Leadership Messages

Message from the Dean

May 2024

Pam Heaton

Graduation day marks not just the culmination of years of hard work and dedication, but also the beginning of a new chapter filled with promise and opportunity. As we celebrate another class of bright and talented students, I am so excited to witness our students transition to careers, residencies and advanced education. The students have accomplished so much, and their achievements stand as a testament to their resilience, passion, and unwavering commitment to excellence.
As we celebrate this significant milestone, it's only natural to pause and reflect on the journey that has brought us to this moment. The cyclical nature of the academic year prompts us to ponder where we have been, what we have accomplished, and where we are headed.
Indeed, the College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Toledo has much to celebrate. Our recent US News and World Report ranking of 56 out of 141 colleges of Pharmacy, placing us within the top 40% in the country, demonstrates our collective efforts and dedication to excellence. In the state of Ohio where there are 7 colleges of pharmacy, we proudly stand as the third-ranked institution, behind only OSU and Cincinnati. Moreover, 83% of our PY4 students successfully matched into residency programs this spring.
Yet, even as we acknowledge our past achievements, our gaze is firmly set on the future. The upcoming academic year holds the promise of exciting developments as we launch our new Master’s Degree in Cosmetic Science and Formulation Design and develop a new undergraduate program in Drug Discovery and Design. As detailed in the newsletter below, our researchers continue to obtain large federal grants, funds they use to develop the drugs of tomorrow. Our faculty are winning awards for advancing practice and our students support high quality education for the Toledo community.
As we navigate the ever-evolving landscape of pharmacy education and practice, one thing remains constant: our commitment to excellence, innovation, and student success. We cannot do this without our alumni and donors. Your unwavering dedication and commitment to our college have made a lasting impact on our students, faculty, and programs. Through your generosity, you have helped to provide scholarships, enhance research initiatives, and create innovative learning opportunities that have enriched the educational experience of countless students. Many alumni informally or formally mentor our students. Many serve as IPPE and APPE preceptors. We could not deliver such a high-quality program without your support.
Congratulations to the graduating class of 2024! Your achievements inspire us all, and we cannot wait to see the incredible impact you will have on the world!

Dean Pam Heaton

Message from the Associate Dean for Student Affairs and Diversity and Inclusion

Greetings friends and alumni!

The College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences participated in the first annual Empowering Future Leaders STEM-H Career Summit on Saturday, April 13^th in UToledo’s Fetterman Field House. STEM-H encompasses careers in science, technology, engineering, math, and health care. The event, hosted by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Ohio (BBBSNWO) Rocket Nation, was targeted towards students from underserved backgrounds ranging from 6th grade to college undergrad. According to Rocket Nation event organizers Ben Klein, Kunal Minhas, Fatima Khan, and Eric Lassiter, the goal was to help older youth connect with individuals and companies within STEM-H and spark curiosity in the younger audience to explore various career options as they progress through middle and high school. Several UToledo colleges had interactive displays showcasing opportunities within their majors. CPPS students presented a pill dissolution activity where participants learned how pH affects dissolution time. CPPS student volunteers Asma Saleh, Brittany Bedford, and Angelina Mata were accompanied by the College’s Director of Transfer Services, Recruitment and Retention, Ms. Robin Van Hoy. Special thanks to these volunteers for encouraging the next generation of pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists! And kudos to BBBSNWO Rocket Nation for envisioning and coordinating this inaugural event! (Photos attached)

Dr. Monica Holiday-Goodman

For other diversity news and observances information and events happening at UToledo, please visit the Office of Diversity and Inclusion website.

Leadership spotlight

As Associate Dean of Graduate Education and Research, I am excited to highlight some remarkable research endeavors within the College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Our stable graduate education operating budget is around ~1.0 million per year. In 2022-2023 academic year, 20 Ph.D. and Master's students graduated from our programs. Our graduates have performed exceptionally well and moved on to join academia and industry, and we are proud of their achievements. Our faculty members published around 41 Peer-Reviewed publications with undergraduate and graduate students. Several graduate students attended and presented their research at national and international conferences.

Research funding is an essential aspect of the overall growth and ranking of the College of Pharmacy. Our college has a broad scope of research areas and holds about 10 active research grants totaling about 2 million per year. We are extremely pleased to achieve this level of funding.

On April 15, 2024, we organized a workshop on Clinical and Translational Research in collaboration with Case Western Reserve University to highlight the opportunities for clinical research for undergraduate and graduate students. Dr. Ronald Hickman from Case Western University presented the opportunities for clinical research and workforce development. Around 50 students attended the event. We will be hosting more such events in the future. Stay tuned!

Funding Opportunities: Don't miss out on upcoming grant deadlines! Visit our research office website for information on available funding opportunities and support for proposal development. The University of Toledo has begun the rollout process for InfoED, an electronic research management system. Training and resources can be found on the RSP webpage.
https://www.utoledo.edu/research/rsp/

We hope you find this edition of Research Roundup informative and inspiring.

Dr. Zahoor Shah,
Professor,
Associate Dean of Graduate Education and Research