The Preceptor of the Year awards are named in honor of Dennis J. Chapron, who served as an associate professor within the School of Pharmacy for 34 years. This award celebrates individuals who have gone above and beyond in guiding future pharmacists. 

This year, the School recognized three Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience (IPPE) preceptors in the areas of Health System, Community and Service-Learning and two Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) preceptors, a faculty and a non-faculty preceptor.  

The 2024 Preceptors of the Year were Jason Darmanin, Andrew DaSilva, Chinenye Anyanwu, Allison Smith, and Jeffrey Aeschlimann. Each recipient was chosen based on feedback from students who noted their commitment, knowledge, and willingness to foster a comprehensive learning experience. 

Jason Darmanin, a multispecialty clinical pharmacist and the student coordinator for both IPPE and APPE rotations at Lawerence and Memorial Hospital, was recognized as the health system IPPE Preceptor of the Year. His students often note his dedication to ensuring the best possible experience by taking the time to get to know each student and their goals. They shared that they felt consistently supported and encouraged throughout the year 

Andrew DaSilva, the Pharmacy Manager at the Medicine Shoppe in Vernon, was acknowledged as the community IPPE Preceptor of the Year. With his extensive experience in community pharmacy DaSilva is able to tailor each student’s experience to their own level. While mentoring, his students appreciate the time he takes to teach, giving them the space to learn, to make mistakes, and to grow.  

Chinenye Anyanwu, Assistant Professor of Public Health, was awarded the service-learning Preceptor of the Year. This past year, she took the opportunity to revitalize the Keney Park clinic, located in the north end of Hartford. The clinic provided students the opportunity to educate the community on a variety of topics in collaboration with other healthcare and community team members. Students describe Anyanwu as highly supportive while simultaneously encouraging them to step out of their comfort zone.  

The non-faculty APPE Preceptor of the Year was Allison Smith, who serves as a poison information specialist at the Connecticut Poison Control Center. Smith offers students a unique perspective through her specialized rotation, which emphasizes quick, accurate drug information retrieval and toxicology knowledge. Students commend her passion for toxicology and her ability to explain complex cases clearly. 

The faculty APPE Preceptor of the Year, Jeffrey Aeschlimann, is an Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice with a specialty in infectious diseases. The students who nominated him recognize his expertise in clinical Pharmacy Practice. As a preceptor, he creates a rigorous learning environment that pushes students to expand their critical thinking skills and gain hands-on experience in a clinical setting. His dedication to fostering confidence in his students has helped many students feel prepared to join interprofessional healthcare teams upon graduation. 

In addition to honoring the awardees, the event recognized UConn’s preceptors, coordinators, and faculty for their continued dedication to student success. The School of Pharmacy expressed its gratitude to all preceptors who contribute their time and expertise to train and inspire the next generation of pharmacy professionals.