College of Pharmacy Honors 2025 Lyman T. Johnson Award Winners
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The University of Kentucky Alumni Association and the College of Pharmacy proudly announce the recipients of this year’s Lyman T. Johnson Awards, honoring alumni and students who embody the life and legacy of civil rights pioneer Lyman T. Johnson.
At the 34th annual Lyman T. Johnson Awards Luncheon, hosted on October 17, 2025, in the Gatton Student Center grand ballroom, two members of the College of Pharmacy community will be recognized for their achievements and commitment to service: Antonio Booker, PharmD (’17) and fourth-year PharmD student Monique Tulcey.
Torch of Excellence Award: Antonio Booker, PharmD
The Torch of Excellence Award honors alumni whose values, faith, hard work, and determination uphold Johnson’s legacy while making a lasting impact on the community.
This year’s honoree, Antonio Booker, PharmD, a proud native of Louisville’s West End, has built a career defined by leadership, service, and advocacy for communities facing barriers based on identity or background. Booker currently serves as director of pharmacy and medical operations at Isaiah House Treatment Centers. There, he is leading efforts to establish a pharmacy program from the ground up while helping guide the organization’s transition into a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). His work expands access to care for individuals experiencing substance use disorders and complex health needs.
Booker’s professional journey began with a chance encounter with a mentor, which set him on the path to pharmacy. After completing the PharmD program, he rose quickly from community pharmacy management into specialized work in infectious diseases and pediatric oncology through home infusion. Later, as pharmacy director at Park Duvalle Community Health Center in Louisville, Ky, he helped revitalize pharmacy services, expanded clinical offerings, and launched a pharmacist-led HIV prevention clinic.
“Everything I do is for the patients in my community and for the advancement of pharmacy,” Booker said. “To be honored among the many outstanding alumni the University of Kentucky has produced is truly humbling. I’ve been fortunate to learn from incredible mentors and teachers who have shaped my journey.”
Torch Bearer Award: Monique Tulcey, PharmD Candidate
The Torch Bearer Award recognizes students whose academic achievement and leadership reflect Johnson’s values and legacy.
This year’s recipient, Monique Tulcey, a fourth-year pharmacy student from Belmopan, Belize, is committed to expanding access to healthcare resources and support for groups that face barriers due to income, geography, or other factors. Tulcey has been deeply involved in outreach efforts, including administering free vaccines with the Bluegrass Care Clinic and supporting harm reduction initiatives. She has also served as a peer mentor, a member of several pharmacy organizations, and a mentor to youth through the Lexington Leadership Foundation’s Amachi program.
Her professional interests in infectious diseases, HIV, and pharmacy policy have driven her to pursue unique national opportunities, including a selective rotation with the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists in Association Leadership and Management. Tulcey’s dedication to service and advocacy ensures that her future career in pharmacy will continue to honor Johnson’s vision of education as a pathway to improving outcomes and access for all groups.
Honoring Lyman T. Johnson’s Legacy
The awards celebrate the enduring impact of Lyman T. Johnson, who, in 1949, became the first African American student to enroll at the University of Kentucky after a successful legal challenge against segregation. Johnson’s courage and commitment to education opened doors for countless students and remain a guiding light for the university community.
The Lyman T. Johnson Alumni Constituency Group, in partnership with the UK Alumni Association, continues this tradition of recognition through the annual Torch of Excellence and Torch Bearer awards, alongside the Lyman T. Johnson Scholarship Fund.
“Both Dr. Booker and Ms. Tulcey embody the resilience, vision, and service that defined Mr. Johnson’s life,” said Craig Martin, PharmD, interim dean of the College of Pharmacy. “We are proud to honor their contributions and celebrate the ways they are advancing health and ensuring all can afford, reach, and benefit from pharmacy support services.”