KINGSTON – The University of Rhode Island’s renowned College of Pharmacy is losing its leader.
Donald E. Letendre, the dean of pharmacy at URI since 2001, has accepted the position as the dean of the University of Iowa’s College of Pharmacy, the school announced today. He starts his new job on Sept. 25.
“The UI College of Pharmacy has a longstanding legacy of professional leadership; is widely recognized for excellence in all of its educational, research, and service pursuits; and boasts an outstanding legion of alumni that includes an incredible number of highly progressive practitioners and avant-garde researchers among its ranks,” Letendre said in a statement. “It will be a true privilege to join a world-class academic health science community and participate in one of the country’s most highly acclaimed state pharmacy associations.”
A news statement from the University of Iowa credited Letendre with reorganizing URI’s College of Pharmacy and with helping to develop a new curriculum. The redesigned program achieved accreditation, while external funding for research increased dramatically during his tenure, the news release said.
The college now ranks among the top 20 colleges of pharmacy nationally for federal funding. Letendre helped shepherd the development of the state’s first drug information service and worked with colleagues to establish a number of valuable new clinical partnerships.
In addition to being dean, Letendre also acted as executive secretary of the Rhode Island State Crime Laboratory Commission – which is housed in the college.
