Dr. Chris Manley Receives Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Distinguished Preceptor Award

Cobleskill Regional Hospital's Chris Manley, PharmD, was recently named a Distinguished Preceptor for 2022 by the Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.

"I am incredibly honored to be one of the recipients of this award this year, and knowing that I am having a positive effect on the future of pharmacy," says Dr. Manley.

A preceptor is an experienced practitioner who acts as a mentor and instructor to students in the field. "I love working with students," continues Dr. Manley, "helping to become not only good pharmacists, but also caring, empathetic people. We focus not just on pharmacotherapy, but also how to be great coworkers, caregivers, and community members. I encourage my students to treat all their patients with the respect that they deserve as humans, no matter their circumstances. I also do my best to impart a 'team' attitude. No single job in the pharmacy is beneath them as pharmacists, from repacking medications to mopping the cleanroom."

Albany College honors several of its preceptors with awards each year based on student nominations and feedback. Dr. Manley's students made special note of both his knowledge and his interpersonal skills.

"Dr. Manley was dedicated to providing students not only a thorough education while on rotation, but a welcoming work environment as well," remarked one student's nomination. "While on rotation at Cobleskill Regional Hospital, it became apparent how crucial a knowledgeable pharmacist is as part of the healthcare team."

"Chris was one of the most knowledgeable people I've ever met," said another. "His team highly respected him, making it very easy to work with him. He was great as a preceptor."

"I enjoy spending time getting to know our students—who they are as people and not just as students," says Dr. Manley. "Drawing out the personality of the quiet ones is particularly rewarding. It is also good to have them as it keeps me on my toes with my own therapeutic knowledge."