Transformation, reflection

UI Colleges of Dentistry, Pharmacy celebrate landmark moments

The University of Iowa College of Dentistry publicly launched its "Transformation for Tomorrow" building renovation and expansion campaign Sept. 24, 2010, announcing that $6.2 million of the $10 million campaign goal has been raised so far.

More than 150 alumni, friends, and supporters of the College of Dentistry gathered for the campaign kickoff to hear the progress-to-date announcement. Attendees also heard from college and campaign leaders about the importance of the fundraising campaign and the facilities project that will transform the 35-year-old Dental Science Building.

"This building transformation will allow our college to continue to be an invaluable resource to Iowa—and to influence the direction of dentistry in this country and around the world for decades to come," said David Johnsen, dean of the UI College of Dentistry.

H. Garland Hershey, chair of the campaign's steering committee, said, "An impressive number of friends of the College of Dentistry have demonstrated their trust and respect for the college by their generous support of this transformative building project.

"Building on the strong support provided by state and university leaders, Iowa dentists and friends of the college are helping to make the building project a reality through their continuing contributions," added Hershey, a UI and College of Dentistry graduate (1963 B.A., 1965 D.D.S., 1971 M.S.) who also is vice chancellor emeritus of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

The Dental Science Building renovation and expansion project will add space and update and expand clinical areas, increase classroom and student space, and upgrade dental research facilities. The college's general and specialty dental-care clinics receive about 150,000 patient visits each year.

The college broke ground for the construction project on April 23, 2010. Costs for the multiyear renovation project currently are estimated at $60 million, with at least $10 million of that to come from private gift support. The projected completion date for the project is summer 2015.

Noteworthy gifts for the campaign include $1.5 million from the Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation, $1 million from the Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust, and several gifts ranging from $100,000 to $500,000 from individual donors.

To learn more about the College of Dentistry's "Transformation for Tomorrow" campaign, visit www.uifoundation.org/dentistry/campaign.

 

Pharmacy celebrates 125 years

The College of Pharmacy honored its progress and growth over the past 125 years with a yearlong celebration. The 125th celebration kicked off with a University and community-wide reception Sept. 1, 2010, in the Brechler Press Box at Kinnick Stadium. UI President Sally Mason, College of Pharmacy Dean Donald Letendre, and College of Pharmacy Student Council President Courtney Gent gave remarks to more than 250 guests.

The creation of the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy began with the initiative of one person, Emil Boerner. He seized an opportunity to standardize and professionalize pharmacy, persuaded the Iowa Legislature to support the establishment of only the fourth state university-based college of pharmacy in the country, and went on to become the college's first dean and professor. What began with one professor grew into a highly respected professional college with 84 faculty members that educate 452 PharmD and 98 master's and Ph.D. students.

Iowa’s program has been quick to embrace scientific discovery, shifts in the pharmaceutical industry, and new ideas about pharmacists’ role in health care.

“Iowa was at the forefront of many of these movements, responding like few other schools,” says Donald Letendre, dean of the UI College of Pharmacy. As they celebrate their program’s 125th anniversary, he and colleagues are also shaping what’s next for the profession.

Today’s Iowa students take on a rigorous training program much like medical or dental students, earning a doctor of pharmacy—or PharmD—degree that prepares them for practice in a host of settings. Many continue to work in pharmacies, but the proliferation of pharmacy chains has changed that practice, too.

“Our state is actually one of the last great bastions of independent pharmacies, with more than 200 across Iowa,” Letendre says. “They’re essential to the fabric of their communities—in some towns, the pharmacist may be the only primary care professional.”

Other grads have found opportunities throughout the pharmaceutical industry, in drug discovery, research, marketing, and management roles that once might have been held by physicians. This expansion has drawn students who may not have considered pharmacy in the past, including many more women.