Linda M. Strand

Introduction:

Dr. Strand is best known for developing both the concept of pharmaceutical care and the practice of pharmaceutical care. The conceptual framework was developed in collaboration with Dr. Douglas Hepler at the University of Florida. This work culminated in Drs. Strand and Hepler being named co-recipients of the 1997 Remington Medal, the highest award offered in the profession of pharmacy.

From 1992 to 1995, Dr. Strand worked with Drs. Peter Morley and Robert Cipolle along with 54 pharmacy practitioners to develop and implement pharmaceutical care in the community pharmacy practice setting. To date, they have designed a complete, professional practice model, developed a computerized documentation system, established a successful reimbursement mechanism, created a training program for pharmacists, and evaluated the impact of this practice. This effort is part of the ongoing research in the Peters Institute of Pharmaceutical Care in the College of Pharmacy at the University of Minnesota.

The development of pharmaceutical care is the culmination of many years of education, practice, and research. Dr. Strand received her Bachelor of Science Degree, Doctor of Pharmacy Degree, and Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Pharmacy Administration from the University of Minnesota. While she was earning these degrees, she worked in the community and hospital pharmacy settings. She became interested in describing a rational decision making process for drug therapy decisions while she worked as a clinical pharmacist at St. Paul Ramsey Medical Center.

Dr. Strand accepted her first academic position at the University of Utah College of Pharmacy. During her six years at this institution she worked with Dr. Peter Morley to design and implement a problem based clinical pharmacy curriculum. This curriculum helped to develop many of the basic concepts that were later applied to the practice of pharmaceutical care.

Dr. Strand moved to the University of Florida in 1989, where she stayed until 1991. She moved to her present position in the Department of Pharmaceutical Care and Health Systems in the College of Pharmacy in July of 1990 and was promoted to Professor in 1998. Dr. Strand has published extensively and consults worldwide, having taught practitioners in Spain, Britain, South Africa, the Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, and Canada.

In 1998, Pharmaceutical Care Practice, co-authored with Drs. Cipolle and Morley, was published by McGraw Hill. The second edition, published in 2004 by the same company, is titled, Pharmaceutical Care Practice:  The Clinician’s Guide.  In 2006 Dr. Strand and her colleagues founded the company, Medication Management Systems, Inc. .  This company is making available to practicing pharmacists around the world, all of the intellectual property developed by Dr. Strand and her colleagues.  This company supports pharmacists who want to establish a practice of pharmaceutical care.  The company makes available education, documentation, reimbursement and management support.  

She presently teaches the practice of pharmaceutical care in the professional curriculum, trains practicing pharmacists, and conducts research in the ambulatory practice setting.  Dr. Strand is working to establish a new standard for medication use in society.

Publications:
PubMed