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Celebrating Nanci Murphy’s 25+ year career at UWSOP

On behalf of the PharmD 2016 class, Cameron Garner, Linda Blake, and Rory Cavaille presented a special gift to Nanci Murphy
On behalf of the PharmD 2016 class, Cameron Garner, Linda Blake, and Rory Cavaille presented a special gift to Nanci Murphy Photo: Alex Levine Photography

Faculty member Dr. Nanci Murphy will retire from her full time position at UW School of Pharmacy on July 1, 2016. Dean Sean D. Sullivan shared the announcement earlier this spring saying, “Nanci’s personal and supportive style have meant a great deal to students and her influence and effectiveness have been honored nationally with several awards…Her career spans over 25 years with the School.”

Faculty emerita Joy Plein honors Nanci Murphy at the Geriatric Certificate ceremony in June 2016
Faculty emerita Joy Plein honors Nanci Murphy at the Geriatric Certificate ceremony in June 2016 Photo: Alex Levine Photography

At the Geriatric Certificate Commencement Ceremony in June, Nanci was recognized for her years of dedication to the field and to the students of UWSOP. We learned that Nanci had begun her career in pediatric pharmacy, but after spending a little time with Joy Plein, decided to pursue the Plein Geriatric Certificate. At the ceremony, Joy bestowed on Nanci the new title “Director Extraordinaire (DE)” for her years of service to the pharmacy community and UWSOP students.

Later that day, at the UW School of Pharmacy Graduate Recognition Ceremony, students from the class of 2016 presented Nanci with a custom painting, signed by the class, in honor of all her work on their behalf.

In May 2016, Nanci was recognized as the Distinguished Alumni Award winner at this year’s Dean’s Recognition Reception. Here is an excerpt from the citation read for her award: “Nanci has been widely recognized by students and faculty alike as a mentor who encourages, expects, and obtains high commitment and effort from her students. She has directed numerous student research and special projects that have received national awards and recognition, and she has impacted pharmacy practice, pharmacist and interprofessional healthcare education, and patient care both locally and nationally.

PAA President Gary Harris presents the Distinguished Alumni Award to Nanci Murphy in May 2016
PAA President Gary Harris presents the Distinguished Alumni Award to Nanci Murphy in May 2016 Photo: Sarah C.B. Guthrie

One example of this impact is in her founding of ‘Bridges to Health,’ a program focused on improving access to health care, reducing health disparities, raising awareness of important health issues, and participating in health advocacy efforts. The UW Center for Pharmacy Leadership & Professional Excellence, which she also founded and directs, focuses on the development of pharmacy leaders. She has co-authored a number of pharmacy education and leadership development articles. Nationally, among many other commitments, she is currently or has previously been the chair or a member of more than 20 committees or task forces of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy, and she has served as chair of the 800-member AACP Leadership Development Special Interest Group.

Students from across the UW Health Sciences shared information and educated visitors at the Health Fair
Students from across the UW Health Sciences shared information and educated visitors at the Health Fair Photo: Sarah C.B. Guthrie

Her UW career began as a community practice preceptor in 1989, later joining UWSOP as Associate Director of Academic and Student Programs in 1990. She was promoted to Assistant Dean and then served as Associate Dean from 2001-2014, until she became Director of Student Leadership Programs supporting student initiatives such as the PharmD student-run interprofessional New Year’s Health Fair. Nanci has initiated many programs and projects to promote student involvement in the profession and has highly engaged in Interprofessional Education (IPE) at the UW and nationally, through her work with the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP)—including the recent UWSOP student-led interprofessional Health Fair held in early 2016. She has been recognized with the Gibaldi Excellence in Teaching Award, the APhA-ASP Outstanding Advisor of the Year Award, the Rho Chi and Phi Lambda Sigma Alumni of the Year Award, the Washington State Pharmacy Association Bill Mueller Outstanding Mentor Award. Importantly for the School, she has been the faculty advisor for multiple national award-winning student projects.

We thank Nanci for her years of service and dedication to the professional development of our student pharmacists.