FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                           

For more information, contact:

The University of Tennessee Health Science Center

Sheila Champlin – (901) 448-4957, schampli@uthsc.edu or

Dena Owens – (901) 448-4072, dowens10@uthsc.edu

 

Dick Gourley Steps Down as Dean of the College of Pharmacy at

The University of Tennessee Health Science Center to

Lead the University of Tennessee Research Foundation

____________________________________________________

Memphis, Tenn. (October 12, 2011) -- Chancellor Steve J. Schwab of the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) and Marie Chisholm-Burns, PharmD, MPH, FCCP, FASHP, newly appointed dean for the College of Pharmacy at UTHSC, have announced that Dick Gourley, PharmD, has stepped down as dean of the UT College of Pharmacy, in order to immediately assume the leadership role as interim president of the University of Tennessee Research Foundation (UTRF).  UTRF is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that promotes the commercialization of the University of Tennessee intellectual property.  In addition, UTRF encourages an entrepreneurial culture, contributes to state and regional economic development, and promotes research and education to benefit the people of Tennessee and beyond.

“Dick Gourley has contributed more than 22 years of outstanding service to the UT College of Pharmacy,” said Chancellor Schwab.  “His many significant contributions at the Health Science Center and his willingness to take on the challenges and opportunities at UTRF are greatly appreciated.”

James C. Eoff, PharmD, who has been executive associate dean for the UT College of Pharmacy since 1988, has been named interim dean for the college until Dr. Chisholm-Burns arrives on campus.  “A professor, researcher and central team member in the administration of the college, Dr. Eoff is well equipped to serve as interim dean and to assist Dr. Chisholm-Burns in this transition,” Chancellor Schwab noted. 

Dr. Chisholm-Burns was named the next dean for the UT College of Pharmacy on September 23.  She is currently professor and head of the Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science at the University of Arizona College of Pharmacy.  Dr. Chisholm-Burns will be on campus frequently over the next few months while she and Dr. Eoff manage the transition.  She is expected to be on campus full time by the middle of the spring semester.

As the flagship statewide academic health system, the mission of the University of Tennessee Health Science Center is to bring the benefits of the health sciences to the achievement and maintenance of human health, with a focus on the citizens of Tennessee and the region, by pursuing an integrated program of education, research, clinical care, and public service.  In 2011, UT Health Science Center celebrates its centennial: 100 years advancing the future of health care.  Offering a broad range of postgraduate training opportunities, the main UTHSC campus is located in Memphis and includes six colleges: Allied Health Sciences, Dentistry, Graduate Health Sciences, Medicine, Nursing and Pharmacy.  The UTHSC campus in Knoxville includes a College of Medicine, College of Pharmacy, and an Allied Health Sciences unit.  In addition, the UTHSC Chattanooga campus includes a College of Medicine and an Allied Health Sciences unit.  Since its founding in 1911, UTHSC has educated and trained more than 53,000 health care professionals on campuses and in health care facilities across the state.  For more information, visitwww.uthsc.edu.

###