The Osterhaus Medal for Lifetime Achievement is presented annually to one or more individuals who have made extraordinary achievements in the pharmacy profession. This medal is recognition of a recipient who has advanced the practice of pharmacy in profound ways, or made substantial strides in drug development or drug discoveries.
Patrick Keefe, ’69 BSPh
Patrick Keefe will receive the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy's pinnacle award—the Osterhaus Medal for Lifetime Achievement—on Sept. 29, 2016.
Patrick Keefe, originally from Fort Dodge, Iowa, spent the majority of his career as an executive for Omnicare, Inc., a Fortune 500 company, providing long-term care pharmacy services. Following his retirement as the chief operating officer (COO) in June of 2010, Keefe formed a consulting company, Bridge Healthcare Partners, to assist start-up companies and nonprofits achieve their goals. He currently serves as principal of Bridge Healthcare Partners.
Following his graduation from the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy in 1969, Keefe and his wife Sue, a registered nurse, volunteered for three years as medical personnel in Tila, Chiapas, Mexico. This experience forged their lifelong commitment to social justice. The Keefe Family Foundation focuses on education, vocational training, and equal opportunity for all seeking employment.
The Keefes have established the Patrick and Susan Keefe Service-Learning Scholarship for UI pharmacy students who volunteer to work with underserved populations, especially on international trips. Generous donors to the college for more than a decade, the Keefes earlier established the Patrick E. Keefe Professorship in Pharmacy; Barry Carter, ’78 BSPh, PharmD, professor of pharmacy practice and science, was the inaugural recipient in 2011.
Honorees of this, as well as the college’s other alumni awards – Genesis Alumni Award, Distinguished Alumni Award, and Honorary Alumni Award – will be recognized during annual Homecoming celebrations.