CPHS Alumni Achievement Awards Announced 

Friday, April 4th, 2025

The College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences’ annual Alumni Achievement Awards will be presented at the CPHS Awards Ceremony on April 24, 2025 at 9:00 am in Sheslow Auditorium. This year’s outstanding alumni included Young Alumni Achievement Award recipients Kayley Weiland and Justin Welch as well as Alumni Achievement Award recipients Erick Borkowski, Erin Harris (Smok), and Stephen (Steve) Richards. 

Erick Borkowski earned his Doctor of Pharmacy from Drake University in 1999. He spent the following year in Omaha completing his pharmacy practice residency at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. In 2000, he returned home to Chicago, where he began his career at Northwestern Memorial Hospital as a Critical Care Pharmacist.  

As Northwestern grew from a single hospital to the eleven-hospital system it is now, Dr. Borkowski grew with them. For the past twenty-five years, he has been managing and helping to elevate pharmacy practice in five of their eleven locations. His leadership has flourished at home, and now, abroad. In his current position as System Director of Pharmacy, Dr. Borkowski is responsible for the oversight of four hospitals in the North and Northwest Chicago suburbs. Additionally, he is the director of Pharmacy Informatics. As of just a month ago, he was asked to serve as the Pharmacy Liaison to The London Clinic as Northwestern Medicine works to establish an international footprint.  

Dr. Borkowski has been involved in several organizations where he has collaborated with other pharmacists and medical professionals to make an impact on the community. Over the years, he has been involved with the Illinois Council of Health System Pharmacists Government Affairs Committee and is a 2021 graduate of Leadership Greater McHenry County, where he helped raise awareness of the opioid epidemic affecting the area. Working with other community leaders and colleagues within Northwestern Medicine, he brought the DEA Drug Takeback Day program to three of Northwestern’s hospitals and is taking part in establishing free naloxone kiosks in their emergency departments. 

Outside of work, Dr. Borkowski is devoted to his family. Most of his free time is spent watching his two sons play baseball and driving his daughter to the dance studio.  

Dr. Borkowski is a prime example of excellent leadership within the pharmacy profession. His professional experience and his efforts to make a difference within his community are acknowledged and honored with the Alumni Achievement Award. 

Erin Harris (Smok), a Chicago native, received her Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) from Drake University in 2000. Her decision to pursue an education in pharmacy was driven by a passion for helping others. Drake aligned with her values of curiosity, empathy, and a commitment to continuous improvement; qualities that continue to guide her both personally and professionally. Committed to ongoing learning and development, she will complete her Master of Business Administration at Purdue University Global in May 2025. 

Upon obtaining her PharmD, Dr. Harris started her career off in retail pharmacy. Inspired by the compassion of hospice teams during her great-grandmother’s care, she transitioned into hospice pharmacy. For the past twenty-two years, Dr. Harris has been employed with Enclara Pharmacia and their predecessor companies, beginning as a Clinical Pharmacist and progressing into leadership roles. Now, she serves as Senior Vice President of Patient Care Operations, overseeing multiple teams and initiatives that have contributed to Enclara’s position as the market leader in hospice pharmacy services. 

A visionary pharmacy leader, Dr. Harris excels in driving operational excellence, clinical innovation, and strategic growth. She upholds the Oath of a Pharmacist, pledging a lifetime of service through patient-centered care, advocacy, and ethical practice. With a steadfast commitment to integrity, compassion, and professionalism she is dedicated to improving public health and patient outcomes.  

Dr. Harris is passionate about optimizing healthcare delivery, leading cross-functional teams and driving continuous improvement. She is adept at managing multi-million-dollar budgets, streamlining workflows, and implementing innovative solutions to enhance efficiency and care quality. A mentor and team builder, she fosters a culture of excellence, accountability, and lifelong learning.  

Beyond her professional achievements, Dr. Harris is deeply committed to philanthropy, patient safety, and advancing the pharmacy profession. She embraces change, advocates for well-being, and promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion.  

Dr. Harris currently resides in Memphis, Tennessee with her husband, Aaron, a Nurse Practitioner, and their daughter, Annabelle, a former St. Jude patient and thirteen-year survivor of a pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma (PXA). Annabelle’s resilience in overcoming adversity continues to inspire Dr. Harris’ dedication to healthcare, faith, and service, reminding her to approach every opportunity with hope and gratitude. Her steadfast dedication to patients and positive leadership within the pharmacy profession make her a well-deserving recipient of the Alumni Achievement Award. 

Stephen Richards 

Stephen (Steve) Richards received his Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from Drake University in 1971, alongside his wife Janice Miller Richards. After Drake, Richards received his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) from Des Moines University in 1974. Upon completing his studies, Dr. Richards pursued an internship at Scott AFB Medical Center in Illinois followed by a Family Medicine Residency at Broadlawns Medical Center. 

Dr. Richards used his medical background extensively in his several years of military service. He served Active Duty in the U.S. Air Force from 1974-1977 as a flight surgeon with the 349^th Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron. He was also a member of the Iowa National Guard, first in Sioux City from 1986-2001 as a flight surgeon/clinic commander with the 185^th Fighter Wing, and later at Camp Dodge from 2001-2004 as a State Air Surgeon. He is a Retired Colonel with the USAF, MC, and FS.  

Dr. Richards has had a fulfilling professional career. Since 2004, he has been serving as Medical Director for Pharmacist Mutual Insurance. In years prior, he worked in Family Medicine at Kossuth Family Health Center in Algona, Iowa. He is Board Certified in Family Medicine by the American Board of Family Medicine and was given a Fellowship in the American Academy of Family Practice in 2000.  

Dr. Richards has an extensive list of professional affiliations in the medical field, both within Iowa and nationally. In the past, he has served as President of the Iowa Academy of Family Physicians, President of the Iowa Medical Society, American Academy of Family practice Delegate to the American Medical Association, and Member of the Iowa Medicaid P & T Committee. Currently, he is a Member of the State of Iowa Medical Cannabidiol Committee and Des Moines University Board of Trustees. 

Dr. Richards has remained an engaged member of the Drake community and has spent past years serving on the CPHS Pharmacy Advisory Board. His years of military and professional service and commitment to his alma maters are recognized with the Alumni Achievement Award.  

Kayley Weiland  

Kayley Weiland earned her Bachelor of Sciences in Health Sciences from Drake University in 2021 and went on to receive her Master of Athletic Training degree from Drake in 2022. Weiland was highly successful and involved in her years at Drake, making the Dean’s List twice and the President’s List four times. As a student, she worked as a Human Anatomy Lab Instructor. She was also a Mid America Athletic Training Association (MAATA) Quiz Bowl Champion in her last semester of the MAT program.  

Weiland is currently an Athletico Physical Therapy Athletic Trainer serving athletes at Simpson College. She provides medical coverage primarily for the Men’s and Women’s Soccer and Track and Field teams, evaluating and rehabilitating complex musculoskeletal injuries in collaboration with Simpson’s sports medicine personnel. 

While still being early in her career, Weiland has immersed herself in her profession. Aside from being a Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC), she holds certifications in American Red Cross Basic Life Support, Safe Space Ally Training, American Pharmacists Association Pharmacy-Based Immunization Delivery, and Mental Health First Aid. She also serves on the Athletico Athletic Training Advisory Board as the Des Moines Region Representative. 

Weiland exemplifies what it means to be a dedicated and engaged Drake University alum. As a current Master of Athletic Training Preceptor, she plays an impactful role in educating and providing hands-on career experience to MAT students. As a member of the Athletic Training Advisory Board, she plays a crucial part in providing professional support to the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. Her commitment to Drake and to the athletic training profession is recognized with the Young Alumni Achievement Award. 

Justin Welch 

Justin Welch earned his Doctor of Pharmacy degree with a Concentration in Diabetes from Drake University in 2015. Early in his career, Dr. Welch has already gained valuable experience in several areas of pharmacy. He has over three years of pharmacy practice experience, working as a Clinical Pharmacist in the home infusion sector. In addition, he has over six years of practice in community pharmacy, working in prior roles as a Pharmacy Manager, HIV Lead, Immunization Lead, Staff Pharmacist, and Floater Pharmacist. 

Currently, Dr. Welch holds the position of Pharmacy Manager at Option Care Health. He holds a pharmacy license in three different states: Tennessee, Mississippi, and Arkansas. He is involved professionally as a member of the Mid-South College of Clinical Pharmacy, Memphis Chapter of the National Pharmaceutical Association, and Elks Lodge. In 2022, he received the Option Care Health Hope Award. 

When he is not at work, Dr. Welch can be found regularly volunteering his time in the community and at his church. He serves in numerous other capacities locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally. Making significant strides in his career while making time to give back, Dr. Welch is well suited for the Young Alumni Achievement Award.