Remembering Dr. Kathy D. Webster

Spotlight

“the Delmarva Peninsula, the State of Maryland, and around the world” to carry out our UMES mission. It has been said that “giving is receiving” thus, in some cases our students or future alumni obtained careers or positions through their prior and ongoing services beyond graduation. Evidently, it is rewarding to see alumni’s continued service as professional citizens and leaders in giving back to the School, University, professional pharmacy associations and communities. The following selected alumni reflect the UMES Pharmily culture and demonstrate their journey of success in a variety of professional pharmacy practice settings.

Leadership and Service at the Regional and State Levels

Matthew Balish, PhamD, Class of 2014 Served as Speaker of the House of Delegates for the Maryland Pharmacists Association (MPhA) in 2018- 2019

Lauren Ruf Jackson, PharmD, Class of 2015 President, Eastern Shore Pharmaceutical Society (ESPS) Current Position: Pharmacy Manager at Walgreens

Ross Jones, PharmD, Class of 2015 Continuing Education Coordinator, Eastern Shore Pharmaceutical Society (ESPS) Current Position: Clinical Pharmacist at University of Maryland: Shore Regional Health Fun fact: recently got engaged to the wonderful Amanda Lehmann and we are very excited for our upcoming wedding!

Amanda Lehmann, PharmD, Class of 2017 Treasurer, Eastern Shore Pharmaceutical Society (ESPS) Current Position: Pharmacist at Walgreens Fun fact: I love fashion, shopping, Halloween, and collecting all things Hello Kitty.

Chelsea McSwain, PharmD, Class of 2013 Current Position: Emergency Medicine Clinical Pharmacist, Holy Cross Hospital, Silver Spring, MD Served as President of the District of Columbia Chapter of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy (DC-CCP) in 2018-2019

Dr. Kathy D. Webster passed away on December 24, 2018 after a battle with cancer. Dr. Webster joined the UMES School of Pharmacy in its infancy in 2009 as Professor and Dean of Academic Affairs and Assessment. Dr. Webster was part of the team that led the school in enrolling and graduating its inaugural class. Along with faculty, staff, and students, she was instrumental in the UMES School of Pharmacy obtaining full accreditation in 2013. In her role as Associate Dean, she was responsible for leading the implementation of the school’s three year accelerated curriculum and developing an assessment plan to ensure its success. Her efforts created a foundation for the future success of the pharmacy school. Her husband, Dr. David Webster, was also a member of the UMES School of Pharmacy team as the first Director of Experiential Education. Dr. Kathy Webster was drawn to UMES because of the opportunity to work at an HBCU and the positive impact she could have on students on the Eastern Shore.

Dr. Webster was an accomplished Medicinal Chemist and Pharmacy educator. However, she will be remembered most by many as a mentor. She took pride in seeking out opportunities to mentor faculty and students alike. She dedicated her career to creating opportunities for others to succeed, preferring to work at small universities training pharmacists to meet underserved markets. She left UMES in 2012 to become the Founding Dean of the Keck Graduate Institute School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in Claremont, CA. According to her husband, “she was very proud of having set in motion [at UMES] an innovative and effective program. She was also proud of the graduation rate and the number of students who went on to [complete post-graduate training]. Knowing each student individually meant a lot to her and she kept in contact with many of them.” Dr. Webster’s legacy will continue through the influence that she has had on the pharmacy program as well as its faculty and students. She will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with her husband, David, and their four children.