Debra Parker, Pharm.D.

Debra Parker, Pharm.D.

Dean of the College of Pharmacy
Year started at UF: 2006
Contact Information
Office Location: Davis Street Building Room 145 E
Telephone: 419-434-4450
Credentials
Pharm.D., Pharmacy - Pharm.D., Ohio Northern University, 1999
  • ​Academic Credentials

    Doctor of Pharmacy, Ohio Northern University

    Licensure:
    • Ohio State Board of Pharmacy
    Certifications (past & present):
    • Advanced Cardiac Life Support Instructor (American Heart Association)
    • American Pharmacists Association Certified Instructor of Pharmacist and Patient-Centered Diabetes Care
    • American Pharmacists Association Certified Instructor of Pharmacy-Based Cardiovascular Disease Risk Management
    • Basic Life Support Instructor (American Heart Association)
    • Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist
    • Certified Anticoagulation Care Provider
    • Certified Diabetes Educator

    Education

    Dr. Parker serves as the Dean of the College of Pharmacy. She received her PharmD (doctor of pharmacy degree) from Ohio Northern University and completed a post-graduate residency in pharmacy practice at Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus, Ohio.
     

    Professional Experience

    In addition to my responsibilities as Dean of the College of Pharmacy at the University of Findlay College of Pharmacy, I am also a practicing pharmacist, having continued work in ambulatory care throughout my career. I have worked in a variety of pharmacy settings including independent pharmacy, drug information, hospital pharmacy, private practice internal medicine, cardiology practice, and hospital outpatient clinics.  I believe it is important to stay in direct contact with the profession, as the expectations of what our graduates will do in the workplace are rapidly changing, and the dean should be in touch! 

    I have a long history of professional organization involvement. I am a past president of the Ohio Pharmacists Association and have served on many committees and various levels of leadership at the local, state, and national levels (American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy, American Society of Clinical Pharmacists, American Pharmacists Association, American Society of Health Systems Pharmacists, Ohio Pharmacists Association, Ohio Society of Health System Pharmacists, and more). Setting an example of this type of engagement is important, as these organizations are key to ensuring pharmacists are where they need to be in order to promote the health of those they serve. 

    Community service has included local Rotary Club, Hancock County Coalition on Substance Abuse, and church-related responsibilities, all of which call me to a commitment to DEI and belonging.  

    I have a history of “firsts”, and entrepreneurship, which I bring to the program, our faculty, and students. I practiced in the first collaborative practice model in Ohio when these types of agreements were established, I was the first female dean of a Ohio-based pharmacy program, established the first college-level DEI committee at the University of Findlay, co-founded the first new pharmacy program in Ohio in over 100 years, led our program to the be the first pharmacy school in the state (and in the first 10 in the country) to offer a distance-learning pathway, and co-owner of the only locally owned independent pharmacy in Allen County, Ohio. 

    I am proud to serve in a leadership position in the University of Findlay College of Pharmacy. Our faculty, staff, and students are outstanding, and the careers our students establish after leaving our doors are impressive!  

    I welcome the opportunity to talk to you about this program and answer any questions you may have! 

  • Professional Organization Activity
    "I strongly believe it is important to stay involved in professional organizations, not only for continued personal growth, but to serve the profession and to set an example to students of the importance of life-long learning."

    Dr. Parker is a past-President of the Ohio Pharmacists Association, and she continues to be involved in many professional organizations at the local, state and national level. Some of her professional memberships and contributions include:
    • American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy 2006-Present
    • American Diabetes Association. 2007 - Present
    • National Community Pharmacists Association 2007-2008
    • Physician Assistant Policy Committee (appointed by Ohio State Medical Board) 2006-2011
    • Ohio State Board of Pharmacy Ad Hoc Rules Committee 2006, 2007, 2008
    • American Pharmacists Association 2006-Present
      • Adviser, The University of Findlay Academy of Student Pharmacists (ASP) 2009 - Present
    • Ohio Pharmacists Association (OPA) 1999 - Present
      • President 2006 – 2007; President-Elect 2005-2006; Vice-President 2004-2005; Chair Finance Committee 2005-2006; Disease State Task Force 2003 - Present; Member Services Committee 2006-Present; Executive Committee 2004-2008; Public and Professional Relations Committee 2002 - Present
    • Northwest Ohio Pharmacists Association 2003 - Present
    • American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP) 2000 – Present
      • Recognized as Full Member, 2009 - Present
    • Ohio College of Clinical Pharmacy (OCCP) 2000-2004
    • American Society of Health Systems Pharmacists (ASHP) 1997 - Present
      • Adviser, University of Findlay Student Society of Health Systems Pharmacist 2006 - 2009
    • Ohio Society of Health Systems Pharmacists (OSHP) 1997 - Present
      • Organizational Affairs Division 2004-2008
  • Dr. Parker regularly routinely presents att professional meetings at the local, state, and national level, often collaborating with student researchers as well as pharmacy residents. 

    She served as co-editor of the textbook "Capstone Pharmacy Review" (Jones & Bartlett Publishers, Inc.) used by pharmacists in their preparation for pharmacy licensure, and has been a repeat contributor to the textbook Drug Information. A Guide for Pharmacists. 

    She has published in journals such as the American Journal of Health-Systems Pharmacy, Annals of Pharmacotherapy, U.S. Pharmacist, and Formulary. 

    Dr. Parker provides continuing education programs on a regular basis and serves as an instructor for multiple certificate training courses for other pharmacists. 

    She believes continued scholarly activity such as presentations and publications are important in order to contribute to healthcare, to the profession of pharmacy, and to set an example to students of the importance of being a lifelong learner. In fact, most of her scholarly activities include pharmacy students and residents whom she mentors. ​