Matt Binder, owner of Ostroms Drug & Gift, Bob Johnson’s Pharmacy, and Madison Park Pharmacy in the Seattle area, has been awarded the 2025 National Preceptor of the Year Award by the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) Foundation. The award was presented during NCPA’s Annual Convention held from October 18-21 in New Orleans. This recognition is given to a pharmacist who has made notable contributions to pharmacy student education as a preceptor in community practice.
The selection process for this award was conducted through blind judging to ensure impartiality. Binder graduated from the University of Washington School of Pharmacy in 2017 and acquired his first pharmacy in 2021 with support from Jeff Harrell and Cascadia Pharmacy Group. He now owns multiple stores and currently mentors 14 students. In addition to this national honor, Binder received the 2024 Distinguished Young Pharmacist of the Year award from the Washington State Pharmacy Association and served on the NCPA State Legislation Steering Committee for 2024-2025.
Crystal Bryan of Cascadia Pharmacy Group/Washington State University nominated Binder for the award. She stated, “Matt has been committed to giving back to the next generation since graduation. As owner of three pharmacies with three different patient mixes and varying services offered at each pharmacy, he creates a unique learning environment for technicians, student pharmacists and residents alike. He also engages his full staff to optimize the learning opportunities, feedback and unique viewpoints his interns are exposed to. I have worked with hundreds of pharmacists and preceptors throughout my career and hands-down this young pharmacist is the most engaged, dynamic and devoted preceptor I have ever had the privilege of crossing paths with.”
Binder highlighted several recent achievements as a preceptor: mentoring Anna Dimak, who won Student of the Year at Washington State Pharmacy Association; starting a new community residency program with Tara Pfund and Amanda Bryan; and seeing a University of Washington team become finalists in a national business plan competition.
Jeff Harrell, PharmD, NCPA President and CEO of Cascadia Pharmacy Group said: “Matt Binder represents the future of independent community pharmacy leadership. His dedication to mentoring the next generation of pharmacists and technicians is extraordinary, especially considering he’s still early in his own career. Matt understands that investing in students and residents isn’t just good for pharmacy education — it’s essential for ensuring independent pharmacy continues to thrive and serve communities for generations to come. His ability to create dynamic learning environments across multiple practice settings while maintaining excellent patient care is truly exemplary.”
The NCPA Foundation supports awards like this as part of its mission to promote sustainability, growth, and public understanding within independent community pharmacy practice.
The NCPA Foundation operates as a nonprofit organization established in 1953. Its mission includes improving community-based health care by supporting independent community pharmacists—who are often among society's most accessible health care providers—and increasing public awareness about their role.
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