RCB Graduate Erin Atkins, WVU Medicine Children’s Lead Pediatric Pharmacy Tech, Earns National Award
By Connect-Bridgeport Staff on March 22, 2025
Erin Atkins, C.Ph.T., C.S.P.T., lead pediatric pharmacy technician in the WVU Medicine Children’s Inpatient Pharmacy, is one of two recipients of the 2025 American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) Board of Directors’ Pharmacy Technician Excellence Award.
This award is given to those who have made significant contributions to excellence in the role of pharmacy technicians, advancement of the pharmacy technician workforce, and advancement of pharmacy practice. 
“It is such an honor to have Erin Atkins recognized with the ASHP Board of Directors’ Pharmacy Technician Excellence Award,” Todd Karpinski, Pharm.D., M.S., F.A.S.H.P., F.A.C.H.E., vice president and chief pharmacy officer for the WVU Health System, said.
“Erin has been instrumental in helping WVU Medicine develop an on-site externship program for aspiring pharmacy technicians. This program helps us train and hopefully recruit a new class of technicians each year to ensure appropriate staffing levels.?Erin’s work and this recognition truly shine a bright light on WVU Medicine.”
During the 15 years she’s been with the Health System, Atkins has worked on numerous initiatives to better patient care, including building all Omnicell machines for WVU Medicine Children’s Hospital and networking them, helping plan and design the pharmacy and medication rooms before the Hospital opened, and training all new pharmacy technicians before moving into the new space.
Atkins also works on continuing education for pharmacy technicians within the System.
“Erin is truly a pilar of our department,” Courtney Sweet, Pharm.D., B.C.P.P.S., director of pharmacy for WVU Medicine Children’s, said. “She makes it her mission to cultivate a positive environment where pharmacy technicians can thrive. I am grateful that ASHP has recognized her contributions and that we can celebrate all her efforts.”
Atkins will be presented with the Pharmacy Technician Excellence Award in December at the ASHP’s 60th Midyear Clinical Meeting in Las Vegas.
“I’ve dedicated my life to helping others and trying to be a positive influence and that has carried over in how I approach my role as a pharmacy technician leader,” Atkins said. “This award validates those efforts and is a reflection of the great team I have the privilege of working with every day. I’m honored to accept this award while looking ahead and recognizing that the work is never truly finished in our line of work.”
