April 2026

Welcome to the latest Buffalo Pharmacy Bulletin. We examine key issues in health care and how our academicians, practitioners and scientists drive progress, while also sharing updates from UB’s School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences to highlight the outstanding work of our community.

“The best way to ensure we can support and mentor our future pharmacists and research scientists is to make sure we are reviewing and discussing what is currently happening in the dynamic and ever-changing world we live in.”

Much has been written over the past decade about the erosion of public trust in higher education in the United States. In particular, sentiment has shifted regarding whether a four-year college degree is “worth” the cost. One recent poll found that only one-third of Americans still agree with the longstanding value proposition of a college education.

Anecdotes about graduates struggling to find employment are common. However, the broader data tell a different story. College graduates are significantly less likely to be unemployed than their peers without a postsecondary degree and enjoy a median lifetime earnings advantage exceeding $1 million. Beyond salary, they are more likely to have employer-provided health insurance, report higher levels of financial well-being and live, on average, seven years longer.

These income gains are further amplified with advanced degrees. On average, earning a graduate degree increases lifetime earnings by approximately 17% compared with holding only a bachelor’s degree. That said, the magnitude of this benefit varies by field. Among the top 18 disciplines evaluated by the Postsecondary Education and Economics Research Center at American University, PharmD graduates saw the largest percentage increase in earnings after graduation and the second-highest return when adjusted for educational cost (behind MD graduates).

Given the wide range of career paths, estimating return on investment for graduate degrees in the pharmaceutical sciences is inherently more complex than for the PharmD. Nonetheless, both MS and PhD graduates in these fields experience substantial increases in annual salary compared with peers who enter the workforce with only an undergraduate degree. Pharmaceutical scientists are also among the most highly compensated professionals within the broader life sciences sector. In addition, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects steady employment growth of approximately 3% annually in the pharmaceutical sciences over the next decade, reflecting the sustained expansion of the health care sector over the past 25 years.

Of course, employment and compensation represent only part of the value of higher education. Many graduates go on to make meaningful contributions to their communities and to society at large while also finding personal fulfillment in their work. Graduates of our school, across all degree programs, have had a profound impact over the years. Given the caliber of students we attract and the quality of education they receive, we are confident this impact will continue well into the future.

UB Pharmacy ranks No. 16 in U.S. News & World Report's 2026 Best Graduate Schools
U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 Best Graduate Schools rankings place UB's PharmD program among the top 20 nationwide, ranking No. 16 among all public and private universities and No. 15 among public universities. We also hold the distinction of being the No. 1 pharmacy program in New York State, reflecting our exceptional faculty, the influence of our research and the quality of the education our students receive every day.

Stumm honored with UB Pillar of Pride Award
Christine Stumm, EdM, director of registrar and enrollment services in the SPPS Office of Student Success and Engagement, has been recognized with a UB Pillar of Pride award. A peer‑to‑peer recognition program through Human Resources, Pillars of Pride celebrates employees who demonstrate excellence in pride, service and inclusion. Stumm received the Pillar of Service award for her dedication, professionalism and commitment to supporting colleagues and advancing UB’s mission. 

UB Pharmacy researchers propose more equitable usage of continuous glucose monitoring for diabetes
A team of researchers in the Department of Pharmacy Practice recently examined inequities in the use of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) among underserved populations, including immigrants and refugees. In a Journal of the American Pharmacists Association commentary, the team identified barriers such as limited digital and health literacy while highlighting pharmacists' potential to improve access. They note that expanded education and stronger infrastructure to support pharmacists' time are needed to effectively implement solutions in community and independent pharmacy settings.

PharmD students showcase national leadership at APhA Annual Meeting
From March 27-30, PharmD students and SPPS faculty attended the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) Annual Meeting in Los Angeles, joining pharmacy leaders and student pharmacists from across the country. Over the past year, SPPS had the highest level of student representation and national involvement in APhA among pharmacy schools, with several UB APhA-ASP members serving on national committees, as delegates and in leadership roles. A highlight of the meeting was the PharmFlix Video Contest, where UB earned the Most Creative award for a video addressing medical misinformation and the role of student pharmacists.

Join your international pharmaceutics colleagues and expert faculty from the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences for a series of pharmacometrics workshops open to students and professionals. 

Join the UB Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences community for this celebrated event dating back to 1980. Together we’ll gather for research talks and lectures, time to reconnect and social events around Buffalo. We’ll also honor the remarkable legacy of Dr. William Jusko. 

Mark your calendars and get ready to reconnect! Join your pharmacy family as we celebrate milestone classes (those ending in 1s and 6s), honor our Gregory Society members and mark the golden anniversary of the Class of 1976. Want to get involved? We’re accepting class committee members! Contact Sarah Sterzinger, associate director of alumni engagement, at sjsterzi@buffalo.edu to join the fun.

Calling all alumni from class years ending in 1 or 6! We're seeking volunteers to help shape an exciting SPPS Reunion 2026. Opportunities include planning class-specific events, reconnecting with classmates, contributing programming ideas or assisting with day-of coordination. Your involvement—big or small—makes a difference! Interested? Contact Sarah Sterzinger, associate director of alumni engagement, at sjsterzi@buffalo.edu to learn more and sign up.

Featuring our annual Lunchtime Continuing Education Series, presented by our SPPS postgraduate residents and fellows various dates throughout the spring semester. Each activity is accredited for 1 contact hour of continuing pharmacy education. Please note all activities will be administered through our new CE platform, CE21. You will be prompted to create a CE21 account when registering.

Join UB alumni experts from across the globe as they share professional insights and advice during Webinar Wednesdays. Engage in upcoming webinars along with past sessions.

Show your #UBTrueBlue spirit by sharing UB Pride photos, videos and stories!

Thank you for reading our April 2026 edition of the Buffalo Pharmacy Bulletin. Please stay in touch! Send us updates on your own personal and professional accomplishments by filling out our alumni update form or submitting your SPPS news, including recent research, publications and awards.

Regards,
Gary Pollack, PhD '84
Dean and Professor