2026 Continuing Education Outstanding Champion Award

Awarded to an individual who has consistently exemplified excellence in advancing continuing education to improve practice and patient care.

Amanuel Kehasse, PharmD, PhD

The Boston University Barry M. Manuel Center for Continuing Education’s (BU CCE) “2026 Continuing Education Outstanding Champion Award” is given to Amanuel Kehasse, PharmD, PhD in honor of his outstanding contributions to the Center for Continuing Education in support of our mission to design, implement, and assess evidence-based education for the healthcare team to advance their skills/strategies and performance, optimally leading to improved patient outcomes.

Aman has worked with the Center for more than five years as a partner and collaborator in the design, development, and creation of program ideas and grant proposals. He has served as a faculty member and advisor numerous times for our accredited continuing education. Sharing his expertise as a member of the exemplary Boston Medical Center Specialty Pharmacy team, Aman has enabled us to amplify the perspective of the interprofessional healthcare team, as well as the patient perspective, in the planning and execution of our programming. Aman has also called upon his network to recruit sites across the country for quality improvement and educational initiatives, helping to expand access to improved care and served as a connector to health professionals within the BMC health system. He is a champion for change.

Colleen LaBelle, MSN, RN-BC, CARN

The Boston University Barry M. Manuel Center for Continuing Education’s (BU CCE) “2026 Continuing Education Outstanding Champion Award” is given to Colleen LaBelle, MSN, RN-BC, CARN in honor of her years of collaboration with the Center for Continuing Education in support of our mission to design, implement, and assess evidence-based education for the healthcare team to advance their skills/strategies and performance, optimally leading to improved patient outcomes.

Colleen has worked with the CCE office on a regular basis since 2017, when we began offering credit for ongoing programming offered by her office.  Colleen works relentlessly to ensure that the Continuing Education programs offered by the Grayken Center are of highest quality, address the needs of the entire healthcare team, and provide critical education to both local and national audiences seeking information on best practices in substance use disorders care.

2025 Continuing Education Outstanding Champions

Katelyn O’Brien, PharmD, BCPS, CDCES, BC-ADM

The Boston University Barry M. Manuel Center for Continuing Education’s (BU CCE) “2025 Continuing Education Outstanding Champion Award” is given to Katelyn O’Brien, PharmD, BCPS, CDCES, BC-ADM in honor of her continued dedication to our mission to design, implement, and assess evidence-based education for the healthcare team to advance their skills/strategies and performance, optimally leading to improved patient outcomes.

Over the past five years, Katelyn has worked with the BU CCE in numerous ways including proposal and needs assessment development, serving as a faculty member on programs, championing quality improvement initiatives and mentoring others doing the same, and disseminating our work to a broader audience via scholarly endeavors. Katelyn is always responsive and generous with her time and expertise. She promotes interprofessional and multidisciplinary patient care, especially in the field of diabetes.  Katelyn’s passion for patient care and clinician education shines through, and we are lucky to have her as a trusted partner!

 

Jason Worcester, MD

The Boston University Barry M. Manuel Center for Continuing Education’s (BU CCE) “2025 Continuing Education Outstanding Champion Award” is given to Jason Worcester, MD in honor of his unflagging willingness over many years to support our mission to design, implement, and assess evidence-based education for the healthcare team to advance their skills/strategies and performance, optimally leading to improved patient outcomes.

Jason has served as course director, strategic adviser, content reviewer, faculty, needs assessment reviewer, and editor. Jason has worked with us on our journal-based programs, our quality improvement projects, our international activities, and our partnership programs. He has also starred in our online enduring education activities as the primary faculty educator. He is always willing to give our team advice, provide help at a moment’s notice, and connect us with key individuals and organizations that can aid us in reaching our goals. Jason collaborates with clinicians from other professions and disciplines resulting in improvements in patient care, clinical outcomes, and healthcare system efficiency.