After a national search, Reginald F. Frye, PharmD, PhD, FCCP, a renowned academic leader in pharmacogenetics, has been named dean of the College of Pharmacy at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. He begins his tenure at UTHSC on June 1.
Dr. Frye comes to UTHSC from the University of Florida (UF) College of Pharmacy, where he is a professor and chair of the Department of Pharmacotherapy and Translational Research. He also serves as the associate dean for Faculty Development in the college at UF.
He succeeds Marie Chisholm-Burns, PharmD, MPH, MBA, FCCP, FASHP, FAST, who left the UTHSC College of Pharmacy in July after 10 years as the dean to become the executive vice president and provost of Oregon Health & Science University.
“I’ve known some of the faculty there for a long time,” Dr. Frye said, referring to the UTHSC College of Pharmacy. “The UTHSC College of Pharmacy has an outstanding reputation with many strengths in research, clinical practice, and pharmacy education, so it was a good fit for me. Dean Chisholm-Burns built an excellent foundation that we can build on.”
The College of Pharmacy is ranked No. 12 in research funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). One of his goals, Dr. Frye said, is to help move the college into the Top 10 in NIH funding by supporting new and longtime researchers and encouraging collaboration across the colleges and with other institutions. Dr. Frye cited the College of Pharmacy’s longstanding collaborations with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital as one of several strengths he will seek to build upon.
Dr. Frye also said he will focus on expanding the college’s outreach to rural populations in Tennessee and its focus on reducing health disparities. He said the college’s statewide reach with campuses in Nashville and Knoxville will help these efforts. “The Nashville and Knoxville campuses are extremely important,” he said. “This helps with the college’s ability to have a strong clinical impact on the health and wellness of Tennesseans across the state.”
“In addition to his very impressive academic accomplishments and collaborative spirit, Reggie’s demonstrated inclusive leadership style and unwavering commitment to mentorship of junior colleagues augurs very well for his leadership at UTHSC,” said Peter Buckley, MD, chancellor of UTHSC. “Reggie is just a great fit for us and we are delighted that he is joining our UTHSC family.”
“I am extremely excited that Dr. Reggie Frye has been appointed as the next CEO Dean of the UTHSC College of Pharmacy,” said Brad Boucher, PharmD, FCCP, FNAP, MCCM, who has served as interim dean of the college since June. “Based on his extensive experience as an educator, scientist, and administrator, I have the utmost confidence he will take our strong College of Pharmacy to even loftier heights in the future.”
Dr. Boucher said it has been “an honor and privilege” to serve as the interim dean. “I look forward to working closely to have a smooth leadership transition in the months ahead.”
Dr. Frye received his Doctor of Pharmacy Degree in 1990 from Mercer University and completed his PhD in clinical pharmaceutical science in 1995 at the University of Pittsburgh. He completed postgraduate training as a Clinical Pharmacokinetics Fellow at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and an ASHP Fellow in Clinical Pharmacokinetics at the University of Pittsburgh.
Prior to joining the University of Florida in 2003, he served at the University of Pittsburgh as an assistant professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences, director of the Clinical Pharmacology Analytical Facility, and an associate professor with tenure.
An accomplished researcher focusing on factors influencing drug response related to metabolism and pharmacogenetics, he has received funding from the National Institutes of Health, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, industry, and foundations. Dr. Frye is the author or co-author of more than 130 research publications. He has been a member of more than 40 NIH study section panels.
At UF, Dr. Frye directed the launch of a new graduate concentration in clinical pharmaceutical sciences, increased faculty numbers and promoted inclusive hiring, led a revision of the PharmD curriculum, and encouraged growth of the research portfolio.
“I am excited to welcome Dean Frye to the College of Pharmacy,” said James S. Wheeler, PharmD, BCPS, associate dean for the College of Pharmacy’s Knoxville campus and director of Continuing Professional Development. “His leadership and vision will support our statewide impact, and I look forward to working with him to ensure the college’s continued and growing success.”
Tracy M. Hagemann, PharmD, FCCP, FPPA, associate dean for the College of Pharmacy’s Nashville campus, said she is thrilled to have Dr. Frye join the college as the next dean. “We have a prominent statewide reach in pharmacy through our campuses in Memphis, Nashville, and Knoxville, and I look forward to working with him to advance interprofessional education and interdisciplinary research in the health sciences, as we positively impact the health care of the citizens of Tennessee.”
The College of Pharmacy dean search was co-chaired by Wendy Likes, PhD, DNSc, APRN-Bc, FAANP, dean of the College of Nursing, and Cindy Russell, PhD, RN, vice chancellor for Academic, Faculty, and Student Affairs, and had excellent representation from within the institution, other collaborative institutions, and the community. “I am most grateful to Wendy, Cindy, and the entire search committee for their guidance and to all the College of Pharmacy colleagues who provided input in selecting Reggie as our new dean,” Chancellor Buckley said. “Our thanks also to Brad for his stellar leadership as interim dean. Finally, please join us in welcoming Reggie and his wife, Carole, to our community.”