The USC School of Pharmacy is proud to announce that alumnus B. Joseph Guglielmo has been named dean of the University of California – San Francisco School of Pharmacy effective April 1.
Guglielmo is a recognized pharmacy leader and clinical scientist specializing in antimicrobial therapies. After completing his PharmD at USC, he did a residency at UCSF immediately after which he joined the faculty in 1979. His specialty areas are evidence-based pharmacotherapy and infectious diseases. Among his many credits at UCSF are the development of the UCSF Medical Center Antimicrobial Stewardship Program (10980s), establishment of the UCSF Medication Outcomes Center (2007) and the creation of the UCSF HIV/AIDS program specifically supporting the HIV Women’s Program and Men of Color Program.
Guglielmo has authored more than 110 peer-reviewed papers and has served as the long-term editor of Applied Therapeutics: The Clinical Use of Drugs and the Handbook of Applied Therapeutics. As chair of the school’s Department of Clinical Pharmacy, he oversaw a 40 percent increase in the department’s faculty in NIH research funding from 2006 to 2012.
Asked about his days at USC, Dean Guglielmo specifically mentioned three memories. “Those years were a very good time – with a good balance between learning and school and great social time,” he said. He also remembers the extraordinary learning that took place during his time at the LAC+USC Medical Center. “All our learning came alive there – a wonderful experience.”
From a teaching perspective, he especially remembers Professor Edward Brady who had a tremendous ability to teach difficult subjects. “Professor Brady was a plus for both the school and the profession.”
Guglielmo has an optimistic view of the profession in the era of the Affordable Care Act and the many changes taking place throughout health care. “I see this as the glass half full. The pharmacy profession has a big role to play in meeting the primary care gap.” He notes that pharmacists need access to health records so that they can optimize their contribution to patient health. “And the profession, like the nation, has to be prepared to undertake the ACA and to do it right.” He sees education as playing an important role in preparing future pharmacists for this new environment as well as offering programs for practicing pharmacists.
Agreeing with Guglielmo is USC School of Pharmacy Dean R. Pete Vanderveen, “Dean Guglielmo is right on the mark. If we work together, across all aspects of the profession, the pharmacy profession can emerge as a pivotal part of the health care team that improves outcomes and saves money.” On another topic, Vanderveen notes, “UCSF is fortunate to have a leader like Dean Guglielmo. I look forward to working together.”
To read the UCSF announcement about Dean Guglielmo, go to http://www.ucsf.edu/news/2013/03/13696/ucsf-appoints-new-dean-nations-top-pharmacy-school.