Michele Weizer, PharmD

Michele Weizer received her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Florida College of Pharmacy in 1990 and completed an ASHP accredited residency in Clinical Pharmacy at Shands Hospital at the University of Florida in 1991. She currently practices as the Pharmacy Automation and Clinical Coordinator at JFK Medical Center in Atlantis, Florida. Michele has been a site facilitator with the University of Florida College of Pharmacy WPPD program since 1996. She is the immediate past Chair of the UF College of Pharmacy Dean's Advisory Board and most recently was elected Chair of the Florida Board of Pharmacy.

Albert Garcia, BPharm, MHL

Albert Garcia has accumulated a wealth of top level experience in the field and has previously served as Chairman of the Florida Board of Pharmacy. As Executive Vice President of Pharmacy Operations for Navarro Discount Pharmacies, Garcia oversees several hundred employees and is responsible for the overall operations of Navarro's 27 pharmacy locations in Miami-Dade County. He is a seasoned executive with a successful track record in the pharmaceutical industry that spans three decades. He is a third generation pharmacist and has a broad background in both the hospital and retail sectors of the profession of pharmacy.

In September 2000, Garcia was the recipient of the University of Florida Outstanding Service Award from the College of Pharmacy Externship Program. In 2001, he received the Florida Community Education, Business of the Year Award. Garcia has also previously served on the Drug Wholesaler Advisory Council. An active leader in the community, Garcia has been involved with the American Diabetes Association, the Diabetic Research Institute, the MS Ride, Dade County Public Schools Principal for a Day program and the Community Education Program.

Garcia holds a Masters degree in Health Law from Nova Southeastern University where he graduated Summa Cum Laude and a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Florida. Headquartered in Miami, Navarro Discount Pharmacies was founded in Havana, Cuba in 1940 and opened its first store in the U.S. in 1961. With 28 stores and approximately 1,500 employees in Miami, Navarro is the largest Hispanic-owned drugstore chain in the U.S.

Cynthia Griffin, PharmD

Dr. Cynthia Roberts Griffin is the Director of Pharmacy Government Programs for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida. She is a graduate of Florida A&M University receiving both a Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy and a Doctor of Pharmacy degree. She completed the American Society of Health Systems Pharmacist Anticoagulation Traineeship program and is a fellow of the American Society of Health Systems Pharmacist.

She has been in Pharmacy Management for more than 20 years. She has held numerous positions including Assistant Professor of Clinical Pharmacy at Florida A&M University College of Pharmacy and Associate Professor of Clinical Pharmacy at the University of Florida College of Pharmacy. While working at Shands Jacksonville she established a pharmacist managed anticoagulation clinic. She also served as the Director of Primary Care Residency Program.

Dr. Griffin has served on numerous boards and committees including the Downtown Development Authority for the City of Jacksonville, the State Medicaid Physician Prescribing Panel; the American Society of Health Systems Pharmacist Commission on Credentialing and is currently serving on the Florida State Board of Pharmacy.

Dr. Griffin has published articles in several professional journals and was featured on the cover of the American Pharmacy Journal for her innovative clinical practice at Shands Jacksonville.

DeAnn Mullins, BPharm, CDE

DeAnn is an independent community pharmacist and a certified diabetes educator. She is the owner of Mullins Pharmacy and WeCare Wellness & Medical Supplies in Lynn Haven, Florida and serves as the Director of Clinical Services for the nationally recognized and award winning WeCare Diabetes Education Program.

A 1993 graduate of the Samford University McWhorter School of Pharmacy and self-proclaimed "diabetes geek", DeAnn spends the majority of her time helping people with diabetes reach their goals and improve their quality of life.

DeAnn has published numerous articles on diabetes as the diabetes care columnist for Retail Pharmacy Management magazine. Her column reached every retail pharmacy in the United States and then some-totaling more than 60,000 pharmacies-and had an estimated 120,000 readers. She is a sought-after keynote speaker and trainer in her areas of expertise.

She has been recognized for her professional and patient care efforts with awards including the Mylan Excellence in Pharmacy Award; Samford University Professional Service Award; Eli Lilly Award for Ethics, Scholarship and Leadership; and the ASHP Leadership Award. The Florida Pharmacists Association, The University of Mississippi and the National Community Pharmacists Association have recognized her patient care efforts with innovative pharmacy practice awards.

DeAnn has been active in her community and her profession by serving on many committees and boards throughout her career. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for both the National Community Pharmacists Association and the Bay County Chamber of Commerce.

DeAnn and her husband of 23 years, Ken, are life-long Florida residents. She enjoys following their two daughters around the Southeast in her roles as Soccer and Dance Mom.

Jeffrey J. Mesaros, PharmD

Dr. Mesaros received his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Wilkes University, in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania in 2001. He then furthered his education by earning his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Miami School of Law in Coral Gables, Florida in 2006. He has also completed the University of Floridas Master of Science in Pharmacy to enhance his background in Pharmaceutical Outcomes & Policy. He has worked in various areas across the profession of pharmacy including: large chain community pharmacy, independent community pharmacy, long-term care, hospital, remote pharmacy services, mail-service/home delivery pharmacy and hospice. Having worked directly in those areas, while also experiencing other aspects of pharmacy practice, has given Jeff a real world and personal perspective regarding the challenges and opportunities throughout the profession. He had the opportunity to see pharmacy from the legal regulatory and compliance aspect as well. Working as a Regulatory Attorney, managing Pharmacy Regulatory Affairs and leading a Compliance team, has provided advanced experience working with state boards of pharmacy, pharmacy practice, operations and management teams and compliance auditors and regulators to ensure compliance, accreditation and licensing throughout a dynamic multi-operational pharmacy enterprise.



He is a member of many professional organizations, including the American Pharmacists Association, the American Society for Pharmacy Law, and the American Bar Association, and also teaches pharmacy law as an adjunct faculty member of the University of Hawaii at Hilo College of Pharmacy.

Lorena Risch, Consumer Member

Lorena M. Risch has been a Florida resident since 1980, moving here from Ohio. She is a graduate from Ohio University with a degree in Education. Mrs. Risch has been involved with the Pharmacy Profession for 25 years, as she and her husband were owners of a retail pharmacy until 2007.

Mrs. Risch was appointed by Governor Crist in 2008 as a consumer member.