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Gulf Coast Commendations

GCSHP Bestows Outstanding Student, Pharmacist Awards to UHCOP P4 Kirk, Alumnus Varkey

The Gulf Coast Society of Health-System Pharmacists recently named UH College of Pharmacy fourth year student Zachary Kirk as its 2013-14 Outstanding Student and UHCOP alumnus Alex C. Varkey, Pharm.D. ('05), M.S., as its 2013-14 Outstanding Pharmacist. 

kirk-gcshp14.jpgKirk has been in active in a variety of leadership positions in health-systems pharmacy organizations throughout his Pharm.D. education at UHCOP. He served as president-elect and president of the UH Society of Health-System Pharmacists, as a UH student representative on the both the GCSHP Board of Directors and the Texas Society of Health-System Pharmacists Student Section Executive Committee. Kirk also received the GCSHP Leadership Scholarship through the TSHP Research & Education Foundation. 

"I'm honored to be recognized by the organization," Kirk said. "When I entered pharmacy school, I was certain I would be pursuing a path that led to the acute care setting. However, through the people I've met in GCSHP, I've seen that my interests lie more in ambulatory care and managed care. This early exposure also allowed me to be more selective with the kind of learning and experiences I wanted during my fourth year rotations.

"GCSHP has connected with many wonderful pharmacists who have helped shaped my career plans and I hope to be on the other side giving back to students in the future."

varkey-gcshp14.jpgKirk's fellow GCSHP honoree, Alex Varkey, serves as the Pharmacy Operations Manager and PGY1/PGY2 Pharmacy Administration Residency Director at Houston Methodist Hospital, a member of the UHCOP Dean's Advisory Council and a preceptor for the college. 

"Receiving this honor comes as a shock, honestly," Varkey said. "I’m extremely fortunate to have the colleagues that I have – people like Linda Haines, Pharm.D., (M.S. ’11), who thought I was worthy of this recognition and nominated me – among many, many others. Combine that with having a rewarding career and a beautiful family... there’s not much more one can ask for. It’s a blessing, and one that I sincerely thank GCSHP for awarding me."