Alumnus and Former BOV Member Alex Taylor Passes Away

Mr. Taylor served on the School’s Board of Visitors for more than a decade.

By Becky Ceraul
January 10, 2024

Alex Taylor, BSP ’76, RPh, a University of Maryland School of Pharmacy (UMSOP) alumnus and former member of the School’s Board of Visitors, passed away on Dec. 28, 2023. Mr. Taylor served on the Board of Visitors for more than 10 years before concluding his service in 2014.

Following his graduation from UMSOP, he spent almost eight years as a pharmacy manager for Rite Aid. He then served as pharmacy director for 15 years at Park West Medical Center. He later worked at Maryland Medicaid, where he served as division chief of clinical services before retiring.

While a student at UMSOP, Mr. Taylor was actively involved in the National Pharmaceutical Association (NPhA), a professional organization of pharmacists committed to serving the underserved and promoting minorities in pharmacy.

As a student, Mr. Taylor became involved with the Student National Pharmaceutical Association (SNPhA), the student group affiliated with NPhA. He traveled to Atlanta, Ga., with students from the University of Maryland and Howard University to attend one of the group’s annual conferences. It was there that he was nominated for president-elect of SNPhA. To his surprise, he was elected even though the School of Pharmacy did not have an established SNPhA chapter at the time.

“When I returned to the School, I met with Dr. William Kinnard, who was dean at the time, and told him what happened. He was elated,” said Mr. Taylor during a 2013 presentation to students at UMSOP. “We knew that we had to form a chapter, so we started the process immediately. In 1976, we held the SNPhA national convention at the School, and many faculty and local pharmacists participated. It was a great success.”

Following his graduation from the School of Pharmacy, Mr. Taylor continued his involvement with NPhA, serving as speaker of the house for approximately six years. Later, he was elected president of the national organization.

“The entire School of Pharmacy community sends their sympathy to Mr. Taylor’s family, friends, and community,” said Sarah L.J. Michel, PhD, dean and professor of the School of Pharmacy. “We are grateful for his years of service to the School of Pharmacy, the pharmacy profession, the state of Maryland, and to NPhA and SNPhA.”

Mr. Taylor is survived by his brother Robert Taylor, his children Anne Taylor, Jennifer Taylor, Alexis “Renee” Taylor, and Christopher Taylor, and his grandchildren Jaiden, Xavier, Nasir, Sydney, Corey, Amir, and Cam.

Visitation for family and friends will be held Jan. 19 at 10 a.m. with a memorial service immediately following at 10:30 a.m. Both will be at Bridgeway Community Church, 9189 Red Branch Rd, Columbia, Md., 21045.

Per the family’s request, please consider a donation to the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy in lieu of flowers.

Read Mr. Taylor’s obituary here.