LLUAHSC - Spring 2002 Newscope

Newscope

School of Pharmacy to accept first students in fall

[SCOPE, Spring 2002]

Avis J. Ericson, PharmD

In the fall of 2002, LLU will add the School of Pharmacy to its highly respected medical and research programs.

The Loma Linda University Board of Trustees began plans for the School of Pharmacy in 1995, but various delays held the project in check.

W. Barton Rippon, PhD, dean of the Graduate School, was also named dean of the School of Pharmacy in 1996 to serve in the early developmental stages and to head the search for a pharmacist to serve as the academic administrator.

In 2001, Avis J. Ericson, PharmD, was recruited to join the school’s administration and lead it through the lengthy accreditation process. Dr. Ericson is a pharmacist with substantial experience in teaching, program development, and academic administration.

The School of Pharmacy expects to admit 30 students in its inaugural class and increase enrollments to a maximum of 60 per class in each year of the 4-year program. The curriculum will lead to the doctor of pharmacy degree (PharmD).

To date, interest from prospective students has been very high and the database of inquiries totals nearly 3,000 names gathered during the last several years. A major challenge will be to select the students for the first class.

Offices and classrooms for the School of Pharmacy are located in West Hall, with the Graduate School and School of Nursing.

[SCOPE, Spring 2002]