CPHP retreat celebrates a unified future
The College of Pharmacy and Health Professions recently gathered for a faculty and
staff retreat, celebrating not only the growth of the college but also its evolution
into a more comprehensive and collaborative academic community. This year's retreat
reflected the college's expansion beyond pharmacy to include physical therapy and
personalized health and well-being programs, bringing together faculty and staff from
across disciplines with a shared commitment to student success and innovation.
“Culture isn't just declared – it is discovered together, one conversation at a time. At the retreat we got to know each other not just by title, but through sharing our personal and professional stories,” said Dr. Brand Schwarz, director of academic education with the Department of Physical Therapy. “Through that sharing, we started discovering our new college culture.”
Held in an environment designed to encourage connection and collaboration, the retreat provided opportunities for team building, strategic discussions and meaningful conversations about the future of the college. Participants reflected on accomplishments, explored new opportunities for interdisciplinary partnership and worked together to align their collective goals with the college's vision for continued excellence in health professions education.
“The College of Pharmacy and Health Professions is made up of an array of faculty and staff committed to a common purpose – student success, scholarship and discovery and excellent academic programs,” said Evan Robinson, dean of the College of Pharmacy and Health Professions. “The retreat was an opportunity to bring everyone together for a day of community and discussion to learn with and about each other, work on our culture and community, and begin the discussions on our new vision and mission. It was a great day!”
Dr. Mindy Brummett, assistant professor and director of academic education with the Department of Physical Therapy also recognized the value of collaboration across departments.
“Learning how our department can partner with others throughout the college will help us strengthen our programs, share expertise, and better serve our students and communities,” she said.
A central theme of the retreat was unity. Leaders, faculty and staff recognized the importance of building strong relationships across programs and embracing the unique perspectives each discipline brings.
“As our college is now made up of multiple programs and disciplines, we have a unique opportunity to learn from one another, collaborate across professions and become stronger together,” said Dr. Storee Yzaguirre, assistant professor in the Department of Pharmacotherapy.
The retreat also highlighted a shared dedication to preparing future health care professionals through high-quality education, forward-thinking programs and a commitment to serving patients and communities. Continuing to move forward as a college with the belief that it is a privilege to provide care.
"One of my biggest takeaways from the retreat was the reality that our college will now be better positioned to truly embrace and implement Whole Health practices. I believe the collaboration across our departments with lifestyle medicine, physical therapy, and pharmacotherapy could champion a future of health education focused on Whole Health," said Dr. Jacob Rogers, Asistant Professor of Pharmacotherapy.
As the retreat concluded, there was a strong sense of momentum and optimism. The College
of Pharmacy and Health Professions continues to evolve into a stronger, more integrated
institution, where pharmacy, physical therapy, lifestyle sciences and clinical nutrition
work together to advance a common mission.
“After the retreat, I am now 100% sure that we as fellow health professionals and team members have common ground in how we can collaborate and to make us better together,” said Claudette Portales, clinical site coordinator for the Clinical Nutrition Program.
Austin Luna, director of student experience and academic services shared the same outlook after the retreat.
“The retreat made it clear that despite our different backgrounds and programs, our core goals for our students are very much aligned. Seeing that shared foundation made me incredibly optimistic about our collaborative future,” he said.
The retreat served as both a celebration of how far the college has come and a reminder that its greatest strength lies in the people who are building its future together.