Wanda T. Maldonado, B.S. Pharm., Pharm.D., FNAP
Professor and Dean
Greetings!
I am delighted to inform you about recent news, events, and achievements at the University of Puerto Rico School of Pharmacy.
As we begin 2025, we celebrate many accomplishments and the continuous strengthening of our programs. Our Doctor of Pharmacy students continue to represent the school in diverse forums, both locally and abroad, in a noteworthy manner. This includes the advancement of student initiatives and presentations at national meetings. Their presence in national student organization activities continues to increase, as does their participation in educational experiences in collaboration with partnering academic institutions.
The School also continues to increase its collaboration with local industry, government, professional and community partnering institutions, and other pharmacy schools so students can gain experience from a wider variety of practice scenarios. We currently have 131 collaborative agreements with practice centers comprising community pharmacies, hospitals, clinics, and 25 additional centers that include the pharmaceutical industry, among others.
Also, advanced practice experiences for students in other pharmacy schools are well underway. These experiences allow students to broaden their perspective on pharmacy practice in different cultural contexts and healthcare settings and learn about practice approaches that can be incorporated in our local setting. By hosting students from other institutions, the school can also showcase its programs and provide opportunities for collaboration between students and faculty.
Continuing the tradition of academic excellence, the University of Puerto Rico School of Pharmacy is further strengthening its programs in 2025. Here are some of the most recent achievements:
- Outstanding NAPLEX Performance: Class 2024 graduates achieved 93.2% first-time pass rate on the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX)- 17.5% above the national average (75.7%). This ranks 8th among the top 9 pharmacy schools nationwide.
- National Recognition: The school was ranked 49th out of 143 pharmacy schools by the US News and World Report in April 2024, a recognition obtained for the first time and a testament to its achievements and the projection of the institution at the national level.
The School of Pharmacy continues to improve its academic programs, making it a priority to fulfill its mission of educating pharmacists who can serve our patients and communities.
Some of our graduates continue pursuing residencies to hone their skills in diverse areas. The school continues to successfully offer its ASHP-accredited pharmacy residency program in collaboration with the San Juan VAMC, which incorporates a Certificate in Academia for residents interested in future academic careers. In 2024, the Residency in Community Pharmacy also admitted two residents to the Program.
Our faculty continues to achieve recognition in scientific and professional initiatives, including publications in peer-reviewed journals and obtaining competitive grant awards, while actively engaging in community and professional activities. All these efforts have a significant impact on the school’s academic programs.
The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Pharmaceutical Sciences Program was implemented in 2021 and brings about additional opportunities for its students and faculty to engage in innovative research ventures. Currently, we have the first MD-PhD candidate in the program in collaboration with the UPR School of Medicine.
The Continuing Education Division has been reorganized and offers professional development activities for different health professions. Several new initiatives are underway that will benefit the pharmaceutical community and expand the presence of the School.
The Doctor of Pharmacy Program will undergo its comprehensive evaluation by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education in March, allowing us to reflect on our achievements in light of the goals of the new strategic plan for the School of Pharmacy.
We remain committed to our vision of academic leadership and excellence in pharmacy education, interdisciplinary research, and service to our communities.
Wanda T. Maldonado, B.S. Pharm., Pharm.D., FNAP
Professor and Dean
