LEADER OF THE PACK: DOG GROOMER TURNED
UH PHARMACY PROF HONORED
Lynn Simpson Prepares Next Generation of Pharmacy Leaders, Wins
National Award
HOUSTON, March 28, 2007 – After building a successful dog
grooming business, a University of Houston pharmacy educator has
earned national honors for grooming the next generation of pharmacy
professionals.
Lynn Simpson, a clinical associate professor and executive vice
chair of pharmacy practice at the UH College of Pharmacy, received
the American Pharmacists Association-Academy of Student Pharmacists’
2007 Outstanding Chapter Advisor Award at the organization’s
annual meeting March 19. UH is only the second college to have two
faculty members among the award winners since the honor was created
in 1988 by APhA-ASP. Shara Zatopek, UH College of Pharmacy associate
dean for administration and clinical associate professor, received
the award in 1995.
“Although I’m honored to receive this award, I really
believe it’s the students who deserve it,” Simpson said.
“Our students are amazing. Not only are they dedicated to
the pharmacy profession and each have enormous leadership potential,
but they all have a great sense of humor and let you share in their
personal experiences.”
Simpson was singled out for her spirit, energy and impact on students
during her 10 years as a UH faculty member and adviser for the student
chapter. Through her support and encouragement, eight UH pharmacy
students have held regional or national leadership posts in APhA-ASP
and two students have won the organization’s National Patient
Counseling Competition, marking the first time a college has won
consecutive first-place titles in the event.
“Dr. Simpson is always ready to offer guidance and suggestions,
while insisting that we make our own decisions,” said Jon
Arends, president of the UH chapter of APhA-ASP that nominated Simpson
for the award. “Her dedication to patient counseling is unparalleled,
and she challenges students to continually work on our skills for
the ultimate benefit of the patient.”
A member of the college’s inaugural class of Pharm.D. graduates
in 1996, Simpson also has personal insight into what it takes to
compete at the national level as a student. She was among the top
10 finalists in the National Patient Counseling Competition while
completing her pharmacy education at UH.
Before her career in pharmacy, Simpson owned and operated dog grooming
and pet supply shops for 14 years when she decided to sell her business
and change careers. She initially considered getting into the travel
industry, but discovered pharmacy after it appeared at the top of
a career assessment profile in which “travel agent”
came in at the bottom.
After working part time at a community pharmacy for a few years,
Simpson knew it was the perfect fit and enrolled at UH. Despite
her original intent to open her own pharmacy and veterinary compounding
shop, her entry into pharmacy education came when she was volunteered
to teach a pharmacy course based on her knowledge, enthusiasm and
active participation in student organizations.
Simpson has been a faculty member of the UH College of Pharmacy
and served as the APhA-ASP chapter adviser at UH for 10 years. She
also works alongside an endocrinologist at a Houston lipid primary
prevention clinic, where she continues to practice and hone her
patient counseling and therapeutics skills. Committed to pharmacy
education on many levels, Simpson and her husband, Bill, also established
a student scholarship endowment at the college in 2005.
“I just love working with students, both in the classroom
setting and the professional arena,” Simpson said. “It’s
always great to receive recognition, but it’s really special
when you know it comes from the students.”
Perhaps a reflection of Simpson’s mentoring skills, she wasn’t
the only one from UH to be honored at the conference this year.
Third-year UH pharmacy student Jason Lovero was elected one of two
National Members At-large on the five-member 2007-08 APhA-ASP National
Executive Committee that represents pharmacy student interests in
the national parent organization.
Established in 1852 as the American Pharmaceutical Association,
the American Pharmacists Association is the largest organization
of pharmacists in the United States with 60,000 members.
About the University of Houston
The University of Houston, Texas’ premier metropolitan research
and teaching institution, is home to more than 40 research centers
and institutes and sponsors more than 300 partnerships with corporate,
civic and governmental entities. UH, the most diverse research university
in the country, stands at the forefront of education, research and
service with more than 35,000 students.
About the UH College of Pharmacy
For more than 50 years, the University of Houston College of Pharmacy
has shaped aspiring pharmacists, scientists and teachers. The college
offers a Pharm. D. degree, a master’s in pharmacy administration,
a Ph.D. in pharmaceutics or pharmacology and combined Pharm.D./Ph.D.
degrees. As one of nearly 90 pharmacy colleges in the United States
recognized by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education,
the college consists of more than 45 basic science and clinical
faculty, nearly 610 adjunct faculty and preceptors and 900 current
pre-pharmacy and professional students. The college has facilities
both on the UH campus and in the Texas Medical Center. At TMC, students
have the opportunity to train with physicians, medical students
and members of UH clinical faculty. In addition to faculty and staff
offices, the TMC facility also houses research laboratories, classrooms
and the Contemporary Pharmacy Practice Laboratory.
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