OXFORD, Miss. – The University of Mississippi School of
Pharmacy honors three graduates this weekend for their
career accomplishments and professional service.
Burnis Breland of Columbus, Ga., Sam Daniel of Orange Park,
Fla., and Gene Hoover of Deerfield, Ill. are to be named
2008 Distinguished Alumni of the Year during Pharmacy
Alumni Weekend activities Saturday (Feb. 9) in Oxford.
Selection is based on professional achievements and service
to the pharmacy school, including its students, faculty,
staff and alumni.
“These three individuals have served their alma mater,
their profession and their communities in extraordinary
ways,” said pharmacy Dean Barbara G. Wells. “They are
exemplary role models for their colleagues and for those
who follow them into the profession. We are extremely proud
of their accomplishments, and we are inspired by their
vision and selfless service.”
Breland is director of pharmacy for the Columbus Regional
Healthcare System and affiliate clinical professor of
pharmacy practice at Auburn University. He received his
bachelor’s in pharmacy in 1974 and master’s in hospital
pharmacy in ’76, both from UM, and his doctor of pharmacy
from the University of Tennessee. He worked at the UM
Medical Center in Jackson from 1979 to ’84 before joining
Columbus Regional.
During his career, Breland has been active with the
American Society for Health-System Pharmacists. He has
served as chairman of the ASHP Practice Management Group,
member and chair of the Council of Professional Affairs and
member of the Council on Administrative Affairs.
In 1991, he was recognized as a fellow of ASHP. The Georgia
Society of Health-System Pharmacists recognized him as
Pharmacist of the Year in 1990 and again in 2002, making
him the only person to receive the award twice. He received
the 2005 Innovative Pharmacy Practice award from the
Georgia Pharmacy Association and received the ASHP Best
Practices Award in 2002. In 2006, he was the recipient of
the John W. Webb Lecture Award from ASHP and Northeastern
University.
A native of McComb, Daniel is regional segment manager for
Amgen’s Senior Care department. He received his bachelor’s
degree in pharmacy in 1972 and served as president of the
Pharmacy Student Body. He is a recipient of the
Wyeth-Ayerst Bowl of Hygeia, Syntex Preceptor of the Year
Award and member of the School of Pharmacy Hall of Fame.
Daniel has served as a preceptor for the pharmacy school
and is a member of the Florida Pharmacists Association and
the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists. He has been
a member of the dean’s advisory boards for pharmacy schools
at the University of Texas, Texas Tech University,
University of Florida, Nova Southeastern University and UM.
He also has served as a trustee on the Florida Pharmacy
Foundation and the Mississippi Pharmacists Association
Foundation. He is also a former president of the UM Pike
County Alumni Association and the Pharmacy Alumni Chapter.
Hoover is divisional director of pharmacy operations for
the Midwest Division of Walgreens. In his position, he
oversees the pharmacy operations of nine states and more
than 700 stores. He received his bachelor’s degree in
pharmacy in 1985 and serves on the Dean’s Advisory
Committee for the pharmacy school. He has more than 34
years of experience in pharmacy, 23 with Walgreens. While
at Walgreens, Hoover helped open the company’s Jackson
market and has served as the key contact to the UM pharmacy
school during the last five years for the company. He also
coordinated Walgreens relief effort in Mississippi during
the Hurricane Katrina aftermath.
For more information on the UM School of Pharmacy, go to