New MU Pharmacy School called ‘perfect prescription' - WOWK 13 Charleston, Huntington WV News, Weather, Sports

HUNTINGTON — Speaking at a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Marshall University's new School of Pharmacy, Rep. Nick Rahall, D-W.Va., called the school "a perfect prescription for our future."

Members of the school's inaugural class of 80 students mingled with local officials and other guests at the ribbon-cutting event Aug. 14 at the Robert W. Coon Education Building on the campus of the Huntington Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Spring Valley.

In remarks prior to the ribbon cutting, Rahall pointed to a recent study by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics that indicated a need for 70,000 additional pharmacists by the year 2020.

"When this school places budding pharmacists in clinics throughout our communities, families will win big with their advice about the latest in prescription medicine," he said.

"As our population ages, the need for pharmacists in hospitals, outpatient care centers, nursing homes and rural health clinics will continue to escalate," Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin said. "At the same time, our pharmacists are on the front line in the war on drugs, and I'm grateful that Marshall will prepare these soon-to-be pharmacists in every capacity their careers may encounter."

Marshall President Stephen J. Kopp described the new school as a logical partner to Marshall's School of Medicine, which long has educated physicians who deliver state-of-the-art medical care.

"In just four short years, the first cohort of Marshall pharmacy students will graduate. They will be well prepared to deliver quality pharmaceutical care and counseling across the health care continuum for all sectors of our society," he said.

Kopp praised Kevin Yingling, the new school's founding dean, and his colleagues for designing the academic program for the school, which earlier this year received pre-candidate accreditation status from the Accreditation Council on Pharmacy Education. It was that action by the council that enabled Marshall to admit its first class of students. A second class of another 80 students will be admitted next year.

Classes for the school's first students will begin Aug. 20,

It's estimated that nearly 40 high-paying faculty and staff positions will be created at the new school within its first four years, and the school is expected to generate more than $150 million in regional economic impact.

The Coon Building at the VA Medical Center has undergone $10 million in renovations to house the school.

Yingling said he was extremely pleased with the facility.

"From the design of the technology-enhanced classrooms … to the common study spaces and patient simulation areas, our students have access to top-of-the-line educational opportunities."

Edward Tucker Architects Inc. of Huntington designed the building's overhaul, and M.I.R.C. Construction Services of Scott Depot served as general contractor.