Pharmaceutical Care & Health Systems

A student talking with a professor inside Pharmacy store

Cultivating Pharmacy Practice.
Driving Research and Scholarship.
Advancing Education.

The Department of Pharmaceutical Care & Health Systems (PCHS) advances the practice of pharmaceutical care and its role in the healthcare system for the benefit of patients & society through education, research, & service.

Featured Offerings

Cultivating Pharmacy Practice

PCHS is dedicated to the advancement of pharmaceutical care. Pharmaceutical care was originally conceptualized by faculty within our department and continues to be an integral focus to our departmental identity. Our faculty engage in a diverse array of pharmacy practice models and services in partnership with healthcare systems, health disciplines, and the community at large to provide high-quality patient-centered care. Our faculty meet this need through patient care, practice-based research, practice innovation, and education.  

Learn more about our practice faculty

Driving Research and Scholarship

Faculty and trainees within our department study the pharmacy profession, patient care behaviors, government policies, and the economic, clinical, and humanistic aspects of medications. 

  • Patient Care
  • Pharmaceuticals and Public Policy
  • Educational Research

Learn more about our research and scholarship

Advancing Education

PCHS embraces a leadership role in curricular innovation at the College. Our faculty are serving in leadership roles that are creating new learning experiences for Doctor of Pharmacy students and modeling innovative teaching and learning strategies in a variety of courses. 

  • Curricular Domains
  • PharmD Emphasis - Leadership
  • Advancement of Experiential Education
  • Innovations in Teaching
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Social & Administrative Pharmacy Graduate Program

Study the social, psychosocial, political, legal, historic, and economic factors that impinge upon the use, non-use and abuse of drugs. 

Learn more about SAPh Degree Programs

Faculty Spotlight

Research Spotlight

Portrait of Debbie Pestka

Embedding researchers into practice can help health systems ensure that they are providing evidence-based care delivery, and the highest quality and most cost-effective care.

Dr. Pakhomov

Research in Dr. Pakhomov’s lab is focused on development and validation of novel computational methods and technology for collection and analysis of unstructured time-series data. For example: continuous speech and language, heart rate, and galvanic skin response in order to understand how behavioral and physiological characteristics related to changes in cognition and mental states are affected by neurodegenerative and mental health disorders, effects of medications, and exposure to stress. Currently, Dr. Pakhomov’s lab is engaged in three NIH funded projects. 

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Slice of PIE Blog

Optimizing Meds, Creating Value, Transforming Practicc

Learn more about the Slice of PIE blog

News and Announcements

Dr. Andrew Traynor Headshot

Dr. Andrew Traynor, PharmD, BCPS, has accepted the position of assistant dean of experiential education, effective June 30, 2020. He also holds a faculty appointment in the Department of Pharmaceutical Care & Health Systems.

Laura Palombi headshot

Laura Palombi is the 2020 recipient University of Minnesota President's Community-Engaged Scholar Award. 

Amy Pittenger Headshot

Amy Pittenger receives the University of Minnesota 2020 President’s Award for Outstanding Service. 

Dr. Don Uden Headshot

The University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy mourns the loss of Don Uden, PharmD, professor in the Department of Pharmaceutical Care & Health Systems, who died on Saturday, March 21.  

Banner Reading "Ranked Third Best Pharmacy Schools"

The University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy has ranked third in this year’s U.S.News and World Report’s ranking of pharmacy schools.

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This is the highest recognition of excellence in the practice or provision of health care by AHC faculty.