The Ohio Pharmacists Association (OPA) announced that Karen Kier, R.Ph., M.S., Ph.D. of Ada, Ohio, is the 2022 recipient of the Pharmacist Public Relations Award. This award, which recognizes a member pharmacist of the Ohio Pharmacists Association who has made major contributions to the public through continuous service to the community in public relations activities for the profession of pharmacy, was presented at the OPA 144th Annual Conference held April 1-3.

Kier has provided the local community with a reliable source of health information, authoring a weekly newspaper column in the Ada Herald since the
summer of 2020 on everyday health topics. The column has been picked up by
the Bluffton Icon, the Ada Icon and the Findlay Courier. Topics range from
cough and cold concerns, to allergies, OTC non-prescription products, herbal
remedies, and ,predominantly, the COVID-19 pandemic. Vaccine hesitancy is a
notable problem in her region, and Kier’s columns have addressed many
misleading messages on social media platforms. Her columns have caused many organizations in the community to invite her to speak at local chapter
meetings, organization events, and to civic organizations. Kier serves as the
director of the Drug and Health Information Center at the Ohio Northern
University Raabe College of Pharmacy.

“It is not out of the ordinary for pharmacists to be active in their
communities – in fact, most pharmacists are the ‘go-to’ health care
resources in the areas where they reside. But Karen Kier is a true ambassador
for the profession of pharmacy and wellness in her community. She has taken
healthcare to the next level educating the public in various areas of public
health, most recently with the COVID-19 pandemic,” 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.