The American Pharmacists Association (APhA) announced on January 14 that AIHP Vice President John Grabenstein is the recipient of the 2020 Remington Honor Medal, the highest honor bestowed by APhA and the pharmacy profession’s highest recognition.
Dr. Grabenstein recently retired as Global Executive Director of Medical Affairs for Merck Vaccines. He was selected in recognition of his decades of excellence as a leader in promoting public health and wellness through immunization practice by pharmacists, as a pioneer in immersive leadership training, and for his contributions to military medicine.
Dr. Grabenstein joined the AIHP Board of Directors in 2018. He became AIHP’s Vice President in November. AIHP President W. Clarke Ridgway congratulated Dr. Grabenstein on receiving the award. “John is a truly deserving recipient of the pharmacy profession’s highest award. His work on immunizations has made a significant difference in the lives of millions.”
During his 27 years of service as an active-duty officer in the United States Army, Dr. Grabenstein oversaw the US Defense Department immunization program for 9 million troops, retirees, and family members as the head of the Military Vaccine Agency. Among his numerous contributions and honors during his military tenure were his cutting-edge research and his implementation of vaccination programs against anthrax and smallpox.
The Remington Honor Medal, named for eminent community
pharmacist, manufacturer, and educator Joseph P. Remington, was established in
1918 to recognize distinguished service on behalf of American pharmacy during
the preceding years, culminating in the past year or during a long period of
outstanding activity or fruitful achievement. Past recipients of the Remington
Medal include former AIHP Executive Director Glenn Sonnedecker (1972) and
Edward Kremers (1932), one of AIHP’s founders.
Dr. Grabenstein will be officially recognized during the
APhA Annual Meeting & Exposition in National Harbor, MD, March 20–23, 2020.
Dr. Grabenstein received his pharmacy degree from Duquesne
University, a master’s in education from Boston University, then a doctorate in
epidemiology at the University of North Carolina.
The American Institute of the History of Pharmacy is documenting and preserving pharmacy stories and experiences during the COVID-19 global pandemic for the benefit of future historians and scholars. We seek to record the effects of this public health emergency on all types of pharmacy experiences. We invite you to share your pharmacy stories, photos, videos, artifacts, and other documentation of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.