Durhampharmacist Jennifer Burch, PharmD, received the 2011 M. Keith Fearing, Jr. Community Pharmacy Practice Award from Campbell University on March 31.
“This is a great honor,” said Burch. “Receiving this award helps re-ignite my passion for the profession.”
Presented annually, the award was created in memory of M. Keith Fearing, Jr., a 1941 Campbell alumnus who was a key pharmacy leader in North Carolina. He established the first pharmacy in Dare County in 1947 and served as a founding member of Campbell University School of Pharmacy.
“Jennifer’s practice epitomizes what the Fearing Award was designed to recognize: patient dedication, community engagement and professional involvement,” said Ronald Maddox, PharmD, vice president of Health Programs at Campbell University. “I’m very proud to recognize one of our Campbell graduates with this community pharmacy award.”
After graduating from Campbell University in 1993, Burch returned to her hometown in Durham, N.C. to work for her parents at their family-owned drug store, Central Pharmacy.
“At that time the pharmacy didn’t have enough business for my parents to hire me, so I had to create my own position,” said Burch. She helped her parents expand the pharmacy’s patient care services and compounding lab.
Eventually, she was hired as a full-time employee.
The family established Central Compounding Center in 2002, splitting their business between two locations in Durham. Two years later, Burch’s parents retired placing her in charge of both stores.
In 2006, Burch became a first-time business owner when she opened Central Compounding Center South.
In all three pharmacies, Burch provides services to improve her patient’s health. She works closely with physicians and her patients to get the best outcome. Bio-identical hormone replacement therapy, weight loss, diabetes, and nutritional supplementation are her specialties.
She also practices at Durham Internal Medicine where she helps to educate and manage patients with diabetes and other chronic diseases.
Through a video feed, North Carolina State Representative Tom Murray congratulated Burch during the award luncheon. “Not only is Jennifer a great community pharmacist but she is a real advocate for our profession,” said Murray, who is also a pharmacist. “She understands how to interact with government and community leaders to advance our profession for the benefit of our patients.”
Burch is active in local, state and national pharmacy organizations. She is the past president of the Durham-Orange Pharmacist Association and currently serves as a board member for the North Carolina Association of Pharmacists.
About Campbell University’s College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences: Campbell University began addressing health care issues in 1985 with the establishment of the nationally acclaimed School of Pharmacy, which was the first new pharmacy program founded in the United States in more than 35 years. In addition to offering the doctor of pharmacy program, the school offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in Clinical Research and Pharmaceutical Sciences. In 2009, the institution’s name was formally changed to the College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences to provide additional health science programs, including the new Physician Assistant Program starting classes in August 2011.
Photo Copy: Jennifer Burch receives the M. Keith Fearing Community Pharmacy Practice Award from Campbell University. From left, Lib Fearing, widow of Keith Fearing, Jennifer Burch, PharmD, and Ronald Maddox, PharmD, vice president of Health Programs.
(Photo by Bennett Scarborough)