by Sarah Mummert
Dr. Aleda Chen, associate dean of the school of pharmacy at Cedarville University, was awarded the 2024 Rufus A. Lyman Award from the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP). This honor recognizes Chen’s 2023 research paper that was named the best published paper by the American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education (AJPE).
Selected by a group of their peers in the AACP, Chen and her pharmacy colleagues researched how pharmacy programs prepare students for the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX). Joining Chen in researching the report were Diana Sobieraj (University of Connecticut), Michael Kelsch (North Dakota State University), Lisa Lebovitz (University of Maryland), Sarah Spinler (Binghamton University) and Mary Ray (University of Iowa).
The paper, “NAPLEX Preparation Program Characteristics and Resources Associated with First-Time Exam Pass Rates,” focused on how pharmacy programs prepare students for the NAPLEX, the board exam to become a licensed pharmacist. The exam tests a student’s foundational knowledge in the pharmacy profession.
“It was a surprise and an honor to be recognized by our peers at the AACP for the work our team did,” Chen said. “It’s rewarding to see the beautiful things that can occur when people work together and try to solve problems in the field.”
The award will officially be presented to Chen and her team in July at the AACP annual conference in Boston.
“Dr. Chen regularly publishes novel scholarly information in pharmacy education, and her research is critically helpful in addressing important questions related to clinical issues, educational approaches and the practice of pharmacy,” said Dr. Jeff Bates, dean of the school of pharmacy and professor of pharmacy practice. “Her efforts are regarded as very high quality, positively impacting the way current pharmacists practice as well as how future pharmacists learn.”
On faculty at Cedarville University since 2011, Chen passionately develops the next generation of pharmacy students to go out and care well for patients.
Located in southwest Ohio, Cedarville University is a Baptist university with undergraduate programs in arts, sciences, and professional programs, and graduate programs. With an enrollment of 5,456 students in 175 areas of study, Cedarville is one of the largest private universities in Ohio and is recognized nationally for its authentic Christian community, rigorous academic programs, including its Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.), and high graduation and retention rates. For more information about the university, visit cedarville.edu.