Rachel Marini, PharmD, BCIDP, has received UPMC’s Award for Commitment and Excellence in Service (ACES). The ACES Award honors staff whose everyday actions, and in some instances, personal acts of courage and compassion exceed the high level of service that the community has come to expect from UPMC. Each year, less than one percent of UPMC staff from across the health system receives this honor.
Rachel received her doctorate of pharmacy degree from Duquesne University in 2014. She joined the ID Division as an Antimicrobial Stewardship pharmacist in 2016 after completing her Pharmacy Practice and Infectious Diseases residencies at UPMC. Since then she has contributed to numerous patient-care initiatives, including daptomycin utilization criteria and establishment of a Vancomycin Pharmacy Pharmacokinetics (PK) service. Rachel serves as a critical liaison between the ID Division and the Department of Pharmacy. In recognition of her accomplishments, Rachel was appointed Lead Pharmacist and most recently, Supervisor of Pharmacy Operations – ID/Stewardship service lines. She is a prior recipient of the UPMC ACES award in 2017.
Rachel has spearheaded the UPMC COVID-19 vaccine response, including the establishment of an employee vaccination program, the South Side vaccine clinic, and several other outreach efforts leading to her nomination for her second ACES award. Rachel has shown relentless dedication to our community often volunteering time on nights, weekends, and holidays to ensure equal access to vaccines. She is the Chair of the Pharmacy Presbyterian/Shadyside (PUH/SHY) Immunization Committee. Incredibly, Rachel was able to continue her primary roles in Antimicrobial Stewardship and Pharmacy while simultaneously building these vaccine programs and clinics. Her selfless and positive approach to the pandemic has created a positive environment for all those around her.
Rachel is an integral member of the UPMC Antimicrobial Management Program. She continues to make important contributions to the academic environment at the University of Pittsburgh and to patient care at UPMC. We are fortunate to have Rachel as a member of our team.
Congratulations Rachel on this well-deserved honor. Thank you for your hard work and dedication!