Idaho State University’s Kasiska Division of Health Sciences honors distinguished alumni, faculty and students at annual awards reception

The KDHS awards three Professional Achievement Awards each year to alumni of programs within the division who have made a distinct impact in their industry. These individuals are honored for their contributions to the mission and vision of the KDHS, along with the exceptional levels of excellence they practice in their daily work in the health professions.

At a reception in the Stephens Performing Arts Center Rotunda this month, the College of Pharmacy honored Ed Snell, owner of Ed Snell’s Pharmacy Shop in Pocatello as their Professional Achievement Award recipient. Snell graduated from the ISU College of Pharmacy in 1976. After a brief stint working in a chain pharmacy and a short foray into real estate, he opened his first store in March 1988 in Pocatello. When the store outgrew that location in 1999, Snell purchased another building across the street to have more room to care for his patients, and is still taking care of them in that location today. He also purchased pharmacies in Blackfoot, Jerome and Hailey that are now run by pharmacists Snell helped train throughout his career, including his son Luke.

Snell says he wanted to be able to provide better care for his patients, so he obtained a clinical nutrition certificate in 1997. He served as the president of the Idaho State Pharmacy Association and worked with representatives from other states to establish the Tri-State Pharmacy Association that is still active today.

Presenting the award to Snell was College of Pharmacy Dean Paul Cady, who said, “Ed was awarded the Pharmacist of the Year in the late 1990s, and he and other members of his staff have received numerous other pharmacy awards. These include Pharmacy Tech of the Year, Young Pharmacist of the Year twice, Innovative Pharmacist of the Year twice and the Bowl of Hygeia twice.”

The School of Nursing selected Michael McGrane as their Professional Achievement Award recipient. McGrane graduated from ISU School of Nursing in 1982 with a bachelor’s nursing degree and a master’s degree in nursing in 1985. He started working on the pediatric unit at Bannock Regional Medical Center and then went on to work as a life flight nurse. From there he advanced and was the coordinator of Life Flight services at St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise and later became the director of Trauma and Life Flight there.

McGrane moved to St. Luke’s Regional Medical Center and Health System in Boise to become the senior director of Air St. Luke’s in 2001 and retired in 2015. Currently, he serves as a lobbyist at the Idaho legislature where he represents nursing interests for the Nurse Leaders of Idaho and American Nurses Association Idaho.

McGrane has provided active leadership and participation in more than 31 council, committees, commissions, task force initiatives, coalitions, boards, societies and associations during his career. He was instrumental in the implementation of the Idaho Trauma Registry and developed the only maternal child transport service in Idaho.

Karen Neill, associate dean for student affairs and associate director for graduate studies at ISU’s School of Nursing, introduced McGrane during the reception, saying, “Mike has been a mentor and preceptor for the School of Nursing and an excellent role model in clinical practice. Mike’s dedication to ISU, the community and nursing profession is honorable – Mike represents the spirit of nursing in giving and caring for those in need, and providing quality care and nursing expertise in situations where expertise and commitment truly make a difference.”

The Kasiska Division of Health Sciences selected Casey Dye as its 2018 Professional Achievement Award recipient. Dye earned his Bachelor of Science degree from ISU in radiographic science in 2004 and a Master of Health Administration degree from Weber State University in 2016.

Dye is now the director of Diagnostic Services (Imaging and Laboratory) at Madison Memorial Hospital in Rexburg.  Prior to this he worked as a radiologic technologist at Primary Children’s Medical Center in Salt Lake City and at Madison Memorial Hospital. He has been a lead radiologic technologist, clinical instructor, quality assurance lead, diagnostic imaging coordinator and interim radiology director at Primary Children’s Hospital.

Dye has been an advocate and leader in his field for reducing pediatric radiation doses during imaging examinations, he serves on many committees and is involved in numerous charity fundraising events, according to his nominators for this award. He transitioned both Primary Children's Medical Center and Madison Memorial Hospital from computed radiography technology to direct digital radiography.  

Speaking of Dye’s accomplishments as she introduced Dye during the reception, Wendy Mickelsen, clinical assistant professor of radiographic science , said, “He is a member of the planning committee for the 40 year reunion this fall of the first radiographic science class graduating from ISU in 1978. He was instrumental in securing a donation from Madison Memorial Hospital of a hospital bed, a crash cart, incubator, portable x-ray unit, pediatric mannequin, and other items for our new patient care simulation room, radiographic science classroom. He is also involved in raising money, as an ISU alumni, for the Radiographic Science Endowment Fund, and assists with scholarships for future students. Through all his academic, clinical and management success, Casey exemplifies excellence. His example is a model for all of us to follow.”

Also honored at the KDHS reception were Wade Tolman and Dirk Driscoll, members of the ISU Foundation Board. KDHS Vice President for Health Sciences Dr. Rex Force presented the Vice President’s Excellence Award.

Wade Tolman and his wife, Karen, are both ISU alumni. Tolman earned a degree in economics and immediately started a career in banking. After a 30-year career, he retired from KeyCorp as executive vice president and manager of Enterprise Technology. His career took him to Boise, Portland, New York and Cleveland. Following retirement, the Tolmans moved back to Pocatello and are active in the local community.

Tolman served as a member and chair of the Dean’s Advisory Board for the ISU College of Arts and Sciences now known as the ISU College of Arts and Letters. In 2011, he was honored to receive the College of Arts and Letters Outstanding Professional Achievement Award. He also has served on the Bengal Pharmacy Advisory Board. Tolman just retired earlier this month from his position on the ISU Foundation Board.

Driscoll is currently a director on the ISU Foundation Board of Directors, and serves as the president of the Bengal Pharmacy Board of Managers. He is also well-known and respected within the agribusiness community, is a managing partner of Driscoll Brothers Partnership.  The brothers oversee the farming of more than 20,000 acres of potatoes, wheat, sugar beets and corn. They own and operate Driscoll Potatoes, Inc., a fresh potato packaging facility in American Falls that packs and ships potatoes throughout the United States. In addition, the family owns and operates a trucking company, a truck repair and service center, a wholesale and retail oil and fuel company, and a grain elevator.  More recently they added Harpers Homemade Baking Company and TopHay, which exports hay to China, to their portfolio.

Driscoll served on the Bingham County Planning and Zoning Commission, the executive board of the Grand Teton Council of the Boy Scouts of America, as president of the Aberdeen Chamber of Commerce, and in a leadership role for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Both he and his company have been long-time generous supports of scholarship programs and Bengal Athletics.

The KHDS took time during the reception to honor three students with Graduates of Distinction awards, who received a $200 award along with their recognition during the reception. These students were Hope Hampton, physical therapy, Distinguished Clinician; Dustin Destle, counseling, Distinguished Leader; and Renee Howells, counseling, Distinguished Researcher.

Three other students, honored in an earlier ceremony by the ISU Alumni Office, were recognized at the KDHS reception as well. These include KDHS Outstanding Student Achievement Award recipient Jessica Downes, radiographic science, College of Pharmacy Outstanding Student Achievement award recipient Heather Walser and School of Nursing Outstanding Student Achievement award recipient Jessalyn Garnett.

Also honored during the annual reception were distinguished faculty members of the KDHS, Glenda Carr, pharmacy, Amy Hardy, communication sciences and disorders, and Jason Pilarski, dental and biological sciences.