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Students pursuing a career in pharmacy now have an accelerated path to complete both a bachelor’s degree and Doctor of Pharmacy degree in seven years through a new partnership agreement between Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) and ����ֱ�� State University.

During an official signing Jan. 13, university representatives Charles Taylor, Pharm.D., dean of the College of Pharmacy at NEOMED, and Todd Diacon, Ph.D., senior vice president for academic affairs and provost at ����ֱ�� State, acknowledged the new partnership agreement, which enhances the educational programs at both institutions and builds upon NEOMED’s existing pipeline program for students who complete pre-professional pharmacy studies at ����ֱ�� State.

Students enrolled in the program are eligible to apply for one of ����ֱ�� State’s designated seats in the professional Doctor of Pharmacy degree program at NEOMED. ����ֱ�� State students who are pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry with a biochemistry concentration through the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry in the College of Arts and Sciences at ����ֱ�� State can now accelerate through the pipeline to the College of Pharmacy at NEOMED. Specific classes have been identified as transfer courses by both universities and are required for students to obtain both degrees. The new agreement enables these students to complete their bachelor’s and Doctor of Pharmacy degrees in just seven years, rather than the typical eight years.

“We are excited to expand our partnership with ����ֱ�� State University through this agreement, which not only enhances the pipeline between our institutions, but advances the educational opportunities for students pursuing careers in pharmacy,” said Dr. Taylor. “Our new agreement acknowledges the strong educational background these students bring with them from ����ֱ�� State to NEOMED and accelerates their path to becoming outstanding future pharmacists.”

“With this agreement, ����ֱ�� State and NEOMED have acted to reduce the financial burden associated with our biochemistry and pharmacy degrees,” Diacon said. “Ohioans will now be able to graduate and enter the professional workforce more quickly, even while we preserve academic rigor.”

Both universities offer guidance and advising to students seeking the Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry and the Doctor of Pharmacy degree.

����ֱ�� Northeast Ohio Medical University
For 40 years, NEOMED has worked in collaboration with its educational, clinical and research partners to successfully train health professionals and medical researchers who serve and impact the region and beyond. The University trains students in a team-based, interprofessional environment and offers doctor of medicine (M.D.) and doctor of pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degrees, in addition to master’s and doctoral degrees and research opportunities in other medical areas. Still burning bright after 40 years; visit .

����ֱ�� ����ֱ�� State University
����ֱ�� State University is Northeast Ohio’s leading public research university with more than 42,000 students. The university’s eight-campus system is among the largest regional systems in the country. Today, ����ֱ�� State has become an engine for economic, cultural and workforce development – locally and internationally – as one of the premier Ohio universities. The university is ranked among the nation’s 77 public research universities demonstrating high-research activity by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. For more information about ����ֱ�� State, visit www.kent.edu.

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Photo Captions:
Photo 1 from NEOMED and ����ֱ�� State articulation agreement signing
Todd Diacon (left), senior vice president for academic affairs and provost at ����ֱ�� State, and Charles Taylor (right), dean of the College of Pharmacy at NEOMED, sign a new partnership agreement between the two institutions.

Photo 2 from NEOMED and ����ֱ�� State articulation agreement signing
Attending the official signing of a new partnership agreement between NEOMED and ����ֱ�� State University are (from left to right) James Blank, interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at ����ֱ�� State; Todd Diacon, senior vice president for academic affairs and provost at ����ֱ�� State; Charles Taylor, dean of the College of Pharmacy at NEOMED; Michael Tubergen, chair of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at ����ֱ�� State; and Richard Kasmer, associate dean of academic affairs for the College of Pharmacy at NEOMED.

Media Contacts:
Emily Vincent, evincen2@kent.edu, 330-672-8595
Heather Griesbach, hgriesbach@neomed.edu, 330-325-6675