Good News Department:Prominent Stockton pharmacists earn honors/The Record

By Joe Goldeen
Record Staff Writer
February 09, 2012 12:00 AMSTOCKTON - Pharmacists are playing an increasingly active role in the delivery of care and education to medical consumers.

Often, they are the most accessible health professionals, especially those dispensing prescriptions, advice and flu shots from behind a counter at the vanishing local drug store, growing national chain pharmacy, supermarket or big-box retail warehouse.

But they also work behind the scenes in hospitals, nursing homes, research facilities and educational institutions.

Three highly regarded pharmacists from Stockton who have contributed much to their professions' changing image are the first to be inducted into the new San Joaquin Pharmacists Association Hall of Fame that recognizes their mentorship and achievement over decades of service to the community. All three have close ties to University of the Pacific's Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.

"Through the efforts of pharmacists and educators like Don Floriddia, Charlie Green and Ralph Saroyan, we are experiencing a new era in patient care," said Phil Oppenheimer, dean of Pacific's pharmacy school. "Today's professionals educate patients, helping them become more educated and informed consumers, engaging in their own health care."

Stockton pharmacist Adam Kaye, a past president of the San Joaquin Pharmacists Association - recognized consistently as one of the top three chapters in California - introduced the idea of a Hall of Fame for local pharmacists because of the strong representation and impact of people such as Floriddia, Green and Saroyan on the profession at all levels. The local Hall of Fame is believed to be the first in California for pharmacists.

"University of the Pacific alumni have been a force at the state and national levels for years. With these three guys, we have had unbelievable representation. There are a lot of great people who are not recognized - there should be lots of halls of fame," said Kaye, a Walgreen's pharmacy manager and associate clinical professor of pharmacy practice at Pacific.

Floriddia came to Stockton from Massachusetts in 1968 and earned his Ph.D. at Pacific in 1971. He is a professor in the Department of Pharmaceutics and Medicinal Chemistry and associate dean for student and professional affairs.

Green, a 1968 graduate of Pacific's pharmacy school, is president and CEO of Green Brothers Pharmacy, operating two locations in Stockton. In addition to holding local leadership positions, he is a past president of the American Pharmacists Association.

Saroyan, a 1964 pharmacy graduate who returned to Pacific to teach in 1970, retired in 2002 as assistant dean of student affairs, but remains closely tied to the school. In 2010, he was named Pharmacist of the Year by the California Pharmacists Association, an award bestowed on Green in 1981 and Floriddia in 1994.

All three also have served as president of the California Pharmacists Association in addition to earning numerous other honors.

"Each inductee was the recipient of mentorship when they were students back in the '60s in the early years of the school. Their commitment and dedication to fostering the same mentorship and leadership that they experienced became a hallmark at Pacific and formed the strong foundation of giving back to the profession that we enjoy today," Oppenheimer said.

"Collectively, each has mentored thousands of pharmacists, and their influence on the profession is exponential when one considers the impact on the patients served by our graduates."

Saroyan was surprised by the award from his local colleagues.

"I was literally shocked, caught off guard to hear the announcement of the award," Saroyan said. "And to be included with giants within our profession like Charlie Green and Donald Floriddia made it even more meaningful to me. I guess age does make a difference when it comes to recognition."

Floriddia, too, was shocked.

"All I can say is that I was surprised and honored to be inducted in the Pharmacy Hall of Fame - which is without question as special an honor as anyone could receive - and that my peers think I am worthy enough for such an honor," Floriddia said.

Green, a community pharmacist for 43 years, said "I feel very honored to be part of the first class, especially since it includes just absolutely wonderful pharmacists in terms of teaching like Donald Floriddia and Ralph Saroyan."

The three honorees were invited to serve on the selection committee for next year. Their names will be engraved on a plaque to be displayed at the Long School of Pharmacy.

Contact reporter Joe Goldeen at (209) 546-8278 or jgoldeen@recordnet.com. Visit his blog at recordnet.com/goldeenblog.