This year, Rite Aid associates selected as the company’s “Pharmacy Champions” will each receive $2,500 in Rite Aid gift cards and the ability to designate a KidCents charity to receive a $2,500 donation from the Rite Aid Foundation. The six customers who nominated those selected will each receive $2,500 in Rite Aid gift cards. Rite Aid will also recognize its “Pharmacy Champions” through a full-page ad in the current edition of Pharmacy Times.

“At Rite Aid, our pharmacists and pharmacy teams put the patient at the center of everything they do, to deliver unmatched value-based care,” said Jocelyn Konrad, Rite Aid executive vice president of pharmacy and retail operations. “This program is just one reminder of the impact our teams have on the lives and health outcomes of our customers. We received an overwhelming amount of entries this year that showcased our pharmacy team members delivering best-in-class care to patients, something that is invaluable to our patients and Rite Aid. We are extremely proud of our pharmacy team and thank all of our customers who took the time to nominate them.”

This year’s winners of the Pharmacy Champions contest are:

• Pharmacist Katherine Chin, nominated by Jeffrey Krug for her service at Rite Aid located on Concar Drive in San Mateo, Calif. A Rite Aid pharmacist for 42 years, Chin was nominated for jumping to action when a patient collapsed while at the pharmacy counter. Jeffrey Krug’s winning entry highlighted Chin for being calm and professional during a crisis.

• Pharmacy technician Samantha Radonski a Rite Aid associate for two years, nominated by Christine Myers for her service at Rite Aid located on Ashland Drive in Ashland, Ore. Radonski took the time to help a customer navigate insurance processes to ensure the customer received necessary anti-rejection medication.  Christine Myers’ winning entry highlighted that the pharmacy saved a life and Samantha was critical in making that happen.

 •  Pharmacy manager Bruce Roberts, nominated by Jessica Dellose for his work at Rite Aid located on New London Road in Newark, Del. A Rite Aid pharmacy manager for nine years, Roberts was nominated for helping a family whose infant just had lifesaving surgery. Jessica Dellose’s winning entry highlighted that Bruce was extremely thorough and took the time necessary to ensure the family understood all of the medications and how to administer them.

• Pharmacy technician Susan Grim, a Rite Aid pharmacy technician for 15 years, was nominated by Carissa Snelling for her service at Rite Aid located on Main Street in Fogelsville, Pa., where she implements a positive approach with patients, reminding them to live for today. Carissa Snelling’s winning entry mentioned that Susan is like a “dose of homemade chicken noodle soup” for her own pride and health.

•  Pharmacy manager Martin Ossolinski, nominated by Catherine Ruocco for his work at Rite Aid located on Hudson Street in Ridgewood, N.Y. Ossolinski, a Rite Aid pharmacy manager for 17 years, was nominated for being focused on patients and ensuring he’s paying attention to patients who are using in-store resources such as blood pressure testing equipment. Catherine Ruocco’s winning entry highlighted Martin’s intervention when he saw a patient’s exceptionally fast heartbeat. He advised the patient to immediately see his physician who told the patient that Martin’s intervention probably prevented a serious health crisis.

 • Pharmacy technician Patricia Yost, a Rite Aid pharmacy technician for 33 years, was nominated by Daniel Dodd for her work at Rite Aid located on Welsh Road in Philadelphia, Pa. Specifically Yost’s dedication to helping elderly patients understand and stay adherent to their medications was recognized. Daniel Dodd’s winning entry stated that the world needs more caring people like Patricia Yost.