2024 Fudin Award
2024 Fudin Award for Pain and Palliative Care Mentorship
Sandra DiScala Honored with 2024 Fudin Award for Pain and Palliative Care Mentorship
Edwardsville, IL – [July 8th, 2024] – The Society of Pain & Palliative Care Pharmacists Foundation (SPPCP Foundation) is proud to announce Dr. Sandra DiScala, PharmD, BCPS, FAAHPM, as the recipient of the 2024 Fudin Award for Pain and Palliative Care Mentorship. This prestigious award, presented in partnership with HealthCentral Corporation, honors the memory and legacy of Dr. Jeffrey Fudin, a pioneering figure in clinical pharmacy, palliative care, and pain management.
Dr. DiScala, the director of the PGY-2 Pain Management and Palliative Care Pharmacy Residency at the West Palm Beach VA Health System in Florida, is recognized for her exceptional contributions to pain and palliative care education and mentorship. With a doctorate from Nova Southeastern University and a bachelor’s from PennWest Clarion, she has established herself as a leader and role model in the field. In 2018, she was named the Florida Society of Health System Pharmacists’ Residency Preceptor of the Year and recently received the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM) Distinguished Hospice Interdisciplinary Team Member award in 2024.
Dr. DiScala has authored or co-authored over 30 peer-reviewed articles and is a highly sought-after speaker nationwide. She has been instrumental in developing preceptor programs and interprofessional teams that have significantly improved patient care and professional training in pain and palliative care.
"Dr. DiScala embodies the spirit of this award, and the success of her previous trainees is a testament to her efforts and guidance,” said Chris Herndon, PharmD, president of the SPPCP Foundation and professor at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.
Dr. DiScala’s commitment to mentoring is evident in her work at the VA, where she has created a Preceptor Development Program for pharmacists and an interprofessional palliative care team affiliated with Trustbridge Health/Miller School of Medicine and the University of Miami. Her dedication has positively impacted many students, residents, and fellows, shaping the future of pain and palliative care.
Belal Dakroub, MD, a former mentee and now a colleague of Dr. DiScala, shared, “Dr. DiScala is a leader within the field of palliative care. Her knowledge, support, and genuine compassion as a program director, colleague, mentor, and friend are unmatched. Her commitment has led former residents to numerous publications and speaking engagements at the national level.”
MedCentral recently spoke with Dr. DiScala about her journey and passion for pain and palliative care. She expressed her honor at receiving the award, recalling her collaboration with Dr. Fudin and her continuous drive to improve patient care and mentor future clinicians.
The nomination period for the 2025 Fudin Award will be announced in January. Previous recipients include Mary Lynn McPherson, PharmD, MA, MDE, BCPS, FAAHPM (2023), and Jeffrey Fudin, PharmD, FCCP, FASHP, FFSMB (2022).