Joyce Yu-Chia Lee, clinical professor of health sciences at the University of California, Irvine, has received the 2021 Clinical Practice Award from the American College of Clinical Pharmacy. An advanced practice pharmacist, Lee is a founding faculty member of UCI’s School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences and the first to earn the prestigious recognition.
ACCP is a professional and scientific society with more than 15,000 members from over 60 countries committed to excellence in clinical pharmacy. Each year, the award is given to one member who has developed an innovative clinical pharmacy service, provided innovative documentation of the impact of clinical pharmacy services, demonstrated leadership in the development of cost-effective clinical pharmacy services or shown sustained excellence in providing clinical pharmacy services. Past recipients are prominent and well-respected leaders in the field of clinical pharmacy. Lee was nominated by Alexandre Chan, UCI chair and professor of clinical pharmacy practice.
“Joyce came to UCI in 2020 after an 11-year stint in Asia, where she was a trailblazer who successfully changed the landscape of clinical pharmacy practice by establishing and expanding services and systems that did not previously exist,” Chan said. “She developed and directed numerous training programs, including the first pharmacy residency program in ambulatory care in Singapore and chronic disease certification courses made accessible to countries across the Asia-Pacific region. She also instrumentally developed and implemented practice algorithms to address diversity, equity and inclusion in patient care.”
Lee said: “I am thrilled and surprised to receive this award and appreciate the recognition for the work overseas that I’ve done. While away from home, ACCP was my way to stay connected to colleagues and best practices, and I hope that my experience and this recognition will encourage other pharmacists to make an impact in other countries to achieve global advancement in clinical pharmacy. I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of a new school at a public university and look forward to welcoming our inaugural Doctor of Pharmacy class this fall.”
Since arriving at UCI and despite the pandemic, Lee has launched the first pharmacist-led comprehensive medication management clinic at the UCI Health Family Health Center in Anaheim, where she optimizes medication use among patients with chronic diseases. She also actively volunteered in the administration of COVID-19 vaccinations at the campus’s Bren Events Center.
“Joyce is dedicated to patient care, regardless of their socioeconomic status, and is sensitive to creating an environment of inclusion for diverse cultural, ethnic and religious backgrounds,” Chan said. “As a clinical pharmacist, she strives to address challenges and increase treatment accessibility and convenience.”