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PGX Program

Shape the Future of Pharmacy

At Manchester University, our Department of Pharmacogenomics is pioneering the next generation of healthcare through advanced, personalized science.

With a unique focus on how genetics influence individual responses to medications and nutrition, our programs prepare you to lead in the rapidly evolving fields of pharmacogenomics, pharmacy, and nutrigenomics.

Whether you’re pursuing the 100% online Master of Science in Pharmacogenomics, earning a Pre-Pharmacy Associate’s Degree, or completing your Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.), you’ll gain hands-on experience, evidence-based training, and the ethical foundation to transform lives through precision health.

Welcome from Dean W. Thomas Smith

Thank you for taking time to learn more about the health sciences and pharmacy programs here at Manchester University.

At Manchester Health Sciences and Pharmacy, our first class of Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) students matriculated in 2012. Now, more than a decade later, I am proud to share some of our milestone achievements that illustrate how we are advancing health sciences and pharmacy education and specialized training in a vibrant health-centered community.

Fort Wayne / Community Impact

The National Civic League named Fort Wayne a 2021 All-America City. Awarded to 10 communities each year, the organization recognizes U.S. cities and towns that engage residents in innovative and effective efforts to tackle critical challenges. 

We provide connections for our students to engage in their communities and model active service. Students often volunteer and complete clinical rotations working with patients within vulnerable populations in keeping with our mission. Through their clinical rotations, our students explore future practice options while gaining experiential on-site training and practicing patient-centered care in a variety of health care settings.

Manchester’s Fort Wayne campus location enhances the student experience in a vibrant city situated among health care networks and community pharmacies. Our campus is neighbor to Parkview Health Systems, steps away from Parkview Regional Medical Center and the Mirro Center for Research and Innovation..

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Innovation

Our credentialed faculty are experts in their respective fields who are fully engaged and recognized nationally. Many serve in leadership roles in pharmacy and life sciences associations. We offer a forward-looking education and current technologies to prepare our graduates for success in ever-evolving professions. At Manchester Health Sciences and Pharmacy, we strive to provide a dynamic learning environment, engaging students in innovative, effective and experiential learning in a variety of settings. Our students gain a thirst for learning, an ability to adapt and a curiosity about innovation.

Lasting Relationships

As a younger collection of programs in a small-campus setting, students form meaningful relationships with fellow students, faculty, staff and preceptors. Faculty mentors accompany Pharm.D. students on their four-year journey, presenting the first-year white coat and finally the graduation hood. Faculty in our graduate programs form close and lasting relationships with our students due to the small size of our class cohorts. Graduates of all our programs make lifelong friendships and build professional relationships, sharing accomplishments with their professors.

Liberal Arts Connections

The liberal arts play a foundational role in student development to instill transferrable skills, interprofessional collaboration, leadership and lifelong learning. Students gain strong interpersonal skills vital to professional identity formation. We support students as whole persons, treating them as individuals and nurturing knowledgeable and compassionate professionals committed to improving the human condition through service.

Manchester Pharmacy and Graduate Life Sciences programs are rooted in the University’s mission:

Manchester University respects the infinite worth of every individual and graduates persons of ability and conviction who draw upon their education and faith to lead principled, productive, and compassionate lives that improve the human condition.

  • The “infinite worth of every individual” is a central tenant of the pharmacy and life sciences professions by which every patient deserves dignity and respect.
  • Our graduates of “ability and conviction” will be well-prepared professionals who are committed to giving back to their communities and workplaces.
  • Our faculty, staff and students are “principled, productive and compassionate” people motivated to help others and “improve the human condition.”

Our students remind us every day of their enormous potential. Through their commitment to education and service, they are the living embodiment of Manchester’s mission. I hope you will browse our website to learn more about our career-enriching pharmacy programs; the Pharm.D. Program (both the on-campus and distance pathways), the graduate program in pharmacogenomics, the dual Pharm.D./MS in PGx Program, the dual Pharm.D./MBA pathway, a partnership between Manchester and Indiana Tech University, and our latest opportunity – the graduate program in nutrition and nutrigenomics.

Whatever your interest, Manchester Health Sciences and Pharmacy is a diverse academic community where students thrive.

I hope you’ll join us!

W. Thomas Smith, Pharm.D., J.D.

Professor and Dean of Health Sciences and Pharmacy
Manchester University College of Pharmacy, Natural and Health Sciences

Learn More about Dean W. Thomas Smith

Dean W. Thomas “Tommy” Smith first joined Manchester University College of Pharmacy in 2015 as the assistant dean of assessment and accreditation, and was appointed dean of pharmacy programs in 2017. In 2021, he was named dean of pharmacy and graduate life sciences.

Dean Smith is active in a number of professional organizations including the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP), the American Bar Association (ABA) and the American Society for Pharmacy Law (ASPL). He currently serves as AACP Administrative Board Representative on the Council of Deans.

A 1994 graduate of the St. Louis College of Pharmacy, Smith began his pharmacy career as the operations director of Corum Health Services, Inc., a long-term care pharmacy in St. Louis, MO. In 2002, he enrolled in law school at St. Louis University, and graduated in 2005 with a Juris Doctorate degree and certificate in health law from the school’s top-ranked Center for Health Law Studies.  

Smith served on the faculty of the University of Florida College of Pharmacy from 2008 to 2015 where he served as director of the College’s online master’s program pharmaceutical outcomes and policy and director of the co-curriculum. He also taught pharmacy law and addition to other duties. Prior to his service at UF, Smith served on the faculty of the Saint Louis College of Pharmacy from 2005 to 2008.

Among his notable service accomplishments, Smith also has served as chair of AACP’s Health Disparities and Cultural Competence special interest group and completed its Academic Leadership Fellows Program. Smith also has been very active in the Health Law Section of the ABA, serving a 3-year term on its leadership council, and chairing a number of committees. In 2016, he was appointed to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Nonprescription Drugs Advisory Committee.

Dean Smith has served as an author, speaker and leader in areas such as pharmacy law, cultural competency, health disparities, bioethics, and disability law.

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Department Goals, Achievements and Outcomes

Mission, Vision & Values

Mission Statement
To cultivate graduates of ability and conviction to provide patient-centered care guided by respect for the infinite worth of individuals; and dedicated to improve communities by advancing pharmacy and graduate life sciences education, practice, service and scholarship.

Vision Statement
To improve the human condition through service.

Core Values:
We have a deep commitment to integrity.
We respect the infinite worth of every individual.
We seek excellence in all that we do. We are accepting of new ideas. We create and innovate without fear.
We foster personal and professional transformation. It is through learning that we become our better selves.
We serve for the betterment of others.
We seek and value collaboration and teamwork.

Achievements

  • A move into a brand new 80,000-square-foot building in June 2012
  • Enrollment of its inaugural Pharmacy class in August 2012
  • ACPE Candidate accreditation status in July 2013
  • Launching the first-of-its kind master’s degree program in pharmacogenomics (PGx) in 2016, and then expanding the program online in 2018 (another first).
  • Introducing the nation’s first dual Pharm.D./Master’s in PGx program, offered exclusively to qualified Manchester Pharm.D. students.
  • Adding a predominately online pathway to our Pharm.D. program in fall 2022
  • Enrolled 13 classes of enthusiastic and capable pharmacy students
  • Graduated more than 600 pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists from our professional and graduate programs who are committed to practice and work at the top of their respective fields
  • Prepared nearly 100 first-year post-graduate (PGY1) residents, who are practicing in institutions and clinics across the country
  • Facilitated 20 post-graduates to further their training and specialization by completing PGY2 residencies

Program Outcomes

In addition to matching with ASHP-accredited PGY1 residency programs, graduates have obtained competitive fellowship positions, and entered diverse PGY2 specialty residencies in areas such as administration, ambulatory care, critical care, drug information, infectious diseases, oncology, and pediatrics.

On-Time Graduation Rate

2022 2023 2024
On-Time Graduation 79% 78% 77%
Delayed Graduation 15% 13% 12%

Licensure Examination First Attempt Pass Rates

North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX)
NAPLEX Examination Passing Rates

2023  2024
 Manchester 71% 63.2%
 National 76% 75.7%

*Due to declining pass rates, faculty and administrators are providing 1×1 mentoring for students and additional hands-on intensive NAPLEX prep. We are also integrating intensive NAPLEX prep starting in the P3 year.

Employment

For the Graduating Class of 2023, 52/56 responders were employed or completing post-graduate training. 

Employment Rate

Employment rate: 92.9% employment rate on a knowledge rate of 100%

Accreditation

Accreditation

Our Doctor of Pharmacy Program is fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission

Our Doctor of Pharmacy Program is fully accredited, effective July 2022 through June 2030, by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education.

135 South LaSalle Street, Suite 4100,
Chicago, IL 60503
312/644-3575
FAX 312/664-4652

This means, as a student in our pharmacy graduate program, you’ll receive a high-quality education that meets rigorous standards.

ACPE Standards Complaints

The Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), the pharmacy program accreditation agency, is required to demonstrate to the U.S. Secretary of Education its expectations regarding a program’s recording and handling of student complaints. ACPE must demonstrate a link between its review of complaints and its evaluation of a program in the accreditation process.

A complaint regarding Manchester University’s compliance with ACPE standards, policies or procedures can be filed by a Manchester University Pharm.D. student by completing a formal written complaint using the student complaint eform which can be found in the Students Complaints folder of the Pharmacy Home folder in the University’s learning management system, Canvas. Institutions, students, faculty or the public may submit a detailed written complaint directly to ACPE.

Department Life

Commitment to Service

Pharmacy is very much a service-oriented profession – caring for patients and helping them to achieve positive health outcomes – and Manchester emphasizes this focus. Our Vision Statement is to improve the human condition through service, while integrated within our strategic plan is a priority dedicated to improving health care through community engagement and service. This focus on service correlates with Manchester’s long reputation of service and volunteerism among students, faculty and staff. Pharmacy students, as well as faculty and staff, have embraced this commitment to service through their pursuit of diverse opportunities and their commitment to surpassing their program requirements.

Service Opportunities

The program demonstrates its dedication to service through various curricular and co-curricular avenues. Over the course of a student’s four-year program, a service component has been established as a non-credit bearing progression requirement for the P1, P2 and P3 years. All pharmacy students are required to participate in a minimum of two service events per semester. These events may be related to health care, such as health fairs or health education seminars, however, many are not, ranging from helping in local homeless shelters or community food banks to assisting in programs for elementary students or the elderly. Each event also requires a self-reflection assessment to further appreciate the value of the service event.

Within the program’s experiential education are additional service specific requirements. During our introductory pharmacy practice experiential (IPPE) rotations, students are provided with valuable interactions with underserved and medically vulnerable patients in our community. They will be involved in direct patient care activities, such as the collection of medication histories and performing basic physical exam functions.

Co-curricular opportunities exist through community service partnerships with the pharmacy program and a variety of our pharmacy student organizations. These community partnerships have provided our student body with opportunities, including, but not limited to. the chance to educate patients about the importance of medication adherence and other health related topics, provide diagnostic testing (such as blood pressures and blood sugar testing) to members of the community, and educate and administer influenza immunizations in various clinics. We work closely with the University’s Center for Service Opportunities in identifying service opportunities for all Manchester students. With the offering of an annual volunteer guide, as well as a weekly newsletter informing all University students about service opportunities, the Center is a valuable resource.

Celebrating Service

To reinforce the importance of Manchester’s commitment to service, each semester’s service accomplishments are celebrated during a Day of Service. One day each semester, the Pharmacy Program suspends classes and focuses entirely on the service accomplishments of the students, faculty, and staff. Students will present a poster about one of their service events each year, highlighting the diversity of our student’s service commitment. Over 50 posters are presented during each Day of Service. A keynote presentation has been established to focus on service and its importance to our program. In addition, the Day also provides a venue for area organizations to present unique service opportunities to the campus community.

If you are aware of and would like to share a service opportunity for the Pharmacy Program, please feel free to send an email to pharmacy@manchester.edu, Subject line – Service Opportunity.

Career Connections

Helping You Make Career Connections

Manchester pharmacy students have a wide range of resources available to them related to career and professional development. Each student has a faculty mentor who assists in portfolio development, guides in the choice of relevant elective coursework and engages in dialogue to help match a student’s interests and abilities with a career path. Student organizations provide opportunities to network with other student pharmacists, employers and others in the field through regional and national meetings and seminars held on the Fort Wayne campus. Workshops through our PharmacySMART program cover a range of topics that help develop the whole student as well.

Career Fair and Interview Day

Employers are invited to the annual Career Fair and Interview Day, held in the Fall each year. P4 students return from their experiential rotations to participate and meet with potential employers.  

Interprofessional Education

Students are involved in interprofessional education (IPE) activities throughout their first three years in the program. The goal of IPE meetings is to develop knowledge, skills and attitudes that result in effective interprofessional team behaviors and competence. Manchester partners with several other health profession preparatory programs in the region to allow students across disciplines the opportunity to work together and learn how each functions in a health care team.

Advocating for the Profession

Students have multiple opportunities to advocate for positive changes in the pharmacy profession through involvement in student organizations and participation in national meetings. One example is the annual Pharmacy Day at the Statehouse, which includes discussions on legislative issues between state professional organizations lobbying for change. Students and faculty attend this event each spring semester.

P3 Student Workshops

In the P3 year, specific workshops are required for students to attend that will prepare them for the P4 year and beyond. Topics include:

  • CV Workshop
  • Interviewing Workshop
  • Professional Etiquette Dinner

Student Groups and Professional Enrichment

For details on these groups, visit Spartan Life.

Pharmacy Student Leadership Council (PSLC)

The Pharmacy Student Leadership Council consists of representatives from each of the student organizations and classes and serves as the student governing body for the Pharmacy program. 

Class Officers

Each class has officers to help coordinate activities, foster collegiality, and provide a communication conduit from the class to various groups, such as the leadership council and the COP administration, faculty, and staff.  Each class elects a president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, and activities coordinator. The elections occur each spring for P2, P3, and P4 students. Elections for our P1 students occur each fall several weeks into the fall semester.

Student Ambassadors

The Student Ambassadors Club is a service organization available to any interested students.  The primary focus of the group is serving as a link between to the COP and potential and incoming students.  Ambassadors work closely with the Office of Student Affairs by serving as guides to interested students visiting campus, liaising to the Pre-pharmacy club for Manchester University undergraduates, and providing support to the school’s admission interview days.  In addition, the Ambassadors provide staffing to help support other COP activities, including orientation, the white coat ceremony, and welcome back picnic.  Membership is an application process and leadership positions are determined by election during each fall semester. 

 American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP)

This student organization represents the national American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP) on campus.  Its purpose is to familiarize students with the field of clinical pharmacy, advocate for the role of clinical pharmacists in health care and to encourage participation in the American College of Clinical Pharmacy at the national level and in local/regional chapters.  The chapter competes in the national ACCP Clinical Pharmacy Challenge student team competition annually, forming a team to compete annually.  Leadership positions are determined by election during each spring semester. 

American Pharmacists Association Academy of Student Pharmacists (APhA-ASP)

This student organization represents the national American Pharmacists Association Academy of Student Pharmacists (APhA-ASP) on campus.  In addition, this organization supports the Indiana Pharmacists Alliance (IPA) as well.  This organization introduces students to the profession of pharmacy and provides exposure to a broad view of career options available to pharmacists.  The activities of Manchester’s ASP chapter include a variety of patient care projects (Operation Diabetes, Operation Heart, Operation Immunization, and Generation Rx), hosting the school round of the National Pharmacy Counseling Competition, participation in state and national meetings, and numerous networking opportunities throughout the year.  Leadership positions are determined by election during each spring semester. 

American Society of Health-System Pharmacists Student Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP-SSHP)

This student organization represents the national American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) as a recognized Student Society of Health-System Pharmacists on campus.  Its purpose is to inform students of the various career opportunities in the health-system and hospital pharmacy settings.  The organization conducts programs designed to inform students about residency training, career information, and various service projects.  In addition, the chapter hosts the school round of the ASHP Clinical Skills Program and supports student attendance at state and national meetings.  Leadership positions are determined by election during each spring semester. 

Christian Healthcare Professionals (CHP)

This student chapter represents individuals working in all areas of pharmaceutical service and practice. The mission of the organization is to serve Christ and the world through pharmacy.  The core values of CHP are to provide fellowship among like-minded professionals, challenge and promote spiritual growth, encourage the advancement of knowledge and ethics in the practice of pharmacy, encourage evangelism and the integration of faith into practice, and provide support and opportunity for service in both home and foreign missions.  Leadership positions are determined by election during each spring semester. 

College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists (CPNP)

This newly established student chapter represents the national CPNP organization, established in 1998 when the group known as the Conference of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists became a professional society and by the culmination of efforts of many pharmacist practicing psychiatry and neurology specialties over the past 30 years.  Members of the CPNP are generally pharmacists who work directly with patients and caregivers to apply specialized clinical knowledge and skills, educate and train healthcare professionals and develop new knowledge in order to improve health outcomes for those individuals with psychiatric and neurologic disorders.  Leadership positions are determined by election during each spring semester. 

Muslim Healthcare Professionals (MHP)

The MHP has also been recognized as a University student organization.  The purpose of this organization is to serve the best interest of Islam and Muslims in the healthcare profession, promoting unity and joint action amongst Muslim healthcare professionals, promoting healthy relations among Muslims and non-Muslims, and endeavoring to make Islamic teachings known to interested non-Muslims. Leadership positions are determined by election during each spring semester. 

Student Personalized Medication Coalition (sPMC)

The purpose of this newly established student chapter is to foster the development and awareness of personalized medicine both professionally and educationally. The mission of the PMC is to keep Manchester University pharmacy and pre-professional students on the forefront of personalized/precision medicine and pharmacogenomics. Leadership positions are determined by election during each spring semester. 

Phi Lambda Sigma Pharmacy Leadership Society (PLS)

The mission of PLS is to support pharmacy leadership commitment by recognizing leaders and fostering leadership development.  The Delta Omega chapter was chartered and inducted in April 2015.  The organization goal’s focus on ensuring the continuing availability of student and practitioner leaders for the profession of pharmacy, acknowledge leadership achievement and award membership to leaders recommended by the Society, enhance the talent, skill and effectiveness of leaders for the profession of pharmacy, and support and encourage sustained leadership commitment.  Membership is determined by application and the chapter inducts new members annually via nomination and application based on an established criteria.  Leadership positions are determined by election during each spring semester. 

Rho Chi – the Academic Honor Society in Pharmacy

As the academic honor society in pharmacy, the Rho Chi Society encourages and recognizes intellectual achievement, stimulates critical inquiry to advance pharmacy, contributes to the development of intellectual leaders, promotes highest ethical standards and fosters collaboration.  The Epsilon Nu chapter (the 133rd chapter to be established) was chartered in March 2017 and were inducted in Fall 2017.  Membership is determined by academic success and established criteria.  Leadership positions are determined by election during each fall semester. 

Student National Pharmaceutical Association (SNPhA)

This student organization represents the National Pharmaceutical Association (NPhA) on campus.  SNPhA is an educational service association of pharmacy students who are concerned about pharmacy and healthcare related issues, and the poor minority representation in pharmacy and other health-related professions.  This chapter has already created campaigns supporting Breast Cancer Awareness.  Leadership positions are determined by election during each spring semester. 

African American Healthcare Alliance (AAHA)

The name of this organization shall be the Manchester University African American Healthcare Alliance (AAHA). The AAHA is a student organization at Manchester University Pharmacy Programs, College of Pharmacy, Natural and Health Sciences.  The mission of the African-American Healthcare Alliance of Fort Wayne is to promote, support, and enhance education regarding healthcare issues specifically for but not limited to the African American community as well as assisting in the development of those individuals pursuing careers in healthcare.

National Community Pharmacy Association NCPA – MU Chapter

is dedicated to the continuing growth and prosperity of independent community pharmacy in the United States. NCPA is the national pharmacy association representing the professional and proprietary interests of independent community pharmacists and will vigorously promote and defend those interests. We are committed to high-quality pharmacist care and to restoring, maintaining, and promoting the health and well-being of the public we serve.

We believe in the inherent virtues of the American free enterprise system and will do all we can to ensure the ability of independent community pharmacists to compete in a free and fair marketplace.

Indiana Pharmacists Association (IPA)

IPA is the voice and advocate for the profession of pharmacy in Indiana with the vision of leading the advancement of Indiana Pharmacy by promoting legislation and innovations that optimize patient care, safety, and the health of our communities. Our core values to uphold are: Integrity:  Adhere to the highest ethical and moral principles. Partnership:  Work collaboratively to achieve common goals. Accountability:  Take responsibility for actions and results. Leadership:  Lead from where you are. Innovation:  Develop new and inventive approaches.

National Hispanic Pharmacists Association (NHPA)

The mission of NHPA is to empower Hispanic pharmacists and other members to improve the health of Hispanic populations in collaboration with public and private sector partners. The vision of NHPA is to be the leading pharmacy organization for improving the health of Hispanic populations in the United States.

NHPA serves as a resource to federal government on how to improve pharmacy policies and programs for the Latino community. NHPA has a membership for pharmacists and others to improve pharmacy services to Latinos. NHPA supports educational programs and pharmacy school chapters.

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