Alumni Updates
Badger pharmacists are expanding their families, moving around the country, pursuing new ventures, and retiring from accomplished careers. Stay in touch with your fellow UW–Madison School of Pharmacy alumni by checking (and sharing) Class Notes in each DiscoveRx digital magazine issue.
- Check out our previous edition of Class Notes from the Spring 2020 issue.
- Submit your class note for the next Fall 2020 issue.
Job Updates
Olivia Fahey (PharmD ’18) is moving to Kansas City later this summer after completing her PGY2 Oncology Pharmacy Residency with UW Health to be a cancer care clinical pharmacist at the University of Kansas Cancer Center.
Tyler Liebenstein (PharmD ’11) is excited to have joined the pharmacy department at the William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital in Madison, Wis., in June.
Eileen Murphy (PharmD ’06) is excited about her new role as senior manager of the Clinical Engagement Center at Navitus Health Solutions. The Clinical Engagement Center will launch in 2021 with the mission of delivering personalized clinical care and improving members’ health and wellness goals.
Sarah Sorum (PharmD ’95) has been promoted to executive vice president and chief executive officer of the Pharmacy Society of Wisconsin.
Dan Hartung (BS ’00, PharmD ’00) has been promoted to full professor of pharmacy practice at Oregon State University.
Kenneth Rockwell Jr. (MS ’94) is now director of regulatory affairs, ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group, Philadelphia, Penn.
Steve Rough (BS ’91, MS ’94) is now the senior vice president at Visante, which is a multidisciplinary, clinician-composed consulting firm specializing in the business of pharmacy and healthcare compliance.
Lance Moran (BS ’88, MS ’91) has founded a new company, Vaccine Mobile, which uses pharmacists to administer vaccinations and other injectable medications directly to patients in their homes. The company will have a soft opening in the Madison area market in June 2020. Lance’s longer term plan is to create a franchise model of Vaccine Mobiles throughout the country.
Accomplishments & Awards
Greg Higby (MS ’80, PhD ’84) has been elected Honorary President of the American Pharmacists Association.
Personal Updates
Jaimi (Swenson) Barkley (PharmD ’14): “We welcomed twins (Whitaker Jon and Margo Dawne) into the family on March 9, just before the pandemic shut things down. While I’ve been home on maternity leave, I’ve been grateful to be able to trust that my colleagues are taking fantastic care of the community. Pictured is us prepping for a quarantine hobby: baking!”
Jason Bergsbaken (PharmD ’12) welcomed his first child (Jeffrey William) with his wife, Jessica.
Robert Buerki (BS ’63, MS ’67) Recently completed two publications:
- Popat N. Patil and Robert A. Buerki, A History of Drug Sciences at the Ohio State University College of Pharmacy (Ronkonkoma, New York, 2019), 468 + xvii pp.
- David M. Baker, John L. Colaizzi, Kelsey Leite, Robert A. Buerki, Gregory J. Higby, Robert L. McCarthy, and Clark Ridgway, “Teaching History of Pharmacy in U.S. Pharmacy Schools,” American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education 83:1 (February, 2019), pp. 100-107.
Palmer Taylor (BS 60, PhD ’65): “I am busy writing a chapter for Annual Reviews of Pharmacology. It extends from the Taylor Drug Stores (downtown and the South Side of Madison) to the current days. In it I do mention Art Uhl’s capacity to recruit the very best scientific talent to the School of Pharmacy in Madison, and how the names of Wurster, Higuchi, Hamel, Smissman and Cannon had an influence on my career.”
Nancy Acker (BS ’55): “Having a great time staying home and quilting, which is a wonderful hobby. I’m so enjoying my 22 years of retirement.”
John Gatz (BS ’51): “After I sold my pharmacy in 2008 in New Braunfels, Texas, I retired in New Braunfels. My wife died in 1981, so I live alone with my grandson. He takes good care of me. I’m 90 years old, so I don’t travel.”
Rolf Johnsen (BS ’49): “Still here, but hunkered down like the rest of us! Live in Carmel-by-the-Sea, Calif., in a senior condo area. Our three children are also in the area, fortunately for us. I walk around our living area and our beautiful Monterey Peninsula daily. Hi to everyone. Madison years are a highlight in both my and wife Peggy’s memories.”
Retirements
Dave Wuest (BS ’92): “After 28 years of working in the pharmaceutical industry, I am officially retired as of May 29, 2020. I have had the pleasure of working at Amgen and Gilead Sciences over my career and helping to make Enbrel, Letairis, and Remdesivir available to patients. I would not have been hired straight out of college without my pharmacology degree from the University of Wisconsin. Go Badgers!”
Holly Mason (BS ’72, MS ’75, PhD ’79): “I am retired as of July 1, 2020, after almost 41 years at Purdue University, serving as a faculty member and an administrator. I will still be around pharmacy education as I plan to continue to be involved with several organizations. I always enjoy getting back to Madison to see the people and places I knew.”
John Cerniglia (BS ’66) is now retired.
In Memoriam
Elizabeth Chase (PharmD ’03) passed away in May 2020. She loved family and her work at the State Vital Records Office, and she was passionate about supporting and advocating for those in recovery.
Kenneth Going (BS ’57) passed away in March 2020. Canadian-born, Going served in the Korean War and attended the School of Pharmacy through the GI Bill. After marrying his wife, Elaine, they purchased the Wautoma Pharmacy, which they owned and operated for 23 years.
Ruth Ellen (Dunn) Byrnes (BS ’50) passed away in May 2020. From Canton, Ill., Byrnes worked as a pharmaceutical assistant in Chicago. After World War II, she enrolled in the School of Pharmacy. She enjoyed time with her children and grandchildren, Badger basketball, and Packer games.