Arinze Nkemdirim Okere considers himself both a clinician and a researcher. “It’s hard to separate them,” he said. 

In June of 2024, Okere brought his dual expertise to the University of Iowa (UI) College of Pharmacy, where he now serves as the department executive officer (DEO) for the Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science.

One of the main reasons he was drawn to the college was the opportunity to lead a department that directly impacts rural health outcomes — a cause he’s deeply passionate about.

“I want to ensure pharmacists do what they can to better the lives of rural communities,” Okere said. “We want to be an example to other states of what pharmacists can do to prevent hospital readmissions, especially preventable ones.”

A Board-Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist and a Board-Certified Cardiology Pharmacist, Okere earned his Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) from the University of Minnesota and his MBA from Ferris State University. Before joining the UI College of Pharmacy as a tenured professor and DEO, he served as residency program director for the PGY1 Community-Based Pharmacy Residency Program and director of the Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke Prevention Program at Florida A&M University/Community Health Northwest Florida.

Okere’s desire for improving rural health outcomes took root during his time in Florida. While working as a clinician, he frequently encountered patients readmitted to the hospital for preventable conditions. Many of these patients came from rural communities, where access to medical care was limited.

For instance, one patient was admitted with heart failure, a condition that could have been avoided with the right medication. Another patient was hospitalized for a urinary tract infection, which could have been easily treated with antibiotics.

“These are preventable readmissions, and they’re higher among rural populations,” Okere said. “This is the reason I focus my attention here.”

Okere also observed the broader consequences of these readmissions. Patients often became depressed and simply wanted to return home, highlighting the societal cost of inadequate preventive care.

“How can we prevent rural populations from ending up in the hospital?” Okere asked. “I realized the key to doing that is to improve the care that is being given.” 

At the UI College of Pharmacy, Okere has found a team of motivated and passionate individuals — a key factor in achieving his goals for rural health care.

“Seeing the faculty’s passion for students is something I really admire,” he said. “They want to help the students and see them succeed. They want students to be creative and innovative. That’s something I really appreciate about the faculty.”

One of Okere’s top priorities is helping faculty become leaders in advancing rural health outcomes and translating their research into clinical practice.

“What drives me is seeing the positive outcomes that we’re striving to achieve,” he said. “That’s why I keep thinking; what more can I do to help people who have health issues or don’t understand how to help themselves?”

For Okere, the answer lies within the UI College of Pharmacy and its people.