bestowed UB School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences’ highest honors

Published February 22, 2016 This content is archived.

The University at Buffalo School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (SPPS) has announced the recipients of its 2016 alumni awards.

Rose Mary Madejski, BS ’59

Rose Mary Madejski, BS ’59.

Rose Mary Madejski, BS ’59, has been selected to receive the 2016 Willis G. Gregory Memorial Award. The award is the most prestigious given by the school, honoring an outstanding alumni pharmacist who personifies the ideals of service, integrity and the profession of pharmacy in the eyes of her colleagues.

Madejski began her career as a staff pharmacist at a variety of locations around Western New York, including the Veterans Administration (VA) and Columbus Hospitals in Buffalo, Pritchard’s Pharmacy in Buffalo and the Niagara Falls Memorial Center. She also worked as an Enterostomal Therapist at Kenmore Mercy Hospital and the Herman Stall Pharmacy in Buffalo.

Her profession progressed with roles as president of M&R Pharmacy Consulting, and Vice President of Stalls Pharmacy and Health Services. She published articles in Pharmacy Times, New York State Pharmacist, the Pharmacists Association Journal and US Pharmacist. Most recently, Madejski penned an article for Drug Topics magazine, profiling her multi-generational SPPS family.

Rose Mary Madejski has held leadership roles in local and regional professional organizations, serving as vice chair for the Erie County Health Systems Agency (1975), board of directors for the Pharmacists Association of Western New York (1975-1978), and president (1898-1990) and chairman (1990-1991) of the Pharmacists Society of the State of New York.

Her accolades are extensive: Pharmacist Association of Western New York Hall of Fame Award (2002); Bowl of Hygeia Award (1995); Indo-American Pharmaceutical Society Outstanding Pharmacist Award (1991); McKesson and Robbins Leadership Award (1990); Bristol Myers Squibb, Inc. Leadership Award (1990); Pharmaceutical Society of the State of New York President’s Medal for Leadership (1990); and Pharmacists Association of Western New York Outstanding Pharmacist Award (1976 and 1984).

Dr. Madejski has been incredibly active with SPPS. She was a clinical assistant professor in the department of pharmacy practice for over a decade, participated in a number of school committees, and served as an advisor to students. Community service holds great importance to her, evident in her contributions to Meals on Wheels, the Zonta Club of Grand Island, NY, and St. Stephen’s Roman Catholic Church of Grand Island, NY.

Kari Mergenhagen, PharmD ’07

Kari Mergenhagen, PharmD ’07.

Kari Mergenhagen, PharmD ’07, is the 2016 recipient of the Orville C. Baxter Memorial Professional Practice Award. The award recognizes an outstanding practicing alumni pharmacist who demonstrates high ideals of professionalism and whose practice demonstrates genuine concern for patients.

Dr. Mergenhagen currently serves as a Clinical Pharmacy Specialist in Infectious Diseases at the Veteran Affairs Western New York Healthcare System  (VAWNYHCS). She developed a pharmacist-driven antimicrobial stewardship program at the VAWNYHCS, which includes a daily review of all inpatient antibiotic orders for therapeutic appropriateness. She also developed a Home Infusion Program to facilitate earlier discharge and appropriate follow-up for patients who require long-term therapy with an antimicrobial agent. Dr. Mergenhagen established a PGY2 Infectious Diseases Residency Program and she serves as the program director. She is assistant director for the PGY1 program. Her innovative work in infectious diseases has led to professional appointments with the Society for Infectious Disease Pharmacists and the Board of Pharmaceutical Specialties Task for Infectious Diseases.

Recent accolades include the Robert M. Cooper Award for recognition of outstanding professional integrity and commitment to the practice of pharmacy  (2015) and WNY Residency Preceptor of the Year (2014).

Dr. Mergenhagen is a noted scholar with publications in journals such as Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, Annals of Pharmacotherapy, Clinical Therapeutics, Anaerobe, and PharmacoEcomonics. She is a co-principal investigator for several industry-sponsored studies. She is involved in continuing pharmacy education and has been an active mentor of pharmacy students.  Dr. Mergenhagen is presently an adjunct faculty member at the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.

The University at Buffalo School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Annual Award Ceremony takes place April 14, 2016, at the Center for Tomorrow on UB’s North Campus. More information can be found at www.pharmacy.buffalo.edu/awards.