School Forms Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Task Force

The dean of the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy has formed a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Task Force to guide the development of concrete plans to ensure that the School is welcoming, inclusive, and representative of everyone in its community.

By Becky Ceraul
September 15, 2020

Natalie D. Eddington, PhD, FAAPS, FCP, dean of the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, has formed a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Task Force to guide the development of concrete plans to ensure that the School is welcoming, inclusive, and representative of everyone in its community.

This task force – composed of faculty, staff, and students and reporting to the School’s Executive Council and Administrative Board – is charged with the following:

• Identifying best practices at the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB), Big Ten schools, and other institutions to enhance DEI at the School of Pharmacy.
• Consulting with internal and external experts and advocates to inform and support DEI efforts at the School.
• Forming subcommittees and developing DEI goals in each area and unit of the School – education, research, clinical practice, community service and engagement, Pharmapreneurship™, and administration.
• Establishing a timeline, milestones, and outcomes for implementation of DEI goals.
• Providing updates on DEI recommendations and action steps to the Executive Council and Administrative Board for implementation.

“In June, I shared with the School community my thoughts on the seemingly endless instances of racial injustices against Black Americans and people of color in this country,” Eddington said in announcing creation of the task force on Sept. 14. “That letter reinforced the School of Pharmacy’s commitment to living UMB’s core values of accountability, civility, collaboration, diversity, excellence, knowledge, and leadership and my desire to see these values be more than words. To truly be actionable. The formation of a DEI Task Force is a first step toward action.”

The following faculty, staff, and students will serve on the DEI Task Force.

Co-Chairs:

• Wendy Camelo-Castillo, PhD – assistant professor, Department of Pharmaceutical Health Services Research (PHSR)
• Amanda Oglesby, PhD – associate professor, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences (PSC)
• Chanel Whittaker, PharmD, BCPS, CGP, FASCP – associate professor, Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science (PPS)

Dean’s Office Liaisons:

• William Cooper, MBA – senior associate dean for administration and finance
• Ava Norris – executive administrative manager
• Magaly Rodriguez de Bittner, PharmD, BCPS, CDE, FAPhA – associate dean for clinical services and practice transformation

Members:

• Erica Chaffin, MBA – director of human resources Sandeep Devabhakthuni, PharmD, BCPS-AQ – associate professor in PPS
• Katherine Dugan – third-year PharmD student
• Margaret Hayes, MS – director of student services and outreach, Office of Student Affairs
• Jamie Hoots – administrative director in PHSR
• Yolanda Johnson – business services specialist in PPS
• Lisa Jones, PhD – associate professor in PSC
• Lisa Lebovitz, JD – assistant dean for academic affairs and assessment C. Daniel Mullins, PhD – chair of PHSR and executive director of the PATIENTS Program
• Jacquelyn McRae – PHSR graduate student
• Cassandra Nelson, PhD – postdoctoral fellow in PSC Maria Palmer – third-year PharmD student and president of the Student Government Association
• C.S. Raman, PhD – professor in PSC Brent Reed, PharmD – associate professor in PPS
• Rachel Shelton – third-year PharmD student and president of the Student National Pharmaceutical Association
• Nhu Truong – PSC graduate student

“I offer my sincerest thanks to each of these faculty, staff, and students for their willingness and interest in serving on the DEI Task Force and ultimately in serving our broader School community,” Eddington said. “Their commitment of time, thoughtfulness, and leadership are truly appreciated. They have my full support and that of the School’s leadership team. I look forward to receiving regular updates from the task force, and empower its co-chairs to share updates and information with our School community.”

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