St. Louis College of Pharmacy announced that Curt Gielow, business consultant at Gielow Ventures LLC and former vice president of administration and campus executive of the Concordia University Ann Arbor campus, was the recipient of an award during the 10th annual Next-Generation Pharmacist Awards Gala, sponsored by Pharmacy Times in conjunction with Parata Systems.
Gielow received the Civic Leader Award honoring his activism for patients and the profession of pharmacy. Now in its 10th year, the gala, which was held Oct. 25 in San Diego, recognized outstanding pharmacists from across the nation from a variety of pharmacy practice settings, including large chain retailers, independent pharmacies, specialty pharmacies, military bases, health clinics and educational institutions.
“Winners of the Pharmacy Times Next-Generation Pharmacist Awards represent some of the best in the profession, and we are thrilled that two members of the College community were recognized this year,” said John A. Pieper, president of the College. “Our congratulations go out to College alumnus Curt Gielow on this outstanding achievement.”
Related: Curt Gielow retires from Concordia University
Gielow was presented with the Civic Leader Award in recognition of his tireless legislative efforts aimed at supporting the pharmacy profession. Serving as a representative of the Wisconsin State Legislature from 2002-2007, Gielow played a key role in passing legislation allowing prescription labels to include both the brand name and the generic equivalent.
He also rallied for independent community pharmacists through the creation of a health insurance cooperative for small business and sole proprietors which gave businesses with fewer than 25 employees the ability to aggregate in groups to purchase insurance through a co-op that allowed them to take advantage of lower health care costs and access to prescription drug coverage.
During his time as a state representative, Gielow also authored a Wisconsin statute limiting jury awards in malpractice suits to $750,000, with the goal of helping to keep malpractice insurance rates affordable for health care providers in the state.
After retiring from the Wisconsin State Legislature in 2007, Gielow worked to help address the shortage of pharmacists in the state through his work to establish the School of Pharmacy at Concordia University Wisconsin, which now offers an award-winning PharmD program and a variety of residency opportunities designed to prepare students for careers in the pharmacy profession.
“I believe public service is inherent in those who choose pharmacy as a profession,” Gielow said. “Civic leadership is the natural extension of caring for others, and I have been honored to have served both the state of Wisconsin and the pharmacy profession during my career. My education at St. Louis College of Pharmacy served as a foundation for my work throughout the years. I’m proud to be a graduate of the College, and proud to have had my career accomplishments recognized with the Next-Generation Civic Leader award.”
Learn more about Concordia’s School of Pharmacy here.
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