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About the Gavin Herbert Award

Presented annually at Chapman University's White Coat Ceremony, the Gavin Herbert Award recognizes someone who exemplifies the highest standard of professionalism, entrepreneurial leadership, and compassion in pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences that our school was founded to support.

Gavin Herbert Award Recipients

Kathy Giacomini

2025 Recipient

A defined trailblazer in pharmaceutical sciences, Kathy Giacomini, Ph.D., has produced groundbreaking research that has bridged pharmacogenomics and precision medicine, shedding light on how genetic variation influences drug efficacy and safety. She is widely respected in academia and the broader biomedical field, dedicating her career to improving therapeutic outcomes for patients worldwide.

Wafa Samara, Pharm.D.

2024 Recipient

Wafa Samara, Pharm.D. is one of the leading pharmacy leaders in the nation, and has been recognized for serving as the Chief of Pharmacy Service at the NIH and the VA. In her roles, Samara advocates for sponsoring upcoming health care leaders, including CUSP students, to have an impact on the industry through networking, continuous learning, and resiliency.

Palmer Taylor, Ph.D.

2023 Recipient

Serving as the founding and Emeritus Dean Skaggs School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Palmer Taylor, Ph.D. has extensive history in serving California's pharmaceutical growth. He previously served as President of the American Society for Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, on an Advisory Committee to the Director of the National Institutes of Health, and on the Congressional Task Force on Environmental Health Sciences.

James Roszak

2022 Recipient

James Roszak has dedicated himself to Chapman University and has served on the Board of Trustees since 1996. As an active member of the University, including chairing several special committees, he helped set the foundation for CUSP's success.

Al Babbington

2020 Recipient

Al Babbington fostered one of CUSP's founding community partnerships. As the second CEO of Prescribe Wellness, he continued to provide opportunities to Pharm.D. candidates to make a direct impact in the Irvine and Orange County area.

Peter Vlasses

2019 Recipient

Chapman honors Peter Vlasses, Pharm.D., for his long-standing dedication to the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education. As the first accredited pharmacy school in Orange County, CUSP recognizes the importance and distinction of having established qualifications and educational standards.

Catherine Turkel, Pharm.D., Ph.D.

2018 Recipient

Catherine Turkel, Pharm.D., Ph.D., was a founding member of the Dean's Professional Advisory group, and brought insight on the trends and needs of the pharmaceutical industry. She has served as a CEO, founder, and VP for international healthcare companies and has wide expertise in a variety of niche areas.

James Mazzo

2017 Recipient

As an advisor to several healthcare organizations, James Mazzo created bonds between Chapman and some of the leading drug development centers in California. His affiliations with Allergen, Avellino, and Neurotech gave CUSP students direct lines to cutting-edge healthcare developments.

Scott Whitcup, M.D.

2016 Recipient

The founder of PrescribeWellness, Scott Whitcup, M.D., took thoughtful measures in ensuring Chapman students would have a real community impact during their time as PharmD candidates. Providing resources to create a small operating pharmacy at the Rinker campus, students make healthcare services more accessible to nearby businesses to help people build a maintain their wellness through vaccinations, health consulting, and family planning services.

Gavin Herbert, Sr

2015 Recipient

Gavin Herbert, the namesake of the award, co-founded Allergan and served as its CEO from 1961-1991 while also serving on Chapman University's Board of Trustees and Cabinet. His belief in CUSP's success and early excellence provided steady leadership and guidance as our school was founded.