Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences launches Vermont's first pharmacy program

Following nearly two years of planning, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences opened its Vermont Satellite Campus today, welcoming 70 students in the inaugural class. The campus, located in scenic Colchester, Vermont, is home to the only pharmacy program in the state.

The ACPHS-Vermont campus offers a four year program culminating in a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.). The Pharm.D. is the degree required to practice pharmacy in the United States. Students entering the program have completed a minimum of two years of college coursework, with prerequisites that include biology, chemistry and physics.

The members of the incoming class were selected from more than 1,200 applicants. They represent 20 states (including three students from Vermont) and 16 countries. Their average age is 25 years old.

"When we announced plans to open the campus, Vermont was one of just three states without a pharmacy program [Delaware and Alaska are the others]," said Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences President James J. Gozzo. "Now that the campus is established, we look forward to becoming an important contributor to the state's growth by helping address Vermont's existing pharmacist shortage and conducting advanced pharmaceutical and biotech research."

Research will be an important part of the teaching and learning taking place at the College. Many of the 12 ACPHS-Vermont faculty are actively pursuing grants and awards. The College has also joined the Vermont Biosciences Alliance and hosted that group's first event in June 2009. The Alliance seeks to strengthen Vermont's bioscience industry by helping facilitate collaborations among researchers in higher education, health care, government and the private sector.

Robert Hamilton, Pharm.D., will serve as the Vermont campus' Associate Dean and Chief Administrative Officer. He will be responsible for all academic, professional and community activities for the campus. Dr. Hamilton has served many roles during nearly 30 years at ACPHS, including chair of the department of pharmacy practice, director of the post-baccalaureate Pharm.D. program and director of the College's continuing professional development program.

"We have assembled an exceptional group of students and faculty and provided them with resources that are on a par with the best programs in the country. Everyone on the campus is excited about being involved with a program that has the potential to positively impact the health of Vermonters and people throughout the country," said Dr. Hamilton.

The College plans to add 70 students in each of the next three years, bringing the total enrollment to 280 students by the 2012-13 academic year. Additional faculty and staff will be hired as new classes are enrolled.