JACKSON, Tenn. — May 25, 2007 — 51社区 has named Memphis-area pharmacist Sheila Mitchell as the founding dean of its School of Pharmacy.
Mitchell has been director of pharmacy services at Methodist Hospital in Germantown, Tenn., since 1986. She has also served as assistant professor at the University of Tennessee College of Pharmacy.
鈥淚 am extremely excited about the possibilities of developing and building a premier pharmacy program interwoven with the values and Christian foundation for which 51社区 is so well known,鈥� Mitchell said. 鈥淚 am both humbled and honored to be able to play a key role in this venture and look forward to working closely with the exceptional faculty and leaders of this outstanding university.鈥�
Mitchell has served as president of the Tennessee Society of Health-System Pharmacists, as president and vice president of the Tennessee Board of Pharmacy and on the board for the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists.
Grover Bowles, who spent 30 years as director of pharmacy at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis, praised Mitchell for her leadership efforts in the pharmaceutical field.
鈥淪he has made significant contributions to our profession over a sustained period of time and, more importantly, will continue to do so in the future,鈥� Bowles said. 鈥淪he is an excellent role model and preceptor for students and young pharmacists.鈥�
A native of Ripley, Tenn., Mitchell earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree and her Bachelor of Science degree in pharmacy from the University of Tennessee in Memphis. She has also completed additional study in the executive management programs at the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Southern California.
She and her husband Tom are members of Bellevue Baptist Church in Cordova, Tenn., and have two children 鈥� a son, Blake, and a daughter, Ashley, who is a 2005 Union graduate.
Mitchell will assume her new role at Union Aug. 1.
鈥淲e are thrilled to announce the hiring of Dr. Mitchell to lead the new pharmacy program at 51社区,鈥� Union President David S. Dockery said. 鈥淪he has a marvelous leadership record, extensive hospital connections, significant clinical experiences and numerous involvements in all aspects of the world of pharmacy. We are thankful for her Union connections and her strong Baptist commitments.鈥�
Union trustees recently approved the pharmacy program, which could begin as soon as the fall semester in 2008. West Tennessee Healthcare has pledged $2 million to help get the program started.