Office of the Dean

Message from the Dean

“Preparing pharmacists from diverse backgrounds to provide care for a global community!” This is a core value of the Chicago State University College of Pharmacy.

During the 2011-12 academic year, the College achieved two major milestones in its existence. The inaugural College of Pharmacy Class of 2012 graduated from Chicago State University during its May Commencement Ceremony. Subsequently, in June of 2012, the College was awarded Full accreditation status from the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE). The successes and tremendous growth of the College have been directly related to the continued hard work and dedication of the faculty, staff and students. The College is a thriving community of scholars. Student organizations have flourished, students and faculty received recognitions (internal and external) for academic as well as professional achievements, faculty research collaborations broadened and professional practice partnerships expanded.

This is also a very exciting time for the profession of pharmacy. Pharmacists, as some of the most highly respected members of the health care profession, have evolved from dispensers of medications to providers of health care services.  With the national emergence of new roles for pharmacists to provide direct patient care within the Patient-Centered Medical Home, Accountable Care Organizations, The Affordable Care Act, Medication Therapy Management Practice, and other interprofessional team-based health care initiatives, there is a foremost demand for highly prepared pharmacists to fulfill those roles.  The pharmacist’s ability to provide care for patients is professionally rewarding and provides an opportunity to improve the health of individuals as well as the community at large.

The College’s curriculum is dynamic and embraces a student-centered learning philosophy. Through small group learning communities, students are expected to be active participants in their learning. Faculty mentors work with students to help them achieve their full academic and professional goals. The early integration of experiential education allows students to apply their classroom knowledge in community, hospital, ambulatory care and public health practice settings. These experiences help to “connect the dots” through solidifying the relevance and importance of the pharmacist’s role in helping patients achieve positive health outcomes though safe and effective medication use. These are but a few of the significant highlights and accomplishments of the College that demonstrate our continued commitment to excellence. We offer a dynamic and challenging program, which provides high quality educational experiences, to prepare outstanding pharmacists for their roles in the “provision of care for a global community”. We congratulate you on your decision to join us during this milestone year for our program and contribute to this exceptional journey.

Miriam A. Mobley Smith, Pharm.D.
Dean
College of Pharmacy Chicago State University