Michael Muller, PharmD, BCPPS, a clinical pharmacist specialist in neonatology at Women & Infants Hospital was recently recognized as the Health System Pharmacist of the Year by the Rhode Island Society of Health System Pharmacists. This is the society’s most prestigious award, honoring a health system pharmacist practicing in Rhode Island who has displayed outstanding qualities of leadership, initiative, and incentive in dedication to the ideals of pharmacy practice. 

Muller of North Kingstown was nominated by Tamatha Yeaw, PharmD, director of pharmacy at Women & Infants; Leslie A. Pires, PharmD, MS, manager of the 340B Program and Pharmacy Supply Chain at Care New England; and Linda A. Nelson, PharmD, BCCCP, FASHP, clinical pharmacy specialist at Women & Infants.

Nelson wrote in her nomination, “Michael has become known as a subject matter expert in the pharmaceutical care of the neonate. He is a resource to Women & Infants Hospital and its extended neonatal network. Women & Infants pharmacists, as well as those from other institutions, call Michael for assistance when neonatal challenges arise. As a testament to his expertise, Michael achieved board certification as a Pediatric Pharmacy Specialist (BCPPS) in 2016…What distinguishes Michael from his peers is the leadership that he demonstrates in advocating for the care of these infants. In a decade of rapid change at Women & Infants and in health care, Michael has maintained a clear focus on patient safety and works tirelessly to provide tools to accomplish the highest quality of clinical care.” 

Muller has earned a bachelor of science in pharmacy and a doctor of pharmacy from the University of Rhode Island. Specializing in neonatology, perinatology, and pharmacokinetics, Muller has worked at Women & Infants since 1995.

Also, at the society’s 49th annual banquet Ray Iannuccillo, PharmD, BCPS, of North Providence, a pharmacist at Women & Infants, was recognized as the Board Member of the Year. Iannuccillo also earned the Bill Pires New Practitioner Award, along with Kent Hospital’s Sarah Hendrick, PharmD, of South Kingstown. This award is given to a RISHP pharmacist with less than five years of service in health system pharmacy who demonstrates professionalism and an interest in expanding the role of the pharmacist in patient care.

Melissa Previte, of Chepachet, a pharmacy student at Women & Infants, earned the Robert Goulet Memorial Scholarship. This award goes to a University of Rhode Island student interested in hospital pharmacy with high scholastic standing and who shows enthusiasm for practice in the health system setting and the passion for patient care that Bob demonstrated in his practice. The nominee must submit an essay on their vision of the future of health system pharmacy practice.