University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy

UK College of Pharmacy turned 150, a testament to the continuous work of all of our pharmacy family. We couldn’t do what we do without each one of you. You are part of this College’s legacy. Whether you’re new here or have been part of our pharmacy family for years, your commitment to this community allows us to be one of the leading colleges of pharmacy in the United States.

In 2020, we graduated our first class of PharmD students who have been taught entirely under a new curricular model. We believe that the integrated focus of this new model means our students graduating today are the most practice-ready we have ever sent into the world. Not only have we delivered on that curriculum, but we did it while adapting on the fly to reorganize our entire curricular delivery method as forced by the pandemic. We prepared for a reimagined fall semester. And in true Kentucky fashion, we never gave up.

At the same time, we managed to have a significant positive impact on our friends, families, and community.

We distributed over 8,000 UKCOP branded masks to students, alumni, and employees. We hosted our first virtual White Coat Ceremony with over 1,000 people watching. Students, faculty, and alumni provided COVID-19 testing to the Commonwealth, launched clinical trials and worked to educate pharmacists in the community on best practices for the pandemic. We compounded and packaged hand sanitizer for essential workers, we standardized wellness check-ins with our students, we called to check-in on alumni, and we stayed true to our mission through it all. We train leaders in pharmacy practice and science and this year was no exception.

We have all been affected by what is happening in our world right now. No matter your politics, religion, or identity, this year has been difficult. We cannot pretend otherwise. However, I have seen this community rise to the challenge; we are patient with each other, working to live well together. As we watched and participated in the political turmoil surrounding the Black Lives Matter movement, we’ve made an effort to understand what the people in our community need to feel safe and valued. And we are embracing necessary change to make sure everyone is embraced.