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Contact: Jason Marton
jason.marton@tamuk.edu or 361-593-4143

Representatives of Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy to attend AACP interim meeting in San Antonio Feb. 26 - March 1

KINGSVILLE (December 23, 2005) — The Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy at Texas A&M University-Kingsville will be among the educational institutions represented at the 2006 Interim Meeting of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) Feb. 26-March 1, 2006, in San Antonio.

Titled “Cultural Competence: Closing the Gaps and Expanding Access,” the conference will look at how health disparities among different groups of people pose unique challenges to health care providers and how developing competence can lead to enhanced health care services.

Dr. Indra K. Reddy, professor and dean of the College of Pharmacy, and Dr. Barry Bleidt, professor and associate dean for academic affairs in the College of Pharmacy, will be among other pharmacy educators sharing how diversity and cultural awareness are being infused into their faculty, student body and curriculum. Leading experts in health disparities and cultural competence will be there to present the latest statistics and programs that heighten cultural issues.

Founded in 1900, the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy is the national organization representing the interests of pharmacy education and educators. Comprising all 89 U.S. pharmacy colleges and schools and including more than 4,000 faculty, 36,000 students enrolled in professional programs and 3,600 individuals pursuing graduate study, AACP is committed to excellence in pharmacy education.

“I’m very excited about this conference topic,” said Reddy. “It is quite timely for us, and will be good to see how others in academia treat this issue.”

Reddy stressed the importance of networking opportunities like this one where pharmacy educators and health professionals have the opportunity to learn from one other, confront shared issues and present curricula updates.

Pending funding approval from the Texas State Legislature, the College of Pharmacy continues to plan for their Fall 2006 opening, with approximately 70 students in the first class. Currently, there are two associate deans under Reddy, along with faculty and staff that have been hired.

“With the issue of funding in the minds of many, it is important to attend meetings like this one so that others in the discipline will be aware of our progress—that we are moving forward and building partnerships and relationships,” said Reddy.

This page last updated 17 January, 2006