On Friday, Jan. 11, 2019, the Wayne County Pharmacists Association (WCPA) honored Professor Emeritus of Pharmaceutical Sciences Hanley Abramson with the 2018 John H. Webster Award for exemplary contributions to the profession of pharmacy. Although Abramson was unable to attend due to health issues, his wife of 51 years, Young Hee, accepted the award accompanied by Associate Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences Randall Commissaris and his wife, Lydia.

Abramson entered the Wayne State pharmacy program - then a four-year bachelor's degree - as a student in 1958. In 1967, he was hired as an assistant professor by then-dean Martin Barr. Over his fifty-one years on the faculty of the Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, he taught more than 6,000 students.

At the event, held at Johnny Carino's in Allen Park, Young Hee delivered remarks prepared by Abramson.

"Someone once said that 'to teach is to touch a life forever,'" Young Hee said on Abramson's behalf. "I know that my own life has been greatly enriched by some excellent teachers - whether formally in the academic setting or more informally in the classroom of life. And it is my earnest hope in closing out my teaching career that I may have been able to impact the lives of others as exemplified by John Webster, who nearly a century ago kindled a flame that continues to grow brighter with each new group of students entering the Wayne State pharmacy program."

Also at the event, WSU Applebaum alumna Stephanie Everard (PharmD '16) was presented with the Roland T. Lakey Award for outstanding contributions to the Wayne County Pharmacists Association. Everard is president of the WCPA.