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Morganton, NC  

Career    

  • Graduated from UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy

  • Co-founded the Patient Health Access Coalition (PHAC) and serves as a founding board member  

  • Preceptor for UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy

  • Luminary and board member for CPESN

  • Chair of the NCAP Policy and Advocacy Committee

  • Member of the UNC Health Blue Ridge Quality and Patient Safety Committee

  • Member of Burke County Health Department Advisory Commitee 

Accolades    

  • 2024 NCAP Community Care Pharmacist of the Year Award

  • 2024 President's Service Award 

Accomplishments   

  • Provided instrumental support during Hurrican Helene to provide uninterrupted medication

  • Advocated for a variety of pharmacy legislation related to drug pricing, fees and PDM reform  

  • Instrumental in helping Table Rock become to the first pharmacy in NC to earn certification as a yellow fever vaccine site

  • ​Established the first vaccination brigades against Covid-19, bringing vaccination access where there was none and impacting hundreds of citizens

Ken Thai, PharmD 

986 Pharmacy's, 986 Degrees Corporation, El Monte Pharmacy, Partner Healthcare, Kyoto Phramacy

San Marino, California 

Community Leadership Award Finalists 2025 
 

Jessi Stout, Pharm.D.  

Table Rock Pharmacy 

Career    

  • Obtained Doctoral degree from USC School of Pharmacy

  • Serves as CEO and a member of the Board of Directors of 986 Degrees Corporation, owning and operation multiple 986 Pharmacies

  • Over 20 years of pharmacy experience in independent pharmacy settings, outpatient pharmacy, and long-term care  

  • Holds the position of immediate-Past President of the California Pharmacists Association (CPhA) 

  • Holds the position of Vice President of the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA)

  • Serves as an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice at USC School of Pharmacy and Western University of Health Sciences

  • Director on the Board of the Boys & Girls Club of West San Gabriel Valley & Eastside

Accolades    

  • 2022 NCPA Willard B. Simmons Independent Pharmacist of the Year Award   

  • Ranked 3rd in the 50 Most Influential Leaders in Pharmacy Awards   

Accomplishments  â€‹

  • Works closely with HOPE Outreach to provide medication management, immunizations, and healthcare counseling to individuals experiencing homelessness, improving healthcare access for underserved populations

  • Played a key role in passing SB 493 in California

  • Advanced the field of independent pharmacy through legislative advocacy, public policy development, and educational efforts at the college level, strengthening the role of independent pharmacies in local communities

Mike Burns, PharmD

Garnett, Kansas

AuBurn Pharmacy's 

Career    

  • Graduated from KU School of Pharmacy 

  • Owns and operates 32 pharmacies across 30 different communities

  • President of the Anderson County Hospital Foundation

  • Member of Garnett Housing Authority Board

Accolades    

  • One of Mike’s pharmacists was named the 2024 Kansas Pharmacists Association (KPhA) Pharmacist of the Year

  • An employee mentored by Mike received the University of Kansas School of Pharmacy’s Preceptor of the Year award in 2024 

Accomplishments  

  • Established the Anderson County Hospital Foundation Endowment, significantly reducing financial strain and supporting the hospital’s role as a major employer.

  • Developed the Rotary Endowment Fund, consistently raising over $10,000 annually for youth scholarships and equipment. 

  • Mike has donated over $125,000 to various charities, organizations, projects, causes, and individuals across multiple communities

  • Implemented a 340B program at Anderson County Hospital, generating revenue to serve underprivileged populations.

  • Restored a local Victorian landmark known as "The Kirk House" which has been opened to the public

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