The Palmetto Experiential Education Partnership congratulates the newest recipients of the 2026 PEEP Preceptor of the Year Awards — exceptional pharmacists recognized for their dedication to mentorship and their role in shaping the next generation of the profession. PEEP is a joint program between the University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy and the Medical University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy, drawing on a network of preceptors across the state and country to give student pharmacists meaningful clinical experiences.
Experiential learning comprises one-third of the pharmacy curriculum. PEEP builds environments where students develop clinical judgment alongside working pharmacists, learning to think critically, and practicing the skills modern pharmacy demands.
[Preceptors] are the bridge between what we teach and who our students become, and that kind of mentorship leaves a mark on the profession long after the rotation ends.
Jennifer Baker, director of Experiential Education for the USC College of Pharmacy, believes that preceptors help extend the family of pharmacy beyond the walls of the college.
"They invest in our students, share their networks, and in doing so, they're strengthening the entire profession — because what benefits the student ultimately benefits everyone. They are the bridge between what we teach and who our students become, and that kind of mentorship leaves a mark on the profession long after the rotation ends,” she adds.
Elizabeth Weed, director of Experiential Education at MUSC College of Pharmacy, describes the relationship as one of the most consequential in professional formation.
"These incredible role models go above and beyond to create meaningful, engaging experiences that inspire students and shape their professional development," Weed says. "Our students are truly fortunate to learn from preceptors who demonstrate such profound commitment to advancing the pharmacy profession through education and mentorship."
Recipients are nominated by students and evaluated against the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) 2025 Standards, with nominations spanning both Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experiences (IPPE) and Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (APPE) across a wide range of settings throughout the state. The criteria focus on role-modeling, professional attitudes, facilitation skills, and teaching effectiveness.
This year’s award winners are:
* indicates USC College of Pharmacy alumni
Midlands Region:
Community Pharmacy IPPE
* Rachel Snead, Pharm.D., Pine Ridge Pharmacy, West Columbia, SC
Hospital / Health System IPPE
* Vanessa Brill, Pharm.D., Bryan Psychiatric Hospital, Columbia, SC
Acute / General Medicine APPE
* Jenna Cox, Pharm.D., Prisma Health Midlands Heart Hospital, Columbia, SC
Ambulatory Care APPE
Lucy Rinehuls, Pharm.D., Prisma Health Midlands Internal Medicine, Columbia, SC
Community APPE
* Jordan Jackson, Pharm.D., Hawthorne Pharmacy, Columbia, SC
Elective APPE
* Alexander McMillan, Pharm.D., Cardinal Health, Columbia, SC
Faculty Excellence in Precepting
* Christina Cox, Pharm.D., Prisma Health Midlands Children's Hospital, Columbia, SC
Upstate Region:
Acute / General Medicine APPE
Lyndsay Gormley, Pharm.D., Prisma Health Greenville Memorial Hospital, Greenville, SC
Elective APPE
Christine Sheets, Pharm.D., CVS Administration, Easley, SC
Lowcountry Region:
Community IPPE
Jennifer Ogburn, Pharm.D., Delta Pharmacy of Charleston, Charleston, SC
Acute / General Medicine APPE
Ashley Asbell, Pharm.D., Roper Hospital Healthcare, Charleston, SC
Ambulatory Care APPE
Thomas J. Worrall, Pharm.D., Goose Creek VA Clinic, VA Charleston Healthcare, Goose Creek, SC
Community APPE
Mindy Helmly, B.S. Pharm, Omnicare of Bishop Gadsen, Charleston, SC
Hospital / Health System APPE
Adrienne Bundrick, Pharm.D., MUSC Health, Charleston, SC
Elective APPE
David Shirley, Pharm.D., MUSC College of Pharmacy, Charleston, SC
Lowcountry Faculty
Scott Bragg, Pharm.D., MUSC Health, Charleston, SC
New Awards for 2026:
North Carolina IPPE
* Glenn Huggins, Pharm.D., Atrium Health At-Home Infusion, Charlotte, NC
North Carolina APPE
Emily Bowers, Pharm.D., Atrium Health, Pineville, NC
Virtual Elective APPE
Kristi Black, Pharm.D., Humana Healthy Horizons, SC
Topics: Experiential Education, Palmetto Experiential Education Partnership