VA Northern Indiana Health Care System Pharmacist Receives Award From Manchester

October 30, 2024 at 7:24 p.m.
Manchester University student Makaila Geese recently presented an award to Dr. Michael Cotton, clinical pharmacist at VA Northern Indiana Health Care System, as Manchester University’s Preceptor of the Year for Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience rotations. Photo Provided.
Manchester University student Makaila Geese recently presented an award to Dr. Michael Cotton, clinical pharmacist at VA Northern Indiana Health Care System, as Manchester University’s Preceptor of the Year for Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience rotations. Photo Provided.

By Staff Report

FORT WAYNE – An employee of the VA Northern Indiana Health Care System was recently honored by a local university for excellence in education.
Dr. Michael Cotton, clinical pharmacist at VANIHCS, was awarded Manchester University’s Preceptor of the Year for Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience rotations in a ceremony Oct. 4 at Manchester University in Fort Wayne, according to a news release from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
The recognition highlights the medical education Cotton provides to Doctor of Pharmacy students as he was selected for this award out of a pool of over 35 pharmacist preceptors across the state of Indiana.
As part of narrative of his award, a former student explained, “Dr. Cotton is a great preceptor, and I now understand why so many students rank the Fort Wayne VA Medical Center so high when requesting [clinical learning sites].”
Cotton is an example of how the Department of Veterans Affairs prioritizes medical education as a core pillar of its mission. As an organization, VANIHCS Pharmacy staff precept an average of 15 pharmacy students per year from several academic affiliates, including Manchester University and Purdue University, stated the release.
“We are very proud of Dr. Cotton’s achievements and are thrilled to have him as part of our team here,” said Chief of Pharmacy for VANIHCS Scott Ganger. “We want to publicly acknowledge our appreciation for his commitment to developing future healthcare providers and congratulate his accomplishments in the community.”
Cotton has been with VA since 2009 and very active in donating his time in the community with church activities and youth sports. He has been volunteering with Manchester University for seven years.
“He is a shining example of the kind of people we have serving our veterans, as well as being a leader in helping educate future medical care providers in our community,” said VANIHCS Executive Director Jon Beidelschies. “People like Dr. Cotton are what makes the VA a great place to work and the best place for our veterans to receive the care they deserve.”

FORT WAYNE – An employee of the VA Northern Indiana Health Care System was recently honored by a local university for excellence in education.
Dr. Michael Cotton, clinical pharmacist at VANIHCS, was awarded Manchester University’s Preceptor of the Year for Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience rotations in a ceremony Oct. 4 at Manchester University in Fort Wayne, according to a news release from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
The recognition highlights the medical education Cotton provides to Doctor of Pharmacy students as he was selected for this award out of a pool of over 35 pharmacist preceptors across the state of Indiana.
As part of narrative of his award, a former student explained, “Dr. Cotton is a great preceptor, and I now understand why so many students rank the Fort Wayne VA Medical Center so high when requesting [clinical learning sites].”
Cotton is an example of how the Department of Veterans Affairs prioritizes medical education as a core pillar of its mission. As an organization, VANIHCS Pharmacy staff precept an average of 15 pharmacy students per year from several academic affiliates, including Manchester University and Purdue University, stated the release.
“We are very proud of Dr. Cotton’s achievements and are thrilled to have him as part of our team here,” said Chief of Pharmacy for VANIHCS Scott Ganger. “We want to publicly acknowledge our appreciation for his commitment to developing future healthcare providers and congratulate his accomplishments in the community.”
Cotton has been with VA since 2009 and very active in donating his time in the community with church activities and youth sports. He has been volunteering with Manchester University for seven years.
“He is a shining example of the kind of people we have serving our veterans, as well as being a leader in helping educate future medical care providers in our community,” said VANIHCS Executive Director Jon Beidelschies. “People like Dr. Cotton are what makes the VA a great place to work and the best place for our veterans to receive the care they deserve.”

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