College of Pharmacy Oral History Project

Persistent link for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/11299/213865

The College of Pharmacy Oral History Project preserves the memories of individuals who have been direct observers of and participants in the history and evolution of the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy. By conducting interviews with key individuals, this project enriches the College’s understanding of its own past while also contributing to the historical record. It likewise helps to ensure that the College’s legacy is documented, preserved, and made accessible to researchers and the public.

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    Interview with Marilyn K. Speedie
    (University of Minnesota, 2019-07-31) Ruhrold, Lauren N.; Speedie, Marilyn K.
    Dr. Speedie begins part one of her interview by describing her early life and educational background. She reflects on her undergraduate education at Purdue University, discussing her early experiences working in community pharmacies and her exposure to laboratory research. She briefly discusses her time in graduate school and reflects on her return to Oregon following graduation. She discusses her move to Baltimore, as well as her becoming assistant professor and department head at the University of Maryland. Dr. Speedie then reflects on being recruited to the University of Minnesota. She discusses the appeal of an administrative position, as well as her ongoing interest in teaching and research. She reflects on the chaotic state of the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy upon her arrival, the mentorship she received, and the openness of the pharmacy profession to women. Dr. Speedie then discusses some of the College’s more famous research projects, including investigations into epilepsy, HIV, and opioids. She then details the founding of the Rural Health School and the impetus behind the Duluth expansion. She concludes by comparing revisions made to the College of Pharmacy curriculum in 1995 and 2013 and by reflecting on faculty responses to those changes. Dr. Speedie begins part two of her interview by offering some additional comments about curricular design and the contributions of specific people to that project. She then reflects on changes in pharmacy practice in the mid 2000s, describing the significance of medication therapy management (MTM), collaborative practice, and pharmaceutical care. She then discusses the changing status of the Pharm.D. degree. Dr. Speedie then reflects on the founding and vision behind the Doctor of Pharmacy Program for Practicing Pharmacists (DP4). She then describes the relationship between academic and practicing pharmacists and discusses Dr. Lawrence Weaver’s role in bridging these groups. She discusses the significance of the Center for Leading Health Care Change and the Academic Health Center (AHC). She briefly reflects on the difficulties involved with connecting the College of Pharmacy and Fairview Health Services and with securing physical space for the College. Dr. Speedie concludes by commenting on her position as the first female dean and on the future of pharmacy enrollments.
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    Interview with Donald L. Uden
    (University of Minnesota, 2019-10-14) Ruhrold, Lauren N.; Uden, Donald L.
    Dr. Uden begins his interview by discussing his childhood and high school experience in Coon Rapids, Minnesota. He then reflects on his coming to the University of Minnesota as an undergraduate, his early experiences with pharmacy practice, memorable classes, and his interaction with the medical school. He then describes the development of the Pharm.D. program and changes in the popular image of a pharmacist. He then discusses the significant relationships he formed with Dr. Lawrence Weaver and with peers through the professional fraternity Kappa Psi. He then reflects on his post-graduate work at the St. Paul-Ramsey Medical Center, his increasing involvement with pharmacokinetics, and his growing interest in clinical research. Dr. Uden then describes his time at Minneapolis Children’s Medical Center, his role there as Director of Pharmacy, and his work in pediatric and emergency care. Dr. Uden then discusses his return to the University of Minnesota as a faculty member and reflects on his experience with tenure policies and procedures. He then discusses the growth of clinical pharmacy and the pharmaceutical care movement. He then describes the Pharmacy Rural Education Program (PREP), as well as the development of the Rural Health School and his role as interim director. He then reflects on the deanship of Gilbert Banker, the state of the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy in the 1990s, and the dynamic between Rho Chi and Lo Chi. Dr. Uden concludes by discussing the Doctor of Pharmacy Program for Practicing Pharmacists (DP4) and reflecting on his experience as Associate Dean of Students.
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    Interview with Albert I. Wertheimer
    (University of Minnesota, 2019-10-22) Ruhrold, Lauren N.; Wertheimer, Albert I.
    Dr. Wertheimer begins his interview by describing his early life and educational background. He reflects on his undergraduate education at the University of Buffalo and on his choice to pursue a career in pharmacy. He discusses his interest in marketing and his pursuit of an M.B.A. at Buffalo. Dr. Wertheimer then discusses his decision to pursue a Ph.D. in pharmacy at Purdue University. He describes his time working as a hospital pharmacist in Lafayette, Indiana and as a community pharmacist in Buffalo, New York. Dr. Wertheimer discusses his path post-graduation, reflecting on his time as assistant professor at SUNY Buffalo and on his work with the Social Security Administration. He then describes the circumstances surrounding his move to the University of Minnesota and his attraction to the Twin Cities. Dr. Wertheimer reflects on his early years in the College of Pharmacy, the mentorship of Dean Lawrence Weaver, the significance of the Academic Health Center (AHC), and the emergence of the Pharm.D. degree. He then discusses the history of the Department of Social and Administrative Pharmacy describing its origin and development, ensuing turf battles, as well as notable faculty and alumni. He also discusses the founding and development of the Kellogg program. Dr. Wertheimer reflects on the growth of clinical pharmacy, shifts in promotion and tenure procedures, and changes to the pharmacy curriculum. He then discusses his experience as a community pharmacy owner, as well as changes in the interaction between pharmacists and patients. He also reflects on his roles as Vice President for First Health Services Corporation and as Director of Outcomes Research and Management for Merck and Company. Dr. Wertheimer then discusses changes in the leadership of the UMN College of Pharmacy and his activities as director of graduate studies. He describes his departure from UMN and reflects on how the College of Pharmacy compares to other educational institutions. He concludes by commenting on more recent developments in the college and by reflecting on his relationship with Dean Lawrence Weaver.