Elena Umland, PharmD, FNAP, has joined Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences as the dean of its School of Pharmacy, overseeing the Pharmaceutical Sciences and Pharmacy Practice departments.
Dr. Umland brings with her nearly three decades of experience in academic pharmacy and a demonstrated record of visionary leadership, strategic innovation and a commitment to academic excellence.
Throughout her distinguished career, Dr. Umland has served in numerous leadership roles, including her most recent position as the founding associate dean for Academic Affairs at the Jefferson College of Pharmacy at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia.
“We are excited to have Dr. Umland join us at ACPHS. Her extensive experience, reputation in the field and familiarity with the accreditation process will serve us well as we continue to excel,” said ACPHS President, Toyin Tofade.
Under her guidance, the PharmD program achieved full accreditation on its first eligibility and has consistently exceeded national benchmarks in NAPLEX pass rates and residency match rates. Her collaborative and transparent leadership has fostered a culture of student-centered learning, inclusivity and faculty development grounded in Universal Design for Learning.
Her leadership has been nationally recognized through several awards and honors, including commendations from the United States Public Health Service and the Interprofessional Education Collaborative.
“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Umland to the ACPHS community,” said Sibdas Ghosh, vice president, Academic Affairs. “Her depth of experience, strategic insight, and genuine passion for education and collaboration make her exceptionally well-suited to lead the School of Pharmacy into its next chapter of excellence.”
Dr. Umland is also a recognized leader in interprofessional education. As former co-director of the Jefferson Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education and the university’s associate provost for interprofessional practice and education, she built cross-disciplinary collaborations that span health care, design and technology. Her efforts have expanded interprofessional programming across multiple colleges and disciplines, introduced innovative simulation programs and led to the development of a mobile application designed to assess teamwork within health-care environments—an entrepreneurial endeavor that now generates revenue and supports the center’s continued success.
Beyond her administrative accomplishments, Dr. Umland has been a tireless advocate for faculty, staff and student development. She has championed inclusive and supportive academic environments, expanded research opportunities, and secured philanthropic and grant funding to support innovative programs.
ACPHS’ Pharmacy Practice program recently announced renewed accreditation of its School of Pharmacy’s Doctor of Pharmacy program by The Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) for the maximum term of eight years through June 30, 2033. The reaccreditation reflects ACPHS’ continued commitment to excellence in pharmacy education, rigorous academic standards, and a student-centered approach that prepares future pharmacists to lead in a dynamic health-care environment.
In light of the renewed accreditation, Dr. Umland said, “As I begin my journey as Dean of the School of Pharmacy, we must embrace this opportunity to focus our efforts on developing, growing and excelling in novel ways that will showcase our Doctor of Pharmacy program as a premier educational destination for the next generation of pharmacists.”
Visit the School of Pharmacy to learn more about its early assurance and PharmD program.
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