Olufunmilola Abraham joins College of Pharmacy as chair of Pharmacy Practice & Science
LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 6, 2024) – The University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy (UKCOP) proudly announces the appointment of Olufunmilola Abraham, Ph.D., as associate professor and chair of Pharmacy Practice & Science, effective September 1, 2024. Abraham brings to UK a wealth of experience and a distinguished career in pharmacy practice, research, and education.
Abraham joins UK from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she serves as a tenured associate professor in the School of Pharmacy's Social and Administrative Sciences Division. She is a previous NIH/UW Institute for Clinical and Translational Research (ICTR) KL2 scholar and was a fellow of the UW Collaborative Center for Health Equity and the UW Morgridge Center for Public Service.
Her academic journey began with a BPharm degree from the University of Lagos, Nigeria, followed by a Master of Science and Ph.D. in Social and Administrative Pharmacy from the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Pharmacy. She also holds a Ph.D. minor in Industrial and Systems Engineering and a graduate certification in patient safety.
Abraham’s research focuses on improving medication use for vulnerable and underserved populations, including children, young adults, women, and individuals with chronic health conditions. She has over ten years of experience developing innovative interventions, such as game-based learning, to promote medication safety and adherence. Her work incorporates human factors and systems engineering to enhance pharmacy practice and patient care processes.
Abraham leads the CRoME (Collaborative Research on MEdication use & family health) Lab at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Pharmacy, where she has developed various impactful projects, including MedSMA℞T Families Intervention program, a game-based participatory approach to facilitate parent-teen communication about medication safety, and the Ph-EVER program, an educational resource for pharmacists, parents, and teens focused on the prevention and risks associated with e-cigarettes and vaping. Through these programs, Abraham has demonstrated a commitment to translating research into actionable solutions that benefit community health.
Abraham's research has received funding from numerous prestigious organizations, including the American Lung Association, AcademyHealth, the American Cancer Society, and the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP). She has authored over 70 publications and delivered more than 70 scientific presentations.
"We are incredibly impressed by Dr. Abraham's extensive background and dedication to advancing pharmacy practice through innovative research and education," said Dean R. Kip Guy, Ph.D. "Her leadership and vision will be invaluable as we continue to push the boundaries of pharmacy education and practice in Kentucky. We are excited to welcome her to UK and look forward to the impactful contributions she will make."
"I am honored to join the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy and lead the Department of Pharmacy Practice & Science," said Abraham. "I look forward to collaborating with the faculty, students, and community to advance our mission of improving health outcomes through innovative research, education, and clinical practice."
Abraham’s appointment marks a significant milestone for UKCOP, promising a future of enhanced research, education, and clinical practice under her visionary leadership.
The department's current chair, David Burgess, PharmD, will step down after more than a decade of exemplary service in the role. Burgess has been instrumental in advancing the department's mission and has made significant contributions to the field. Under his leadership, the department has seen considerable growth in research output, educational initiatives, and community engagement. Burgess will continue to contribute as a valued member of the faculty, where his experience and insights will remain an asset to the College.
"Dr. Burgess has been a dedicated leader and a mentor to many in our community," added Dean Guy. "His commitment to excellence has laid a strong foundation for the future, and we are grateful for his years of service."
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.