URI assistant pharmacy dean honored
by R.I. Society of Health-System Pharmacists

KINGSTON, R.I. -- February 10, 2000 -- An assistant dean in the University of Rhode Island's College of Pharmacy has been selected Health-System Pharmacist of the Year by the Rhode Island Society of Health-System Pharmacists.

East Greenwich resident Henrique Pedro, assistant dean for experiential learning, was presented with a plaque from Pfizer Inc. and a bowl from the Rhode Island Society of Health-System Pharmacists during the society's installation and awards banquet in January.

The society is made up of pharmacists mainly from hospitals, community pharmacies, and health maintenance organizations.

Pedro earned his bachelor of science in pharmacy from URI in 1976 and did a residency in clinical pharmacy at Rhode Island Hospital in 1981. In addition to his academic work at URI, Pedro remains an active pharmacist at Earnshaw's Pharmacy in Wickford.

"It certainly is great to get recognition by your peers," said Pedro. "It is especially gratifying for me because I worked at Rhode Island Hospital for 10 years before I came to URI. I was surprised because I am not a practicing hospital pharmacist. I believe I am the first person to be selected from academia."

The society paid tribute to Pedro's work with URI's Brown Bag Prescription program for the elderly, and his role as president of both the Rhode Island Society of Health-System Pharmacists and the Rhode Island Pharmacists Association. He is one of a few who have ever held both posts.

Pedro is also a member of the new Rhode Island Institute for Pharmaceutical Care. The group will be developing programs to improve pharmaceutical care for patients. For instance, the institute is working to establish a once-a-year medication check for the elderly. "It would be analogous to a yearly physical, except an individual would go to their pharmacist for a review of the medications."

Marlene Ritualo, a pharmacist at Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island, Pawtucket, and URI graduate, nominated Pedro for the award.

"His students love him, and he's always there for them," Ritualo said.

"He has a passion for pharmacy, especially on issues pertaining to effective use of medications and improved patient care. The federal government is now looking at some of these issues very closely, but Henry has always paid close attention to them."

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For Further Information: Dave Lavallee 401-874-2116