Loma Linda University Health’s Board of Trustees announced that Kyle M. Sousa, PhD, will become the next dean of the School of Pharmacy on Jan. 2, 2024.
Sousa, who brings more than a decade of research experience in the areas of nuclear receptor biology, drug discovery, metabolic disease and bariatric surgery, has served as interim dean of the Loma Linda University School of Pharmacy since June. He joined the school in 2019 as associate dean for academic affairs and as an associate professor in the pharmaceutical and administrative sciences department.
Sousa was a founding faculty member at West Coast University School of Pharmacy. There he served as interim dean for nearly a year and held the title of assistant dean of student affairs from 2014-19. As part of its executive leadership team, Sousa helped navigate the program successfully through the accreditation process.
“Dr. Sousa has driven our cutting-edge, practice-ready curriculum in the School of Pharmacy,” said Richard Hart, MD, DrPH, president of Loma Linda University Health. “His demonstrated leadership skills and rich experience in research will support our culture of advancing medical science.”
He holds a PhD in medical biochemistry from Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden and completed postdoctoral fellowships at the University of Michigan and City of Hope National Medical Center. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in microbiology from Pennsylvania State University.
Sousa said he is grateful for the opportunity and privilege to serve as the dean of the School of Pharmacy.
“We have an extraordinary group of faculty, preceptors, and staff who are all dedicated to providing the best possible education so our graduates become leaders in the profession and continue serving their communities,” Sousa said. “The students who come to our program are fantastic and at the center of everything we do.”
Sousa said he is excited about the development of a new curriculum, expanding the school’s research footprint, and a new practice plan, which is currently being implemented. “Each of these strategic initiatives will elevate our program and provide new and exciting training opportunities for our student pharmacists," Sousa said.
Sousa follows the school’s previous dean, Michael Hogue, PharmD, FAPhA, FNAP, who earlier this year became the Chief Executive Officer and Executive Vice President for the American Pharmacists Association. Hogue served as dean for four years and his leadership was vital during our COVID-19 vaccination efforts on campus and throughout San Bernardino County.