TAMPA, Fla. — Benzer Pharmacy chief executive officer Manish Patel has been named as a finalist for the EY Entrepreneur of The Year 2016 Award in Florida.

Now in its 30th year, the EY Entrepreneur of The Year Award recognizes entrepreneurs who demonstrate excellence and extraordinary success in such areas as innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities.

Manish Patel

Patel was chosen as a finalist by a panel of independent judges. Award winners will be announced at a ceremony on June 9 at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts in Tampa.

“I am extremely honored to be named an EY Entrepreneur of the Year® 2016 finalist in Florida and to be listed among this impressive group of entrepreneurs,” Patel said in a statement.

Patel co-founded Benzer in 2009. The drug chain has since seen rapid growth and now has more than 50 pharmacy locations in Florida, Michigan, Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Georgia, Nevada and Louisiana. It plans to open 20 to 30 new pharmacies this year.

In March, Benzer formally launched a franchise model to draw independent pharmacies to its brand and help fuel its expansion.

Along with traditional retail pharmacy services and over-the-counter products, Benzer offers immunizations, health consultations and personalized care. The chain also specializes in specialty drugs and medication management programs for people with complex chronic diseases, including hepatitis, HIV, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, dermatology and intravenous immunoglobulin.

In late March, Patel introduced a medication synchronization service in all Benzer pharmacies. Med sync programs are seen as facilitators of medication adherence. Studies have shown that med sync increases refills for chronic medication from an average of six to seven times per year to eight to 10 times per year, according to Benzer.

“Benzer Pharmacy’s med sync program has gained traction in the community, and as an entrepreneur I strongly advocate this med sync program for future pharmacy growth,” Manish commented.

The recognition by EY marks Benzer’s second accolade this year. In February, Benzer chief financial officer Nirmal Patel was named as a finalist for the Tampa Bay Business Journal’s 2016 CFO of the Year award. And last year, Benzer was recognized by a number of organizations, including making the Inc. 5000, Florida Fast 100 and TBBJ 200 lists.