Clark receives PLS Alumni of the Year Award

This national award recognizes alumni of Phi Lambda Sigma (PLS) who exemplify leadership qualities in support of the profession of pharmacy. Clark has been a member of PLS since 2016 and received the award for his outstanding leadership in clinical practice, education, mentorship and scholarship.

“Dr. Clark acts as an academia-focused role model for high-achieving students with huge potential” says Nicole Siwarski, PharmD ’25, president, UB School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (SPPS) chapter PLS. “His passionate and engaging teaching style, along with his friendly and approachable demeanor inspires students to follow in his footsteps which has led him to receive several awards for faculty excellence. Dr. Clark’s peer-reviewed publications, including 16 abstracts and 20 manuscripts in 3 years, have been cited over 300 times. He is also credited for developing a nationally recognized Transitions of Care program at Buffalo General Medical Center.”

Clark’s clinical practice focuses on transitions of care at Buffalo General Medical Center, where he participates in care of patients with cardiovascular and metabolic diseases and oversees a layered-learning practice model with student pharmacists and pharmacy residents. He is a pharmaceutical health services and outcomes researcher and studies the implementation and assessment of pharmacist provided clinical services. He has a particular interest in studying the pharmacist’s role in transitional care management across the continuum of care and medication optimization strategies for older adults with complex medical conditions. He is also a member of Team Alice, an interprofessional initiative at UB to protect older adults from medication related harm.

“I am extremely honored and humbled to receive this award from PLS,” says Clark. “I am grateful to have been nominated by my students and that I have been supported by fantastic mentors and colleagues who have shown me what it looks like to be a leader in the profession of pharmacy.” 

Along with the award, Clark will receive an engraved plaque and a $500 donation to the organization of his choice, the Friedrich's Ataxia Research Alliance. This organization is dedicated to the pursuit of scientific research leading to treatments and a cure for Friedreich’s ataxia, a rare genetic degenerative disease that causes progressive damage to the nervous system.

 “I have asked that the donation be made to the Friedrich's Ataxia Research Alliance (FARA),” says Clark. “Friedrich's Ataxia has deeply affected my family and FARA does amazing work supporting research that improves the lives of patients living with this condition.” 

Clark will be recognized with the award at the virtual PLS awards ceremony on April 13 and at the UB SPPS chapter PLS induction ceremony on April 17.

Phi Lambda Sigma, also known as the Pharmacy Leadership Society, promotes the development of leadership qualities, especially among pharmacy students.