ACCP member Thomas S. Foster, Pharm.D., has been named the recipient of the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) pinnacle award, the Beal Award for Distinguished Volunteer Service. The award, given once every 5 years, recognizes an individual who has made outstanding contributions while serving as a USP volunteer. Dr. Foster will receive the award during a special ceremony at the 2010 USP Convention.

USP Chief Executive Officer Roger L. Williams, M.D., noted that USP volunteers are special individuals who work with unrivaled dedication to further USP’s mission and vision. Dr. Williams recognized Dr. Foster as one of those volunteers whose contributions stand above the rest. In making its choice, the Beal Award Selection Committee underscored Dr. Foster’s standards-setting accomplishments and highlighted his leadership in USP.

Dr. Foster is a Professor in the Colleges of Pharmacy, Medicine, and Public Health at the University of Kentucky (UK). Since 1973, he has practiced in the University Hospital and Clinics; has taught professional and graduate courses in advanced pharmacotherapy, pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics, computer and information systems, and bioethics and research integrity; and has led programs in multidisciplinary clinical pharmacology research involving investigational drugs and drug delivery systems. He is the Director of the Regulatory Support and Research Integrity program of the UK Center for Clinical and Translational Science and has been the Executive Chairman of the University’s Medical Institutional Review Board since 1987. He is also a consultant to the FDA Center for Drug Evaluation and Research and the Department Health and Human Services Office of Human Research Protections.