We’re thrilled to announce four esteemed members of our faculty and staff have been honored with the prestigious Award for Excellence in Assessment by the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP). Rachel Allen, Matthew Elamparo, Teresa O’Sullivan and Curtis Jefferson have been selected as recipients of this distinguished accolade, recognizing their outstanding contributions to advancing pharmacy education and assessment practices.
The AACP, comprising 142 accredited schools of pharmacy and over 6,400 faculty members, plays a pivotal role in promoting excellence in pharmaceutical education and training. Among its annual recognitions, the Award for Excellence in PharmD Program Assessment stands out for acknowledging initiatives that enhance curricula, student learning and program quality. This award highlights the commitment of its recipients to fostering innovative approaches in education and continuous improvement within the pharmacy profession.
For the UW School of Pharmacy, this recognition is particularly noteworthy, as it reflects the dedication and expertise of our faculty members and staff in assessment and accreditation endeavors. The award-winning assessment initiative is titled, “Closing the Loop: Incorporating Preceptor Feedback from Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) Data to Measure Program Outcomes and Make Rapid-Cycle Program Improvements.” This initiative involved the design and implementation of a “point-in-time” assessment approach to analysis and review of APPE data for more timely feedback and improvements to experiential education and student achievement. Winning entries were selected following a competitive submission process.
We’re proud to celebrate the following members of our staff and faculty for their outstanding work:
Curtis Jefferson – Director of Assessment and Accreditation – has demonstrated exemplary leadership in overseeing academic assessment initiatives, ensuring the quality and effectiveness of our nationally recognized PharmD degree program.
Rachel Allen – Assistant Teaching Professor and Director of Experiential Education Assessment – has made significant contributions to scholarship from the halls of our School, with a keen focus on student skill development and experiential education assessment. Her commitment to mentoring students and enhancing learning experiences has been instrumental in shaping future pharmacy professionals.
Teresa O’Sullivan – Associate Professor and Experiential Education Metrics Specialist – brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her role, contributing to the advancement of practice-based learning and fostering collaboration with volunteer faculty and preceptors. Her dedication to UW pharmacy students is commendable as she continually works to enrich experiential education through research and mentorship.
Before moving on from his role as Director of Operations for Experiential Education, Matthew Elamparo demonstrated a passion for expanding clinical practice at the UW and mentoring future #HuskyPharmacists. His leadership as a program manager and student advisor played a vital role in guiding PharmD candidates through their prospective career paths. Matthew has since taken his expertise to a new role with the VA Puget Sound Healthcare System as PGY1 Pharmacy Residency Program Director.
With honor and distinction, we recognize Rachel, Matthew, Teresa and Curtis and their shared commitment to excellence and innovation in pharmacy education. Their contributions are far-reaching, as they impact the learning experience of our students while elevating the reputation of our School on the national stage. We couldn’t be prouder of their achievements!
The awards will be formally presented during a special session at the AACP annual meeting in Boston this July, providing an opportunity for our staff and faculty awardees to showcase their innovative assessment initiative on a national stage. We extend a heartfelt congratulations to Rachel, Matthew, Teresa and Curtis and express our gratitude for their continued dedication to advancing pharmacy education and practice.