College of Pharmacy Executive in Residence program

A longtime supporter of Western University of Health Sciences is sharing his expertise with College of Pharmacy students and faculty.

The College of Pharmacy named Glenn Etow, PharmD, as its 2012 Executive in Residence. He met with College of Pharmacy faculty and students and WesternU President Philip Pumerantz, PhD, on April 5, 2012.

Etow is president and chief operating officer of Comprehensive Pharmacy Services (CPS), the country’s largest hospital pharmacy management company. His 32 years of experience includes managing small, medium and large hospital pharmacies.

CPS manages the pharmacy at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in Colton, Calif., which was one of the first organizations to take on College of Pharmacy students for rotations. Etow has been involved in residency training for more than 30 years.

“We need to develop leaders, people who are passionate about improving the profession and providing quality care,” he said.

Mentoring students is a way of developing future leaders and professionals while giving back to the profession, Etow said.

“Working with students in a teaching and learning environment is stimulating to the staff, and it keeps us all on our toes,” he said.

College of Pharmacy Dean Daniel Robinson, PharmD, selects prominent pharmacists for the Executive in Residence program, those who are leaders in the profession and who have made significant contributions to the profession and health care in general, said College of Pharmacy Associate Dean Sam Shimomura, PharmD.

“Glenn has been involved with our college from the start,” Shimomura said. “This was a great way to honor and recognize Glenn, and he delivered an inspirational message to our students at Honors Day.”

The Executive in Residence program allows students to get to know these influential leaders and learn from their experiences. The program provides a much deeper interaction than a one-time visiting lecture.

“All of our Executives in Residence make themselves available to mentor and counsel our students and help them find jobs as well,” Shimomura said.

Etow said he appreciates the honor of serving as the Executive in Residence.

“I hope the students take the opportunity to reach out to me and seek my advice,” he said. “If I can help them navigate their careers, I would find that rewarding.”