Three faculty honored at Fall Alumni Gathering

This year’s flagship Alumni Gathering event included alumni from many degree programs at the School of Pharmacy and recognized three outstanding faculty members.

By Pam Carder
December 23, 2024

The University of Maryland School of Pharmacy Alumni Association honored three faculty members during its Fall Alumni Gathering on Nov. 15 in Pharmacy Hall. This year’s celebration included alumni from many of the School’s degree programs and served to strengthen the relationship between the School of Pharmacy and its alumni as well as connect alumni with each other for networking, comradery, and mentorship.

“The Alumni Council of the Alumni Association worked hard over the past year to ensure that the gathering was one that was of interest to our various degree program alumni and included important educational, programmatic, and research updates from the School,” said Sadhna Khatri, PharmD ‘00, MPH, MS, president of the Alumni Association. “Our goal is to engage with the School’s alumni to strengthen the ties between them, the community, and the School of Pharmacy.”

“It was wonderful to see graduates of our diverse degree programs within the School of Pharmacy gather together to celebrate this year’s honorees,” said Catherine Cooke, PharmD, BCPS, MS ‘18, PAHM, past president of the Alumni Association.

At the Fall Alumni Gathering, three School of Pharmacy faculty were recognized with the Alumni Association’s highest honors, the Evander Frank Kelly Honored Alumnus Award and the B. Olive Cole Honorary Alumnus Award.

Evander Frank Kelly Honored Alumnus Award

The Evander Frank Kelly Honored Alumnus Award recognizes School of Pharmacy alumni who have demonstrated outstanding accomplishments in the profession of pharmacy through service in local, state, and national pharmacy, government, or civic organizations, and are active in the promotion of pharmacy at the University of Maryland. The 2024 recipients were Cherokee Layson-Wolf, PharmD ‘00, BCACP, FAPhA, a professor of practice, sciences, and health outcomes research (P-SHOR) at the School of Pharmacy and director of the PGY-1 Community Pharmacy Residency Program, and Magaly Rodriguez de Bittner, PharmD ‘83, MS, FAPhA, FNAP, the Felix Gyi Endowed Memorial Professor in Pharmapreneurship, associate dean for clinical services and practice transformation, and executive director of the Center for Innovative Pharmacy Solutions at the School of Pharmacy.

In her nomination letter, Layson-Wolf was described as well-known in Maryland and across the country as a consistent and powerful voice in support of pharmacists’ expanded scope of practice, especially in the area of immunizations, as well as a staunch advocate for community pharmacy practice.

“It is an honor to receive this award, and I sincerely thank the School of Pharmacy, its faculty, and preceptors for their support during my time as a student and as a faculty member,” said Layson-Wolf. “Due to their mentorship, I have been able to support the pharmacy profession in Maryland and give back to the Alumni Association and the School, which have given me so much over the years.”

Rodriguez de Bittner’s nomination highlighted her lifelong devotion to teaching and her consistent role modeling of cultural competency to student pharmacists over many years, as well as her leadership and creativity in the profession.

“I am so grateful and honored to receive the Evander Frank Kelly Honored Alumnus Award. It is so special to be recognized by my alma mater,” said Rodriguez de Bittner. “I have dedicated my career to service in local, state, and national pharmacy organizations and am so grateful for the education and training I received at the School of Pharmacy that prepared me to excel in my profession.”

B. Olive Cole Honorary Alumnus Award

The B. Olive Cole Honorary Alumnus Award is presented to a non-alumnus who has demonstrated continued interest and exceptional loyalty and service to the profession of pharmacy in Maryland, and whose professional, personal, civic, and philanthropic pursuits reflect the high standards and values associated with the School of Pharmacy and its Alumni Association. The 2024 recipient was Jill Morgan, PharmD, BCPS, BCPPS, FNAP, professor and chair of P-SHOR.

“I am so honored to receive the B. Olive Cole Honorary Alumnus Award, named after such a trailblazing figure in pharmacy and education,” said Morgan. “Her legacy of excellence, innovation, and service to the profession is truly inspiring, and I am humbled to be recognized in connection with her name.”

Among her many accomplishments as an esteemed educator, practitioner, and scholar, Morgan collaborated on the development and execution of the University of Maryland, Baltimore’s COVID-19 vaccine clinic in 2021 and helped create and practices in an interprofessional pediatric clinic at the University of Maryland Medical Center.

“I share this recognition with all who have supported and inspired my journey, and I remain committed to upholding the values of service, leadership, and dedication that this award represents,” said Morgan.

“I congratulate tonight’s awardees and express my gratitude to the Alumni Association for its ongoing support of the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy,” said Sarah L.J. Michel, PhD, dean of the School of Pharmacy and professor of pharmaceutical sciences, during remarks at the event. “This evening is an opportunity to reconnect, reminisce, and recognize those who have gone above and beyond to advance our shared mission.”

Khatri, a past recipient of the Evander Frank Kelly Honored Alumnus Award, understands the importance of preparing new graduates to meet the challenges of the future. Khatri commented, “My vision is to continue fostering relationships with our newest graduates and help our alumni learn how to develop their careers in pharmacy in both traditional and nontraditional roles. We want to keep them engaged in our community, so that they eventually become mentors of future students.”

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