Public Affairs Council honors NACDS' Heidi Ecker for grassroots advocacy work

ARLINGTON, Va. — The Public Affairs Council has presented Heidi Ecker, National Association of Chain Drug Stores director of government affairs and grassroots programs, with the Volunteer of the Year Award, underscoring her contributions to NACDS in developing the NACDS RxIMPACT program and her commitment to the public affairs profession.



Ecker received the award during the Council’s Board of Directors meeting in California last week.



The Public Affairs Council is a nonpartisan, nonpolitical association for public affairs professionals worldwide. The Volunteer of the Year award is bestowed upon the individual who demonstrates a consistent record of involvement, including participating in the Council’s mentor program and political involvement networks, speaking at conferences or serving as an advisory committee member and assisting with providing counsel and resources to other public affairs professionals.



“Heidi is a grassroots advocacy architect. Joining NACDS over six years ago, she elevated the NACDS grassroots government affairs program to a new level by creating the NACDS RxIMPACT program to help educate and motivate pharmacy advocates on the importance of engaging with lawmakers on pro-patient, pro-pharmacy policies,” said NACDS president and CEO Steve Anderson.



The NACDS RxIMPACT program is comprised of several components offering advocates several opportunities to engage on behalf of pharmacy, including RxIMPACT Pharmacy Tours, RxIMPACT Day on Capitol Hill, RxIMPACT Training Program and RxIMPACT Votes. In addition, the RxIMPACT U Academy provides training opportunities for pharmacy students to get a jumpstart on engaging with policy makers about important issues that will impact the future of their profession.



“Heidi’s energy and tenacity have really driven the success of the NACDS RxIMPACT programs and we congratulate her on this well-deserved award from the Public Affairs Council,” Anderson said.