Germakovski honored with USPHS Excellence in Public Health Pharmacy Award

The award recognizes pharmacy students who make significant contributions to public health, including advancing the objectives of Healthy People 2030, the Surgeon General’s priorities and the pharmacy profession.

Germakovski was nominated by Nicole Albanese, PharmD, assistant dean of student success and engagement and clinical professor of pharmacy practice at the University at Buffalo (UB) School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (SPPS). Albanese cited Germakovski’s leadership, innovation and commitment to advancing public health during her time as a pharmacy student at UB SPPS. 

One of Germakovski’s most significant contributions was the creation and implementation of the Narcan in Our Schools (NIOS) Initiative, a harm reduction program designed to combat substance use disorders and reduce health disparities.

Working in partnership with the Erie County Department of Health and UB, Germakovski helped establish a sustainable, campuswide program that secured more than $20,000 in Narcan supplies and placed over 300 emergency boxes across three university campuses.

She also led interdisciplinary training efforts, certifying more than 50 students and faculty as Narcan trainers, and expanded outreach to high schools and community centers to reduce stigma and promote education around substance use disorders.

Beyond NIOS, Germakovski played a key leadership role in the Regional Equitable Health Infrastructure Network (ReThink) Western New York (WNY) Initiative, a regional collaboration focused on health equity and community-based public health infrastructure. Through this work, she created a coordination position and mentored a team of seven undergraduate students, strengthening community health worker engagement in underserved neighborhoods while fostering the next generation of public health advocates.

“Karina embodies the spirit of service and innovation that this award seeks to honor, and I am confident that her contributions will have a lasting impact on the profession and the communities she serves,” Albanese said. “She has delivered measurable outcomes that advanced public health priorities, improved access to care and promoted health equity. Her initiatives have saved lives, educated communities and inspired future leaders in public health pharmacy.”

“I’m incredibly grateful to receive the U.S. Public Health Service Excellence in Public Health Pharmacy Award,” Germakovski said. “This recognition is an honor and would not have been possible without the support of the mentors, peers and communities I’ve had the privilege to work with.”

She credited her leadership development through community‑based initiatives, including the ReThink WNY Community Health Collaborative (CHC).

“Expanding my leadership through initiatives like the ReThink WNY CHC has shown me how impactful pharmacists can be in addressing public health needs and reducing disparities at both local and global levels.”

“A key part of my work has been supporting the development of community health workers. This is an emerging and innovative approach to care that helps bridge gaps between health care systems and underserved communities,” she said. “Through ReThink WNY CHC, I’ve contributed to efforts that advocate for this workforce in response to the evolving public health needs of Western New York, creating more accessible, community-centered models of care.”

Germakovski says the recognition reinforces her commitment to mentorship and service locally and globally.

“This award strengthens my commitment to continuing this work, including mentoring graduate and undergraduate students who are passionate about creating sustainable change locally and with our global partners in Jamaica and Zimbabwe,” she said. “It motivates me to keep serving, advocating and developing innovative solutions that connect patients to the care they need. With this award, I am eager to carry this task into my future career and remain dedicated to improving health outcomes in the communities I serve.”

Germakovski will be recognized at the UB SPPS Awards Ceremony on May 15.

She also expressed appreciation for the support she has received throughout her time at UB SPPS.

“I’m incredibly grateful to UB SPPS for creating an environment that fosters meaningful connections and provides students with opportunities to grow as leaders,” she said. “I would especially like to thank Gene Morse, PharmD, for his mentorship and for continuously supporting my development as a leader. His guidance as Director of the Center for Integrated Global Biomedical Sciences and Co-Director of ReThink WNY CHC has been truly impactful.”

“I’m also deeply appreciative of the academic support team, including but not limited to Wendy Spalla, Heather Waddy, and Kristin Gniazdowski, for their constant encouragement and for playing such an important role in supporting the many initiatives I’ve been a part of.”