A MESSAGE FROM DEAN MELCHERT

Dear Friends,

I am pleased to share the UMKC School of Pharmacy’s 2024 Annual Report, reflecting a year of remarkable achievements from our students, faculty and staff. This has been a year marked by innovation and success across classrooms, research labs, clinical settings and within our broader community. I am both proud and grateful for the many ways we are making a meaningful impact and shaping the future of healthcare.

Our strategic plan pillars are the cornerstone of our mission and vision, and our core values guide every endeavor we undertake. At the heart of our work is a deep commitment to the success of our students, who make our school what it is. They are making significant contributions to the advancement of health and wellness across Missouri. Their efforts have earned continual recognition, including by the American Pharmacists Association. I am also immensely proud of our faculty and staff. Despite challenges, they are unwavering in their dedication to providing exceptional academic programs and transformative learning experiences.

Collaboration remains central to our research efforts as we aim to achieve national and international acclaim for these endeavors. On Page 5, read about how Dr. Seenae Eum and team’s research is bridging the gap between lab-based discoveries and clinical applications, with a goal of advancing medicine in the treatment of mental health disorders. Along with our faculty research ambitions, we are also committed to ensuring our post-doctoral students are successful as future leaders in the field.

Significant attention has been given to our statewide engagement, especially as Missouri faces growing challenges in access to pharmacy services. The impact of pharmacy benefit managers and the ongoing pharmacist shortage have led to a troubling number of community pharmacy closures. Dr. Kendall Guthrie (Pharm.D. ’13), the first UMKC School of Pharmacy faculty member to serve as president of the Missouri Pharmacy Association, is leading initiatives aimed at addressing these issues. Learn more about her efforts on Page 8.

The stories and achievements highlighted in this report demonstrate how our school is honoring its purpose – “driving impact, transforming tomorrow.” I invite you to review the report and join me in celebrating the exceptional accomplishments of our students, faculty and staff as we continue to make significant strides toward realizing our mission, vision and strategic goals.

Sincerely,

Russell B. Melchert, Ph.D. Dean, UMKC School of Pharmacy Professor, Division of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences