School of Pharmacy Celebrates American Pharmacy Educator Week

Nation-wide effort promotes careers in pharmacy education and urges students to shape the future of tomorrow’s health care

By Becky Ceraul
October 25, 2010

Colleges and schools of pharmacy across the country, including the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, are celebrating American Pharmacy Educator Week Oct. 25-29 to honor the innovative discoveries and accomplishments of the nation’s pharmaceutical scientists and educators. The University of Maryland School of Pharmacy’s 90-plus faculty members educate more than 600 student pharmacists and more than 90 graduate students each year, serving as major influences in their educational careers and ultimately in their selection of a career path.

The number of colleges and schools of pharmacy is increasing steadily, creating a high demand for well-qualified pharmacy faculty of diverse backgrounds and experiences. In 2006, the total number of institutions that had pharmacy programs was 92. This number grew to 105 in 2008, 116 in 2009, and 120 in 2010.

“The University of Maryland School of Pharmacy’s faculty and preceptors play a vital role in educating the next generation of pharmacists and in improving the public’s health by providing critical patient care in hospitals, clinics and community pharmacies and through their drug discovery and development research and work in improving the use of medications,” said Natalie D. Eddington, PhD, FAAPS, dean of the School of Pharmacy. “Educators are the unsung heroes of the future, and our faculty and preceptors will shape the future of tomorrow’s health care landscape through their important work of discovery, learning, and providing care every day.”

“In celebration of American Pharmacy Education Week, we would like to thank the faculty at the School of Pharmacy for their dedication in providing us with a pharmacy education of the highest caliber,” said Melissa Kim, a third-year student pharmacist and president of the School’s Student Government Association. “We are extremely lucky to have faculty who are nationally and internationally renowned experts in their field, investing their knowledge in our education and serving as our mentors throughout our pharmacy career. It is thanks to their efforts that the students from the University of Maryland graduate to be such exemplary advocates for the pharmacy profession.”