Former WVU pharmacy dean awarded emeritus status

Patricia A. Chase, Ph.D., has been named dean emeritus of the WVU School of Pharmacy.

Dr. Chase was the Gates Wigner Dean of the WVU School of Pharmacy for nine years before stepping down this summer. She currently serves as past-president of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy, which represents the 130 colleges and schools of pharmacy in the U.S.

“As dean, Pat Chase always put students first,” said Clay Marsh, M.D., WVU vice president and executive dean for health sciences. “Under her leadership, WVU student pharmacists grew to be leaders in their profession, first-rate researchers and models of service to the state and nation.”

During Chase’s tenure as dean, the WVU School of Pharmacy climbed to number 26 in the U.S. News graduate school rankings. She also implemented the My First Patient program at the WVU School of Pharmacy. In this program, first-year student pharmacists assessed their own health needs and set wellness goals. The My First Patient program has grown to encompass several schools at the WVU Health Sciences Center.

Chase remains at WVU’s Morgantown campus and has moved to a role in research and writing, associated with assessment of the My First Patient Program, until her full retirement in 2016. A nationwide search for her successor is under way.