UMSOP Alumna Named United Way of Central Maryland’s 2025 Philanthropist of the Year

Ellen H. Yankellow, a celebrated business leader, philanthropist, and UMSOP alumna, is recognized for decades of community impact and transformative giving across Maryland.

By Pam Carder
October 8, 2025

Ellen H. Yankellow, PharmD ’96, BSP ’73, president and CEO of Correct Rx Pharmacy Services, Inc., has been named the 2025 Philanthropist of the Year by the United Way of Central Maryland. The prestigious award honors her exceptional generosity, longstanding leadership, and deep commitment to advancing the health and well-being of communities across the region.

With more than two decades of support for United Way’s mission, Yankellow has played a critical role in helping the organization tackle the most pressing challenges facing Central Maryland. Her substantial financial contributions and active engagement have not only advanced key initiatives but also inspired others to give back.

“Ellen exemplifies the spirit of philanthropy and the power of giving back,” said Franklyn Baker, president and CEO of United Way of Central Maryland. “Her incredible generosity and dedication have been instrumental in allowing us to create real, measurable change. We are deeply grateful for her partnership and honored to recognize her impactful contributions to our community.”

A proud alumna of the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy (UMSOP), Yankellow has been a passionate advocate for education and health care. Her long-standing support of the School has helped prepare future generations of pharmacists to serve with excellence and compassion. Over the years, she has made transformative philanthropic investments, including the establishment of student scholarships, a fellowship in data analytics, and a major gift supporting strategic initiatives such as the Peter Lamy Center on Drug Therapy and Aging. In recognition of her enduring impact, the Ellen H. Yankellow Grand Atrium in Pharmacy Hall was dedicated in her honor in 2013. She has also served in numerous leadership roles, including president of the Alumni Association, longtime chair of the Board of Visitors, and member of the School’s Center for Women in Pharmapreneurism. In 2025, she was recognized with UMB’s Catalyst for Excellence Award for her powerful advocacy and legacy of giving.

“Dr. Yankellow is a visionary leader whose philanthropy has transformed both our School and the pharmacy profession,” said Sarah L.J. Michel, PhD, dean and professor of pharmaceutical sciences at UMSOP. “She leads by example – as an alumna, donor, and mentor – and her unwavering commitment to service continues to inspire our students, faculty, and the broader health care community.”

From her leadership in business to her far-reaching philanthropic efforts, Yankellow continues to be a driving force for positive change. She established Correct Rx in 2003 and is a national leader in the advancement of clinical pharmacy for institutions and one of the leading women pharmacists in the United States. Correct Rx is currently the only institutional pharmacy provider that fully incorporates the practice of clinical pharmacy across all of its services, looking at the big picture of medical outcomes and total health care costs to determine the best, most cost-effective treatments for its clients.

Beyond her work with United Way and UMSOP, Yankellow’s philanthropy spans numerous organizations, including the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB); The Carter Center; the Alzheimer’s Association; Catholic Charities; the Women’s Education Alliance; and many others. She has also provided scholarships at Sisters Academy and Cristo Rey and offered significant support to Loyola University’s Grief and Trauma Center.

She has helped raise millions for the American Heart Association, American Diabetes Association, and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, while serving on the boards of multiple nonprofit organizations, including the UMB Foundation and the Catholic Community Foundation.

Yankellow has been recognized with numerous accolades, including UMB’s Catalyst for Excellence Award, the American Pharmacists Association Foundation’s Pinnacle Award, and the prestigious Bowl of Hygeia — one of the highest honors in pharmacy.

The United Way of Central Maryland will honor Yankellow at its 36th Annual Toast to Tocqueville, hosted by the Tocqueville Society, on Oct. 23 in Baltimore.

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