Saint Joseph College Announces Plans for a New School of Pharmacy
In its continuing effort to address the evolving educational and workforce needs of the community, Saint Joseph College today announced plans to establish a School of Pharmacy with a first year class of students enrolled as early as the fall of 2010, pending appropriate approvals.
The new School will offer a unique three-year, co-educational doctoral degree program in Pharmacy (Pharm.D.). It would represent the College’s first doctoral program in its 76-year history. Like other professional degree programs (e.g. law or medicine), students can enroll upon completion of a bachelor’s degree, subject to required courses. The College’s undergraduate program now offers a pre-pharmacy option where all the prerequisite courses can be completed.
“Saint Joseph College’s School of Pharmacy will address a critical workforce need and complement the College’s high-quality programs, especially in health and human services,” said Pamela Trotman Reid, Ph.D., president of Saint Joseph College.
President Reid also announced the appointment of Dr. Joseph R. Ofosu as the School of Pharmacy’s first Dean. Dr. Ofosu comes to Saint Joseph College from Howard University, where he currently serves as associate dean for academic affairs in the College of Pharmacy, Nursing & Allied Health Sciences. I want to take this opportunity to thank the Board of Trustees, President Reid, and the entire SJC community for making the decision to establish the School of Pharmacy and taking the bold step to affirm the College’s commitment to its core values – future generations will be very appreciative,” said Dr. Ofosu.
“Dr. Ofosu holds a Pharm.D. and a B.S. in Pharmacy from Howard University. He completed Post-Doctoral Residencies at Children’s National Medical Center and The George Washington University Medical Center, Washington, D.C. As an award-winning teacher, author and researcher in the fields of pharmacy, pharmaceutical sciences, nursing and allied health, Dr. Joseph Ofosu will bring a world of experience and accomplishment to his new position at Saint Joseph College,” said President Reid. “I ask the students, faculty, associates, neighbors and friends of Saint Joseph College to join me in welcoming Dr. Ofosu to our West Hartford campus and our community.”
Dr. Ofosu will assist the College in preparing accreditation materials and will seek to implement a program designed to follow a distinct, three-year model used successfully by other institutions. The three-year model will allow students to reap the financial benefits of employment sooner and will provide much-needed expertise to the community. According to the Connecticut Department of Labor, the demand for pharmacy professionals will grow by 20 percent through 2016 and likely well beyond. “This is an exciting new development for Saint Joseph College and for the State of Connecticut. We are honored to have Dr. Ofosu leading this important program which will serve the growing health care needs of our community,” said Martin J. Gavin, president and chief executive officer of Connecticut Children’s Medical Center and member of the Saint Joseph College Board of Trustees.
“The College’s plan for a Pharm.D. program is a natural extension of the College’s mission of providing students with a valuable career focus while responding to needs within our community,” said President Reid. “It also positions Saint Joseph College to grow and thrive as a vital resource to the state and the region.” The College is seeking to locate the School in or near the City of Hartford, considering accessibility, costs, and the potential for contributing to the development of the capital city.
