Tuesday, August 19, 2008
PRINCESS ANNE, MD-Dr. Nicholas Ronald Blanchard has recently been named the dean of the School of Pharmacy and Health Professions at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. The first class is slated to be enrolled in fall 2010.
Dr. Blanchard brings over 19 years of experience in the practice of pharmacological sciences and education to the University, said Dr. Charles Williams, vice president for academic affairs. He will guide the establishment of the three-year Doctor of Pharmacy program in accordance with the Accreditation Council for Pharmaceutical Education (APCE) regulations and the mission of the University to address the health care needs and economic development of the community and the state.
This is truly an exciting time for both UMES and for the profession of pharmacy, said Blanchard. The demand for pharmacy professionals has increased dramatically in recent years nationwide. Our state of the art program at UMES will be designed to turn out outstanding practitioners and to help meet the shortage of providers on the Maryland Eastern Shore and throughout the Delmarva Peninsula.
Prior to his position at UMES, Blanchard served as the assistant dean for student affairs and advocacy at the Wegmans School of Pharmacy at St. John Fisher College in Rochester, N.Y. He served in similar positions at the Wingate University School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University and Washington State University. Blanchard also served in various positions related to clinical pharmacy.
Blanchard received a bachelor s degree in pharmacy from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, N.C. He earned a Master of Education from Campbell University in Buies Creek, N.C. Blanchard completed a residency in pediatric clinical pharmacy at the Children s Hospital in Los Angeles, Calif. He holds a Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Washington.
During his years of practice and teaching, Blanchard has co-authored many texts, journal articles and monographs. Among the journals that have published his articles are The Journal of Pediatric Pharmacy Practice and American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy. He has presented at many professional meetings and seminars throughout his career.
Blanchard is a member of the American Society of Health-Systems Pharmacists, Kappa Psi Pharmaceutical Fraternity, North Carolina Association of Pharmacists, Pediatric Pharmacy Advocacy Group, Washington Society of Health-System Pharmacists and Rho Chi Honorary Society. He is licensed also to practice pharmacy in North Carolina, California and New York.
For more information about Allied Health Programs at UMES or the new pharmacy program, call 410-651-6058 or visit www.umes.edu/pharmacy.
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Gail Stephens, assistant director, UMES Office of Public Relations, 410-651-7580, gcstephens@umes.edu.
Suzanne Waters Street, director, UMES Office of Public Relations, 410-621-2355, sstreet@umes.edu.
