OXFORD,
Miss. – University of Mississippi pharmacy graduate Donna West-Strum
returns to the Oxford campus Oct. 27 as chair and associate professor
of pharmacy administration in the School of Pharmacy.
West-Strum
most recently was associate professor in the Division of Pharmaceutical
Evaluation and Policy at the University of Arkansas for Medical
Sciences College of Pharmacy.
The Germantown, Tenn., native earned her bachelor’s degree in pharmacy, master’s in pharmaceutical sciences and doctorate in pharmacy administration from UM. In 2007, she completed the Academic Leadership Fellows Program with the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy.
“Dr. West-Strum is an accomplished educator and scientist who has had an impressive career,” said pharmacy Dean Barbara G. Wells. “I have every confidence that her accomplishments within her discipline and her leadership training and experience will serve the department and the school exceedingly well in the years ahead.”
Her research interests focus on community pharmacy practice and using health behavior theories to study the provision, use and evaluation of pharmaceuticals and pharmacy. West-Strum has published more than 40 articles and presented more than 50 presentations at national meetings. She is active in the American Pharmacists Association and the National Community Pharmacists Association. She was the faculty liaison for the NCPA chapter at UAMS and was named NCPA Chapter Adviser of the Year in 2004. She edits the NCPA Digest, a comprehensive financial guide to community pharmacy.
As the new UM department chair, West-Strum said she plans to ensure a smooth transition to the new pharmacy curriculum, ensure adequate resources to recruit and retain faculty and graduate students, develop synergies with the UM Center for Pharmaceutical Marketing and Management, and nurture collaborative relationships within the university and with outside stakeholders.
“I am honored to be appointed chair of such an accomplished department known for excellence,” West-Strum said. “It is even more special because it is at my alma mater. I am just thrilled to be joining such a talented faculty and am looking forward to serving the School of Pharmacy that has given so much to me.”
For more information on education and research at the School of Pharmacy visit http://www.pharmacy.olemiss.edu .