News Release - KOAM TV 7

NEWS RELEASE

October 12, 2010

For Immediate Release

Pharmacist Steven Charles of Oswego, Kansas received one of pharmacy's most prestigious awards, the Bowl of Hygeia Award which was presented to him on September 24 by the Kansas Pharmacists Association (KPhA) at their 130th Anniversary Annual Meeting and Tradeshow held at the Lawrence, Kansas Holiday Inn.

This esteemed award, presented by KPhA, is given to the pharmacist who has compiled an outstanding record of community service, which, apart from his or her specific identification as a pharmacist, reflects well on the profession

Since graduating from pharmacy school, Mr. Charles immersed himself into giving back to the community.  He has a long record of community service, dating to his graduation from pharmacy school in 1979.  His community service began shortly after arriving in Choctaw, Oklahoma where he received numerous honors for his work.  The honors included the Governors Award in Local Government, and award presented by the Green Country VFW Post 5994 and the Ladies Auxiliary, given to a member of the community for outstanding community service and leadership above and beyond the call of duty".

Upon moving his family and his pharmacy practice to Oswego, Kansas, he committed himself to volunteering for a variety of committee's to meet the needs of the area.  These included the Cemetery, Tourism, Housing, Community & Parks Foundation, and the Labette County Community College Presidential Search Committee.  He has also given his time and talents to the local Audubon Society, Little League Baseball, the Labette County Fair and as a 25 year sponsor of the Oswego city-wide Annual Easter egg hunt.  Mr. Charles has served for many years with the local Hospital Board and the local School Board. 

Mr. Charles also operates Ozark Compounding Pharmacy in Joplin, Missouri.  In Joplin, he has served on committee's for St. John's Hospice and the Brady Rehabilitation Center.  A Southwestern Oklahoma State University pharmacy graduate, Mr. Charles epitomizes the principles of community service for which this award was created

The Kansas Pharmacists Association is a statewide professional association representing pharmacists in all practice settings across the state with nearly 1,000 members.  The association was established in 1880.