University Of Oklahoma appoints Melissa Medina as new dean Of College Of Pharmacy

Melissa Medina, Ed.D., has been appointed as the new dean of the University of Oklahoma (OU) College of Pharmacy, pending approval from the OU Board of Regents. She will assume her duties on June 16. Medina has served as interim dean since September and was chosen for the permanent position following a national search.

OU President Joseph Harroz Jr. commented on the appointment: “With her breadth of experience as a superb researcher, award-winning educator and collaborative leader, Dr. Melissa Medina is poised to provide the innovative leadership needed to ensure the College of Pharmacy’s continued excellence. Her deep understanding of the university’s goals, state workforce needs and health outcomes make her the ideal candidate to step into this role. We look forward to the remarkable impact she will continue to have on the college and larger community.”

Medina joined OU College of Pharmacy in 2000 and is currently a professor and associate dean for assessment and evaluation. In these roles, she teaches clinical communication courses, leads teaching certificate programs for faculty and students at various levels, directs co-curriculum initiatives, and oversees residency teaching certificate programs.

She also participates in faculty development through workshops at OU Health Sciences’ Faculty Leadership Program across all seven colleges on campus. Additionally, she directs the Preparing Future Faculty Program aimed at preparing graduate students for academic careers.

As a researcher, Medina has authored or co-authored nearly 100 peer-reviewed journal articles focused primarily on pharmacy student learning and health professional education. She recently secured a $1.5 million grant from the Inasmuch Foundation to support student success and workforce development efforts. Medina serves as associate editor for the American Journal of Pharmacy Education and reviews articles for several other journals in her field.

Her professional affiliations include membership in organizations such as the American Pharmacists Association, American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy, American Education Research Association, and American Psychological Association.

Over her career spanning more than two decades at OU College of Pharmacy, Medina has received multiple honors including two major national awards: The 2023 Lyman Award for Publication of the Year in pharmacy education from AACP’s American Journal of Pharmacy Education; and The Robert K. Chalmers National Distinguished Pharmacy Educator Award from AACP. She has also earned eight additional national awards in pharmacy education along with twelve teaching awards at OU.

Gary Raskob, Ph.D., senior vice president and provost of OU Health Sciences stated: “Over the past 24 years, Dr. Medina has provided exceptional leadership in the OU College of Pharmacy, and her dedication to excellence in pharmacy education is invaluable. We are pleased that she will be serving as the 14th dean of the College of Pharmacy and know that she will continue elevating the college and discipline of pharmacy in years to come.”

Before joining OU College of Pharmacy, Medina was an instructor at Rutgers University Graduate School of Education in New Jersey where she earned both her master’s degree in education and doctorate in education.