Distinguished Leadership Award for Internationals

Since attending the University of Minnesota as a Fulbright Scholar from 1979 to 1981, Tommy Westerlund has become a recognized leader in pharmacy education, medication use, and healthcare in Sweden and throughout Europe. He was recognized as the Swedish pharmacist of the year in 1996 and has been active in the International Pharmaceutical Federation throughout his career. 

Dr. Westerlund served as associate professor in social pharmacy and director of the pharmaceutical program at Malmö University before retiring in 2020. He previously held positions as a researcher at the Medical Products Agency, Sweden’s medical regulatory authority, and at the National Corporation of Swedish Pharmacies. 

Dr. Westerlund has published widely on community pharmacy, medication use, and pharmaceutical care and conducted studies in a range of areas related to pharmacy, health care, public policy, and practice. His positive impact has been felt worldwide, including in Minnesota. Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, Dr. Westerlund has attended monthly meetings of the Minnesota-based Metropolitan Professional Pharmacists Society by Zoom from Sweden. 

In naming Dr. Westerlund as a recipient of the Distinguished Leadership Award for Internationals, the selection committee acknowledges his outstanding contributions to the pharmaceutical field as well as his ongoing connection to the University of Minnesota.