Samford University’s McWhorter School of Pharmacy held its annual Dean’s Distinguished Lecture Series Friday, Oct. 18, in Reid Chapel.
The purpose of this series is to bring national thought leaders to campus to discuss contemporary issues related to pharmacy and health care. Pharmacy students were invited to attend and listen to this productive discussion. This year’s speaker was Michael Hogue, PharmD ’96. A former professor and chair of McWhorter School of Pharmacy’s Department of Pharmacy Practice, he now serves as the chief executive officer and executive vice president of the American Pharmacists Association (APhA).
Hogue’s impressive career also includes serving as dean of the Loma Linda University School of Pharmacy in California and holding faculty positions at LLU. Recognized both nationally and internationally, he is a prominent leader in vaccine policy and has pioneered innovations in independent and ambulatory care pharmacy practice.
Hogue emphasized the importance of building meaningful relationships as a key factor in professional success. He acknowledged the profession has faced challenges in recent years but expressed hope for the future of pharmacy, citing legislative efforts to expand the role of pharmacists in areas like HIV prevention and diabetes care. He encouraged students to take control of what they can in their lives and careers and to actively engage in professional communities to ensure they are well-positioned for the future.
"We have been fortunate over the years to have amazing pharmacy leaders from around the country present in this seminar series,” said Michael Crouch, dean of McWhorter School of Pharmacy. “We’re pleased to have another great leader and alumnus of our program address our students, faculty and alumni."
Previous lecture speakers have included:
- Pamela Schweitzer, Assistant U.S. Surgeon General
- Thomas Menighan, Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer for the American Pharmacists Association
- Paul Abramowitz, Chief Executive Officer of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists
- Michael Maddux, Executive Director of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy
- Kelley Smith, Past President of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists
- David Allen, Past President of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy
- Valerie Prince, PharmD ’94, a distinguished faculty member in McWhorter School of Pharmacy and the 168th president of the American Pharmacists Association