Distinguished Pharmacy Alumni Awards
2008 Winners
VERN HAKES, R.PH., PHC 1933, HON. DSC 1976
Vern Hakes graduated from Ohio Northern University in 1933 with a 3 year degree as a pharmaceutical chemist. While on campus, Vern served as Regent for Kappa Psi fraternity and was a member of Rho Chi. He served as the snapshot editor of “The Northern” and participated in the Glee Club and interfraternity council. His first job as a practicing pharmacist was with Marshall Drug in Cleveland. He joined Eli Lilly in 1939 as a medical service representative, advanced to district manager in 1954, then became director of marketing and planning of the company’s international division in 1959, and assumed the vice presidency in 1965. During his career with Lilly, Dr. Hakes continued his relationship with Ohio Northern. He served as President of the Alumni Association, is a member of ONU’s Heritage Club, and a lifetime member of both the Lehr Society and the University’s Board of Trustees. The University has honored Dr. Hakes with an honorary doctorate degree in 1976 as well as the University’s Distinguished Alumni Award in 2005. Dr. Hakes and his good friend, Erv Pierstorf, provided generous funding for the addition to the pharmacy building. In addition, the Rho Chi insignia located just outside the pharmacy building serves as a memorial to his son, Robert, BS Pharm, 1955. Robert’s granddaughter, Jessica, currently attends ONU.
CHARLES BRADING, R.PH., BS PHARM 1957
During his years at Ohio Northern, Charlie was a member of Kappa Psi fraternity and active in baseball, basketball, the American Students of Pharmacy. After receiving his pharmacy degree in 1957, Charlie served in the United States Army. Then, he returned to Wapakoneta to practice pharmacy in his family’s store for 33 years. In addition, he was very active in local politics and served on the city council as well as mayor. Further, he served as a member of the Ohio House of Representatives, 86th district from 1991 to 2000. As a member of the House, his duties included serving as chair of the education committee, a member of the health, retirement, and aging committee, a member of the Veterans’ Affairs committee, and a member of the rules and reference committee. While still in independent pharmacy practice, he was a member of the Ohio Board of Pharmacy for eight years, serving as President from 1979-1980. Charlie has received numerous pharmacy awards that include: The Bowl of Hygeia Award, the Retailer of the Year, The Merck-Sharp and Dohme Award, and The Beal Award. He received the University’s Distinguished Alumni Award in 1993.
JAMES E. TURNER, R.PH., BS PHARM 1963
While attending ONU, Jim was a member of Kappa Psi fraternity, Rho Chi, the Northern Yearbook, basketball, and baseball. After graduation, Jim practiced pharmacy in his hometown of Newark, OH before joining Eli Lilly as a sales representative. Then, the opportunity to purchase Gardner’s Drugstore in Ada, OH presented itself. Jim and his wife, Mary Ann Gardner Turner, purchased the store and returned to Ada. Soon after returning to Ada, Jim joined the faculty at the Raabe College of Pharmacy as the pharmacist for the model pharmacy and then developing the externship program. He visited hundreds of pharmacy students at various pharmacies around the state. He served as advisor for Phi Lambda Sigma and Kappa Psi. In addition, Jim served as treasurer for the Ohio Pharmacists’ Association as well as a member and President of the Ohio State Board of Pharmacy. Further, Jim’s community service included the Hardin County Health Board, the Ada Area Chamber of Commerce, and membership of the Liberty Bankshares Board. The voice of the Ada home football games was that of Jim Turner for many years. The University recognized Jim for his many years of service upon his retirement in 2001.
2007 Winners with Dean Jon Sprague
ROBERT PARSONS, R.PH. 1971
Robert Parsons graduated from Ohio Northern University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy. He then enlisted in the Ohio Army National Guard and served for six years as a pharmacy specialist. Bob has many years of pharmacy practice experience that include both retail and hospital settings. He served as Director of Pharmacy Services at Selby General Hospital for 13 years. While he continues to practice pharmacy on a part-time basis, Bob has served as the Executive Vice President of the Ohio Society of Health System Pharmacists (OSHP) since 1999. He has been the recipient of several prestigious awards which include OSHP’s Walter Frazier Award, OSHP’s Richard Surface Award, and the Ohio Pharmacists Association’s Keys Award. Bob is also a member of the National Association of Parliamentarians and the American Institute of Parliamentarians.
TAMMY STEFANOVICH, R.PH. 1988, M.S.
Tammy McIntire Stefanovic, a long-time pharmaceutical executive, joined Apotex as president of its U.S. operations in early 1999. She was previously Vice President of Pharmaceutical Services for Cardinal Health, Inc., a $10.5 billion national drug wholesaler based in Columbus, OH. She brings extensive experience to the Apotex U.S. team in negotiating and developing marketing strategies to build relationships with key pharmaceutical customer segments, pricing strategy development, revenue growth and acquisition integration capabilities.
Stefanovic, a registered pharmacist, joined Cardinal Health as Manager of Pharmaceutical Services in 1991, focusing on formulary management and maximizing supplier revenues. Promoted to Director of Pharmaceutical Services in 1993, she spearheaded initiatives ranging from rapid distribution programs for new products to managing incentives and sales plans for a field sales force of 150. Her demonstrated leadership abilities led to her appointment as Vice President of Pharmaceutical Services in 1995 where she assumed responsibility for generic pharmaceuticals, generating revenues in excess of $850 million.
McIntire holds a BS in Pharmacy from Ohio Northern University and a Masters of Pharmaceutical Administration from Ohio State University.
FRANK WICKHAM, R.PH. 1960, M.S.
Franklin Z. Wickham, President of Zane Gideon Associates, Inc. and principal consultant served as the Executive Director of the Ohio State Board of Pharmacy for more than twenty-two years and Assistant to the Executive Director for eight years. During his employment with the single state agency in Ohio responsible for administering and enforcing all of the laws governing the practice of pharmacy and the legal distribution of drugs in Ohio, Dr. Wickham developed an expertise and considerable knowledge regarding the federal and state issues regarding health care systems, health care professionals and the use of drugs by health care providers. Dr. Wickham holds a master’s degree in Pharmacology from the University of Kansas and a bachelor of science degree in Pharmacy from Ohio Northern University. He also received an Honorary Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Ohio Northern University in 1997. Dr. Wickham taught Pharmacy Jurisprudence at The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy and the Cincinnati College of Pharmacy. Dr. Wickham has served as the part-time Director of The Pharmacy Law Institute at the Ohio Northern University College of Pharmacy since 1999.