The University of Toledo has selected Dr. Pamela Heaton to lead the College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences as its new dean.
Heaton is a nationally recognized pharmacy leader with extensive experience in both research and pharmacy practice. She has spent her 24-year academic career at the University of Cincinnati, serving most recently as interim dean after having served for the prior 10 years as chair of the Division of Pharmacy Practice and Administrative Sciences in the James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy.
Heaton
“We could not be happier that Dr. Heaton is joining The University of Toledo,” said Dr. Karen Bjorkman, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. “She has proven leadership qualities, a track record of finding new opportunities to work with community partners, and brings a fresh perspective on how we can capitalize on our existing strengths and continue to grow and improve the College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.”
Heaton’s appointment at UToledo is effective July 5.
“I think Toledo is really poised for success,” Heaton said. “The college has wonderful faculty and staff, strong academic programs and the University’s comprehensive health offerings allow for key interprofessional education. I really do believe there are extraordinary opportunities here.”
Heaton joined the University of Cincinnati in 1998 as a visiting assistant professor and accepted a full-time faculty position in 2003. She was named chair of the division of pharmacy practice in 2011 and interim dean in 2020.
Under her leadership as chair of the Division of Pharmacy Practice and Administrative Sciences and more recently as interim dean, the college has transformed its doctor of pharmacy recruitment process, significantly grown its residency offerings, more than doubled its new grant funding and developed the country’s first online master’s degree program in pharmacy leadership.
She was also instrumental in developing the University of Cincinnati’s addition of a pair of online master’s programs in pharmacogenomics and personalized healthcare, and health outcomes.
Heaton sees similar opportunities in the future to expand UToledo’s pharmacy program with online offerings. She also sees tremendous potential in the college’s Cosmetic Science and Formulation Design Program — the only such undergraduate program in the country.
Overall, Heaton sees UToledo’s programs as matching up well with the industry’s needs.
“The pandemic has certainly increased the visibility of pharmacists and pharmaceutical researchers, but there is a very significant shortage of qualified pharmacists, particularly in community practice,” she said. “I’m really looking forward to creatively solving issues facing the profession, making an impact and moving the college forward.”
Heaton is a fellow of the American Pharmacists Association and currently serves as editor-in-chief of the Journal of the American Pharmacists Association. She also serves on the board of directors of the American Association for Colleges of Pharmacy.
A three-time graduate of the University of Cincinnati, Heaton holds doctoral and master’s degrees in pharmacy practice and social and administrative sciences, as well as a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy.
Bjorkman thanked Dr. Monica Holiday-Goodman, interim dean of the college, for her leadership during the last year. Holiday-Goodman will continue to play an important role in the success of the College going forward, Bjorkman said.
