Alumni
Vincent Idemyor: A career on the cutting edge of science
Idemyor has led a fulfilling career across the U.S. and Nigeria.
Kimberly Vandiver: Set on MLS from the start
Vandiver knew by high school that she wanted to work in MLS.
John Hoeschen, PharmD, ‘89, pharmacist and owner of St. Paul Corner Drug. Was interviewed as part of the Bring Me The News Story, “St. Paul Corner Drug says farewell to its vintage soda fountain, warns of 'sobering trend' for pharmacies.”
Jeff Johnson, PharmD, ‘80, was interviewed as part of the Pioneer Press story, “West Seventh Pharmacy to close after 110 years.”
Tony Olson, PharmD, ‘15, SAPh PhD, ‘20, has been selected to receive the University of Minnesota Alumni Association - On the Rise Leader Award. Olson will be recognized at the UMAA Alumni Awards Affair during Homecoming Week this fall.
Derek Borkowski, PharmD, ‘18, has been selected to receive the University of Minnesota Alumni Association - Entrepreneurial Spirit Award. Borkowski will be recognized at the UMAA Alumni Awards Affair during Homecoming Week this fall.
MSHP recognizes 2025 award winners
Several pharmacy alumni were recognized this spring by the Minnesota Society of Health-System Pharmacists.
- Paul Krogh, PharmD, MS, BCPS, ‘04, received the Tom Kohout MSHP Meritorious Service Award. Krogh works at North Memorial Hospital.
- Rachel Root, PharmD, BCPS, FASHP, FMSHP, ‘09 & ‘11, received the Outstanding Pharmacist Award. Root works at Abbott Northwestern Hospital
In Memoriam
Chuck Richards, BS in Pharmacy, ‘61, MS in Hospital Pharmacy, ‘63., passed away March 2, 2025. Richards was the first graduate of the college’s hospital pharmacy program. Concurrently, he was a resident at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Minneapolis during; the first resident from the College of Pharmacy.
Lyle Anderson, BS in Pharmacy, ‘55, passed away March 28, 2025. He was a pharmacist in the Stillwater, Minnesota and Hudson, Wisconsin communities.
Rich Streit, MS in Hospital Pharmacy, ‘69, passed away April 8, 2025. Streit was a loyal advocate of the program from which he graduated.
Keith Eastman, BS in Pharmacy, ‘54, passed away April 15, 2025. In addition to studying pharmacy, Eastman also played baseball for the Minnesota Gophers.
Pam Guthrie, a longstanding member of the UMN College of Pharmacy community, passed away on March 2, 2025. Pam was employed with the college from April 1999 through January 2021. A celebration of life will be held for Pam on Aug. 23, 2025 on the Jonathan Paddleford at Harriet Island from 12-2:30 p.m.
Giving in support of the college
Cheers to U! honors donors
In April, the college had the pleasure of honoring the generous donors who support the medical laboratory sciences, occupational therapy, and pharmacy programs. The program included presentations from fourth-year PharmD student (and now esteemed alum) Kate France, ‘25; PhD graduate candidate (and now alum) in Social and Administrative Pharmacy (SAPh), Gavin Wilson, PharmD, BCPS, MBA/HA, PhD, ‘25; and faculty member Dr. Olihe Okoro about the many ways philanthropy has helped their respective journeys.
“We look forward to this beautiful tradition every year,” said Amy Polski Larson, chief development officer. “Not only do we get to honor our donors and raise a toast of gratitude to them, we get to highlight some of the ways their generosity is really making an impact across our MLS, OT and pharmacy programs.”
Attendees also had the opportunity to meet and chat with future College of Pharmacy dean, Dr. R. Kip Guy, who was in attendance with his wife, Dr. Caitlin Allen.
Visit the online photo gallery to see more photos from the event.
Research & Innovation
Center for Drug Design earns grant to research Mpox treatment
It will fund research on antiviral drugs to treat Mpox.
Faculty duo shows power of MLS and pharmacy collaboration
The team demonstrates how the fields complement each other.
Education
New APPE programs to bring students to underserved communities
They will work in rural and neglected urban areas for 30 weeks.
OT students improve the wellness of agricultural workers
With UMASH, OT students are improving the wellness of farmers.
Practice
College convenes health care plan and provider discourse
The college hosts talks between plans and pharmacy providers.
College news
Student News
Tess Buescher, P3, received the 2025 MSHP Outstanding Student Award
Department, Center & Program News
OT Program receives 2025 Vail Communities award
The Occupational Therapy Program was recently honored as the 2025 Vail Communities Professional Development Partner of the Year.
Vail Communities are three clubhouses (Hopkins, Uptown, Ramsey County) for persons with serious mental illness. Vail Communities offer critical support for members' success in recovery, health maintenance, and stability within the community. Evidence supports its value in preventing hospitalizations and improving quality of life.
More than 50 Level I, Level II and Capstone students from the OT program have been placed at Vail Communities since 2017. The students, under faculty direction, have made a significant difference in advancing Vail Communities' program development and community engagement.
Faculty and Staff News
Occupational Therapy Program
Hannah Oldenburg, EdD, OTR/L, BCPR, was recognized with the University of Minnesota’s Award for Excellence in Academic Unit Service. These awards recognize ongoing institutional service at the local level. One award is available for each department or unit, across all five campuses. Other College of Pharmacy faculty members recognized included, Drs. Amy Pittenger, Ron Siegel and Tim Stratton.
Pharmacy Program
Amy Pittenger, PharmD, MS, PhD; Ron Siegel, ScD; and Tim Stratton, PhD, RPh, FAPhA, have all been recognized with the University of Minnesota’s Award for Excellence in Academic Unit Service. These awards recognize ongoing institutional service at the local level. One award is available for each department or unit, across all five campuses. Also recognized was Dr. Hannah Oldenburg from the Department of Occupational Therapy.
Olihe Okoro, PhD, MPH, MPharm, associate professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice and Pharmaceutical Sciences and co-director of community engagement, received the Duluth NAACP 2025 Social Justice Impact Award in commendation for her “dedication and commitment to advancing the NAACP’s mission of combating racial injustice, promoting inequality, and defending the rights of marginalized communities.”
Tim Stratton, PhD, RPh, FAPhA, professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice and Pharmaceutical Sciences, has received the University of Minnesota 2025 President’s Award for Outstanding Service.
Keri Hager, PharmD, BCACP, professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice and Pharmaceutical Sciences and associate dean for clinical affairs, was inducted into the National Academies of Practice (NAP) at the organization’s recent annual meeting and forum.
Carrie Haskell-Luevano, PhD, professor and the Philip S. Portoghese Endowed Chair in chemical neuroscience in the College of Pharmacy, has been named a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).
Stephen Schondelmeyer, PharmD, PhD, recently testified at the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission hearing on Dominance by Design: China Shock 2.0 and the Supply Chain Chokepoints Eroding U.S. Security.
Wendy St. Peter, PharmD, FCCP, FASN, FNKF, and colleague Katie Cardone, PharmD, BCACP, FCCP, from Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, joined ASHP Editor-in-Chief Dan Cobaugh for a 30-minute podcast discussing the newly released AJHP themed issue on Pharmacists' Role in chronic kidney disease (CKD) management, which AKHOMM members Drs. Wendy St. Peter, Rebecca Maxson and Katie Cardone served as guest editors. Dr. St. Peter was also a participant in a panel that examined benefits and barriers in therapies for CKD and diabetes at the American Diabetes Association’s 85th Scientific Sessions.
Recognizing 2024-2025 spring semester pharmacy teaching award recipients
Class of 2025 (P4)
Duluth Teacher of the Class: Dr. Jared Van Hooser
Twin Cities Teacher of the Class: Dr. Morgan Hoeft
Class of 2026 (P3)
Duluth & Twin Cities Teacher of the Semester and Year: Dr. David Stenehjem
Class of 2027 (P2)
Duluth Teacher of the Semester: Dr. Tim Stratton
Duluth Teacher of the Year: Dr. Gardner Lepp
Twin Cities Teacher of the Semester: Dr. Sarah Westberg
Twin Cities Teacher of the Year: Dr. Elizabeth Ambrose
Class of 2028 (P1)
Duluth Teacher of the Semester: Dr. Grant Anderson
Twin Cities Teacher of the Semester: Dr. Betsy Hirsch