North Dakota State University School of Pharmacy announced awards to pharmacists who help educate students as they pursue their future careers.

Natasha Petry, PharmD, MPH, BCACP, was named Faculty Preceptor of the Year a ceremony at NDSU on May 12. Maari Loy, PharmD, BCPS, MBA, and Dr. Andrea Agre, were named Adjunct Preceptors of the Year. In addition, Dr. Ross Wilhelm, PharmD, in the NDSU School of Pharmacy was named Teacher of the Year.

Pharmacy students on clinical rotations nominate and choose the award recipients for Preceptor of the Year.

Petry is an associate professor of pharmacy practice in the NDSU School of Pharmacy and a pharmacogenomics clinical pharmacist and residency program director with Sanford Health Imagenetics.

As a student learning from Dr. Petry pointed out, “Dr. Petry was always very quick to answer any questions or concerns with constructive feedback. She always made sure no questions went unanswered and encouraged any, and all questions,” said the student, who appreciated the opportunity Petry provided to assist in teaching.

Named as Adjunct Preceptors of the Year, Loy is senior pharmacy operations manager for Essentia Health in Fargo. Agre serves patients at Lakewood Health System in Minnesota.

A student who nominated Dr. Andrea Agre as Adjunct Preceptor of the Year said Agre would frequently quiz her to enhance understanding of topics. “She loves to teach,” said the student. “Whenever I would ask a question about a medication, she would answer ‘What do you think?’ and walk me through the considerations I should think about to find the answer. She made the rotation well rounded,” said the student.

A student precepted by Dr. Maari Loy noted that Loy pushed her to be her best, completing tasks and assignments the student hadn’t experienced previously. “The independence and trust given to me allowed me to feel valued and gave me confidence to trust my knowledge and abilities."

Named as Teacher of the Year is Ross Wilhelm, PharmD. Wilhelm is assistant professor of practice in the NDSU School of Pharmacy and Preceptor, Pharmaceutical Care Clerkship at The Medicine Shoppe in Fargo, North Dakota. 

As Teacher of the Year, Wilhelm provides expertise in community pharmacy practice, independent community pharmacy practice management, and prescription drug insurance. He teaches a variety of courses to help educate future pharmacists, including common medicines and diseases, pharmacy practice management and pharmacy law.

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