Cory Coffery Recognized as UNDER 40 Award Recipient

2021 UNDER 40 Award Recipient
Cory Coffey, R.Ph., PharmD, BCACP, BCPP

The Ohio Pharmacists Association (OPA) announced that Cory Coffey, R.Ph., PharmD, BCACP, BCPP of Columbus, Ohio was honored with a 2021 UNDER 40 Recognition Award for leadership, excellence, and vision in the practice of pharmacy at its 143^rd Annual Conference held April 16-18.    

Coffey is a Specialty Practice Pharmacist in ambulatory care at The Ohio State University (OSU) General Internal Medicine Clinics and Residency Program Director for the PGY1 and PGY2 pharmacy residencies in Ambulatory Care at the OSU College of Pharmacy. Coffey has been widely published and has given many presentations. He was recognized by OSU as a Preceptor of the Year in 2020. He represents OPA on the Ohio Medical Board’s Physician Assistant Policy Committee. Coffey leads the pharmacy practice at Outpatient Care East and has grown pharmacist involvement at this site though collaborative practice agreements and interprofessional care model expansion. Currently, he is working to expand the pharmacist’s role in a newly developed substance use disorder clinic. He earned his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED), completed a PGY1 community-based residency at NEOMED, and a PGY2 pharmacy residency in ambulatory care at the OSU College of Pharmacy/General Internal Medicine Clinics.

Cory's response when asked Why do you belong to OPA?

As a pharmacy student early on, I did not fully recognize the importance of organizational involvement. As I progressed through the curriculum and residency, I was fortunate enough to have mentors that were able to show me the importance. Since that time, I have been actively involved and have seen the benefits first-hand in my career.

It is hard to pinpoint just one benefit of being an OPA member since there are numerous- sharing clinical knowledge, networking, advocacy, and community outreach to name a few. As a member though, the most important benefit that I have had through this organization is the gaining of knowledge from other members. OPA has afforded me the opportunity to meet others of a similar mindset regarding the growth of the profession and innovative services that will support this time of transition.

As I mentioned above, I have been successful in expanding my own practice site through innovative clinical services as well as collaborative practice agreements. OPA has been instrumental in providing me the written resources and connections to other members that I have "consulted" in my quest to expand. I have been able to learn from other members based on their experiences- successes and failures- to really take my practice to the next level.

As someone that has greatly been impacted through other members, I want to do the same moving forward in my career. Whether that be through a quick phone call with junior members just starting out in their career, advocating for the profession at a state level, student and resident education, or speaking at OPA conferences to share the knowledge I have gained, I am and will continue to seek these opportunities to help grow our profession and the care pharmacists provide. I believe these interactions have made it apparent of the impact OPA has had on me and can have on future leaders of pharmacy in Ohio.

“We are pleased to recognize Cory Coffey who has exemplified leadership, excellence, and vision in his practice. He has been a valued member of the Association, and we look forward to his future contributions to the profession of pharmacy,” said Ernest Boyd, OPA Executive Director.

OPA, established in 1879, represents more than 4,000 pharmacists, pharmacy educators, and pharmacy students throughout the state. It is OPA’s mission to unite the profession of pharmacy and encourage interprofessional relations, while promoting public health through education, discussion, and legislation.

We thank Kroger Health for exclusively sponsoring the 2021 OPA UNDER 40 Recognition Program.