Matt Binder Receives National Preceptor of the Year Award from NCPA Foundation

NEW ORLEANS, La. (Oct. 19, 2025) – Matt Binder, owner of Ostroms Drug & Gift, Bob Johnson’s Pharmacy and Madison Park Pharmacy, all in the Seattle area, was named the recipient of the 2025 National Preceptor of the Year Award by the National Community Pharmacists Association Foundation as part of NCPA’s Annual Convention, being held Oct. 18-21 in New Orleans, La. This award recognizes a pharmacist who has made a significant contribution to the education of pharmacy students as a preceptor in a community practice setting. Preceptors demonstrate commitment to students as professional mentors and teachers, and display high standards of professionalism. The selection was made through a blind judging process to guarantee fairness and impartiality.

Binder is a 2017 graduate of the University of Washington School of Pharmacy. He was given the opportunity to buy his first store in 2021, partnering with Jeff Harrell and Cascadia Pharmacy Group. This led to multi-store ownership opportunities. Binder is currently precepting 14 students. He received the 2024 Distinguished Young Pharmacist of the Year from the Washington State Pharmacy Association and served on the 2024-2025 NCPA State Legislation Steering Committee. Binder particularly enjoys encouraging advocacy and contextual awareness in mentees and prioritizes leading with transparency as well as creating a fun environment for employees and patients.

Crystal Bryan, Cascadia Pharmacy Group/Washington State University, who nominated Binder for this award, says, “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’s three proudest recent preceptor moments have been seeing his student Anna Dimak win the Washington State Pharmacy Association Student of the Year, starting a new community residency program with Tara Pfund and first resident Amanda Bryan, and seeing the University of Washington team place as a finalist in the 2025 Good Neighbor Pharmacy NCPA Pruitt-Schutte Student Business Plan Competition. He believes that when good people go into community pharmacy, all of society benefits.

“Matt Binder represents the future of independent community pharmacy leadership,” said Jeff Harrell, PharmD, NCPA President and Cascadia Pharmacy Group CEO. “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 is proud to support the sustainability and growth of the independent pharmacy profession and is grateful for the opportunity to provide awards like this that recognize excellence in pharmacy practice, education, and leadership.