Rush Named 2025 Paul F. Parker Award Recipient
LEXINGTON, Ky. (October 30, 2025) — David R. Rush, PharmD, R29, emeritus professor of medicine and clinical pharmacology at the University of Missouri–Kansas City (UMKC) Schools of Medicine and Pharmacy, has been named the 2025 recipient of the Paul F. Parker Award. This distinguished honor, presented annually at the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) Midyear Clinical Meeting, recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to advancing pharmacy practice, education, and leadership in the spirit of the late Paul F. Parker, founder of the University of Kentucky’s nationally renowned residency program.
Rush earned his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Kentucky in 1975, completing the three-year PharmD program and residency at the A. B. Chandler Medical Center under the direct mentorship of Paul Parker himself. As chief resident of his graduating class, Rush was among the early pioneers who helped define clinical pharmacy practice during its formative years and earned the residency Impact Award.
Following residency, Rush joined the clinical faculty at the University of Missouri–Kansas City, where he served for over three decades as professor of clinical pharmacy, professor of medicine, and associate director of research for the Department of Community and Family Medicine. He was instrumental in establishing one of the first clinical pharmacy programs within a community hospital setting and led the integration of PharmD training within both medicine and pharmacy curricula.
Over his distinguished career, Rush’s dedication to education and clinical service earned him Educator of the Year Awards from both the UMKC Schools of Medicine and Pharmacy, and the American College of Clinical Pharmacy National Clinical Practitioner of the Year Award. He also received the ASHP Research Award in Small Hospitals and the Missouri Society of Hospital Pharmacists Garrison Award for Hospital Pharmacist of the Year.
A visionary in the field, Rush co-founded Doctor of Pharmacy Consultants, Inc. (DOPC) in 1979 and served as CEO and Chairman for more than thirty years. Through this pioneering firm, he created a model for independent clinical pharmacy practice, offering consultant services to hospitals, long-term care facilities, pharmaceutical companies and government agencies nationwide.
He also co-founded the Clinical Experience Research Network (CEN), which supported multi-site clinical research in family medicine across the U.S. Under his leadership, the network secured over $12 million in research funding and published landmark studies on pharmacotherapy, hypertension, and diabetes care.
In addition to his groundbreaking research, Rush was a founding member and vice-chairman of the original American Board of Pharmacy Specialties Pharmacotherapy Committee, where he helped design and implement the first national Board Certification in Pharmacotherapy (BCPS) examination. His influence extended beyond pharmacy, as he became the first pharmacology expert appointed to the American Board of Family Medicine Examination Committee, shaping interdisciplinary collaboration between pharmacists and physicians.
“Dr. Rush embodies the pioneering spirit that Paul Parker instilled in all of us,” said Patrick B. “Rusty” Ryan, PharmD, R20. "His work in clinical practice, education, research, and entrepreneurship has profoundly advanced the role of pharmacists in patient care. He has spent a lifetime demonstrating how a PharmD can lead, innovate and transform healthcare delivery."
Throughout his career, Rush also served as Director of the Missouri Medicaid Drug Formulary, a pharmacotherapy trainer for the Missouri Department of Aging, and Chairman of the State Drug Utilization Review Board, earning the Missouri State Community Service Award for his impact on public health.
He authored or co-authored hundreds of journal articles, book chapters, and clinical monographs, including foundational works in endocrinology, pharmacotherapy, and geriatric care. His book Endocrine and Metabolic Emergencies and his collaborative teaching materials for the American Board of Family Practice remain enduring contributions to clinical education.
“Dr. Rush’s career reflects the very essence of Paul Parker’s vision—advancing pharmacy through leadership, innovation and a deep commitment to patient care,” said Craig Martin, PharmD, MBA, interim dean of the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy. “We are proud to count him among the many who carry forward the Parker legacy."
The Paul F. Parker Award Luncheon will take place on December 9, 2025, at the ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting in Las Vegas, NV. For ticket information, please visit the event website.