Dr. Scott R. Larson, the pharmacy director at Gundersen St. Joseph’s Hospital and Clinics in Hillsboro, was named Pharmacist of the Year at the Pharmacy Society of Wisconsin’s annual meeting, which was from Sept. 14–16 in La Crosse.
Larson also serves as a full-time clinical staff pharmacist, pharmacy operations manager and director of the emergency department.
He is the immediate past chair for the Pharmacy Society of Wisconsin’s Health-System Pharmacy Advisory Board, as well as co-chair of the Rural Wisconsin Health Cooperative Pharmacy Roundtable and recipient of the Rural Health Ambassador Award.
“Larson has been an avid proponent for advancing rural healthcare in the state of Wisconsin,” according to a press release prepared by Gundersen St. Joseph’s. “He has made many innovations at St. Joseph’s, including unique credentialing for pharmacists and involving technicians in the emergency department.”
These efforts have helped St. Joseph’s Hospital achieve recognition as a mentor hospital by the Wisconsin Hospital Association.
According to the press release, “Within the community, Dr. Larson has a strong relationship with the local police department, which he has worked with to improve medication safety and prevent drug diversion by creating drop boxes for safe medication disposal.”
Danni Gearhart, chief executive officer at Gundersen St. Joseph’s Hospital and Clinics, said, “We are honored to have an individual of Dr. Larson’s quality on staff. His dedication to the field of pharmacy is inspiring and much appreciated among his colleagues and peers. His knowledge and experience play a key role in the care we give. He is thoroughly deserving of this award.”
William Cooke, MD and family medicine provider at Gundersen St. Joseph’s Hospital and Clinics, added, “Dr. Scott Larson has been more than a pharmacist to our staff at Gundersen St. Joseph’s Hospital and Clinics. He is a colleague who is always willing to help us with patients who have complex medical problems and need careful pharmacologic management. He has shown how a pharmacist can work in a joint practice with physicians in a rural hospital to bring high-quality healthcare to many patients in need. It has truly been an honor to work with Scott.”
In addition to his role at Gundersen St. Joseph’s, Larson is a clinical instructor at Lakeshore Technical College, UW-Madison School of Pharmacy and UW-Madison School of Nursing, where he serves as an educator for students who wish to gain rural hospital experience.
Also, Larson has served as a peer reviewer for Hospital Pharmacy Magazine, has been published in a number of professional journals and remains a consultant to a variety of projects involving rural hospitals. He has also completed and implemented several medication error programs in conjunction with the Institute of Safe Medication Practices, University of Wisconsin-Madison Hospital and Clinics, and the WHA.
“Dr. Larson exemplifies the best of what a pharmacist can be. He is incredibly valued for his dedication, attention to detail, broad knowledge and clinical acumen. The impact he has had on our hospital is immeasurable,” said Cayle Tompkins, MD and emergency and urgent-care provider at Gundersen St. Joseph’s Hospital.
Awarded annually, the PSW Pharmacist of the Year recognizes an individual, like Larson, who has made “significant, influential and sustained contributions to the practice of pharmacy in Wisconsin and for having a positive impact on patient care,” according to the press release.
