In December, 2009, President Obama and Commerce Secretary Gary Locke recognized five organizations throughout the country that exemplify quality, innovation, and an unending quest for excellence to help strengthen our nation and brighten the future of all Americans. Among those five was the VA Cooperative Studies Program Clinical Research Pharmacy Coordinating Center, an academic affiliate with the UNM College of Pharmacy.

 President Obama awarded The Pharmacy Coordinating Center with the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award in the non-profit category, the nation’s highest Presidential honor for innovation and performance excellence. The Center was able to pull ahead of competitors due in part to:

The Center is a federal government organization that supports clinical trials targeting current veteran health issues. The Center manages drugs and devices used in clinical trials conducted worldwide by the VA Cooperative Studies Program and other federal agencies. The Center manufactures, packages, stores, labels, distributes, and tracks clinical trial materials (drugs and devices). It is headed by Mike Sather PhD., F.A.S.P., with College of Pharmacy alumnus Stuart Warren J.D., Pharm.D.(‘01) as Deputy Center Director.

The 2009 Baldrige Award recipients were selected from a field of 70 applicants. All of the applicants were evaluated rigorously by an independent board of examiners in seven areas: leadership; strategic planning; customer focus; measurement, analysis and knowledge management; workforce focus; process management; and results. The evaluation process for each of the recipients included about 1,000 hours of review and an on-site visit by a team of examiners to clarify questions and verify information in the applications.

 Named after Malcolm Baldrige, the 26th Secretary of Commerce, the Baldrige Award was established by Congress in 1987 to enhance the competitiveness and performance of U.S. businesses. Originally, three types of organizations were eligible: manufacturers, service companies and small businesses. Congress expanded the program in 1999 to include education and health care organizations, and again in 2007 to include nonprofit organizations (including charities, trade and professional associations, and government agencies). The award promotes excellence in organizational performance, recognizes the achievements and results of U.S. organizations, and publicizes successful performance strategies. Since 1988, 80 organizations have received Baldrige Awards.