David Roffman Recognized as UMB Teacher of the Year

Long-time SOP faculty member honored at annual Founders Gala for his dedication and commitment to teaching

By Chris Zang
November 10, 2010

David Roffman, PharmD, a professor of pharmacy practice and science who has been on faculty at the School of Pharmacy since 1973, has been named the University of Maryland, Baltimore 2010 Teacher of the Year as part of the campus’ Founders Week festivities.

Roffman was honored for his teaching achievements on Nov. 9 at the annual Founders Gala.

Natalie D. Eddington, PhD, FAAPS, dean of the School of Pharmacy, says, “On a campus replete with talented educators, I can think of no one on a par with him.”

Gary Plotnick, MD, a colleague in the School of Medicine, says, “No one is more respected as an educator of cardiovascular pharmacy and cardiotherapeutics.”

And Thomasine Guberski, PhD, RN, CRNP, an assistant professor in the School of Nursing, says, “Dr. Roffman has taught experienced teachers to teach better.”

A School of Pharmacy alumnus and the first clinical pharmacist trained in the state of Maryland (1970-73), Roffman has taught for 37 years at the School of Pharmacy, more than 20 in the School of Medicine cardiology module, and for 10 years in the School of Nursing.

In each school, Roffman has challenged students, answering their questions with questions. He says he likes to see students “out-think” him.

“I am not sure that I possess teaching skills that make me unique,” says Roffman. “I do, however, take pride in my ability to help students and residents grasp complex concepts by using the Socratic questioning method to allow them to retrieve and reflect on their own fundamental knowledge.”

A family history of cardiovascular disease led Roffman to become the first clinical pharmacist in the state with a specialty practice in cardiology. “I asked my department chair if I might spend a couple of months in the CCU, to see if there might be a potential role for a pharmacist in that setting,” Roffman says. “More than 30 years later, I continue to consider cardiovascular therapeutics an exciting and academically challenging field.”

Widely published, Roffman also was instrumental in facilitating the School of Pharmacy’s transition to the all PharmD program, and he served as the School’s associate dean for academic affairs from July 2006 to December 2009.