Ruhrold, Lauren N.Wertheimer, Albert I.2020-06-022020-06-022019-10-22https://hdl.handle.net/11299/213866Dr. Albert I. Wertheimer was born and raised in Buffalo, New York. He earned his B.S. in pharmacy from the University of Buffalo in 1965, his M.B.A. from the State University of New York at Buffalo (SUNY Buffalo) in 1967, and his Ph.D. in pharmacy from Purdue University in 1969. While in school, he worked at a community pharmacy in Buffalo, New York (1965-1967) and as a hospital pharmacist in Lafayette, Indiana (1967- 1969). After graduating, Dr. Wertheimer became assistant professor at SUNY Buffalo and worked as a research analyst for the Social Security Administration. He also completed a post-doctoral research fellowship in the Department of Social Medicine at St. Thomas’ Hospital Medical School in London (1972-1973). In 1973, Dr. Wertheimer accepted an appointment at the University of Minnesota (UMN), becoming associate professor in the Department of Pharmacy Administration (which later became the Department of Social and Administrative Pharmacy). He was promoted to full professor in 1977. While at UMN, Dr. Wertheimer served as department chairman (1978-1988) and as director of graduate studies (1974-1990). He also owned multiple community pharmacies in Minneapolis between 1975 and 1994. In 1990, Dr. Wertheimer became dean at the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, a position he held until 1993. He then left academia to become Vice President of Pharmacy Managed Care at First Health Services Corporation (1993-1997) and later Director of Outcomes Research and Management at Merck and Company (1997-2000). He then became Director of the Center for Pharmaceutical Health Services Research at Temple University (2000-2009) and professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice (2000-2016). In 2017, Dr. Wertheimer came into his current position as professor in the College of Pharmacy at Nova Southeastern University in Florida.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.enAcademic Health CenterCollege of PharmacyDepartment of Social and Administrative PharmacyPharm.DOral History