Posted on: June 16, 2020
Phi Lambda Sigma, the pharmacy leadership society, has bestowed its 2020 Outstanding Chapter Advisor Award on Brie Dunn, Pharm.D., associate dean for outcomes assessment and accreditation at the University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy. Dunn has served as advisor for the Zeta chapter since 2011.
The award recognizes an advisor of a Phi Lambda Sigma chapter who has promoted student leadership, actively contributed to the achievements of their local chapter, and served as a leader and mentor through their service to the profession and/or the community.
Dunn’s service with PLS began during her days as a student member of the organization at the Medical University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy where she served as a national officer. Dunn says joining PLS was a pivotal change in her own leadership abilities. “Before pharmacy school, I didn’t have many leadership opportunities,” she recalls. “Getting involved opened up a door for leadership development and the chance to make a difference in our profession as a whole and within our own college and university.”
Dunn enjoys sharing her passion for PLS with students. “If you have something you are invested in, if you believe in the mission and vision and have a passion for it, you have a wonderful opportunity to build relationships and have the chance to grow and develop as a leader.”
Along with the award, the Zeta chapter also received a $500 stipend. “We have a shoestring budget,” Dunn says, “and the funds can help support travel and registration for leadership conferences for our students.”
Dunn says the Zeta chapter has a great history and that engaging PLS alumni is an ongoing initiative. “We are always looking for new ways for alumni to partner with us and give back to our students.”
She is grateful to the chapter’s founding members, alums Donna Walker, founder of the Walker Leadership Scholars program, and Gene Reeder, Ph.D., director of outcomes research and distinguished professor emeritus in the Kennedy Pharmacy Innovation Center. “They helped launch our chapter in 1979, and Donna received the national alumni award in 2018, nominated by our chapter.”
Dr. Dunn has shown an incredible commitment to students and her profession in so many ways ...
Betsy Blake, Pharm.D. Director of Interprofessional Education
Dean of the UofSC College of Pharmacy Stephen J. Cutler, Ph.D., applauds Dunn’s selection. “Her dedicated service and leadership for both our students and the profession of pharmacy through her role as the advisor for the Zeta Chapter and her tireless efforts on behalf of the profession as a practitioner and leader made her selection by Phi Lambda Sigma to be an easy one,” he says.
Betsy Blake, Pharm.D., clinical associate professor and director of interprofessional education, also supported Dunn’s nomination for the award. “Dr. Dunn has shown an incredible commitment to students and her profession in so many ways,” Blake adds. “She does all of this with compassion and grace and an eagerness to achieve excellence. She is generous with her time and enthusiasm as she always takes time to meet with students and provide encouragement.”