The Department of Pharmaceutical Care & Health Systems (PCHS) advances the practice of pharmaceutical care and its role in the healthcare system for the benefit of patients & society through education, research, & service.
Cultivating Pharmacy Practice
PCHS is dedicated to the advancement of pharmaceutical care. Pharmaceutical care was originally conceptualized by faculty within our department and continues to be an integral focus to our departmental identity. 
Our faculty engage in a diverse array of pharmacy practice models and services in partnership with healthcare systems, health disciplines, and the community at large to provide high-quality patient-centered care. Our faculty meet this need through patient care, practice-based research, practice innovation, and education. Learn more about our practice faculty
Driving Research and Scholarship
Faculty and trainees within our department study the pharmacy profession, patient care behaviors, government policies, and the economic, clinical, and humanistic aspects of medications. 
Learn more about our research and scholarship in:
- Patient Care
- Pharmaceuticals and Public Policy
- Educational Research
Advancing Education
PCHS embraces a leadership role in curricular innovation at the College. Our faculty are serving in leadership roles that are creating new learning experiences for Doctor of Pharmacy students and modeling innovative teaching and learning strategies in a variety of courses. Learn more about our advanacing education in:
Curricular Domains- PharmD Emphasis - Leadership
- Advancement of Experiential Education
- Innovations in Teaching
Social & Administrative Pharmacy Graduate Program
Study the social, psychosocial, political, legal, historic, and economic factors that impinge upon the use, non-use and abuse of drugs. Learn more about SAPh Degree Programs
Faculty Spotlight:
Kylee Funk
Part of interprofessional partnership to improve medical access for growing, diverse downtown community.
Faculty Spotlight:
Oscar Garza
Addressing critical health inequities using a framework of social justice and University-Community partnerships.
PCHS in the News
Greg Rhee is featured in the MPR story, "U of M study warns a dangerous opioid combination is becoming more common."
Kristin Janke, Social and Administrative Pharmacy graduate student Lisa Hillman, and alumnus Kathryn Smith were quoted in the December Academic Pharmacy Now article, “Together, We Write,” which celebrated the #RxWritingChallenge.
Ann Philbrick is quoted in the Duluth News Tribune story, "Shortage of shingles vaccine expected to continue through 2019, St. Luke’s pharmacist says."
Jon Schommer is featured in the WCCO-TV story, "How Do Pharmaceutical Companies Price Prescription Drugs?"
Jason Varin is quoted in the Star Tribune story, "Twin Cities hospitals face critical shortage of pain medications."
PCHS News
Jon C. Schommer, MS, PhD, RPH, associate department head and professor, Pharmaceutical Care & Health Systems, will receive the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) Research Achievement Award in the Pharmaceutical Sciences. The award recognizes and encourages outstanding, meritorious achievement in any of the pharmaceutical sciences.
Benzodiazepines, such as Xanax and Halcion, are prescribed sedatives to help with anxiety, insomnia and other conditions. Both benzodiazepines and opioids are considered potentially harmful and addictive drugs in older adults because they increase the risk of morbidity and mortality in older adults.
This is the highest recognition of excellence in the practice or provision of health care by AHC faculty.