Anderson selected to receive Outstanding Service Award

The award is given to individuals and groups whose contributions advance the University at Buffalo for a specific purpose or who have advanced UB’s quality of life by serving in a voluntary capacity for a significant period of time.

Anderson was a vigorous UB advocate in his 40-plus years as a faculty member, with almost 20 of those years serving as dean of the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. He joined the faculty in 1968 as an assistant professor, moved though the faculty ranks to become dean in 1997, and served in this capacity until 2013. He then rejoined the faculty until entering full retirement in July 2016.

His impact on UB as well as the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences is more than profound. Under his tenure, the school established an Office of Philanthropy, which led to the school securing some of the largest philanthropic contributions ever received by UB during that time period: a $2 million Kresge Foundation Challenge Grant for the creation of research equipment core facilities; establishment of the Willis G. Gregory Giving Society, honoring donors contributing $1K annually; and the establishment of a Dean’s Advisory Council to assist in the direction of school initiatives via high-level corporate partners.

Anderson demonstrated a keen ability to advance the profession of pharmacy while, at the same time, heighten the recognition and stature of the university. As dean, he leveraged UB to become the first school in New York State to offer the doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) degree—a triumph for the university, the State University of New York system and the profession of pharmacy. After securing this success, he then worked to incorporate dual degree programs into our curriculum, an opportunity for pharmacy students to combine degree efforts with other decanal units such as management, law and public health. This interprofessional initiative has allowed UB to recruit and retain some of the brightest and most highly motivated students.

Anderson’s work regionally and at the state level helped UB remain a key partner in statewide wellness and health care. The establishment of collaborative programs with the New York State Department of Health for medication therapy management, physician prescriber education programs and Medicaid formulary development has reduced statewide healthcare delivery costs and improved healthcare outcomes. These partnerships are still in existence today and continue to positively impact the health and wellness of New Yorkers.

Through his highly distinguished career, Wayne Anderson’s campus endeavors, research initiatives and guidance of thousands of pharmacy students have advanced global healthcare science and improved healthcare outcomes for many. He will receive the Philip B. Wels Outstanding Service Award at the UB Alumni Association Achievement Awards ceremony in the spring.