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 advancing 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:
Dr. Ann Philbrick
Dr. Philbrick leads the College of Pharmacy in COVID-19 education programs.
Research Spotlight:
Dr. Debbie Pestka
Embedding researchers into practice can help health systems ensure that they are providing evidence-based care delivery, and the highest quality and most cost-effective care.
PCHS Announcements
William Elmquist, PharmD, PhD, and Todd Sorensen, PharmD, FAPhA, FCCP, have received the Award for Outstanding Contributions to Graduate and Professional Education as part of the University of Minnesota 2020-2021 Distinguished Teaching Awards.
Joel Farley, PhD, became the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) for the Social and Administrative Pharmacy (SAPh) program in PCHS effective January 1, 2021. We also recognize Jon Schommer, MS, PhD, RPh, for his 21 years of service and leadership as the former DGS.
Tom Larson, PharmD, PCHS Professor has transitioned to Professor Emeritus effective December 31, 2020. The PCHS Department held a virtual retirement celebration for Dr. Larson on January 25, 2021 to celebrate all of his career accomplishments.
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PCHS in the News
Jon Schommer, MS, PhD, RPh, was named ed Editor-in-Chief of Pharmacy. In 2018, he joined Pharmacy as an associate editor. In the past 3 years, Dr. Schommer has been active in editorial work and has done an excellent job. Taking on the new role, Dr. Schommer has a message for you and all Pharmacy readers, expressing his enthusiasm and expectation of the journal. Please see: https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4787/9/2/73.
Stephen Schondelmeyer, PharmD, PhD, is a key contributor to the COVID19--CIDRAP Viewpoint: Part 6 Ensuring a Resilient US Prescription Drug Supply.
Stephen Schondelmeyer, PharmD, PhD, is quoted in a Politico story about the drug industry pushing the FDA to solve its growing inspection backlog.
Jason Varin, PharmD, received the Pharmacy Advocacy Award at the MPhA Annual Meeting, for his work to help pharmacies that were damaged by vandalism and looting in the aftermath of civil unrest in the Twin Cities.
Ann Philbrick, PharmD, BCPS, Chrystian Pereira, PharmD, BCPS, and colleagues had their work "Education and Attitudes on Medical Cannabis in Family Medicine Residency Programs," published in Family Medicine.
Stephen Schondelmeyer, PharmD, PhD was interviewed by Fox13 Salt Lake City for the article, COVID-19 pandemic strains the US's prescription drug supply chain.
Stephen Schondelmeyer, PharmD, PhD was quoted in a Medpage Today article, No Easy Fixes for Drug Supply Chain Problems.
Amy Pittenger, PharmD, MS, PhD, has been appointed as part-time liaison to the Executive Vice President & Provost’s Office. In this role, Amy will help advance discussions with academic leaders at all levels of the University to achieve its goal of developing “innovative, coordinated, and scaled systemwide distributed learning models that increase access and meet workforce needs” as part of the Systemwide Strategic Plan.
Stephen Schondelmeyer, PharmD, PhD, was quoted in a CNN article, “Coronavirus pandemic is causing 'unacceptable' shortages in US drug supplies, report says.”
Kristin Janke, PhD, Keri D. Hager, PharmD, BCACP, and Anita Sharma, PharmD, presented evidence in support of short, targeted, patient-centered care IPPEs in this case study report, “Unpacking student learning from an early experience with the Pharmacists' Patient Care Process.”
Ann Philbrick, PharmD, BCPS, was quoted in the Time article, “Why This Year's Flu Vaccine Will Be So Vital in the Fight Against COVID-19.”
Stephen Schondelmeyer, PharmD, PhD, was interviewed for the Science article, "Drug recently shown to reduce coronavirus death risk could run out, experts warn." The interview was also referenced as part of the Latin Post article, "Gilead to Launch Human Trials for Inhaled Form of Remdesivir To Treat COVID-19."
Amy Pittenger, PharmD, MS, PhD, was interviewed for the Star Tribune story, "In first year, University of Minnesota President Joan Gabel leads school through health and social crises."
Todd Sorensen, PharmD, and Carrie Martin Blanchard, PharmD, MPH, authored the article, "A Partnership to Optimize Medication Use and Patient Outcomes," for Drug Topics.
Kylee Funk, PharmD, BCPS, had her article "Teamwork Really Does Equal Dreamwork - How Pharmacists Might Reduce Burnout" published in the spring 2020 issue of MPhA's, Minnesota Pharmacist.
Stephen Schondelmeyer, PharmD, PhD, was interviewed by CBS This Morning for the story, "Pandemic exposes drug supply shortages doctors have grappled with for 'more than two decades.'"