Kim Garza, an associate professor in the department of health outcomes research and policy in the Harrison School of Pharmacy at Auburn University in Alabama, received the 2019 William M. Heller Mentor of the Year Award from the American Foundation for Pharmaceutical Education. The William M. Heller Mentor of the Year Award recognizes faculty who are nominated by their students and colleagues, for their guidance, dedication, leadership, instruction and encouragement.
“I left a career in clinical pharmacy practice to become a faculty member because of my strong passion for graduate education and student mentoring,” Dr. Garza said. “The most rewarding part of my job is to see students succeed in their studies and later in their careers. Being there to guide students through the challenges of graduate school and helping them to thrive in our program is so fulfilling to me.”
Dr. Garza’s research involves application of behavioral economic theory to study cardioprotective health behaviors, including medication adherence, diet and physical activity. Specifically, she studies incentive systems that help individuals overcome present-biased preferences in order to engage in and maintain preventive health behaviors. She joined the faculty at Auburn in 2011.
Garza earned her bachelor’s degree in pharmacy and a pharmacy doctorate from Auburn University. She then worked as a hospital pharmacist in Alabama, Tennessee, and West Virginia. Dr. Garza then earned an MBA and a doctorate in health outcomes research from West Virginia University.