Dear colleagues, alumni and friends,

In this, my final GATORx column as dean of the University of Florida College of Pharmacy, I want to express my gratitude and appreciation for the opportunity to lead the college for the past nine years. It has been the most rewarding and challenging experience of my career, and I will always cherish the memories and the friendships established during my time as dean. It’s a gift to have met so many amazing people who have wide-ranging professional and personal stories, including many loyal and dedicated alumni.

I leave this position in awe of the many ways our alumni support our college. You lift us up with your time, talents and financial support, and you celebrate with us when good things happen. As preceptors, career coaches, mentors and general cheerleaders for our students, you are influencing the next generation of pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists in many positive ways. You are leaders in every sense of the word, and I’m grateful to have had your support as dean.

In the same way, I would encourage you to show the same level of support for the next dean. They will inherit a college that has never been stronger. With a top 5 national ranking, a fully accredited Pharm.D. program through 2029, a research program that continues to set new funding records every year and a dedicated team of faculty, staff, students and alumni, there are no limits to what can be achieved.

There are many exciting opportunities on the horizon for the next dean to seize upon and carry the momentum forward. In 2023, the college will celebrate its centennial year and our data science faculty will move into the new state-of-the-art Malachowsky Hall for Data Science & Information Technology. New research, clinical and educational opportunities will arise with UF Health’s continued expansion, and the college is in a great position to strategically impact the university’s artificial intelligence initiative through the contributions of new and existing faculty. There will also be new opportunities for collaboration and impact in drug discovery with UF Scripps Biomedical Research and others.

The momentum built over the past nine years will continue well into the future, and I’m excited to contribute in new ways when I return to the faculty. Thank you for believing in me and allowing me to serve as dean of the UF College of Pharmacy. It has been an honor of a lifetime.