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Building Connections, Advancing Pharmacy: Iowa Hosts International Consortium Gathering
The University of Iowa College of Pharmacy was honored to host the 2026 U.S.-Thai/U.S.-ASEAN Pharmacy Consortia Meeting earlier this month, bringing together faculty, practitioners, researchers, and alumni from across the U.S. and Southeast Asia for several days of collaboration and exchange. The meeting highlighted the consortium’s commitment to advancing pharmacy education, research, and practice through international partnerships.
Established in 1994, the consortium connects pharmacy institutions in Thailand and the U.S. to strengthen academic, clinical, and research excellence. Today, it includes 18 schools of pharmacy in Thailand and 16 in the United States. The U.S.-Thai Consortium joined with the U.S.-ASEAN Consortium in 2024, expanding its global reach and impact.
As a longtime member of the consortium, the college values the more than three decades of collaboration. The meeting also provided a meaningful opportunity to reconnect with alumni from Thailand—Suphat Subongkot, ’00 PharmD, Amaraporn Wongrakpanich, ’15 PhD, and Varaporn Junyaprasert, ’92 PhD—and celebrate their contributions.
Throughout the conference, participants engaged in presentations, discussions, and networking focused on improving pharmacy education, advancing patient care, and addressing emerging challenges in healthcare. Among the many highlights was a thought-provoking discussion on Education in the Era of Artificial Intelligence, featuring Paul John Gallagher, National University of Singapore, Elizabeth Covington, Auburn University Harrison College of Pharmacy, and Melody Ryan, University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy. The exchange of ideas and experiences reinforced the importance of international partnerships in shaping the future of pharmacy. Guests were also treated to an evening hayrack ride!
A special thank you to Director of Experiential Education-Interim and Clinical Assistant Professor Lorin Fisher for her service on the steering committee and to Alumni Relations Manager Kayla Sanders for her leadership coordinating the event. We also recognize Dean Emeritus Don Letendre for his many years of leadership and dedication to the consortium.
Jill M. Kolesar, PharmD, MS, FCCP
Dean, Jean M. Schmidt Chair, and Professor
