Competing among 14 schools and colleges of pharmacy in California, Chapman University emerged triumphant in competitions and awards based on knowledge, creativity, and a commitment to the profession at the California Society of Health-System Pharmacists (CSHP) annual seminar. These awards and recognitions reflect our commitment to excellence as pharmacists serving our patient populations in clinical care settings, advancing research breakthroughs, and developing innovative approaches to healthcare delivery.

Quiz Bowl Champions

For the fourth time, the CUSP Quiz Bowl team earned first place for their quick reasoning in the fast-paced, Jeopardy-style competition. Led by team captain Jennifer Le, Chapman Pharm.D. students were tested on topics including child and adolescent psychiatry, critical care, heart failure, infectious diseases, and pharmacy law and ethics. Team members included Bonnie Chen, Tien Dinh, Goldie La, Vivian La, Kayla Linh, Rachel Nguyen, Mia Pham, Katelyn Truong, and Misty Vu. Chapman previously won in 2023, 2022, and 2019.

Music Video Competition

CUSP captured first place in the CSHP Music Video Competition for their video, “Sync With Me,” which explored this year’s conference theme, “Exploring Possibilities: Together in Sync.” The video mirrored the innovative spirit of pharmacy professionals as they adapt to new technologies and collaborative care models in a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape. Directed by Clare Dinh, the student team members included Vivian Nguyen, Yasamin Rahemi, Nanami Yokoyama, Taryn Jim On, Mariana Velarde-Alvarez, Alyssa Tat, Bianca To, Haley Lorenz, Seoyun “Yuna” Lim, Ashley Duong, Michelle Swe, and several faculty members. Chapman previously won in 2022, 2021, 2020, and 2018. You can watch their winning video here on Instagram.

Other Awards and Activity

Faculty and students also received several non-team-based awards for their continuing and historical service to the profession. Although announced in previous months, Kathleen Hill-Besinque, Pharm.D., Emmanuelle Schwartzman, Pharm.D., and Misty Vu, Pharm.D. candidate, were honored at the conference-wide award ceremony.

Pharmacist of the Year Award Honors Hill-Besinque

CSHP’s most prestigious award, Pharmacist of the Year, is awarded annually to one member who has made significant and sustained contributions to the pharmacy practice in California. Kathleen Hill-Besinque was awarded for her 40+ year career of service, her expertise, advocacy, and legislative efforts in women’s and reproductive health, mentorship of thousands of pharmacy students, and leadership of evolving educational landscapes in pharmacy schools and colleges. Hill-Besinque retired from her outstanding career with Chapman University earlier this year, but remains an adjunct faculty member. Read CSHP’s full announcement here.

Schwartzman Receives the Practitioner Recognition Program Award

Emmanuelle Schwartzman is one of five pharmacists to receive this competitive award in 2025, which honors active members of CSHP of at least 10 years and their commitment to the profession through service in education, leadership, professional or scientific publications, serving as a mentor and role model, and fulfilling the spirit of serving patients with care.

Student Leadership Award Recognizes Misty Vu

CSHP has selected Misty Vu as the recipient of the Student Leadership Award for demonstrating outstanding leadership, engagement, and commitment to advancing the pharmacy profession through her involvement in CSHP and other professional activities. Read more about Misty’s award here. 

Educational Sessions and Participation

CUSP contributed to the conference by leading several sessions. Some highlights included:

  • Guiding with Purpose: Coaching for Learner Growth and Professional Identity, led by Kathleen Hill-Besinque, Pharm.D., and Emmanuelle Schwartzman, Pharm.D.
  • Resistant Doesn’t Mean Untreatable: Evidence-Based Use of New Antibiotics for MDR Gram-Negative Bacteria, led by Amy Kang, Pharm.D.
  • Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare: Current State and Future Possibilities, led by Reza Taheri, Pharm.D.

Several students and faculty also displayed their research posters throughout the conference. These displays include evaluative studies, research in progress, practice innovations, and case vignettes (unique patient medication-related problems or practice solutions to clinical dilemmas).

Our students’ ongoing and annual successes are made possible through Chapman University’s dedicated faculty, particularly Jerika Lam, Pharm.D., Mary Gutierrez, Pharm.D., Amy Kang, Pharm.D., Dustin Le, Pharm.D., and Laura Tsu, Pharm.D..

Chapman University’s continued success at the statewide seminar reflects our academic and professional strength, as well as our commitment to collaboration, mentorship, and innovation. We look forward to the CSHP Seminar 2026 in Anaheim, CA!