The College of Pharmacy’s 2018 Scholastic Honors Convocation saw the hooding of 54 soon-to-be doctors of pharmacy, the college’s class of 2018. But it also served as the end of an era for a handful of pharmacy heavyweights, including Courtney Fletcher, Pharm.D., who presided over his final hooding as the college’s dean.
Dr. Fletcher lauded upcoming retirees Charles Krobot, Pharm.D., assistant professor of pharmacy practice, who is retiring July 1; and Jeffrey Baldwin, Pharm.D., professor of pharmacy practice, who will retire Jan. 1.
Dr. Krobot was supposed to have stepped down previously, but, “We twisted his arm,” to come back, Dr. Fletcher said. He is an UNMC alumnus, and has marked 45 years as a pharmacist.
Dr. Baldwin has served on the UNMC faculty since 1973.
Both received rousing ovations.
Dr. Fletcher gave his final convocation address and received his final congratulatory hugs and handshakes as dean after leading the college for a little more than a decade. His tenure saw the college’s rise as a research power and the opening of the UNMC Center for Drug Discovery and Lozier Center for Pharmacy Sciences and Education. He said his career as a researcher, educator and dean was not in his plans when he first went off to college.
“All of this was not on the horizon that I saw,” Dr. Fletcher said. “But this is the promise of higher education.”
He will remain on faculty and continue his research work.
The College of Pharmacy also awarded its preceptor, faculty preceptor and site of the year honors.
Matt Anderson, Pharm.D., of Holcomb Pharmacy in Broken Bow, Neb., is 2018 Preceptor of the Year. Dr. Anderson is a 2016 College of Pharmacy graduate.
“Not only did the students on his rotation learn more about pharmacy, but they also learned what it means to be a compassionate pharmacist and put the needs of the patient first,” said class president Patricia Burch, Pharm.D.
Jessica Downes, Pharm.D., clinical assistant professor of pharmacy practice, who practices at OneWorld Community Health Center, is Faculty Preceptor of the Year, and OneWorld is Site of the Year.
“Dr. Downes seamlessly integrates students into her practice, teaching them to manage patients with complex cases and socioeconomic roadblocks to care,” Dr. Burch said.