BUIES CREEK — In 1985, Campbell’s late president Norman A. Wiggins and then-provost Jerry Wallace faced a daunting task. They were about to open the first new pharmacy school in the United States in over 35 years at Campbell University. It was a decision that would change the course of the University’s future.
“One of the most significant decisions in the academic life of Campbell University was the establishment of the Pharmacy School,” said now-President Jerry Wallace. “When it came to deciding on a dean for this school, the obvious choice was Ron Maddox.”
Maddox had already served as a consultant for Campbell as they considered the possibility of bringing pharmacy to Buies Creek and was instrumental in the accreditation process. Still, it took a bit of convincing to lure him and his young family away from their Atlanta home.
Twenty-nine years after that fateful appointment, Maddox’s impact on the health sciences landscape at Campbell is immeasurable. As founding dean of the School of Pharmacy, now College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences, he developed the first Doctor of Pharmacy degree in North Carolina. Under his leadership, the graduating pharmacy classes have maintained a 98 percent passage rate on the North American Pharmacy Licensure Exam (NAPLEX), a percentage well above both the national and state averages. He has also steered the development of Master of Science degree programs in Clinical Research, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Public Health. The College also offers a professional degree in Physician Assistant Practice, as well as a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree and most recently, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Maddox has served as vice president of health programs since 2010.
Trustees, family and friends gathered during a luncheon to celebrate Maddox’s contributions to Campbell on Oct. 22, as he was presented with the James Archibald Campbell Meritorious Service Award.
“You don’t ask Ron Maddox for help unless you want to get things done,” said long-time friend and pharmacist Jimmy Jackson. “Campbell has grown from a small unknown pharmacy school to one of the best in the nation.”
Dr. Wallace noted that from the very beginning, Maddox and his family embraced Campbell and worked tirelessly for the success of the program.
“Over the last 29 years, Ron and Suzan Maddox have earned the respect of this community and the pharmacy and health care communities of this state,” said Wallace.
Before arriving at Campbell, Maddox was an associate dean and professor at Mercer University’s School of Pharmacy in Atlanta, Ga. During his tenure at Mercer, Maddox also served as a clinical pharmacist at the Georgia Baptist Medical Center, chair of the Department of Pharmacy Practice, and relief pharmacist for a local retail pharmacy. Maddox received his bachelor’s degree in pharmacy and Army ROTC commission from Auburn University. Captain Maddox served as Pharmacy Officer at Ft. Sam Houston and Director of Pharmacy at Ft. Rucker. After completing his military service, Maddox earned his doctor of pharmacy degree at the University of Tennessee.
During his career, Maddox has received numerous recognitions including the North Carolina Pharmaceutical Association’s Award for Outstanding Service to the Profession of Pharmacy, and the American College of Apothecaries’ Dean’s Recognition Award for his dedicated service to independent pharmacy. He served as president of the board of trustees for the Fayetteville Regional Area Health Education Center, and currently serves as chair of the board of trustees for Harnett Health Systems and vice president of the North Carolina Institute of Medicine.
Ron and his wife, Suzan, have four children: Brandon, Tate, Peyton and Ashley. — Haven Hottel