Freed Center for the Proforming Arts
United States
Sebok Lecture Series
The Sebok Lecture series is named for 1953 Raabe College alumnus, Albert A. Sebok. Al joined Standard Drug (later to become Revco DS), right after graduation. He rose quickly in corporate Revco, and in 1971 was named senior vice president for store operations. Through his leadership, Revco became the largest drug store chain in America, with over 2,000 stores. Throughout his career, Al was active with the Raabe College of Pharmacy, and his relationship with the college spanned more than 50 years. During his years on campus he was active in the Kappa Psi fraternity, and he continued as an active brother in Kappa Psi throughout his career. He was a charter member of the College's Advisory Board, and was the founder and inaugural instructor of the now legendary, Contemporary Pharmacy Practice course. Al was honored in 1991 with the NACDS Pratt Award, recognizing his instrumental leadership in chain pharmacy. He received an honorary doctorate from ONU in 1988, and the Sebok Scholarship Fund here in the College is named in Al's honor. Sebok was a member of the inaugural class of Distinguished Alumni in the college. Al passed away in November 2013.
College of Pharmacy is pleased to announce the speaker will be:
Pamela Schweitzer
Retired, Assistant Surgeon General and 10th Chief Pharmacist Officer
United States Health Services
Rear Admiral Pamela Schweitzer is the former Assistant Surgeon General and 10th Chief Pharmacist Officer of the United States Public Health Service (USPHS) Commissioned Corps. During her 29-year career in federal service, she served in varied assignments at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Indian Health Service (IHS) and the Veterans Health Administration (VHA).
Schweitzer continues to support the pharmacy profession and national efforts to increase access to public health initiatives, especially in rural and underserved communities. She provides strategic support to the pharmacy profession regarding public health, emergency preparedness, interoperability, and payment for pharmacist clinical services.
Schweitzer received her bachelor’s degree in biological sciences from Cal State Fullerton, earned her Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) School of Pharmacy, completed an Ambulatory Care/Administrative Residency at University of California Irvine Medical Center.
As one of the leading voices in pharmacy, Pamela Schweitzer combines her expertise in public health policy with her dedication to serving underrepresented communities. In 2014, she became the first woman to serve as the Assistant Surgeon General and Chief Pharmacist Officer of the United States Public Health Service (USPHS) and made meaningful change in her 4-year term. Throughout her career in public service, Pam has worked to modernize Medicaid eligibility and enrollment, improve drug pricing, and implement inclusive policies. Now, in retirement, Pam works as a Senior Consultant at the Loran Group and continues to serve on the board at the NCPDP Foundation, the board of trustees at the Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Services, and the board of directors at the NCPA Innovation Center. Outside of pharmacy, Pam is a private pilot and certified scuba diver.
Organizations
Tabula Rasa HealthCare - Board of Directors
NCPA Innovation Center - Board of Directors
National Council for Prescription Drug Programs (NCPDP) - Board Member
Albany College of Pharmacy - Board of Trustees
Notable Achievements
1st-Ever Female US Chief Pharmacist Officer
2014 - APhA Distinguished Federal Pharmacist Award
2012 - USPHS Mary Louise Anderson Leadership Award
2013 - IHS Senior Pharmacist of the Year Award
2016 - ASHP William Zelmer Lecture Award
2017 - NCPDP Champion Award
2018 - Surgeon General Exemplary Service Medal
2019 - ASHP 2019 Distinguished Leadership Award
Areas of Focus and Expertise
Large-Scale Clinical Project Leadership