NEW YORK, Sept. 10, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Norman Tomaka, BS, Pharm.MS, FAPhA is named to the American Health Council’s Industry Board. A clinical consultant pharmacist at Consultant Pharmacist Services in Melbourne, Fla., Mr. Tomaka conducts patient medication evaluations, provides direct patient education, inspects facilities to ensure state and federal pharmacy regulatory compliance, and implements medicine safety initiatives. Additionally, he counsels patients/caregivers and reviews their care plans and drug interactions. While he has held his current role for 26 years, he has spent 38 years in the healthcare industry garnering comprehensive skills and knowledge in medication safety, risk management and pharmacy regulation.
Mr. Tomaka’s grandfather owned and operated a community pharmacy. While his grandfather’s death preceded Mr. Tomaka’s birth, his family commended his grandfather’s pharmacy practice and community leadership, inspiring Mr. Tomaka to follow his grandfather’s footsteps. He enrolled at Duquesne University and earned a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy in 1980. That same year, he earned a licensed pharmacist certification in both Florida and New York states. He later became a Florida Certified Consultant Pharmacist through the University of Florida in 1988. He continued his educational pursuit and earned a master’s degree in pharmacy at the University of Florida College of Pharmacy in 2012.
Mr. Tomaka established a solid foundation for his prosperous career after accepting a pharmacy manager role at Walgreens in 1980. In 1987, he became a pharmacy supervisor for the Orlando South District, which encompassed 44 pharmacies in total. While continuing to provide optimal services at Walgreens, Mr. Tomaka also served as a consultant pharmacist at Devereux Children’s Hospital from 1988 to 1993 and a consultant pharmacist at Elan Bio-Pharmaceuticals from 2000-2002. He remained at Walgreens for an impressive 28 years. In addition to his role at Consultant Pharmacy Services, Mr. Tomaka has served as a clinical consultant pharmacist at Health First since 1992.
Throughout his career, Mr. Tomaka’s skills earned him several accolades and honors, including the Public Relations Award as a “Walgreens Ambassador” in 1982; the Prevent! Of Brevard, Inc., Citizen of the Year in 1983; the Community Service Award in 1985 from the Melbourne — Palm Bay Chamber of Commerce; the Patient Consultation Award from Sandoz Pharmaceuticals in 1990; the Humanitarian of 1992 Award for his community support of HIV prevention and treatment programs; the Voice of Pharmacy Award in 1995-96 from the American Pharmacists Association; the Walter Ziegenhein Award in 1996, presented by Prevent! Of Brevard, Inc., for his outstanding volunteerism in community drug abuse and prevention education; the S. Simkowitz Pharmacy Involvement Award, presented by the Florida Pharmacy Association in 1999; the Pharmacist of the Year, presented by the Brevard County Pharmacy Association in 1999; the Pharmacist of the Year, presented by the Drug Topics journal in 1999-2000; the FPA Jean A. Lamberti Pharmacist Mentor Award, presented by the Florida Pharmacy Association in 2001; the FPA James H. Beal Florida Pharmacist of the Year Award, presented by the Florida Pharmacy Association in 2001; the APhA Good Government Pharmacist Award, presented by the American Pharmacists Association in 2010; the Consultant Pharmacist of the Year Award, presented by the Florida Pharmacist Association in 2010; the FPA IPA Roman Maximo Corrons Inspiration and Motivation Award in 2011; the Health First, Inc., Golden Eagle Humanitarian Award in 2012; the Bowl of Hygeia Community Service Award and the Pharmacist of the Year Award, presented by the Florida Society of Health-System Pharmacists in 2017.
To continue to expand his knowledge — and contribute his skills to advance the pharmaceutical field — Mr. Tomaka is an active member of the American Pharmacists Association, the American Consultant Pharmacists, the Florida Pharmacy Association, the Florida Society of Health System Pharmacists, the Treasure Coast Pharmacy Association and the Brevard County Pharmacy Association. Additionally, Mr. Tomaka has authored numerous publications, including “Pharmacists are the Prescription for Healthcare Reform,” Florida Pharmacy Today, Vol. 72, No. 9, March 2009; “Pharmacists Empowerment in Challenging Times,” Florida Pharmacy Today, Vol. 71, No. 8, August 2008; “Pharmacy Considerations in the Treatment of Attention Deficit Disorder,” Florida Pharmacy Today, September 1998 and “Nutrients and Medications: Ask the Pharmacist,” Outpatient Operations at the ASC Digest III-3, September 1999.
In his free time, Mr. Tomaka enjoys spending time with his wife, grandchild, children and mother. He contributes time and funds to the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, Unconditional Love (an HIV community and support prevention program) and the United Way of Brevard. With a successful career at hand, Mr. Tomaka attributes his achievements to his willingness to learn and collaborate with others. He plans to maintain his success by continuing to promote interdisciplinary collaboration. He would like to see pharmacists officially recognized as healthcare providers. He strongly supports strategies that empower medical professionals to have more control over patients’ medications and treatment plans.
About the American Health Council:
The American Health Council is the nation’s only organization with a constituency representative of all sectors of the healthcare industry. From the coasts to the heartland, the American Health Council has drawn Affiliates from major metropolitan hubs and small communities. These Affiliates span generations and have reached different stages of their careers — from recent graduates to retirees. More information about the American Health Council and its mission can be found at: http://americanhealthcouncil.org
Additionally, the American Health Council strives to provide recognition and support for those individuals and institutions making the difference in patients’ lives day in and day out. The AHC is honoring “America’s Best Doctors and Nurses,” as well as the nation’s best medical universities and hospitals. The American Health Council’s “Best in Medicine” and “Best in Nursing” awards programs honor the individuals and institutions that have contributed significantly to medicine and nursing, as well as the training and education of physicians and nurses. The most current selections for these honors may be viewed here: http://bestinmedicine.org and http://bestinnursing.org.
For more information, please contact:
Elizabeth Moore
American Health Council
Hauppauge, NY United States
Phone: 1-631-617-6590
Email: media@americanhealthcouncil.org