Dr. Beth Mills was appointed the chair of the Department of Pharmacy Practice within the College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences (CPHS). Mills’ experiences teaching students in the classroom and on rotations, training residents and mentoring faculty as well as her personal experiences with Campbell University make her a great fit for this role.
Mills said she is excited to take on a new role where she can serve the profession in a different capacity, shaping faculty, residents, and students so they can have a meaningful impact on the future of our program.
Originally from North Carolina, Mills attended Campbell’s pre-pharmacy program in 1992 and graduated from Campbell’s Doctor of Pharmacy program in 1998. Upon graduating, she completed a primary care residency with a diabetes focus at Wilson Community Health Center and Campbell University. During her residency, she developed a love for teaching and mentoring students. Shortly after she completed her residency, Mills stayed connected to Campbell serving as an adjunct assistant professor and as a member of the experiential programs advisory committee.
Throughout her entire career, she has been involved in teaching, precepting and mentoring pharmacy students.
“I never lost my strong commitment to student success through trying to nurture the next round of pharmacists and giving back to the profession,” said Mills. “I always stayed very closely tied to Campbell.”
Mills was offered an opportunity in 2013 to return to campus as faculty.
A self-proclaimed servant leader, Mills hopes that the example she sets will pave the way for her students as they become the next generation of pharmacists.
“No matter where I’ve worked, no matter what role I’ve played, I tried to lead as a role model for my students, mentoring them and ensuring they are the best pharmacists that they can be,” Mills shared.
Mills holds a strong desire to improve and support the pharmacy profession in whatever capacity she can. After being a member of the North Carolina Association of Pharmacists (NCAP), serving on committees, special task forces, and serving as a member-at-large on the Board of Directors, becoming president of NCAP was the logical next step. Mills completed her presidential term in December 2021. During this time, her focus was on advocating for the profession and workforce issues plaguing pharmacies.
“It’s our profession. If we do not advocate for our profession, who will?” she said.
Past experiences in health systems and community leadership; time as a clinical assistant, associate professor and residency program director; and leadership in the profession through NCAP have provided Mills with a foundation of skills to be successful in her new administrative role. She is a Board Certified Ambulatory Care Pharmacist and Certified Diabetes Educator, and she has served on inpatient and outpatient interprofessional healthcare teams. Her array of clinical experiences will benefit interprofessional collaborations with other CPHS programs, allowing Mills to continue advocating for the pharmacy profession and overall health of patients.
Her commitment to education extends beyond her teaching responsibilities. She maintains an active role in community pharmacy and seeks out continuing education that benefits her as a clinician and educator. In addition to her research background and various publications, she serves as a peer reviewer, has received multiple grants, and maintains many professional memberships. Mills also serves on numerous CPHS, state, and clinical site committees.
Mills will assume her new responsibilities on July 1, 2022. One of her primary goals is to implement strategies to ensure the continued success of CPHS students in passing the NAPLEX and obtaining post-graduate training in residencies and fellowships. Mills hopes to create more student advising opportunities and provide additional faculty support and development. She will focus on holistic enrichment for department and student needs in hopes of elevating the program.
“I am honored to be given this opportunity to work more closely with the incredible faculty and staff to implement ideas to help overcome many challenges facing our profession and academia. I want the best for our students and faculty and am willing to do whatever it takes to maintain the high caliber of our program,” Mills concluded.
CPHS Dean, Michael L. Adams (’96 PharmD, PhD) said, “I asked Dr. Mills to serve as the chair and join my administrative team based on her previous experience managing community pharmacies and practicing in both inpatient and outpatient settings. These experiences, coupled with her academic experience as a faculty member and preceptor in various ambulatory settings, provide her a comprehensive appreciation for the practice of pharmacy and the educational mission of Campbell. Dr. Mills brings much to the table, including a passion for student learning and growth as well as a desire to grow the profession as evidenced by her recent leadership as the president of the North Carolina Association of Pharmacists.
“Please join me in congratulating Dr. Mills and offering your support for her leadership.”
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