Building the future of pharmacy education and research at Ohio State

By Deanna L. Kroetz, PhD, BS Pharm '85, dean and professor at The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy

I hope your year is off to a great start. With 2026 now underway, I’m excited to share how The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy is embracing a new era of innovation and excellence.

This spring marks the first full semester in the Vrable Center for Pharmacy Excellence, a 22,000-square-foot renovation made possible through the generosity of our alumni and donors. This modern space adds two active-learning classrooms equipped with advanced technology, flexible layouts and collaborative features designed to support interactive and team-based learning. Students now have access to a 2,200-square-foot lounge, multiple group study and meeting rooms, and naturally lit common areas with lounge seating and panoramic views of Ohio Stadium and campus. 

I am incredibly thankful to Al and Linda Vrable, whose generous lead gift allowed us to move beyond the limitations of our 1960s-era lecture halls and deliver an educational experience that matches the caliber of our academic programs. These enhancements will also support the excellence demonstrated by our students. Last semester, PhD candidates Kai Jin and Milon Mondal received Ohio State’s prestigious Presidential Fellowship, and PharmD candidates Jen Groves and Kaylee Clark took first place in the ASHP National Clinical Skills Competition at Midyear.

And we’re just getting started. Our next priority is upgrading research facilities to ensure our faculty and students have the tools and resources to accelerate discovery. Once realized, these investments will amplify the impact of leaders like Dr. A. Douglas Kinghorn, whose $7 million NCI grant renewal continues the nation’s only P01 cancer drug discovery project led by a pharmacy investigator.

These renovations advance the resources pillar of our strategic plan by creating modern, flexible spaces that foster innovation, collaboration and student success. Updated facilities strengthen teaching and research, improve accessibility and sustainability, and help attract top talent. Most importantly, they position the college to deliver cutting-edge academic programs and groundbreaking discoveries. Achieving this vision requires continued philanthropic support, and we are fortunate to have alumni, donors and partners committed to our college. 

The momentum we built in 2025 sets the stage for a truly transformative 2026—reshaping not only our physical spaces but also our mission to advance health for all. Together, let’s make this a year of bold progress.