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By Jan Jarvis

Patrick Clay, PharmD, is known for making his classes so engaging that even the most challenging concepts involving infectious diseases are easily understood.

He has used his own version of improvisational theater to train UNT System College of Pharmacy students to think on their feet, something healthcare professionals must do every day. Students also create multimedia presentations and then premiere their own movies at a special showing, complete with popcorn.

His unique approach and dedication to education has earned Dr. Clay, Professor of Pharmacotherapy, the Faculty Achievement Award. The award, which includes a $10,000 prize, was created to recognize those who have excelled in teaching, research/scholarship, service and leadership at UNT Health Science Center.

Hearing his name called during the Commencement Ceremony startled Dr. Clay, whose students were sitting behind him and immediately started cheering for him.

“It was very surprising and humbling,” Dr. Clay said. “It is such a great honor to be recognized by my peers.”

Dr. Clay utilizes a variety of active learning modalities, is committed to interprofessional collaboration and is the principal or co-investigator for several externally funded projects, said Cheng Yuet, PharmD, Assistant Professor of Pharmacotherapy and the person who nominated him.

He has truly demonstrated excellence in teaching, service, and scholarship at UNT Health Science Center, she said.

“As a former Faculty Senate member and the current President-Elect, Dr. Clay is an advocate for shared governance and effective communication between campus leaders and faculty/staff,” she said. “Any student from the System College of Pharmacy could describe to you Dr. Clay’s dedication to education, mentorship, and professional organization involvement.”

A faculty member from each school is nominated and a committee of peers led by the Faculty Senate selected finalists.

Dr. Clay was one of five finalists. Other finalists were James Hall, PhD, Professor of Pharmacology and Neuroscience; Metin Yavuz, DEng, Associate Professor of Physical Therapy; Subhash Aryal,, PhD, Professor of Biostatistics and Epidemiology; and Amy Raines-Milenkov, DrPH, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics.

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