Student pharmacists honored for drug misuse education
This is the 12th consecutive year the chapter has been
recognized either nationally or regionally.
A student organization at East Tennessee State University Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy has received national recognition for its efforts to educate the community about prescription drug misuse.
The college’s Operation Substance Use Disorders committee, part of the American Pharmacists Association-Academy of Student Pharmacists (APhA-ASP), earned the 2024-2025 APhA Chapter Achievement Award — the top national honor for service organizations addressing substance use.
The group was honored recently at the American Pharmacist Association annual meeting in Nashville.
This is the 12th consecutive year that the chapter has been recognized either nationally or regionally, and it has been named the winner six times in the category. The chapter is the most nationally recognized SUD APhA-ASP patient care committee in the country.
APhA-ASP Generation Rx transitioned to its new name, Operation SUD, in 2021 through a collaboration with Walmart Inc. to expand the breadth and depth of this important initiative.
Dr. Sarah Thomason, chair of the Department of Pharmacy Practice, has overseen the group’s many national recognitions since its inception in 2012.
“This award is a well-earned recognition of our student pharmacists’ dedication to Operation SUD and their unwavering commitment to serving our medically underserved Appalachian region," said Thomason. "Their efforts are making a real difference — saving lives, reducing opioid overdose rates and strengthening community health. They are true agents of change, leading the way in addressing this critical public health crisis."
Third-year student Christina Tarasidis, chair of Operation Substance Use Disorder, was ecstatic about the honor.
“Receiving this national award is an incredible honor,” said Tarasidis. “Operation Substance Use Disorder holds deep meaning not only for me, but also for our dedicated co-chairs and liaison and committee members who worked endlessly to serve our community through harm reduction initiatives and patient advocacy.
“I’m truly grateful for the opportunity to make an impact by reducing stigma, promoting safe medication practices and expanding access to lifesaving resources like naloxone.”
Highlights from the 2023-24 academic year — the year for which they were recognized — include providing naloxone training at local Remote Area Medical clinics and the Bristol Juvenile Detention Center, for Residential Advisors, and in several other community settings. The team also collaborated with local high schools to promote safe medication use to pre-pharmacy students.
Members collected and distributed safe disposal boxes for needle waste, partnered with the Virginia Board of Pharmacy to present a guidance document and provided education on recovery awareness and the Tennessee Pharmacist Recovery Network (TPRN).
They also participated in local Drug Take-Back Days, helping to secure unused medications, promote safe disposal practices and educate the public on the risks of prescription drug misuse.
“We are so proud of these students for their dedication to serving the rural and underserved, the mission of our college,” said Dr. Debbie Byrd, dean of ETSU Gatton College of Pharmacy. “When students enroll here, they become part of something bigger than themselves. In July, we’re excited to celebrate our 20th anniversary and with it a history of service to the community.”
The deadline to apply for the Class of 2029 is June 2, and that’s the last chance to earn a $10,000 Academic Merit Scholarship.
East Tennessee State University was founded in 1911 with a singular mission: to improve the quality of life for people in the region and beyond. Through its world-class health sciences programs and interprofessional approach to health care education, ETSU is a highly respected leader in rural health research and practices. The university also boasts nationally ranked programs in the arts, technology, computing, and media studies. ETSU serves approximately 14,000 students each year and is ranked among the top 10 percent of colleges in the nation for students graduating with the least amount of debt.
ETSU Gatton College of Pharmacy was founded in 2005 by the community with a mission to develop progressive, team-oriented pharmacists who improve health care, focusing on rural and underserved communities. The college has earned numerous national awards and accolades for service, scholastic achievement and clinical training. Learn more at etsu.edu/pharmacy.
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