The University of Iowa College of Pharmacy is proud to announce distinguished alumni, faculty, and friends honored during the University of Iowa's 2015 Homecoming week. These individuals have made substantial strides in their careers, contributed at a high level to their profession and to community service, and are outstanding ambassadors for the college.
The college has much to celebrate as this year marks the fourth endowed professorship in five years, the first-ever named department chair, and the college’s fourth year and sixth recipient of the Osterhaus Medal for Lifetime Achievement.
Osterhaus Medal for Lifetime Achievement
Victor Yanchick, ’62 BSPh, ’66 MS, was awarded the Osterhaus Medal for Lifetime Achievement. Yanchick served as Dean and Professor of the School of Pharmacy at Virginia Commonwealth University from July 1, 1996 until he retired July 1, 2014. Prior to his appointment at Virginia Commonwealth University, he served for 11 years as Dean and Professor of Pharmacy at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center College of Pharmacy. More information on the Osterhaus Medal is available here.
James A. Otterbeck OnePoint Patient Care Professor in Hospice and Palliative Care
James Ray was awarded the James A. Otterbeck OnePoint Patient Care Professor in Hospice and Palliative Care. Ray is a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science at the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy. Ray also serves as the clinical pharmacist for the Adult Palliative Care Service at the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics. Ray graduated from the University of Nebraska College of Pharmacy and went on to complete a general hospital pharmacy residency at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Additional information on the James A. Otterbeck OnePoint Patient Care Professorship here.
John L. and Carol E. Lach Chair in Drug Delivery Technology
Robert Kerns, ’96 PhD, was named the John L. and Carol E. Lach Chair in Drug Delivery Technology. Kerns is Professor and Chair of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Experimental Therapeutics at the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy. He earned his PhD in Medicinal and Natural Products Chemistry from the University of Iowa, and completed postdoctoral studies in the Department of Chemistry at Princeton University as a NIH National Research Service Award recipient.
The college also proudly celebrated special alumni and friends with Distinguished Alumni Awards, Honorary Alumni Awards, Genesis Award, and a Special Dean’s Recognition.
Distinguished Alumni Awards
Terrence Dahl, ’83 PhD, and Miekeleen Hart, ’79 BSPh, were named Distinguished Alumni Award recipients.
Dahl is Vice President of Commercial Manufacturing and Packaging/Labeling, at Gilead Sciences. He leads a team in Foster City, California that is responsible for overseeing the contract manufacturing activities throughout Europe, North America, and Australia.
Hart is the founder and CEO of MDK Consulting LLC, which provides strategy development and implementation consulting services to health care companies considering or executing new commercial models. Prior to founding MDK Consulting LLC, Hart worked in the pharmaceutical industry for 26 years, primarily in positions with Eli Lilly and Company and Merck and Company Inc. More information about the Distinguished Alumni Award, including a list of past recipients is available here.
Honorary Alumni Awards
George Hiller and John Forbes were named Honorary Alumni Award recipients.
Hiller is president and CEO of Hiller & Associates, a seven‐year‐old company that provides consulting on national beverage agreements and negotiations to the restaurant, hospitality, and convenience industries.
John Forbes owns and operates the Medicap Pharmacy in Urbandale, and is a legislator in the Iowa House of Representatives where he serves on the Appropriations, Commerce, and Local Government committees, and Health and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee. More information about the Honorary Alumni Award, including a list of past recipients is available here.
Genesis Award
Michael Brownlee, ’01 PharmD, was the recipient of the Genesis Award. Brownlee is an Associate Dean for Clinical Education and Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy. He is also the Associate Director and Chief Pharmacy Officer of University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, and holds a master’s degree in Health System Pharmacy Administration from the University of Kansas. More information about the Genesis Award, including a list of past recipients is available here.
Special Dean's Appreciation
Joan Stover, Iowa Pharmacy Association Executive Office, was given a special Dean’s Appreciation Award for her years of service to the organization and profession of pharmacy. She has been a conference and meeting planner for over 30 years.
The University of Iowa College of Pharmacy educates the next generation of leaders in pharmacy practice and pharmaceutical sciences through discovery and growth, building excellence, and achieving outcomes that matter.