John Barnwell, a third year student in Belmont’s PharmD program, has received the Respect, Excellence and Service in Pharmacy (RESPy) Award for excellence in pharmaceutical care. The national award is presented by Walmart and Pharmacy Times to a student who has made a difference in his or her community demonstrated by the following criteria: voluntary public service activities, a high level of professional/public health related activities outside the classroom and a high level of effort to advance the profession of pharmacy in the public area. Eight RESPy awards are given annually and featured with a Pharmacy Times article. RESPy winners receive a monetary award and are offered a summer internship with Walmart.
Barnwell, who will graduate from the School of Pharmacy in 2013, is a founding officer of the board of directors of NotAlone.com, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing counseling for veterans with post traumatic stress disorder and their families. NotAlone.com offers online support groups, in-person counseling, and Web resources to support combat veterans and their loved ones.
A graduate from the United States Military Academy at West Point followed by almost eight years in the U.S. Army, Barnwell is familiar with the field. He held a variety of positions at Fort Campbell in Kentucky and in Iraq, and was decorated with a Bronze Star and Joint Service Achievement Award.
“NotAlone is such a rewarding endeavor,” says Barnwell. “Being a veteran myself, anything I can do to make life better for soldiers, veterans, and their families gives me a great sense that I am still making a difference for my brothers- and sisters-in-arms.”
“Mr. Barnwell offers his abundant energy and leadership to his profession on a daily basis; he is an inspiration to everyone. I cannot think of any one more deserving,” said Philip Johnston, dean of the School of Pharmacy.
Click here to read the Pharmacy Times’s article featuring Barnwell.
