Career Paths in Academic Pharmacy eReport

Career Paths in Academic Pharmacy will help any pharmacist or student understand the nuances of practicing in the field. By providing first-person reports from practitioners at all stages of career development in academia, this ASHP eReport fosters true understanding of the experience of training as a resident, starting a career as a new practitioner, and even what it’s like to be a well-established member of the faculty. For any pharmacist or student considering a career in academia, this eReport offers clear perspectives and valuable guidance.

Jaclyn Boyle, PharmD, MS, BCPS, RPh

Jaclyn Boyle is an Assistant Professor for Community Pharmacy Innovation in the Department of Pharmacy Practice at Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED). She graduated from NEOMED and completed a PGY1 pharmacy practice residency and PGY2 internal medicine/academia residency at University Hospitals Geauga Medical Center in Chardon, OH. Prior to receiving her PharmD, Boyle received a Master of Science in Pharmacology and Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences from The Ohio State University. She is currently enrolled in a Master of Business Administration program at The University of Findlay. Her responsibilities at NEOMED include on-campus teaching, coordination of several skills-based courses and residency preparation activities, and other academic service commitments.

Dr. Boyle currently serves ASHP on the Small and Rural Hospitals Section Advisory Group, acts as the ASHP-SSHP Mentor for NEOMED’s SSHP chapter, and has developed and edited a new series of eReports on Career Paths in Pharmacy. She also is the Division Director for Professional Affairs for the Ohio Society of Health-System Pharmacists, is acting Chair of the Residency Expansion Committee, and is assuming a Co-Chair position for the Ohio PPMI Task Force in 2015. She also is actively involved in leadership roles within the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy and Lambda Kappa Sigma. Boyle's practice site encompasses delivering services to the NEOMED health plan and developing new and innovative ambulatory services in an outpatient primary care clinic.

Susan P. Bruce, PharmD, BCPS

Susan P. Bruce is Associate Dean for Pharmacy Education and Interprofessional Studies and Chair and Professor of Pharmacy Practice at Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) College of Pharmacy. She is a registered pharmacist and a Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist. Dr. Bruce received her Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy and Doctor of Pharmacy degrees at Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in Albany, NY. She completed a residency in primary care with a focus in education at Midwestern University Chicago College of Pharmacy (MWU CCP) before joining the faculty at MWU CCP. Her patient care responsibilities included a point-of-care interdisciplinary lipid and anticoagulation clinics. In 2003, she returned to New York to bring her experience from the Midwest to Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. Her most recent clinical appointment was with The Center for Rheumatology in Albany, NY. Dr. Bruce worked with the rheumatologists to improve patient care by providing medication-related education to patients and healthcare providers; developed clinical programs to improve patient adherence to treatment regimens; designed medication protocols for the infusion suite; identified and resolved medication-related problems; and met with patients individually to address their medication-related questions.

In her current roles at NEOMED, she is responsible for leading the Department of Pharmacy Practice, overseeing the Doctor of Pharmacy curriculum, and advancing interprofessional education initiatives for the college of pharmacy.

Zachary Jenkins, PharmD

Zachary Jenkins earned his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) College of Pharmacy. Following his graduate education, he then completed a postgraduate residency program at Summa Health System in Akron, OH. Throughout both his graduate and postgraduate education, Jenkins was frequently involved in the education of medical and pharmacy students at NEOMED, which ultimately resulted in his completion of the NEOMED teaching certificate program. In 2013, Dr. Jenkins joined Cedarville University where he currently co-coordinates the infectious disease module.

He maintains active involvement in the pharmacy profession, including serving on the committees of several professional organizations at the local and state level. His research interests include subjects related to adult internal medicine, antimicrobial stewardship, transitional care, interprofessional education, and student professional development. Jenkins currently maintains a clinical practice in Cincinnati, OH, where he specializes in transitional care and adult internal medicine.

Janis J. MacKichan, PharmD, FAPhA

Janis J. MacKichan is currently Professor and Vice Chair of the Department of Pharmacy Practice at Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED). She received her Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Pharmacy degrees in 1975 and 1977, respectively, from the University of Michigan, followed by an ASHP-accredited residency at the University of Michigan in 1977 and a clinical pharmacokinetics fellowship at the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1979. Dr. MacKichan spent 13 years at The Ohio State University as an Assistant and Associate Professor and 14 years as Professor and Founding Chair of the Department of Pharmacy Practice at Midwestern University prior to coming to NEOMED as the Founding Chair of the Department of Pharmacy Practice in 2006.

Dr. MacKichan has received nine teaching awards during her career and was awarded fellowship status in both the American College of Clinical Pharmacology (1979) and the APhA Academy of Pharmaceutical Research and Science (2007).

Mate M. Soric, PharmD, BCPS

Mate M. Soric is a Clinical Pharmacist and Residency Program Coordinator at University Hospitals Geauga Medical Center in Chardon, OH. He is also an Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice at Northeast Ohio Medical University College of Pharmacy in Rootstown, OH. He received his BS in Pharmaceutical Sciences and Doctor of Pharmacy degrees from The University of Toledo in 2007 and 2009, respectively. He completed an ASHP-accredited pharmacy residency at The Toledo Hospital Family Medicine Residency and obtained board certification in pharmacotherapy in 2010. He precepts pharmacy students from a number of Schools and Colleges of Pharmacy along with students from other health professions.  

Dr. Soric is an active member of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), Ohio Society of Health-System Pharmacists (OSHP), the American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP), and the Ohio College of Clinical Pharmacy (OCCP). He serves on the Student and Resident Committee of the ACCP Ambulatory Care Practice and Research Network and on the Education Committee of the ACCP Adult Medicine Practice and Research Network. He is also Chair of the OCCP Communications Committee. He has authored articles and chapters on a number of subjects. His interests include direct patient care of both inpatients and outpatients, education of student pharmacists and residents, and evidence-based medicine.

Timothy R. Ulbrich, PharmD, RPh

Timothy R. Ulbrich is the Associate Dean of Workforce Development and Practice Advancement, Director of Resident Education, and Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice at Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) College of Pharmacy. He received his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Ohio Northern University and completed postgraduate residency training at The Ohio State University. He was co-manager of the Medication Therapy Management (MTM) services at Giant Eagle Pharmacy before joining NEOMED as an administrator and educator. Ulbrich directs practice advancement initiatives and leads workforce development including pharmacy residency educational programs.

He teaches OTC/Self-Care and MTM and has served on numerous pharmacy committees such as Ohio Pharmacists Association (OPA) New Practitioner Experience (Founding Chair) and the OPA Board of Trustees. Dr. Ulbrich recently received the OPA Distinguished Young Pharmacist Award. He has given over 45 invited state and national presentations, submitted nine grants (five funded), presented over 30 posters, and published 12 manuscripts and four book chapters.