University of Maryland Eastern Shore News May 14, 2015 Dr. Rondall E. Allen named UMES pharmacy dean The University of Maryland Eastern Shore announced today the appointment of Dr. Rondall E. Allen as its next dean of the School of Pharmacy and Health Professions. Allen was introduced during a midday meeting with faculty who teach in the departments of kinesiology, rehabilitation services, pharmacy, physical therapy and physician assistant studies. The UMES dean's post appealed to him, he said, because "we have an opportunity to train students to work together with other health professionals gives us an advantage. Out in the workforce, they will understand the importance of collaborative practice." For the past year, Allen has been an associate professor and associate dean for academic quality in the School of Pharmacy at South University, a private, for-profit institution in Savannah, Ga. Between 2003 and 2013, Allen taught and worked as an administrator in the College of Pharmacy at Xavier University in New Orleans, where he earned his doctor of pharmacy degree in 1993. His undergraduate degree in pharmacy (1989) is from Florida A&M University, where he was also an assistant professor from 1996 to 1998. "Dr. Allen brings a variety of experiences and expertise (that) will support and grow the University of Maryland Eastern Shore's School of Pharmacy and Health Professions," interim Dean Cynthia Boyle said. "He will relate well to students, faculty, staff, and stakeholders as he leads health professions education to meet the needs of citizens on the Delmarva Peninsula and beyond. I look forward to working with Dr. Allen." Allen, a Tallahassee, Fla. native, also has experience in the private sector, working as a medical science manager for Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. and as a pharmacist with Rite Aid Corp., Eckerd Drug Co. and K-mart. In addition, he has done consulting work for the University of South Florida, DuPont Pharma and a medical center in St. Petersburg, Fla. In 2005, when Hurricane Katrina came ashore in New Orleans, Allen was praised widely for his hands-on work keeping pharmacy students focused on completing their degree requirements in a region where every aspect of life and commerce was disrupted for many months. Allen, who will be a guest during this week's commencement events for UMES' pharmacy Class of 2015, described himself as a hands-on educator excited to join a diverse faculty that teaches an equally diverse group of students. His first official day as dean will be July 1. "I think it is an advantage that our graduates have worked with other health disciplines on campus. That's why patients they will come in contact with will benefit from that experience," he said. Boyle presented Allen with several modest "welcome" gifts, including a wooden Eastern Shore crab mallet. He confessed to having a "sweet tooth" and received several impromptu promises from faculty to introduce him to the indigenous Smith Island cake, Maryland's official dessert. Allen and his wife, Adrienne, have two children; a daughter, 9, and a son, 6. Both, he said, are looking forward to moving to Maryland, where their chances of experiencing snow in the winter are much greater. The faculty erupted in laughter. SANDRA M. PHOENIX Executive Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 800-999-8558, ext. 4820 404-702-5854 Skype: sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree NW Suite 200 Atlanta,GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (LYRASIS) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org/> Honor the ancestors, honor the children.