FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb. 2, 2004
CONTACT: Lisa Lacher, (515) 271-3119

RAYLENE ROSPOND NAMED DEAN OF DRAKE'S COLLEGE OF PHARMACY AND HEALTH SCIENCES

Raylene M. Rospond, interim dean and professor of pharmacy practice at Drake University, has been named dean of Drake’s College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, effective immediately.

In announcing Rospond's appointment, Drake Provost Ron Troyer said, "Raylene Rospond has performed admirably as interim dean of the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. She is highly respected by her fellow deans, the faculty of the college, and is an accomplished teacher and scholar. I am confident that she will be strong member of the academic leadership team at Drake University and lead the college as it responds to the challenges of the future.

Rospond holds a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy from Creighton University and a Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Texas. She also completed an oncology specialty residency at Medical Center Hospital in San Antonio, Texas. Her recent research, funded by various grants, focuses on access to health care, pain management and pharmacy experiential education programs. She has written dozens of articles and is co-author of a 2003 book titled “Patient Assessment in Pharmacy Practice.”

Rospond joined the Drake faculty in 1997 as associate professor and associate dean for external pharmacy affairs and became chair of the pharmacy practice department in 1999. She has received numerous honors, including the Innovations in Teaching Award from the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy and the Pioneer Award from Progress Industries. She was elected as a fellow of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy in 2002 and served on the Iowa Pharmacy Association Board of Directors in 2001-03.

“I am honored to be selected as dean of Drake's College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences,” Rospond said. “The college has been well positioned by its past leadership to embrace change in pharmacy education and the profession of pharmacy. The outstanding and dedicated faculty, staff, students and alumni ensure the success of the college and are its greatest asset. I am looking forward to working with and for them to achieve greater heights in the future.”

In addition to her professional activities, Rospond is active in the community as well. She is a pharmacist volunteer with Health Care Access Network and a member of the American Cancer Society’s Iowa Cancer Pain Initiative and an implementation board member of the Community Access Project. She also chaired the Parish Council of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church from 2002-03.

The College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, which is recognized as a national leader in pharmacy education, has capped enrollment to ensure the quality of its programs. Each year, the college receives approximately 400 applications for the two-year pre-professional pharmacy program and accepts 150 applicants. Approximately 350 students apply each year for the 110 openings in the four-year pharmacy program, which leads to a Doctor of Pharmacy degree.