Alumni Merit Award
An Alumni Merit Award is annually given to an outstanding alumnus/a at the Creighton University School of Pharmacy and Health Professions’ Alumni Reunion Dinner each October. The recipient of the award must qualify for this honor according to the criteria listed below.
- Be a degreed alumnus/alumna of CreightonUniversity.
- Have provided distinguished service to the University and/or to his/her own community together with a way of life that clearly exemplifies the University Credo.
- Have a personal quality that makes him/her as cultured and of high moral principles guided by the Jesuit ideals of being men and women for others.
2009 Alumni Merit Award Recipient - John M. Blazek, BSPha '77, MBA '86
John Blazek earned a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy from Creighton University in 1977. From the beginning, his personal and professional insights and goals have been firmly grounded in the Creighton credo of service to others – his church, his family, his community and his alma mater. He has held steadfastly to these priorities, all while becoming a highly accomplished businessman.
Mr. Blazek co-founded his first company, Total HomeCare Inc., in 1981. At the time, he was practicing pharmacy and pursuing a master’s degree in business administration at Creighton University. It was the first of many successful business ventures. His business acumen has garnered Mr. Blazek the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce’s 25 Fastest Growing Companies award – three times. The Chamber also selected him for its Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2002, and he earned a Ten Outstanding Young Omahans Award in 1994.
Today, he is the president and owner of JMB Capital, LLC; managing director and co-owner of Heartland Health Therapy, Inc., and director and co-owner of Pioneer Publishing, Inc.
While his accomplishments in business and the health care industry are well known, Mr. Blazek has always represented the University well in spirit and in action. He has generously given to his community and to those less fortunate, volunteering numerous hours and resources. Catholic Charities, Skutt Catholic High School and KVSS Spirit Catholic Radio are but a few nonprofit organizations that have benefited from his leadership and vision. Mr. Blazek also served as Economic Development co-chair for the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce Board and, at Creighton, on the University Alumni Council. He is a member of the Creighton men’s basketball Coaches Circle.
John Blazek has truly incorporated the Jesuit values into his daily life, positively impacting his community and all people who come into contact with him. Therefore, it is with great pride and pleasure that the Creighton University School of Pharmacy and Health Professions confers its 2009 Alumni Merit Award upon Mr. John Michael Blazek.
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Young Alumni Appreciation Award
This award is presented at the School of Pharmacy and Health Professions Alumni Reunion Banquet. This year’s Alumni Reunion Dinner will be held Friday, October 5, 2007 at the Hilton Omaha. The Young Alumni Appreciation Award is conferred annually on an outstanding graduate from each of the three disciplines in the School of Pharmacy and Health Professions (occupational therapy, pharmacy and physical therapy) who earned his/her degree from Creighton in the past 10 years. The citation is awarded to alumni who have distinguished themselves in their professional practice, community service or other areas which reflect positively on our School and the University.
The recipients of the award are chosen based on qualifications of:
- Distinguished service to the University, to their profession, and/or to their own community together with a way of life that clearly exemplifies the University
- CREDO (attached), and
- Personal qualities that makes them of high moral principles guided by the Jesuit ideals of being men and women for and with others.
The 2009 recipients of the Young Alumni Appreciation Awards are:
- Jason P. Keel, DPT 2004
- Thomas L. Lenz, PharmD 1999
- Elizabeth H. Lilla, OTD 2003
The 2008 recipients of the Young Alumni Appreciation Awards are:
- Elizabeth Rusch Richards, DPT 2000
- Marty J. Feltner, PharmD 1999
- Joy Voltz Doll, OTD 2003
The 2007 recipients of the Young Alumni Appreciation Awards are:
- Victoria K. T. McHugh, DPT 1998
- Jennifer L. Upward, PharmD 2005
- Kristina N. Ursick, OTD 2002
Nominate an Alum for the Young Alumni Appreciation Award
Click here to see past recipients of the Young Alumni Appreciation Award