UF College of Pharmacy honors three leaders in the profession
The University of Florida College of Pharmacy has presented distinguished pharmacy awards to two college alumni and to a non-alumnus for significant contributions to the pharmacy profession.
Robert G. Bell, Ph.D., vice president of new and proprietary drug development at Barr Laboratories Inc., Pomona, N.Y., received the Distinguished Pharmacy Alumnus Award.
The Distinguished Pharmacy Service Alumnus Award was presented to Kenneth L. Massey, Pharm.D., vice president of U.S. Clinical Development and Medical Affairs at Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp. in East Hanover, N.J.
This year’s Distinguished Pharmacy Service Award, for a non-alumnus who has contributed significantly to the profession of pharmacy, was presented to Richard P. Penna, Pharm.D., executive vice president emeritus of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy, the organization representing the interests of pharmaceutical education and educators.
Bell received a Ph.D. in pharmaceutics from the UF College of Pharmacy in 1988 and is a member of the college’s National Advisory Board.
“The College of Pharmacy’s Annual Research Showcase is made possible because of Bell’s efforts in providing financial support through sponsorship by Barr Laboratories,” said Executive Associate Dean William J. Millard, Ph.D.
This year’s research competition recognized eight winners in six divisions for a total of $3,000 in cash awards to pharmacy students. Six finalists also were chosen to receive awards totaling $1,800.
Massey has more than 15 years of pharmaceutical industry experience, 12 of which have been focused on the development and management of regional medical programs.
Prior to joining the pharmaceutical industry, Massey held faculty appointments at the University of Tennessee colleges of Pharmacy and Medicine in Memphis, Tenn. Massey focused his educational and original research efforts on the management of pediatric patients and directed a pharmacology consultation service at Memphis’ Le Bonheur Children’s Medical Center. In this clinical setting, he mentored postdoctoral fellows and residents and provided a clinical rotation site for the college’s Doctor of Pharmacy candidates.
Massey received his Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Pharmacy degrees from UF. He completed a two-year postdoctoral fellowship in pediatric clinical pharmacology under the direction of Leslie Hendeles, Pharm.D., and Allen Neims, M.D., Ph.D.
Penna was recognized for his contribution to pharmacy education through his leadership in the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy. William H. Riffee, Ph.D., associate provost and dean of the UF College of Pharmacy, said his work made a direct impact on the educational growth and development at the college.
“He was a tireless worker toward excellence in pharmacy education,” Riffee said.
In 1959, Penna received his Pharm.D. from the School of Pharmacy at University of California, San Francisco. Active in pharmacy organizations, he served on committees of the California Pharmaceutical Association, and helped found and was first president of the Peninsula Pharmaceutical Society and the San Mateo Pharmaceutical Association.
Penna joined the staff of the American Pharmaceutical Association in 1966 as executive secretary of the Academy of General Practice of Pharmacy, later renamed the Academy of Pharmacy Practice. While at the academy, he directed the revision and publication of three editions of the association’s Handbook of Nonprescription Drugs and served as vice president for professional affairs.