Generation Rx Award Of Excellence
2026 Generation Rx Award of Excellence Recipient
Grace T. Marley, PharmD
Grace Marley is a pharmacist and research assistant professor with the University of North Carolina
Eshelman School of Pharmacy. Her research focuses on opportunities to improve patient access to
medications for opioid use disorder through community pharmacies. She has documented barriers to harm
reduction services and medications for opioid use disorder at community pharmacies, including
buprenorphine, methadone, naloxone, and fentanyl test strips. Marley works with clinicians,
community partners, and policymakers to translate evidence into actionable interventions that enhance
safety, reduce stigma, and support compassionate, patient-centered care for all communities.
About
The GenerationRx Award of Excellence was established in 2011 to recognize a pharmacist who has
demonstrated a commitment to the mission of substance abuse education. This award is made possible
through a restricted endowment from the Cardinal Health Foundation.
Evaluation Criteria
The nominee must be an APhA pharmacist member. Self-nominations are allowed for this award. Current
members of the APhA Award Committee are not eligible. Applications will be evaluated based upon the
following criteria (listed alphabetically, not in rank order):
- Community service
- Impact on the profession through commitment to prescription drug abuse and misuse education that
is targeted to youth, their parents, and older adults
- Implemented prescription drug abuse and misuse education programs in their practice site and/or
community that are informed by evidence-based research
- Participation in other professional activities
Nomination process
The nominator is responsible for submitting a complete award nomination.
The nomination is to include the following items:
A letter from the nominator describing the most important achievements of the nominee and explaining
why the nominee meets the criteria for the award
One letter of recommendation is required (letters from student pharmacists are accepted); a maximum
of two additional letters accepted
A current curriculum vitae or detailed résumé
Selection process
The selection is made by an award committee appointed by the APhA Board of Trustees and is based upon
careful review of complete nominations and the criteria listed above.
Nature of award
The GenerationRx Award of Excellence, endowed by Cardinal Health Foundation, is presented at the APhA
Annual Meeting and consists of a crystal plaque (with the Cardinal logo), a complimentary APhA
Annual Meeting registration and reimbursement for meeting-related travel expenses, according to
current travel policies and up to the maximum amount budgeted by APhA.
Past recipients
2025 Anita N. Jacobson, PharmD
2024 James Douglas Thornton
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