Cardinal Health signs on as school’s first platinum sponsor

Cardinal Health representatives Robert Clift (left) and Danny McAnally help organize an alumni tailgate for the School of Pharmacy.

he University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy received a $10,000 donation from Cardinal Health, designating the company as the school’s first platinum level Professional Business Partner.

The School of Pharmacy’s professional business partners play an integral role in providing continuing professional development opportunities to students. Opportunities include new student orientation activities, participation in leadership institutes, travel to professional society meetings, legislative events, student professional research competitions and poster presentations, and town hall meetings.

“We are extremely thankful for Cardinal Health’s dedication to our School of Pharmacy,” said David D. Allen, the school’s dean. “They routinely go above and beyond to help our students. Becoming our first platinum-level partner is only one example of their stellar support.”

Jon Giacomin, chief executive officer of Cardinal Health’s pharmaceutical segment, said he is excited to provide new opportunities for student pharmacists.

“We understand the impact independent pharmacists have on their communities and the significant role they play in providing cost-effective care that improves patients’ health,” Giacomin said. “Supporting future community pharmacy leaders is an honor, and we continue to be inspired by the next generation of innovative, patient-focused pharmacy owners as they begin serving their communities.”

In addition to its role as a platinum-level sponsor, Cardinal Health has given various scholarships to the school and has sponsored tailgates for years. The company is involved with the school’s National Community Pharmacists Association and American Pharmacists Association student chapters, and routinely offers workshops on pharmacy ownership and prescription drug abuse.

With previous support from Cardinal Health, the School of Pharmacy has been able to offer the Cardinal Health Retail Independent Scholarship to qualifying student applicants. Since the company’s Pharmacy Scholarship Program launched in 2011, it has donated more than $5 million to more than 28 universities. UM’s pharmacy school was one of the first pharmacy schools to be selected for the Retail Independent Scholarship.

Territory sales director Robert Clift said he hopes students will use Cardinal Health’s support to further their careers.

“Our hope is that students at Ole Miss and across the country will take advantage of this scholarship, and the relationships and resources that go with it, to jump-start their career in independent pharmacy,” Clift said. “This will lead to better care – and therefore, better health – for our communities.”

Cardinal Health also granted the school $125,000 in 2009 for a medication synchronization pilot program. The school’s Center for Pharmaceutical Marketing and Management developed RxSync,^® a system that helps patients better manage their medication therapies, as a result.

Clift said he is proud that Cardinal Health’s mission is focused on philanthropy and community.

“Each year, Cardinal Health and our foundation donate millions of dollars towards making a real difference in health care, prescription drug abuse and good health,” Clift said. “But it is much more than money. Employee involvement in the community is in our DNA. Across the enterprise, employees share their talents, time and financial resources to make their communities better.”

Raina McClure, the school’s development director, thanked Cardinal Health’s leadership for past support and for embracing the Professional Business Partner program.

“The PBP program allows companies in the pharmaceutical industry to play a role in our students’ professional development,” McClure said. “We are pleased that Cardinal Health has endorsed this new program and will benefit from these opportunities to interact with pharmacists of tomorrow.”

For more information about supporting the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy, contact McClure at rmcclure@olemiss.edu.