Paul Gavaza, PhD, associate professor, Loma Linda University School of Pharmacy, has been selected to participate in AACP’s 2021-2022 Academic Leadership Fellows Program. Gavaza joins the 18th cohort of 30 individuals who represent some of academic pharmacy’s brightest future leaders from around the country.
The Academic Leadership Fellows Program supports and contributes to the development of leaders in academic pharmacy and higher education. The program provides an opportunity for Fellows to expand relationships with peers and colleagues at other institutions, as well as within their own college and university.
Michael Hogue, PharmD, FAPhA, FNAP, dean of LLU School of Pharmacy, said Gavaza’s commitment to excellence as an academician makes it clear as to why he was selected for this prestigious program. "LLUSP is truly blessed to have Paul on our team and we know he will do great things as the result of this program," he said.
Gavaza is a faculty member in Department of Pharmaceutical and Administrative Sciences, where he teaches Social Behavioral Pharmacy and Health Systems, Re-imbursement and Pharmacoeconomics courses. Gavaza his Doctor of Philosophy degree in Pharmacy from The University of Texas at Austin in 2010. He has expertise in economic evaluation, research design, statistical analysis, and scientific writing. His primary research interests include social, economic and behavioral aspects of pharmacy practice and outcomes research. Gavaza has published over 55 papers in peer reviewed journals. He serves on various school and university wide committees; is a faculty scholar at LLU Health Policy and Leadership Institute. He is also an International Services Program Evaluator for ACPE.
During the year-long program Fellows explore historical perspectives of leadership, learn about conflict and the road to resolution, practice self-reflection, and examine current issues in higher education utilizing a formal debate setting. Sessions held in-person will address critical and timely topics such as relationship management, diversity, equity and inclusion in higher education, and well-being. More than 400 Fellows have graduated from the program to date.
“When AACP embarked upon the development of this program in 2004, we dreamed that it could have a transformational impact on participants and our Academy. Little did we know how much impact the program could actually have,” said Lucinda L. Maine, RPh, PhD. “It would be impossible to accurately assess the number of lives that have already been touched by the leaders who have completed this program. And the impact will go on indefinitely!”