Changing of the guard in SOP administrative positions
VCU School of Pharmacy Dean Joseph T. DiPiro has announced the filling of two key roles at the school and the creation of a new one:
Professor Cynthia Kirkwood, Department of Pharmacotherapy and Outcomes Science, has been named executive associate dean for academic affairs, effective Jan. 15. An alumna (B.S. ’82, Pharm.D. ’85) of the school, she has served as interim associate dean since Jeff Delafuente retired late last year. Kirkwood joined the faculty in 1985. She is a founding member of the College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists, and her interests include anxiety disorders and management of insomnia. DiPiro said, “She has done a great job this past year and will be an excellent person to have in the position.”
Professor Douglas Sweet has been named chairman of the Department of Pharmaceutics, effective Jan. 15. He has served as interim chairman since Peter Byron stepped down a year ago. Before joining the faculty in 2008, Sweet worked for the University of California, San Diego, Department of Medicine/Nephrology, and the Medical University of South Carolina’s Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences. His scholarly interests include comparative physiology and toxicology of epithelial transport as well as organic anion and organic cation transporter function (SLC22 gene family). “I know there will be exciting developments in the department under his leadership,” said DiPiro.
Professor David Holdford, Department of Pharmacotherapy and Outcomes Science, has been appointed director of international programs. In this newly created role, DiPiro said, he will lead or support school administrators, faculty and staff in promoting international partnerships and opportunities. Examples range from developing student exchange programs with universities outside the United States and assisting the assistant dean for experiential education in identifying international sites for Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences to promoting collaboration with international researchers and seeking grant funding to support international affiliations. Holdford’s scholarly interests include health outcomes research, pharmaceutical marketing and leadership development.
Previously announced administrative changes effective last semester include professor Aron Lichtman, filling the new position of associate dean for research and graduate studies; associate professor Quamrun Masuda, who is assistant director for the new Center for Compounding Practice and Research; and Victoria Savoy, hired as assistant dean for finance and administration upon Regina Scott‘s retirement.
Categories Alumni news, Faculty and staff news