University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Pharmacy

11/12/2025

The Wisconsin Opioid Overdose Response Center (WOORC) will continue its life-saving work for another year, thanks to a federal grant extension from SAMHSA!

In its first year, WOORC provided resources to more than 4,600 individuals across Wisconsin and worked with over 75 community pharmacies to distribute fentanyl and xylazine test strips, mail-back envelopes, and educational materials on reducing overdose risks to reach more than 185,000 Wisconsinites.

“Our approach to focus on community pharmacies and their staff to deliver critical, forward-thinking public health and patient safety solutions […] is effective and could be a model for other states,” says Associate Professor Cody Wenthur, a faculty co-founder and director of WOORC.

Learn how the funding extension will help: https://bit.ly/4i0BT0O

Wisconsin Opioid Overdose Response Center Receives a grant extension to expand pharmacy-based solutions to the overdose crisis.

11/11/2025

Alumna Brooke Foster (PharmD ’18) is reshaping pulmonary care at Froedtert Hospital by expanding pharmacist-led services for patients with cystic fibrosis, COPD, asthma, and complex biologic therapies.

“We’re trying to streamline getting people the right inhaler the first time," she says.

Learn more about how she's transforming care for patients with chronic lung disease, from building population health programs to guiding care teams through new treatment options: https://bit.ly/4pUlQFv

11/10/2025

'Tis the (respiratory virus) season!

Our first-year PharmD students are preparing to protect their communities by learning to administer vaccine injections, led by Professor Mary Hayney, resident Vito Lagioia, and third-year PharmD student Micaela Bakman.

11/10/2025

Through a new Research Forward grant from the University of Wisconsin-Madison supporting "high-risk, high-impact, and transformative" research, Professor Weiping Tang and collaborators are exploring how to degrade the protein aggregates linked to neurodegenerative diseases.

"It is extremely challenging to develop therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases, but we’ll aim to make as much progress as possible," says Tang.

Learn about the team's new high-impact approach here: https://bit.ly/4i10rqA

11/07/2025

One of the best parts of being a Pharmacy Badger is belonging to a broad, interdisciplinary network that begins right here on campus.

Alongside the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Nursing, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, and the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine, the School of Pharmacy joined a Health Sciences Welcome Reception to build community, connections, and support among faculty, staff, students, and alumni.

Together is how Badgers move forward!

11/07/2025

Statistics show that chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) disease burden is highest in Wisconsin’s most rural counties — where patients often live far from the needed specialty care.

With support from a Baldwin Wisconsin Idea Seed Grant, graduate student Sara Hernandez is piloting a pharmacist-powered intervention to improve rural patients' outcomes.

“Pharmacists play a unique role in these rural communities; they’re often one of the only health care providers in town,” says Hernandez.

See how she's been working with Wisconsin pharmacists: https://bit.ly/480ONbD

11/06/2025

Congratulations to alum Heidi Mansour (BS ’96, PhD ’03) on being recognized as one of eight 2025 fellows of the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS) in celebration of her professional excellence, sustained positive impact on global health, and outstanding scientific accomplishments!

This is the latest in a long line of achievements, also including being selected for the 2023 Class of Senior Members in the National Academy of Inventors and being inducted as a Fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering — an honor bestowed on the top 2% of medical and biological engineers. https://bit.ly/3LoqBHv

Find more accomplishments of School of Pharmacy alumni here: https://bit.ly/4nkWwpz

11/05/2025

At Science on the Square, our Pharmaceutical Sciences graduate students brought chemistry to life at the colorful Phun with Pharmacy booth!

Using clear cups, a color-changing solution, and over-the-counter stomach relief medicine, they showed attendees how changes in the stomach’s acidity can lead to discomfort, and how balancing pH makes all the difference.

11/05/2025

Congratulations to Harry Sharata (MS ’85, PhD ’86), recipient of a 2025 Citation of Merit, the UW–Madison School of Pharmacy’s highest annual honor!

Sharata’s groundbreaking research on drug absorption through the skin inspired a career spanning teaching, research, and patient care. Today, as a dermatologist and owner of Advanced Dermatology, Inc., he continues to advance patient care while mentoring the next generation of healthcare professionals.

“Ultimately, whether as pharmacists, physicians, or scientists, what we do is take care of patients and alleviate suffering,” he says.

Learn more about his career in the comments!

11/04/2025

“Pharmacists provide the most cost-effective triage there is. A patient walks in with a question, and we direct them to the proper access point for care," says Shane Resch (PharmD '09), pharmacist and president of Gwidt Pharmacy. He's working hard to get Medicaid reimbursement at the independent pharmacies he owns in Manitowoc, Oconto Falls, Pulaski, and Wittenberg, Wisconsin

"We facilitate communication between hospitals and primary care providers, especially when they’re not in the same health system, and we help when other handoffs go wrong,” he says. “We do this all the time, and we should get reimbursed for it.”

Learn how Resch is using provider status at his pharmacies to bring accessible healthcare to rural Wisconsin communities: https://bit.ly/3WBBPuu

11/03/2025

Ever since ninth grade, Terry Maves (BS ‘69) knew he wanted to be a pharmacist. He became a Badger a few years later, marking the beginning of a career defined by innovation, service, and leadership, including serving as president and chairman of the board of the Pharmacy Society of Wisconsin and on the Pharmacy Examining Board.

In recognition of his impact, Maves is being honored as the 2025 Alumnus of the Year by the Pharmacy Alumni Association!

“I don’t know if anyone would have expected me, the fun-loving pharmacy student in the second row from the back, to get this award," he says.

Learn his career and impact here: https://bit.ly/43buXrt