Future-Makers
2025 Five of the Future
Our annual feature returns with standout recent alumni from each of the School of Pharmacy’s five main degree programs who are driving change and shaping a healthier future. These rising stars are advancing patient care, rethinking antibiotic use, mentoring future pharmacists and researchers, and paving the future of personalized medicine.
Instructor Excellence
Powerful Precepting
Aaron Steffenhagen (PharmD '01) emulates thoughtful, student-centered teaching as a preceptor, which has earned him an annual honor from the School.
Teachers of the Year
Four instructors are honored by the School's PharmD and PharmTox students for their exceptional work as educators. See who's chosen for the awards and why.
A Fond Farewell
"Her impact does not end here.” Professor Eva Vivian retires from the School of Pharmacy after two decades of mentorship and advancing diabetes care.
Congrats, Class of 2025!
Congratulations to our newest University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Pharmacy alumni! See the ceremonies and celebrations commemorating our PharmD, Health System Pharmacy Administration and Leadership, Health Services Research in Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and PharmTox Class of 2025 graduates.
Inside Scoop
A Taste of Utopia
Alum Kim Lintner (PharmD ’01) is the mastermind behind one of Babcock Dairy’s best-selling ice cream flavors. Get the full scoop on how it came to be — and how it tastes.
Your Voice
Your Provider Status Experience
As pharmacists gain provider status, we want to hear your challenges and success stories. Get in touch to share your experience with provider status for a future feature for DiscoveRx.
Readership survey results are in
Earlier this year, we invited alumni and friends of the University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Pharmacy to share their thoughts on how we can make DiscoveRx even better. Thank you to everyone who took the time to complete our survey and share valuable insights that will help shape the future of the publication.
We heard from more than 200 readers spanning nearly all degree programs and graduation years from the 1950s to 2024. Your responses showed that DiscoveRx is succeeding in its mission of helping Pharmacy Badgers feel proud and connected to the School and to each other. We’re excited to explore some of the suggestions shared in the survey, from new topics to navigation.
Your feedback is essential in helping DiscoveRx serve our pharmacy alumni with the best possible content. If you have more thoughts on DiscoveRx, please share by emailing discoverx@pharmacy.wisc.edu.
Innovators in Action
Madison Alumni Transform Patient Outcomes
In a May 2025 reception, alumni and faculty share how they've been transforming patient care, from opioid stewardship to heart failure and cancer care.
Emerging Entrepreneurs
In the School's annual SHARx Tank competition, PharmD students pitch ideas for new products and services to a panel of high-powered industry alumni.
Milwaukee Alums Pioneer Healthcare Change
Data dashboards, artificial intelligence, and serving low-income patients — three Milwaukee-area alumni shared how they're improving pharmacy and healthcare at an April reception.
The Pulse
Forecasting the Generics Landscape
As conversations about on-shoring pharmaceutical manufacturing gain steam, alum Brent Eberle (BS '98), a generics industry executive, shares his predictions for the future of the field, touching on supply chain, cost, shortages, and more.
Pharmacist Survey Spots National Trends
From job satisfaction and well-being to age and average salary, the latest National Pharmacist Workforce Survey, led by Pharmacy Badgers like Professor Dave Mott (BS 88, MS '92, PhD '95) and Bill Doucette (BS '83, PhD '93), highlights key trends pharmacists are experiencing.
Expanding Practice
Sparking a Chain Reaction
“There’s a missing link in healthcare right now, and pharmacists have the opportunity to be that missing link,” says Jenny Donar (PharmD ’17). At Walgreens, Donar is redefining community pharmacy and is having a national impact through the chain. Learn what she’s doing.
Paxlovid Prescribers
New research examines the efforts of Wisconsin pharmacists prescribing Paxlovid during the federal Test-to-Treat program. Learn what hurdles and successes they experienced.
At WOORC in Milwaukee
Chancellor Mnookin gets an up-close look at the impact of the School's Wisconsin Opioid Overdose Response Center during a trip to Milwaukee. See what she learned.
Closing the Naltrexone Gap
Recently incarcerated individuals are 40 times more likely to overdose. Professor Michelle Chui and Jason Chladek (PhD '23) explore how pharmacists could provide lifesaving treatment.
Leading Research
Using Tumor Cells to Beat Cancer
Assistant Professor Quanyin Hu and his team are using tumor byproducts to develop personalized cancer vaccines that could reduce recurrence in aggressive cancers like triple negative breast cancer and melanoma.
Pushing the Boundaries
Professor Lingjun Li is developing powerful new ways to measure and map the molecular machinery of life.
A Note from Advancement
Dave’s Corner
As summer kicks off, Associate Dean for Advancement Dave Mott (BS ’88, MS ’92, PhD ’95) shares the impact of several recent alumni gatherings and fundraisers — and shares some big news about the future of alumni relations at the School of Pharmacy.
Read his message >
Pathways to Practice
100% Residency Match Rate
In 2025, the School's graduates earned a 100% ASHP residency match rate. Learn how the School's exceptional training prepares graduates for success in clinical care, leadership, and innovation, setting them up for success in residencies and beyond.
Pharmacy Head Start
“I knew Madison was where I wanted to be, and I knew that pharmacy was what I wanted to do, so the Early Assurance program made total sense,” says Kate Grunske. She's one of 34 students entering the PharmD program this fall through the new Early Assurance program.
Award-Winners
Top Interprofessional Honor
“It’s such an honor; being inducted as a fellow within NAP is a highlight of my career," says Associate Professor Susanne Barnett (PharmD '04).
PharmTox Alum of the Year
Ben White (BS '00) has turned a career in toxicology into a far-reaching role in sustainability, inclusion, and innovation.
Investigator Award
Professor Jiaoyang Jiang researches a dynamic enzyme duo whose dysregulation is linked to nearly every type of cancer. Now, her work is being honored with a prestigious UW–Madison award.
Health System Pharmacy Leader
Alum Bruce Scott (BS '79) is being honored with a Board of Directors award from the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists.
Student Achievements
Top 10 Nationally
The School's IPhO PharmD student team places sixth out of more than 70 schools nationwide in a competition to bring a new cancer therapy to market.
Gallery: Pinning Ceremony
A milestone moment, the Pinning Ceremony marks the transition from classroom to clinic. See the celebration for our PharmD Class of 2026.
Leading the Way
The School's Phi Lambda Sigma student organization receives two national honors for cultivating leadership and creating transformational change.
Mark Your Calendar
26th Annual PAA/WSPS Golf Outing
Alumni, faculty, and current students unite for a day of golf and catching up with good friends and colleagues. Proceeds from this event benefit student scholarships.
July 28, 9 am-4:30 pm
Global Health Gala: 20th Anniversary Celebration
Join a weekend honoring two decades of global learning experiences for pharmacy students with a wine pairing, teatime, a gala dinner with global dishes, and fellow Pharmacy Badgers.
August 8-9
PAA Luncheon at PSW Annual Meeting
Join the Pharmacy Alumni Association to hear updates on alumni activities and celebrate the Alumni of the Year, who will be announced at the luncheon.
August 16, 12 pm
From the PAA
PAA Corner
Summer is here, and so are Pharmacy Alumni Association (PAA) events. From welcoming new grads to launching their first pickleball tournament, the PAA is keeping traditions strong and building new ways to connect and support Badger pharmacists.
Read what’s planned >
Making Headlines
Class Notes
Summer 2025 Class Notes
Pharmacy Badgers are doing big things, from launching careers and earning accolades to hitting the stage, welcoming new family members, and enjoying retirement. Catch up and share your news in class notes.
Read what’s new >
Submit your class note >
Professional Development
CMC Project Team Leadership Course
October 6–9, 2025 | Pyle Center, Madison
Learn more and register >
Pharmacy Innovations Conference on Antithrombotic Therapy Conference
Nov. 7, 2025 | Virtual
Learn more and register >
5th Annual UW–Madison Psychedelic Symposium: RESET
Nov. 13–14, 2025 | BioPharmaceutical Technology Center Institute, Promega Campus, Madison
Hosted by the UW Transdisciplinary Center for Research in Psychoactive Substances and the Division of Pharmacy Professional Development, this fourth-annual symposium is intended for researchers and clinicians in the areas of clinical psychology, psychiatry, pharmacy, nursing, and social work.
Find more information and register >
Stay Connected
DISCOVERX Staff
Editor-in-Chief | Katie Gerhards
Photographer | Sally Griffith-Oh
Contributing Photographers | Paulius Musteikis, Sharon Vanorny, Andy Manis, Todd Brown, Brian Smith, Rachel Woolf, Ueda Photography, Lemonade Photography
Contributing Writers | Katie Ginder-Vogel, Nicole Etter, Archer Parquette, Jennifer Fink, Kristin Rattini, Jessica Steinhoff, Darcy Lewis
Editorial Interns | Logan Underwood
Editorial Advisors | Alyson Kim, David Mott, Ed Portillo
DiscoveRx magazine is a quarterly digital publication by the University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Pharmacy.
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