Alumni Features | UK College of Pharmacy

The UKCOP Effect

We expect our graduates to be adept at thinking critically, emotionally intelligent, to understand how to leverage technology with their practice, and to carry on the Kentucky tradition of providing the highest level of care. Innovative education, hard work, and collaborative practice and research are essential in transforming patient-centered care.

As a top-10 college of pharmacy, our impact is global. And no matter where we are, you can see the #ukcopeffect first hand. Whether it's on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic, medical outreach in Ecuador, or serving our community here in Lexington, KY, our pharm fam is active across the world.

Alumni Spotlights

DOUG OYLER, R407 (CLASS OF 2010) The Power of the Kentucky Connection

woman standing outside wearing tank top and jeans

Beth Richter (CLASS OF 2002) When Patient Care is at the Heart of It

Dennis Bashaw (Class of 1986) Embracing the Tradition of Unscripted Opportunities

Alumni in the News

Melissa Thompson Bastin, R380 Critical care pharmacist shares experience from pandemic frontlines

Melissa Thompson Bastin, PharmD, BCPS, is a critical care clinical pharmacist practicing in the medical ICU (MICU). Thompson Bastin has been with UK for almost ten years and is part of the interprofessional healthcare team who takes care of our MICU patients, which includes the COVID-19 positive patients requiring critical care.

Cindi and Taylor in front of total care pharmacy sign

Cindi Williams & Joel Thornbury College of Pharmacy Alumni Reflect on Changing Roles During COVID-19

As the world navigates a new "norm" in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, many people are being forced to change up their routines — including at work. For the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy alumni Cindi Williams and Joel Thornbury, the changes leave them feeling empowered as professional pharmacists.

pharmacist looking at a computer holding a pill bottle

Gary (BS 1979) & Nick Russell (PharmD 2013) Bluegrass Pharmacy continuing to meet the need

With 40-plus years in the business, Bluegrass Pharmacy owner Gary Russell has seen it all — but he admits the current pandemic facing the nation has brought on a different set of issues.

Coffee Conversations

Watch recorded interviews of our alumni chatting with students and sharing about their journeys after graduation.

Vidya Narayanaswami (PhD 2012)

Machelle Manuel (PhD 1996)

David Burgio (PhD 1996)

Chad Schwartz (PhD 2013)

Leigh Verbois (PhD 2002)

Jigna Patel (PhD 2006)

Bob Guttendorf (PhD 1989)

Ore Adedoyin (PhD 2014)

Clare Medendorp (PhD 2011)

Kevin Harrod (PhD 1995)

Jane Alcorn (PhD 2002)

Joseph Lutz (PhD 2014)

We wish to remember and honor those who inhabited this Commonwealth before the arrival of the Europeans. Briefly occupying these lands were the Osage, Wyndott tribe, and Miami peoples. The Adena and Hopewell peoples, who are recognized by the naming of the time period in which they resided here, were here more permanently. Some of their mounds remain in the Lexington area, including at UK’s Adena Park.

In more recent years, the Cherokee occupied southeast Kentucky, the Yuchi southwest Kentucky, the Chickasaw extreme western Kentucky and the Shawnee central Kentucky including what is now the city of Lexington. The Shawnee left when colonization pushed through the Appalachian Mountains. Lower Shawnee Town ceremonial grounds are still visible in Greenup County.

We honor the first inhabitants who were here, respect their culture, and acknowledge the presence of their descendants who are here today in all walks of life including fellow pharmacists and healthcare professionals.

Phone:	(859) 323-7601
Emergencies:	911, #UKPD (#8573)
UKPD Main Dispatch:	(859) 257-1616
Environmental Health & Safety:	(859) 257-3827

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