Alumnus Mark Huffmyer passes away, leaves legacy of global learning
LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 11, 2024) – The University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy (UKCOP) mourns the loss of esteemed alumnus, pharmacist, colleague, and community leader Mark Huffmyer, PharmD, who passed away on July 2, 2024, at the age of 34.
Huffmyer earned his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from UKCOP in 2014 and completed a PGY1 community-based pharmacy residency with the American Pharmacy Services Corporation (APSC). His passion for patient care and education led him to impactful roles at the Gill Heart and Vascular Anticoagulation Clinic and, later, as a neurology, psychiatry, and substance-use disorder service line coordinator at UK Specialty Pharmacy and Infusion Services. His clinical interests encompassed multiple sclerosis, geriatrics, and de-prescribing.
As a board-certified ambulatory care pharmacist and board-certified geriatric pharmacist, Huffmyer made substantial contributions to the field of neurology, particularly in aging and dementia care. Colleagues and students will remember him for his leadership, compassion, and unwavering commitment to advancing the pharmacy profession.
Beyond his clinical practice, Huffmyer was an outstanding educator and preceptor. He was honored as the UKCOP 2021 Preceptor of the Year, a testament to his impactful mentorship and dedication to nurturing future pharmacists through hands-on learning experiences.
As a pharmacy student, Huffmyer participated in an Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) rotation in Thailand. This educational adventure enriched his professional journey and ignited his passion for global learning. In 2016, he traveled to Santo Domingo, Ecuador, on an international brigade with Shoulder to Shoulder Global, providing essential medical care and health education to the local community. More recently, Huffmyer, alongside his father, visited UKCOP’s sister college, Kitasato University in Tokyo, Japan, where he strengthened the relationship between the two institutions.
In his memory, UKCOP is proud to announce the establishment of the Dr. Mark Huffmyer Memorial Travel Award fund. Created by Kristina Karrick, PharmD, and Becky Sebastian, PharmD, from the class of 2014, with additional backing from his mentor, Debbie Duckworth, PharmD, the fund will support students in pursuing the global learning opportunities Huffmyer deeply cherished.
Award preference will be given to students interested in an exchange program with Kitasato University and, secondarily, to students interested in a Shoulder to Shoulder Global brigade trip or an international rotation during their fourth year of pharmacy school.
To contribute to the scholarship fund in his memory, please make checks payable to:
University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy
ATTN: Jessica Rukavina
789 S. Limestone
Lexington, KY 40536
Memo: Dr. Mark Huffmyer Memorial Travel Award
For more information on other ways to give, contact Philanthropy Director Jessica Rukavina at jessica.rukavina@uky.edu.
Huffmyer's contributions to pharmacy, his unwavering commitment to patient care and education, and his passion for global learning will be deeply missed. His legacy will live on through the countless lives he touched and the future pharmacists who will benefit from this award in his honor. Click to read the full obituary.
