College of Pharmacy : University of Florida

Natasha Chen, PhD

How our program of graduate study was instrumental in helping you achieve your objectives?

The core curricula during the first two years prepared me for practical problem-solving and basic research.

I have been involved in several projects later on in the process. They added experience in managing large population-based databases and employing advanced statistical techniques. The department seminar and journal club provide opportunity to practice critical thinking and presentation skill.

Why would you recommend that others should consider joining one of the programs of graduate study in the Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes & Policy?

Our faculties have a well-balanced mix of specialty to foster the knowledge and skills in the field of Pharmaceutical Outcomes/Policy research. The department is near the medicine and public health school at UF, as well as, two major hospitals in this area—Shands and the VA, which provides the environment and resources for research collaboration. Florida never lacks of sunshine and people in the department are warm (by nature).

Patrick M. Garman, BS, MA, PharmD, PhD

How our program of graduate study was instrumental in helping you achieve your objectives?

POP Graduate program ideally prepared me for projects dealing with medication and vaccine outcomes research.

Why would you recommend that others should consider joining one of the programs of graduate study in the Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes & Policy?

Outcomes and Policy researchers are in demand allowing a graduate of this program to select a lucrative career field that best suits their talents and circumstances.

Christian Hampp, BS Pharm, PhD

How our program of graduate study was instrumental in helping you achieve your objectives?
A strength of the program is the diversity of research interests among the faculty members. This ensures that students have the chance to have exposure to various areas while they are defining their own area of interest. Faculty members are open to have students participate in their research and close interaction and discussion among the students is crucial for shaping, improving and defending our own work. Lastly, the wonderful staff makes it a pleasure to be part of this department.

Why would you recommend that others should consider joining one of the programs of graduate study in the Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes & Policy?

The culture in this department is one of working together towards the same goal which results in a harmonic environment. Students can dedicate their time to their projects and get the support that they need without being subjected to overburdening department politics.

Jinghua He, Ph.D. M.P.H. M.S.

Why would you recommend that others should consider joining one of the programs of graduate study in the Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes & Policy?

Outstanding training programs. The POP classes are well designed to fully prepare student for their future career. The students are exposed to a broad range of pharmacy related disciplines. Students have great flexibility in choosing research topics that they are interested in.

Excellent people. The POP faculties are not only very knowledgeable in their research field, but also very approachable and caring. The staffs are friendly and willing to help.

Abundant research opportunities. The POP department has close collaborations with pharmacy/medicine/public health schools, as well as outside agencies. There are many research opportunities for students to explore.

Teaching opportunities. Most POP graduate students have teaching assignments from the UF Pharm.D. program and/or the on-line master programs. It offers great opportunities to develop teaching skills both inside classroom and through on-line technologies. This is especially helpful for students who consider academic positions.

UF pharmacy network. You would automatically join the UF pharmacy alumni network when you join the POP program. As one of the largest pharmacy school nationwide, The network is a valuable asset that will facilitate successful career.

Great location. Gainesville is a lovely city for living: nice weather, low living expense, convenient communities, good public transportation system, and little safety concerns.

Chien-ning Hsu, PhD

How our program of graduate study was instrumental in helping you achieve your objectives?
The core courses integrating broad faculty’s expertise in the program assist me to develop fundamental competencies for career growths in the multi-faced health care system.The experience on individual projects and doctoral dissertation completion provide great opportunities to learn how to work as a team, and a good role model of scientific discipline in the field.

Why would you recommend that others should consider joining one of the programs of graduate study in the Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes & Policy?

Excellent program gathering a broad expertise for the applications of regulatory, industry, academia, and clinical setting, do work proactively and closely with faculty.
Get along well with graduate students around you and enjoy their friendship and assistance. As a international student, I’m grateful for the assistance and support from the program office.

Ahunna Onyenwenyi, PhD

Barbara F. Brice, MHA, MDiv, PhD

How our program of graduate study was instrumental in helping you achieve your objectives?

The graduate program helped me to develop a framework for thinking systematically about issues and for understanding the context of people and the systems in which they live.

Why would you recommend that others should consider joining one of the programs of graduate study in the Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes & Policy?

At the time I was a student I was supported in my desire to explore a topic using qualitative research methods, nor the norm! Faculty and particularly my dissertation Advisor, Earlene Lipowski, did not try to fit me into a box but instead helped me discover the research method and topic that best fit me.

Neil J. MacKinnon, BSc (Pharm), MSc (Pharm), PhD, FCSHP

How our program of graduate study was instrumental in helping you achieve your objectives?

Completing a PhD and fellowship at the University of Florida was very instrumental in helping me to achieve my career objectives. It prepared me to be an independent researcher, trained in a variety of methodologies and across the entire spectrum of research in social, behavioral and administrative pharmacy. At the University of Florida, I was exposed to practical research that helped to improve the quality of safety of the medication-use system, yet was based on a solid theoretical framework.

Why would you recommend that others should consider joining one of the programs of graduate study in the Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes & Policy?

I would recommend to others that they strongly consider joining one of the programs of graduate study in the Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy. They have a critical mass of faculty and graduate students who are actively involved in cutting-edge research. Their work is recognized worldwide and has had a positive impact on both the profession of pharmacy and on the medication-use system. The environment of the department is supportive, engaging and innovative. Plus- let’s admit it – spending a few years in Florida isn’t too bad either.

David Nau, PhD, RPh, CPHQ

How our program of graduate study was instrumental in helping you achieve your objectives?

The PhD program at the University of Florida provided me with the not only technical skills for high-caliber research, but taught me to think as a scholar and to understand how my research fit the bigger picture of healthcare. I learned from some of the best scholars and world-renowned experts on the medication-use system, and that laid the groundwork for my career in studying and improving the quality of medication use.

Why would you recommend that others should consider joining one of the programs of graduate study in the Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes & Policy?

1. Learn from the best
2. Get connected to world-renowned scholars and career opportunities
3. Become part of a network of PhD graduates who are shaping the world (our extended family)
4. Stay out of the snow!

Rajesh Nayak, M.S.Pharm., Ph.D.

How our program of graduate study was instrumental in helping you achieve your objectives?

The program instilled in me the understanding and value of thorough and disciplined scientific inquiry, capacity for independent work and intellectually honesty—the values I have embraced and successfully adopted throughout my career as a teacher and researcher. While a graduate student in the program, I learned to analyze research problems in a systematic and organized fashion and propose solutions that were comprehensive, unambiguous and measurable, both qualitatively and quantitatively.

Importantly, the program also taught me necessary skills for critically examining an issue for research from multiple viewpoints, develop clarity in thinking process, and communicate ideas effectively, both verbally and in writing. Professionally, I have benefitted tremendously from the academic rigor of the program and opportunities for interactive learning with experts in their field, both before and after graduation.

Why would you recommend that others should consider joining one of the programs of graduate study in the Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes & Policy?

The program boasts of faculty that is nationally and internationally known—each one an expert in his/her own field and also an effective mentor of graduate students. Opportunities for scholarship, diversity in learning and intellectual growth are tremendous. A student interested in understanding the basics of patient-focused pharmaceutical care and economics of health outcomes should consider the program to enhance his/her professional and personal growth, learn essential marketable skills for career advancement and become an effective leader in health care community in the US and abroad.

Folakemi T. Odedina, PhD

How our program of graduate study was instrumental in helping you achieve your objectives?

I came into the graduate program with the goal of specializing in health behavior and outcomes research. Having a structured core curriculum within the department; the flexibility to choose my specialized area courses outside the college; and the opportunity to work with a multidisciplinary team of scientists helped me achieve my goal in a timely manner. I had access to renowned, well-funded scientists, which exposed me to research from my first year of the graduate program. More importantly, I had great mentors who were genuinely interested in me succeeding.

Why would you recommend that others should consider joining one of the programs of graduate study in the Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes & Policy?

The department has a multidisciplinary team of scientists who are well funded, thereby providing an outstanding environment for graduate students to learn.

Lourdes Planas, BS, PhD

How our program of graduate study was instrumental in helping you achieve your objectives?

Completing the graduate coursework and assisting faculty on research projects were instrumental in preparing me to conduct my own research. Our weekly seminar to discuss current research literature and present our own work were helpful for me to establish my identity as a researcher and gauge where my interests intersected with other relevant social, outcomes, and policy research. As a teaching assistant in department courses offered to student pharmacists, I observed and engaged in innovative teaching methods that have been instrumental in my development as an educator. Finally, and most importantly, the faculty were excellent mentors!

Why would you recommend that others should consider joining one of the programs of graduate study in the Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes & Policy?

I believe the programs offer exceptional opportunities for graduate students to learn from renowned experts and engage in meaningful research activities that impact health care outcomes and policy. The programs are thoughtfully designed to prepare graduate student for their chosen careers.

Chien-ning Hsu, PhD

How our program of graduate study was instrumental in helping you achieve your objectives?
The core courses integrating broad faculty’s expertise in the program assist me to develop fundamental competencies for career growths in the multi-faced health care system.The experience on individual projects and doctoral dissertation completion provide great opportunities to learn how to work as a team, and a good role model of scientific discipline in the field.

Why would you recommend that others should consider joining one of the programs of graduate study in the Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes & Policy?

Excellent program gathering a broad expertise for the applications of regulatory, industry, academia, and clinical setting, do work proactively and closely with faculty.
Get along well with graduate students around you and enjoy their friendship and assistance. As a international student, I’m grateful for the assistance and support from the program office.