Parata Systems and Pharmacy Times, founding sponsors of the Next-Generation Pharmacist™ awards — the industry’s leading national awards program — are pleased to announce today the official opening of nominations for the 2013 program. Outstanding pharmacy professionals, students and technicians may be nominated at www.nextgenerationpharmacist.com now through April 15, 2013.

The Next-Generation Pharmacist awards program, now in its fourth year, will be held at The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas on Sunday, Aug. 11, 2013, concurrent with the National Association of Chain Drug Stores’ Total Store Expo.

The gala dinner event will honor pharmacists, industry leaders, technicians and student pharmacists who embrace and embody the future vision of pharmacy in the following categories:

1. Civic Leader of the Year
2. Entrepreneur of the Year
3. Future Pharmacist of the Year
4. Lifetime Achievement Award
5. Military Pharmacist of the Year
6. Patient Care Provider of the Year
7. Rising Star of the Year
8. Specialty Pharmacist of the Year
9. Technician of the Year
10. Technology Innovator of the Year

New this year is the Specialty Pharmacist category, aimed at honoring a pharmacist who excels in providing specialty pharmacy services in a variety of settings, including health systems, community pharmacy, skilled nursing facilities, assisted living communities, continuing care retirement centers and long-term care facilities.

In addition, the Lifetime Achievement Award criteria have been modified for the 2013 program to be more inclusive of industry advocates, executives and others whose leadership and vision have had a meaningful impact on the industry. Complete category descriptions can be found on the program website at www.nextgenerationpharmacist.com and at www.pharmacytimes.com.

“Pharmacy will be unrecognizable within 36 months compared to what it is today as pharmacists and other health care providers seek to respond to accountable, patient-centric care models,” said Tom Rhoads, CEO of Parata Systems. “Our experience with this program has shown that the people who earn these awards each year do so because of their instrumental roles in defining the future of pharmacy. Next-Generation Pharmacists embrace bold, new ideas about the role of pharmacists in improving patient outcomes, primarily through adherence and wellness.

“We can’t wait to hear what these leaders are up to this year. And we look forward to honoring and learning from their vision.”

An independent panel of esteemed judges, chaired by Pharmacy Times Editor-in-Chief Fred Eckel, will select three finalists in each category. These finalists will receive high-profile visibility in the July 2013 issue of Pharmacy Times and on www.pharmacytimes.com.

One of the category winners will be honored at the awards event with the program’s top honor: “Next-Generation Pharmacist.” The top honoree will also receive the coveted spot on the cover of Pharmacy Times. The 2012 Next-Generation Pharmacist was Joseph Moose, PharmD, of Moose Pharmacy in Concord, N.C.

“It’s always fascinating to see the caliber of the professionals who walk across our stage at the Next-Generation Pharmacist event each year,” said Tighe Blazier, president of Pharmacy Times. “It is so impressive to see the diverse group that we are pleased to honor through this unique program, from outstanding community pharmacist leaders to students to chain innovators.”

Nominations may be submitted online or via mail, and more information is available at www.nextgenerationpharmacist.com.

About Parata Systems

Durham, N.C.-based Parata Systems, LLC, was founded in 2001 and provides powerful pharmacy automation technology to improve dispensing safety and productivity. Next-generation Parata Max^® and Parata Mini^® deliver the highest accuracy, speed and productivity for the lowest cost per prescription. Parata PASS^™ generates customized unit- and multi-dose strip packaging that improves safety and adherence for retail and long-term care patients, and eases the demands of short-cycle dispensing. Pharmacy 2000^™ workflow software ensures consistency and accuracy across the pharmacy’s entire prescription workflow. To learn more, call, click or visit Parata Systems: www.parata.com, info@parata.com, 1-888-PARATA1 (727-2821), Facebook (Parata Systems) and Twitter (@paratasystems).

About Pharmacy Times

Pharmacy Times is the industry’s leading publication, providing practical, clinical information pharmacists can use in their everyday practices when counseling patients and interacting with physicians. Each issue contains articles and features covering medication errors, drug interactions, patient education, pharmacy technology, disease state management, patient counseling, product news, pharmacy law, and specialty pharmacy. The Pharmacy Times Office of Continuing Professional Education (CPE) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE). As an independent continuing pharmacy education (CPE) provider, the Pharmacy Times Office of CPE offers accredited live and home-study CPE activities—many, free of charge. Learn more at www.pharmacytimes.com, info@pharmacytimes.com or 609-716-7777, and on Facebook at Facebook.com/PharmacyTimes and on Twitter @Pharmacy_Times. Pharmacy Times is published by Intellisphere, LLC, a leading provider of health care publishing, research, information, and education.

Next-Generation Pharmacist is a trademark of Parata Systems, LLC.