Cultivating Future Pharmacy Educators

UHCOP Launches Academic Pharmacy Fellowship to Prepare Next Generation for Multifaceted Careers

In an effort to nurture and mentor future pharmacy educators, UH College of Pharmacy is launching a one-year Academic Pharmacy Fellowship program. 

The program aims to prepare pharmacists for a career in pharmacy education through training in teaching, curriculum development, college service, mentoring, scholarship and clinical practice. The fellow will be exposed to a variety of teaching responsibilities, such as lecturing, facilitating small group-based learning, course coordination and student assessment. In addition to extensive academic experience, the fellow will also participate in direct patient-care rotations based on their field of interest.

Highlights of the training program include participating for the entire year on a college committee, extensive teaching experience and flexible clinical practice opportunities.

The fellow will work under the direction of Matthew A. Wanat, Pharm.D., BCPS, BCCCP, clinical assistant professor, and supported by co-coordinators Julianna Fernandez, Pharm.D., BCPS, CGP, clinical associate professor, and Divya Varkey, Pharm.D., M.S., clinical associate professor. 

Wanat and his colleagues have been developing the program for a few years, including researching and publishing findings in the American Journal of Pharmacy Education on the issue of developing future academicians. 

"This new fellowship was something we have talked about starting for a few years, and we are excited to get started," Wanat said. "The goal of the program is to prepare trainees for a career as a clinical faculty member. With the current shortage of qualified faculty members and the lack of specific academia training programs throughout the country, we think our program will fill a unique need in the academy." 

The 12-month program will run from July 2018 to July 2019. 

For more information on responsibilities, eligibility and application requirements, visit the Academic Pharmacy Fellowship webpage.