Stephen F. Eckel, PharmD, MHA ([email protected]) is the associate dean for global engagement at the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy. He is also an associate professor in the division of practice advancement and clinical education. In addition, he leads a two-year Master of Science in pharmaceutical sciences with a specialization in health-system pharmacy administration. This degree collaborates with 16 different health systems across nine states who sponsor the residency. It also has an online option for working professionals. At UNC Medical Center, he is residency program director of the two-year program in health-system pharmacy administration. He has worked with almost 250 residents over the years.
Eckel received his Bachelor of Science in pharmacy and Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He completed a pharmacy practice residency at Duke University Medical Center and then joined UNC Hospitals as a clinical pharmacist. Eckel also holds a master of health care administration from the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health.
Eckel has been very active in the North Carolina Association of Pharmacists, serving as chair of the ASHP state affiliate, a term on the board, and as president of the merged organization. He is a frequent author in AJHP, past chair of the ASHP Council of Pharmacy Practice, and past member of the ASHP Board of Directors. In 2015, the ASHP Foundation awarded him the Pharmacy Residency Excellence Preceptor Award. He is a Fellow of ASHP, APhA, ACCP, NCAP, and NAP.
Meet Stephen F. Eckel
One constant of healthcare is change. While many pharmacists do not like change, it creates opportunities to take leadership roles during stressful and uncertain situations. Our profession needs to fill those gaps. One prime opportunity, I believe, is for pharmacists to take responsibility for the medication-use process and in so doing, will make patient care better, safer, more efficient, and less expensive. It will also increase our involvement in the patient-centric practice of pharmacy. To do this, health-system pharmacists need to be innovative leaders within their spheres of influence. Employing skills like creativity, innovation, and problem-solving can be the differentiator between whether we will create the future or someone outside of the profession will do it.
I have focused my career on providing novel and creative ideas to solve the challenges that face our profession and leveraging the uncertainty of change in helping us meet our professional ideals. I have also educated and mentored pharmacists as they take increasing responsibilities within their workplace.
I am passionate and committed that our professional society remains diverse and inclusive for all. We will not advance as an organization or profession until all of us are able to flourish at an individual level.
I am extremely honored to receive this nomination as ASHP has always been my professional home. There are many leaders who have utilized their skills in the past to bring health-system pharmacy to this point, and I am committed to do the same for future generations.