On September 17th, 2025, CPA gathered for its Anniversary Awards Ceremony, celebrating the community outreach, pharmacy advancements, and advanced knowledge the association has achieved over the last 150 years. 

Nathan Tinker, Ph.D., the CEO of CPA, presented awards to pharmacy leaders who work tirelessly in advancing the profession and scholarships to pharmacy students eager to transform the future of pharmacy.  

The ceremony’s highest distinction, The Bowl of Hygeia Award, was awarded to Marissa Salvo, Pharm.D., BCACP, FCCP, FCPA. As Clinical Professor of Pharmacy Practice at UConn Pharmacy, Salvo also served as a past president of CPA. An award given for outstanding records of community service, the Bowl of Hygeia Award reflects Salvo’s long commitment to mentorship and pharmacy education within and outside the classroom and her clinical practice and service in and advocacy for the profession.  

Graduating from the University of Rhode Island with her Pharm.D., Salvo completed a PGY1 Residency, with a focus in ambulatory care and academia, from the St. Louis College of Pharmacy before coming to the School. Additionally, she was CPA’s 145th president and currently serves on the Board of the Connecticut Pharmacists Foundation. 

“As a faculty member, CPA member, and past President of CPA, I am grateful for the longstanding collaborations and support between the School and CPA.” – Marissa Salvo (Pharm.D.)

At UConn, Salvo is the course coordinator and instructor in the Communications and Professional Identity course and is a preceptor for APPE students on their Ambulatory Care experience at her clinical site at UConn Health, with a focus in primary care. Her research interests include medication management in primary care and pharmacist and student pharmacist education and training.  

According to Tinker, Salvo embodies the spirit of the prestigious award: “Her dedication to her patients, students, and colleagues is an inspiration for the entire profession.” 

Associate Clinical Professor, Christina Polomoff (Pharm.D.), was installed as President of CPA during this ceremony, a testament to her leadership in and commitment to advancing the pharmacy field.  

After earning her Pharm.D. from the UConn School of Pharmacy in 2014 and completing residencies at the Veteran Affairs (VA) Connecticut Healthcare System and The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Polomoff returned to UConn in 2016 as a faculty member. Also working as a population health clinical pharmacist at Hartford HealthCare, Polomoff focuses on quality improvement and medication management for older adults.  

Teaching public health and healthcare policy to students through the School’s Leaders Track and advising the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy student chapter, Polomoff has inspired young pharmacists to advance innovative pharmacy practice. 

Additionally, Sean Jeffery, Pharm.D., was installed as President-Elect. As Clinical Professor of Pharmacy Practice at UConn, Jeffery received his B.S. in Pharmacy at the School before going to The Ohio State University for his Pharm.D.. Teaching Geriatric Pharmacotherapy and Value-based Healthcare, Jeffery is the Director of Pharmacy at Integrated Care Partners and the Co-Founder of The Coalition for Senior Medication Safety.  

His career has focused on implementing innovative patient care services for seniors that promote the value of pharmacists in care coordination. Jeffery is responsible for managing Medicare Part D Star pharmacy quality measures, population health management, and supporting an integrated care-management team and employed medical group. Also serving as Professor of Pharmacy at the School, Jeffery is preparing UConn students for jobs as primary care pharmacists and population health specialists. 

Associate Clinical Professor Stefanie Nigro (Pharm.D.) and Clinical Associate Professor Kristin Waters (Pharm.D.) were also installed as members of the Board of Directors.

In addition to the awards for pharmacist leaders, the CPA awarded seven scholarships to pharmacy students demonstrating academic excellence, leadership, and community service. Out of the 40 students who applied this year, six out of seven scholarship recipients were from UConn Pharmacy. These students include Jenna-Lynn Kelly (Henry A. Palmer Scholarship), Alen Joseph (Margherita Giuliano Scholarship), Ashley Klancko (Murray Abraman Scholarship), Lahar Miriyapalli (Milton Carmilleri Scholarship), Chloe Hurme (Steven Kruzshank Scholarship), and Wenhui Yan (Gerard Weitzman Scholarship). Determined to make a difference in their classrooms and communities, these UConn students are the future of pharmacy and the leaders in their communities, according to Emmet Sullivan (Pharm.D.), chair of the Scholarship Committee.  

“Our award winners and scholarship recipients remind us why the Connecticut Pharmacists Association has thrived for 150 years – and why it will continue to lead for generations to come.” – Nathan Tinker 

Representing pharmacists, technicians, and students across practice settings, the CPA is dedicated to advancing pharmacy through advocacy, education, and community engagement. Celebrating its 150-year legacy while inspiring community leaders to contribute to the bright future of pharmacy, the UConn School of Pharmacy is honored for its partnership with CPA.