Stemley takes helm at TSU College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Edward C. Stemley, Jr, MS, PharmD, a graduate of Xavier University and The Ohio State University, was appointed as dean of Texas Southern University (TSU) College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (COPHS), Houston, Texas, and assumed the position on September 9. He replaced Interim Dean Shirlette G. Milton, PhD, RPh.

TSU COPHS began educating health professionals more than 60 years ago, and boasts graduating 27% of the black pharmacists who work in the United States.

Professional background

Most recently, Stemley was the vice chair in the Division of Clinical and Administrative Sciences at Xavier University’s College of Pharmacy, New Orleans. He had also been the chief pharmacy officer at Harris County Hospital District in Houston, where he was responsible for pharmacy service for a health system that included two acute care hospitals, 14 ambulatory clinics, and a geriatric/physical rehabilitation hospital. Stemley also served as director of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists’ Section of Pharmacy Practice Managers.

Stemley received a doctor of pharmacy degree from Xavier University and a master’s degree from The Ohio State University. He also completed pharmacy practice residency at The Ohio State University Medical Center.

A global perspective

According to a report from Houston Style Magazine, Stemley is excited about the opportunity to lead TSU COPHS. In August, he said, “With its integrated combination of nine clinical and administrative health-related degree programs, the COPHS is well positioned to lead the current movement in interdisciplinary health education.”

Stemley is known as a “visionary leader with a unique ability to synergize talent and programmatic management to achieve success,” according to Sunny Ohia, PhD, TSU’s provost and vice president for Academic Affairs and Research, reported by Houston Style Magazine. “He leads from a global perspective, particularly in the healthcare arena where the holistic treatment of patients requires integration of the health care team.