2009 Remington Lecture: The pharmacist will see you now: Our dreams are possible, but we need to stand together to achieve them

of giving and sharing. She has worked with me and encouraged me every step of the way. Eileen has straightened me out when I needed to be straightened out. She has always supported me. She has turned all of my career moves into opportunities for success for our family. Thank you, Eileen. I love you. My parents raised their four sons with three basic principles: (1) become a master of your profession, (2) give something back to society, and (3) marry well. All of my brothers have lived their lives this way. My brother Charlie (the leader of our clan), his wife Maryann, and three of their children—Kim, Wendi, and Tami—are here tonight. Please recognize them and all the Gans family who could not be here tonight. I have also been blessed to be a member of a second family for over 40 years: the family of pharmacy. For the first 20 years of my career, I studied, taught, and worked at the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy (PCP), now part of the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia. As the 16th PCP alum to receive this award, I am a proud part of the organization’s tradition of supporting the participation in professional, scientific, and community affairs. For the last 20 years, I have been a part of APhA, which has brought me together with another group of bright, hard-working people who work day after day for the future of pharmacists. Together, we have served our profession well through education, advocacy, and development of new ideas and opportunities. I want to make a special note of recognition to Linda Gainey, who puts together all of the details of the Remington About the Remington Honor Medal The Remington Honor Medal, which is the pharmacy profession’s most prestigious award, was established in 1918 to recognize distinguished service on behalf of American pharmacy during the preceding year, culminating in the past year, or during a long period of outstanding activity or fruitful achievement. It was created by what was then the APhA New York Chapter in honor of Joseph P. Remington (1847–1918), eminent community pharmacist, manufacturer, and educator. Good evening. Thank you MaryLou and Tim for those very kind words and for your years of service to our profession. It is with a deep sense of gratitude that I accept the Remington Honor Medal. I am humbled to join this distinguished group of leaders and healers whose work has been both a light and inspiration to me. As a profession, we would not have progressed so much were it not for the dedication of the 80 previous Remington Medalists. In the same way, I would not be standing here were it not for the work, the support, and the love of a number of people. Many people worked for my consideration for the Remington Medal. My colleagues, Lucinda Maine and Phil Gerbino, led separate efforts and then merged their nominations. Thank you, Lucinda, Phil, and all of my colleagues who supported me. I have been blessed to be a part of two families in my life: first and foremost, the Gans family. A friend told me that he hopes one day he is introduced only as the father of his children. The same goes for me. Allison, John, and Charlie—being your dad gives me more pride than anything I do. Many people comment to me, “How did you get such great children?” Well that is really easy to answer: the enabler to our family is my wife, Eileen, who you already recognized. She is the essence Delivered by John A. Gans, PharmD, recipient of the Remington Honor Medal, at APhA2009, the Association’s Annual Meeting and Exposition, April 5, 2009, San Antonio, TX.