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BILL GATTON COLLEGE OF PHARMACY
Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy is an integral component of the Academic Health Sciences Center at ETSU which also includes James H. Quillen College of Medicine, the College of Public Health, the College of Clinical and Rehabilitative Health Sciences and the College of Nursing. Gatton College of Pharmacy is physically located on the grounds of the James H. Quillen Veterans Affairs Medical Center (Mountain Home) in Johnson City. The college of pharmacy’s professional program, leading to a Doctor of Pharmacy Degree (Pharm.D.), is designed to prepare pharmacists to work in a variety of professional arenas, with emphasis on rural and underserved communities.
History
The university along with community leaders had been investigating the feasibility of initiating a college of pharmacy for over a decade. Given the state’s only college of pharmacy was almost 500 miles away, most students from this region chose to attend out-of-state public and private institutions for their pharmacy education. As a result, few returned to this area to practice. That fact, plus the lack of state funds for a second state-funded college of pharmacy, fueled the demand for pharmacists in this Southern Appalachian region.
In January 2004, a tuition-funded, rural-focused model was developed as a possible solution to this dilemma. Realizing that considerable private support would be necessary for the model to work, a steering committee led by the Vice President for Health Affairs and comprised of ETSU faculty and staff, pharmacy community leaders, and community leaders at-large began to develop and implement such a plan.
After extensive effort, approval was obtained from the Tennessee Board of Regents and the Tennessee Higher Education Commission in the summer of 2005. Governor Phil Bredesen lent his support to this effort with the challenge to raise $5 million in 90 days and an additional $2.5 million before the first class of students entered the program. The $5 million was raised in 58 days, and the College of Pharmacy passed the $7.5 million mark on April 3, 2006, with Governor Bredesen personally making the announcement at ETSU. Recognizing the value of a College of Pharmacy at ETSU, over 900 individuals and organizations contributed financially to this effort. With the support and energy from the people of this region, the College of Pharmacy became a reality as the inaugural class of students began studies January 2007.
On May 22 2008, the College of Pharmacy was named Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy at East Tennessee State University in honor of Bill Gatton, a local philanthropist, whose generosity made the establishment of the ETSU pharmacy school possible.
May 8, 2010 marked the achievement of a major milestone for the College as the first graduates (66 students) were hooded and received their diplomas. Full accreditation was received June 2010.
Accreditation
East Tennessee State University Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy’s Doctor of Pharmacy program is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), 135 S. LaSalle Street, Suite 4100, Chicago, IL 60603, (312) 664-3575, fax (312) 664-4652, website www.acpe-accredit.org. The ACPE accredits Doctor of Pharmacy programs offered by Colleges and Schools of Pharmacy in the United States and selected non-US sites.
Membership
American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy
Diversity
The Gatton College of Pharmacy and East Tennessee State University strive to develop an environment where the value of diversity among students, faculty and staff is accepted, encouraged and embraced. Diversity encompasses differences in race, creed, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, disabilities, veteran status or sexual orientation. The individual characteristics, talents and contributions of all people are valued and recognized for the unique contribution they make to the college.
Vision
The vision of the Gatton College of Pharmacy is to become a recognized national leader of pharmacy education.
Mission
The mission of Gatton College of Pharmacy is to develop progressive, team-oriented pharmacists that improve healthcare, focusing on rural and underserved communities. The College accomplishes this mission by:
- Providing outstanding education with emphasis on interprofessional education
- Valuing research and scholarship to create a life-long curiosity and passion for learning
- Developing and delivering exceptional direct patient care
- Engaging and serving the university, community and profession
Values
The Gatton College of Pharmacy embraces the educational philosophy and values of East Tennessee State University and is committed to the following core values:
Academic Excellence
We strive to achieve excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service to the university, local, and professional communities.
Professionalism, Integrity, and Character
We aim to create an environment that instills professionalism, integrity, empathy, a high standard of ethical behavior, and the highest professional commitment to the patient, the community, and the employer.
A Caring Community
We endeavor to create a caring community characterized by mutual respect, patience, kindness, and generosity; and one that respects, values, and promotes the dignity and diversity of faculty and students.
A Culture of Service
We strive to create a culture that values and promotes service to our patients, school, community, and profession.
Life-long Learning
We pursue a passion for life-long learning and a commitment to personal and professional growth as we serve our patients, community, and profession.
Guiding Principles and Goals to Achieve the Mission
Improving Care Through Excellence in Scholarship
- Provide students with the knowledge, skills, judgment, professional attitudes, and values to deliver contemporary patient care in a changing healthcare environment;
- Promote the development of teaching excellence, innovation, continuous quality improvement, and creativity in the context of interdisciplinary patient-centered care;
- Develop and enhance students’ skills in problem solving, critical thinking, and individual and group communication;
- Facilitate and encourage the development of mature, independent, and life-long learners in a diverse student body with different learning styles.
Improving Care Through Excellence in Scholarship
- Recognize, value, and promote scholarly inquiry and outcomes assessment, clear reasoning, and the application of evidence-based practices as a means of improving the health outcomes of patients, especially the care of a rural underserved population;
- Contribute to the advancement of the clinical and basic medical and pharmaceutical sciences through independent and collaborative research, presentation and publication;
- Embrace the scholarship of teaching to optimize educational effectiveness.
Improving Care Through Excellence in Clinical and Professional Service
- Provide and teach pharmacist-delivered patient care, including medication therapy management services, to further advance an evolving profession that benefits society today and in the future;
- Foster a culture of service to the community and profession;
- Advance healthier lifestyles through health promotion, preventive healthcare, and education of the public;
- Promote active student involvement in the profession, community service projects, and volunteer activities;
- Collaborate with the professional community to serve as an agent of positive change, advancing the level of pharmaceutical care practiced within the community, thereby improving healthcare and enriching the lives of patients in the region.
Improving Care Through Professional Development
- Support and mentor faculty in their pursuit of scholarly activity and service recognizing that these activities are essential for continued professional growth;
- Encourage a commitment to and passion for lifelong learning and develop and equip students for postgraduate training;
- Encourage students, faculty, and preceptors to grow as professionals and to optimize their skills and capabilities in providing excellent patient-centered care;
- Support continuing professional development of alumni thereby fostering a positive and continuing relationship with graduates.
Improving Care Through Interdisciplinary Collaboration
- Cultivate an educational environment of inter-professional teamwork and collaboration among students, faculty, staff and administration within the Division of Health Sciences;
- Partner with local practitioners, health-care facilities, organizations, and patients to maximize the professional and educational experiences of our students;
- Create an interdisciplinary and collaborative learning experience as a fundamental model that prepares students for collaborative practice and shared responsibility.
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