The University of Iowa (UI) College of Pharmacy is proud to announce that Donald E. Letendre, PharmD, FASHP, professor of pharmacy practice and science and dean emeritus, has been named the recipient of the 2026 Harvey A.K. Whitney Lecture Award, the highest honor in health-system pharmacy. Letendre will be formally recognized at American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) Pharmacy Futures 2026 event this June.
Letendre’s career demonstrates decades of leadership in pharmacy education, patient-centered research, and health-system practice. After starting at the University of Kansas Medical Center as assistant director and assistant professor of pharmacy, he spent nearly 20 years at ASHP, driving the expansion of pharmacy residency programs from 190 in 1986 to 571 in 2001. He also founded accreditation for pharmacy technician training and launched the Pharmacy Resident Match Program, shaping the future of the profession.
"I can't think of a more deserving candidate for the Whitney Award than Don. He has truly made a difference in the lives of so many in our profession and accomplished so much in his career. He has been a role model for all who worked with him. The highest honor in health-system pharmacy should be among his recognitions. It was a real honor to have successfully nominated Don for this deserved award," said Jannet Carmichael, ’75 BSPh, PharmD, 2013 Whitney Lecture Award recipient, and 2017 Osterhaus Medal for Lifetime Achievement awardee.
In 2001, Letendre was appointed dean of the University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy, where he launched the state’s first PharmD curriculum, expanded the college’s research portfolio, and secured $64 million in funding for a new facility. His leadership extended beyond academia as he served as executive secretary of the Rhode Island State Crime Laboratory, achieving national accreditation and substantial growth.
Beginning his tenure at Iowa in 2007, Letendre led transformative initiatives at the UI College of Pharmacy. He implemented a student-centered learning model, developed joint master’s programs in public health and informatics, and created peer and professional mentoring programs. Under his leadership, the college secured $70 million in funding to construct the first health sciences educational facility in the nation that integrated Universal Design in its construct, providing adaptable spaces for research, teaching, and pharmaceutical manufacturing. The 228,371‑square-foot building welcomed its first occupants in late 2019.
Letendre also oversaw UI Pharmaceuticals, the only FDA-registered drug manufacturing operation housed within a college of pharmacy, ensuring compliance with federal standards while supporting innovative educational and research initiatives. After retiring as dean in 2024, he was named dean emeritus in January 2026.
“Don Letendre has been a visionary and influential leader in health‑system pharmacy. His years of service at the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy, where he is dean emeritus, also reflect his commitment to advancing education, practice, and patient care. The Harvey A.K. Whitney Award is a deserved acknowledgment of his ongoing contributions to the profession,” said Jill Kolesar, dean, Jean M. Schmidt in Drug Discovery, and professor, UI College of Pharmacy
Recognition of his impact on pharmacy education and practice includes a Fulbright Specialist Award for his international education efforts, the Robert G. Gibbs Distinguished Pharmacist Award from the Iowa Pharmacy Association, and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy. He also received the American Pharmacists Association Academy of Student Pharmacists Outstanding Dean Award.
A graduate of the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (BS in Pharmacy) and the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy (PharmD), Letendre completed a residency at the Albert B. Chandler Medical Center at the University of Kentucky.
The Harvey A.K. Whitney Lecture Award, administered by ASHP since 1963, honors individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the advancement of pharmacy practice. It was established in memory of ASHP’s first president, Harvey A.K. Whitney, a pioneering educator, author, and leader in hospital pharmacy.
Through his dedication to pharmacy education, research, and patient care, Dean Emeritus Don Letendre embodies the UI College of Pharmacy’s mission to train leaders and professionals who make a meaningful difference in health outcomes at home and around the world.