VA Pharmacist Earns Health-System Pharmacist of the Year Award
Kate Cozart, clinical pharmacist practitioner at VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System (TVHS), received the Health-System Pharmacist of the Year Award this week for her impacts on pharmaceutical education, leadership, and support of resiliency and wellness.
The Health-System Pharmacist of the Year Award recognizes one distinguished pharmacist in Tennessee for their profound contributions to the field.
“My initial thought was shock, especially since I’m barely 10 years into my career,” Cozart said. “I am grateful to those who believed in and empowered me from my very first preceptors at the Memphis VA in 2013, Drs. Hoover and Jett, to my current pharmacy leaders at VA Tennessee Valley, Drs. Phillips, Gill, and Henry.”
Cozart started her career at TVHS in 2015. Currently, she serves as a primary care clinical pharmacist practitioner at the TVHS Clarksville VA Clinic helping Veterans manage chronic diseases. Cozart is also the postgraduate year 1 residency program coordinator for TVHS fostering continual learning and leadership among pharmacy residents.
Award nominees are rated on five categories: impact to the profession and practices over one to two years; development and implementation of pharmacy programs, research, and publications; continued education; active membership; and proven leadership qualities.
“Choosing one thing that I enjoy the most about TVHS is not possible,” Cozart said. “I love spending every day serving Veterans. I love to teach and mentor students and residents. I love every minute with my Clarksville VA family. I can’t imagine wanting to go to work more than I do when I know I get to see them.”
VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System is an integrated tertiary health care system comprised of two hospitals, the Alvin C. York Campus in Murfreesboro and the Nashville Campus, as well as more than a dozen community-based outpatient clinics located in Tennessee and Kentucky. TVHS provides ambulatory care, primary care, and secondary care in acute medicine and surgery, specialized tertiary care, transplant services, spinal cord injury outpatient care, and a full range of extended care and mental health services.
