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Dr. Myron Jacobson was the right man at the right time.

After the UNT System College of Pharmacy was created in 2011, UNTHSC leaders needed someone with the vision and experience to build a high-quality program to train the providers of the future.

The search led to Dr. Jacobson, a former HSC faculty member, successful entrepreneur, renowned expert on translational pharmaceutical research and experienced academic leader in pharmacy education.

Dr. Jacobson’s research, in collaboration with Dr. Elaine Jacobson, has focused on understanding the roles of vitamin B3 and vitamin B3-derived molecules in human health and has led to more than 170 published papers and invited book chapters, over 30 patent applications and three biotech businesses. Being among the world’s foremost experts on vitamin B3, their research concerning the involvement of NAD in cell responses to DNA damage played a leading role in the development of PARP inhibitors that provide a new paradigm for the treatment of BRCA cancers without the toxicity usually associated with cancer therapy.

Their efforts in translational research also led to the development of novel compounds for the prevention of skin cancer in addition to discovery of new functions of niacin in skin biology related to the skin barrier, which is impaired in many dermatological conditions.

Dr. Jacobson assembled and led a team of experienced educators and researchers to search for and hire talented faculty and staff to help build the College of Pharmacy educational and research programs.  This team and faculty, led by Dr. Jacobson, created an innovative curriculum that integrated knowledge, communication, patient-centered practice and team-based care.  His motto for the program was “We make healthcare better” which is realized by pharmacists providing comprehensive medication management and being a valuable and integral member of the interprofessional team.

Under Dr. Jacobson’s steady leadership in building the foundation that prepared the college for success, the UNT System College of Pharmacy earned accreditation and graduated their first PharmD Class in 2017.

Honor your HSC hero today! Please make a tribute gift, submit a photo or share a story that you value. Join us throughout 2020 as we celebrate the people, events and innovations that made UNTHSC all it is today — and look ahead to the next 50 years. For the 50th anniversary, team members nominated people whose contributions make them HSC Heroes. Each week, a new Hero will be revealed. View the list of all our Hero profiles published so far this year. There is a new one each week.

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