Gloria Niemeyer Francke Leadership Mentor Award
2026 Gloria Niemeyer Francke Leadership Mentor Award Recipient
Valerie Prince, Pharm.D., BCPS, FAPhA
Valerie Prince, PharmD, FAPhA, BCPS is a professor of pharmacy practice at Samford University. She is a graduate of Mercer University, and she completed residency at The Regional Medical Center at Memphis. She is an active member of the Alabama Pharmacy Association (APA) where she has served in a variety of positions. She’s been recognized by APA with the Distinguished New Practitioner, Wayne Staggs Distinguished Service, and Faculty Member of the Year Awards. Prince was inducted in the Alabama Pharmacy Hall of Fame in 2024. She is a former president of Phi Lambda Sigma Pharmacy Leadership Society (PLS) and a recipient of the national PLS Outstanding Advisor Award. Prince has served the American Pharmacists Association in many roles including as the 13th lady president of APhA. She has been recognized with the Linwood F. Tice Friend of APhA–ASP Award. She has mentored the community for many years through service as a Girl Scout Leader and through children’s ministries at church. She and her husband Chip have two daughters (Carlee and MattiLynn) and two granddaughters (Cyler Wren and Ceeley Gail).
About
This award recognizes an individual who has promoted and encouraged pharmacists to attain leadership
positions within pharmacy through example as role model and mentor. The pharmacist for whom the
award is named – Gloria Niemeyer Francke, PharmD – personally exemplified the award’s criteria.
Gloria Niemeyer Francke, 1986 APhA Honorary President and 1987 Remington Honor Medalist, inspired
and mentored future leaders throughout her illustrious pharmacy career.
Evaluation Criteria
Any APhA member whose efforts or activities have significantly contributed to promoting leadership in
others is eligible for this award. The recipient of the APhA Gloria Niemeyer Francke Leadership
Mentor Award will be an individual who has promoted and encouraged pharmacists to attain leadership
positions within pharmacy through example as a role model and as a mentor. Nominations must be made
by an APhA Member. Remington Honor Medalists are not eligible.
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
Letters of recommendation are optional; two letters are preferred with a maximum of six accepted
letters
A current curriculum vitae or detailed résumé
Selection process
The selection is made by the past recipients of the award.
Nature of award
The award consists of a crystal memento bearing the likeness of the APhA building and the name of the
recipient, a complimentary APhA Annual Meeting & Exposition registration, and reimbursement for
meeting-related travel expenses, according to current travel policies and up to the maximum amount
budgeted by APhA.
Past recipients
2023 Kimberly Broedel-Zaugg, BS Pharm, MBA, PhD
2009 Marialice S. Bennett
2007 Nicholas G. Popovich
2006 Colonel John D. Grabenstein
2004 Sister Margaret Wright
2002 Marianne R. Rollings
2001 William A. Hopkins, Jr.
1998 William Arlyn Kloesel
1997 JoLaine R. Draugalis
1996 Rebecca Wheeler Chater
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