Kawanda Williams, Pharm.D.
Assistant Dean for Experiential Education
Assistant Professor, Pharmacy Practice
Education
- Doctorate of Pharmacy (2005) – Xavier University, LA
- Bachelors of Science Biology(1994) – Grambling State University, LA
Bio
Dr. Kawanda McCarthy is a proud graduate of Grambling State University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. Dr. McCarthy’s early career as a K-12 educator and community advocate is where she realized her true passion for ensuring all students have access to healthcare and quality education. This led her to the Xavier University of Louisiana where she not only earned a PharmD in 2005 but also an additional appreciation for the impact pharmacy can have on our global community.
Dr. Williams has specialized in pharmacy leadership throughout her pharmacy career beginning with her role as Pharmacy Manager in the community pharmacy setting, pharmacy owner and Director of Pharmacy for a behavioral health hospital in Shreveport, LA. Under her leadership, these organizations successfully implemented pharmacy-driven clinical initiatives such as medication usage evaluations, and both antibiotic and opioid stewardship programs.
In 2017, her passion for healthcare and education merged when she entered into academia as founding faculty and the first Director of Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience at the University of Texas- Tyler, Ben and Maytee Fisch College of Pharmacy. After establishing a successful experiential program, Dr. Williams supported similar work at the American University of Health Science in Long Beach, CA.
She has drawn on her experiences as an educator and a global community advocate to form community partnerships that have advanced student rotation opportunities and the development of new faculty sites. As faculty, her interest in global health has opened the opportunity for students and faculty to participate in medical missions serving children across Jamaica and Port au Prince Haiti.
