Retired HSC pharmacy professor named Distinguished Professor
The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth recently named Lawrence J. Cohen, PharmD, a Distinguished Professor at the university. He is only the second HSC professor to receive this designation.
As a retired professor of pharmacotherapy in the HSC College of Pharmacy, Dr. Cohen was recognized for his significant contributions to the university’s mission and national and international prominence in the pharmacy profession.
With more than 40 years of service in pharmacy, medical, nursing education and psychiatric pharmacy practice, Dr. Cohen’s impact has been far-reaching. In addition to a distinguished academic career, including appointments at six universities, he also served as a consultant for numerous pharmaceutical companies, statewide agencies and national managed-care organizations.
As the founding associate dean for clinical programs at the HSC College of Pharmacy, Dr. Cohen contributed to faculty recruitment, curriculum development and accreditation requirements to help launch the college’s first class in 2013. He also served a three-year term as president of the Faculty Senate, chair of the Academic Program Assessment Review Committee and was actively involved as coordinator of Interprofessional Education and Practice representing the College of Pharmacy since the program’s inception.
“Dr. Cohen is an outstanding ambassador for the HSC College of Pharmacy as well as the pharmacy profession,” said Dr. Charles Taylor, HSC Executive Vice President and Provost. “He is a distinguished scholar with an outstanding reputation who contributed significantly to the success of our PharmD students. I’m so pleased we have bestowed this prestigious honor upon Dr. Cohen, as it is very well deserved.”
He has been a Board-Certified Psychiatric Pharmacist continuously since the credential became available. Dr. Cohen is one of the founding directors of the College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists, recently renamed the American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists, where he has continued as an advisor for the HSC student chapter.
Dr. Cohen was elected fellow, in addition to other leadership roles, of four professional associations throughout his career.
He was elected regent and president of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy and the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. In addition, Dr. Cohen was elected regent, secretary, treasurer and recently appointed as an honorary regent by the American College of Clinical Pharmacology. The National Academies of Practice – Pharmacy Academy named Dr. Cohen as a distinguished practitioner.
“Dr. Cohen’s leadership involvement and presence has earned national distinction and brought much prominence and visibility to HSC and our college,” said S. Suresh Madhavan, PhD, Dean of the College of Pharmacy. “We are grateful to Dr. Cohen for his contributions to the launch of our college, his mentorship of students, advancement of clinical pharmacy practice and the lasting impact on our program.”
Additional letters of support included much adulation for Dr. Cohen’s contributions to the profession.
“Dr. Cohen has trained a generation of pharmacists, transformed the profession, contributed significantly to advancing the frontiers of medical knowledge, dramatically improving patient care, and has brought great credit to the university,” wrote Henry Cohen, Touro College of Pharmacy dean and professor.
“I am honored to be named a Distinguished Professor, and it allows me to continue to stay connected with HSC and the College of Pharmacy,” said Dr. Cohen, who is also Emeritus Professor of pharmacotherapy at the Washington State University College of Pharmacy. “Mentoring students, trainees and colleagues in career development has truly been a highlight of my career.”
In addition to consulting, Dr. Cohen continues to work as an adjunct professor for the HSC College of Pharmacy, HSC’s Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine and the TCU Harris College of Nursing and Health Sciences. He resides in Edmond, Okla.
After earning a Doctor of Pharmacy degree at the University of Southern California School of Pharmacy, Dr. Cohen completed a postdoctoral residency in psychiatric pharmacy at the L.A. County/USC Medical Center.
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