Pharmacy School Named Community Pharmacy Center of Excellence

The ACT, or Academia-Community Transformation, Center of Excellence designation recognizes the school’s commitment to advancing community pharmacy through teaching, service, scholarship, leadership and partnerships.

“The recognition of our center as an ACT Center of Excellence underscores our commitment to advancing community pharmacy practice through research, education and community engagement,” said Donna Strum, dean of the School of Pharmacy. “It is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our faculty, staff and students.

“We are proud to lead the way in educating the next generation of pharmacists about community pharmacy.”

Officially recognized as a Center of Excellence at AACP’s annual meeting in July, the designation will remain for a total of five years.

The Centers of Excellence will serve as ambassadors for pharmacy academia through convenings with leaders in pharmacy and healthcare, uniting to mobilize and amplify community pharmacy practice transformation efforts.

Contributing to this recognition are faculty and students dedicated to advancing patient care in the community setting.

Faculty members Lindsey Miller and Joe Dikun are recipients of the ACT Community Pharmacy Practice Transformation Educators’ Badge, in recognition of their commitment to and competencies in community pharmacy practice transformation through knowledge, training, engagement/implementation and dissemination activities.

Additionally, four UM pharmacy students have been selected to participate in the ACT Community Pharmacy Student Scholar Leaders Program.

“It’s vital for our students to grasp the pivotal role of community pharmacy in patient care – a cornerstone of compassionate healthcare in diverse communities,” said Miller, clinical assistant professor of pharmacy practice.

“My aim is to impart knowledge on innovative patient care strategies in community pharmacy and provide insights into the business aspects of owning and managing a successful pharmacy.”

For more information about the School of Pharmacy’s community pharmacy efforts, visit https://olemiss.edu/pharmacy-practice/act-excellence/.

By Natalie Ehrhardt