BUIES CREEK — Campbell University’s College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences held its 25th graduation ceremony Friday, May 9, at the John W. Pope, Jr. Convocation Center. Duke University Hospital’s Chief Pharmacy Officer, Paul Bush, delivered the commencement address.
“Today we celebrate the graduation of doctors of pharmacy, pharmaceutical scientists, clinical researchers and the first public health class. You are now prepared as practitioners and researchers who will improve the health through this country and beyond,” Bush said.
Bush reflected on his own experiences in the health care industry. Graduating from the University of Michigan with his bachelor of science in pharmacy in the 1970s, the pharmacy practice model focused heavily on the preparation and distribution of medications at that time. Now, through the development and growth of the industry, pharmacists are drug therapy experts and direct care providers.
He challenged graduates to apply their creative energies to find solutions to the problems facing the industry today. Problems like sub-optimal medication therapy issues, inadequate primary care and management of chronic disease provisions, and lack of promotion of wellness and preventative care.
“It sounds like a difficult path, however these are not obstacles, but are opportunities to improve the health and well-being of our nation’s people,” Bush said.
In addition to his Bachelor of Science in pharmacy, Bush received his Doctor of Pharmacy and Master of Business Administration from Wayne State University. He is currently chief pharmacy officer for Duke University Hospital in Durham, North Carolina, and program director for the Health System Pharmacy Administration/MS residency.
Today’s ceremony also marked the last graduation with Ronald W. Maddox presiding as dean of the College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences. Maddox will retire from his post as vice president for health programs and dean of the college effective Dec. 31. Maddox’s successor, Michael L. Adams, will assume leadership of CPHS effective Jan. 1, 2015.
“I remember recruiting and persuading Dr. and Mrs. Maddox to come to Buies Creek, to a dream without students or faculty,” said Campbell University President Jerry Wallace. “And look where we are today. Look at all that we have accomplished.”
A total of 191 degrees were conferred during the ceremony, including 100 Doctor of Pharmacy, 22 master’s in clinical research, 18 master’s in pharmaceutical sciences, 21 bachelor’s in clinical research, 10 bachelor’s in pharmaceutical sciences, and 11 bachelor’s in general sciences. This year the inaugural class of the master’s in public health program graduated its first cohort of students by conferring nine degrees.