Dr. Catherine Lewis Wente, director of Integrated Pharmacotherapy and clinical assistant professor of Pharmacy Practice, has been named the College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences (CPHS) Educator of the Year. This award recognizes distinguished educators who encourage students, make learning a stimulating experience, and engage students in collaborative activities.
Wente joined the Campbell University family in 2008. She currently teaches P1-P3 courses in the Pharmacy curriculum and also teaches in the Physician Assistant program. She is the course master for the Neurology elective and the Multicultural Health Practices and Health Disparities elective which are open to Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences and Public Health students.
“I’m a faculty advisor for the Dedication to Representation and PRIDE in Healthcare student organizations and am active on several committees at CPHS. I am also co-chair of the University Multicultural council,” Wente noted. She offers “drop-in advising” for CPHS students in her office and precepts P4 students in Internal Medicine at Central Harnett Hospital. One P4 student shared, “I aspire to be like you when I grow up.”
“Receiving this award means so much! I come from a family of teachers. My dad taught high school history and coached basketball. My mom ran a non-profit Christian daycare center for more than 30 years and now teaches Head Start. My great aunt taught high school history and was advisor for a student group called the Express Yourself Club which was very similar to the groups that I advise today. I received this award just before my dad passed away, and he was SO proud of me! The conversation that we had about it is something that I cherish,” Wente shared.
Wente was nominated for the award because she demonstrated a strong commitment to teaching, service, and professional development activities during the past year. She facilitated numerous Continuing Education (CE) activities and taught in numerous electives and required courses. Wente was a preceptor for numerous students and residents and also served on multiple committees both in and outside of Campbell University.
Chair of Pharmacy Practice, Dr. Beth Mills, shared, “We are very proud of Dr. Wente for receiving this award in recognition of her creative and innovative teaching strategies and her commitment to the success of her learners.”
“Catherine is an asset to numerous programs within the College. She exhibits concern for her students and their education, as is evident through her accomplishments and involvements as an educator,” CPHS Dean Michael L. Adams noted.