APhA Foundation Honors Leaders in Pharmacy Innovation and Mentorship

WASHINGTON, DC – January 12, 2026 – The American Pharmacists Association (APhA) Foundation has announced the recipients of its two most prestigious annual awards, recognizing a pair of veteran leaders for their profound impact on mentorship, innovation, and the advancement of the pharmacy profession. Metta Lou Henderson, PhD, will receive the 2026 Zada Cooper Leadership Medal, while Steve Simenson, BPharm, FAPhA, FACA, DPNAP, has been named the recipient of the 2026 Jacob W. Miller Award.

Embodying a Legacy of Leadership

The Zada Cooper Leadership Medal, awarded for the first time this year through a new partnership between the APhA Foundation, APhA, and The University of Iowa College of Pharmacy, honors an individual who exemplifies exceptional leadership and mentorship. Its inaugural recipient, Dr. Metta Lou Henderson, has dedicated her career to guiding and inspiring countless pharmacy professionals.

The award is named for Zada Cooper, a trailblazer in pharmacy who became the first woman faculty member at the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy. Cooper was instrumental in founding both the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) and the Rho Chi Society, the academic honor society for the profession. Her legacy is one of educational excellence and unwavering advocacy for women in pharmacy.

Henderson, a professor emerita of Ohio Northern University, sees Cooper as a direct influence on her own path. "I am honored to receive the Zada Cooper Leadership Award," Henderson stated. "Over the years, I have researched her life and found so many aspects of what she accomplished when she was one of only a few women pharmacists. I decided that she would become my role model, and I have attempted to do so."

This commitment is evident in Henderson's extensive service. She has held numerous leadership roles, including serving as an APhA honorary president and as grand president of Kappa Epsilon, a professional fraternity for women in pharmacy. Her work has consistently focused on fostering professional growth and building a strong community network, earning her previous accolades such as the APhA Gloria Niemeyer Francke Leadership Mentor Award. The Zada Cooper Medal further cements her status as a pivotal figure in pharmacy education and professional development, whose mentorship has shaped the careers of a generation of pharmacists. Henderson will deliver the Domer Lecture at the Women in Pharmacy Leadership Development Forum as part of the honor.

Driving Innovation from the Community Pharmacy

Steve Simenson, the 26th recipient of the Jacob W. Miller Award, is being recognized for his dedication to advancing the APhA Foundation's mission through innovation, research, and philanthropy. The award celebrates leaders who translate vision into practice, directly impacting patient care and the evolution of the profession.

Simenson, the CEO of Goodrich Pharmacy Inc., represents the modern community pharmacist who is transforming the practice from a dispensing-focused model to an integrated patient care hub. His work exemplifies the industry-wide trend of leveraging pharmacists as accessible healthcare providers who deliver advanced clinical services, including medication therapy management, chronic disease state management, and preventative care.

His deep involvement with the APhA Foundation, including six years on its Board of Directors and two terms as its president, has provided a platform to champion these innovations on a national scale. Simenson has been a key figure in the foundation's Project IMPACT, a flagship research initiative that provides evidence for the value of pharmacist-led care. This project has demonstrated significant improvements in patient outcomes for chronic conditions like diabetes and depression, while also reducing overall healthcare costs.

"The APhA Foundation has served as a catalyst, incubator, and steadfast partner throughout my pharmacy career, continuously opening doors for professional growth, networking, and opportunities to make a meaningful impact on both myself and those around me," Simenson said. "Thank you so much for this award. I am truly honored and grateful for the recognition. I appreciate the support and encouragement from everyone who made this possible." His career illustrates a powerful synergy between hands-on practice innovation and high-level strategic leadership aimed at elevating the entire profession.

A Foundation for a Healthier Future

The awards to Henderson and Simenson reflect the core mission of the APhA Foundation. Established in 1953, the organization is dedicated to improving health by inspiring research and innovation that advance pharmacists' patient care services. It functions as a think tank and a proving ground for the future of pharmacy.

Beyond recognizing individual leaders, the Foundation drives tangible change through its programs. Project IMPACT, for example, has produced data showing that pharmacist involvement in team-based care can lead to an average healthcare cost reduction of $1,000 per patient annually and has been linked to an 83% remission rate for patients with severe depression. This research is critical for advocating for policy changes and securing reimbursement for pharmacists' clinical services, aligning the profession with the broader healthcare shift toward value-based care.

Another cornerstone program is the Incentive Grants for Practitioner Innovation in Pharmaceutical Care. As the Foundation's longest-running initiative, it has provided seed funding for over 800 pharmacist-led projects. These grants empower practitioners on the front lines to develop and test innovative patient care services in areas like cardiovascular health, medication safety, and maternal health, fostering a culture of continuous improvement from the ground up.

Through these initiatives, alongside scholarships for student pharmacists and the Women in Pharmacy program, the Foundation not only celebrates excellence but actively cultivates it. By honoring figures like Henderson and Simenson, the organization sets a national standard and inspires others to push the boundaries of pharmacy practice.

Charting the Course for Modern Pharmacy

The selection of Henderson and Simenson for these honors is not just a recognition of past achievements but also a reflection of the pharmacy profession's future trajectory. The industry is at a critical juncture, moving beyond traditional roles to become an even more integral part of the healthcare team.

Henderson’s award for leadership and mentorship highlights the essential need for experienced guides who can prepare the next generation for these expanded responsibilities. As pharmacists take on more complex clinical roles, strong leadership is required to navigate regulatory challenges, advocate for the profession, and ensure a high standard of patient care.

Simultaneously, Simenson’s award for innovation underscores the importance of a boots-on-the-ground approach to transforming practice. His work demonstrates that community pharmacies are vital centers for public health, capable of improving outcomes and addressing health disparities through direct patient engagement. His success in both his own practice and his leadership within the Foundation provides a blueprint for how to implement and validate new patient care models.

Together, these awards paint a comprehensive picture of a profession in dynamic evolution—one that relies on both the wisdom of its mentors and the ingenuity of its innovators. Both Dr. Henderson and Mr. Simenson will be officially honored for their contributions during the 2026 APhA Annual Meeting & Exposition, which will be held from March 27–30 in Los Angeles.