Edwards named White Coat speaker

On Aug. 15, the entering class will officially join the MUSC pharmacy family during the annual White Coat Ceremony, featuring speaker Kathy Hogan Edwards ’87 R ’88.

A clinical pharmacy specialist at MUSC Hollings Cancer Center and former director of the post-graduate year two oncology pharmacy residency program, her primary practice is in the outpatient blood and bone marrow transplant clinic at Hollings. She is also a preceptor and adjunct professor at the College of Pharmacy.

“Kathy provides an excellent model for students starting the challenge of earning a pharmacy degree,” said Philip D. Hall, dean of the college. “To see her success and hear her advice will inspire and guide them as they start this phase of life. We’re proud to call her one of our own.”

Edwards received a Bachelor of Pharmacy from the University of Rhode Island followed by her Pharm.D. at MUSC, where she further trained through a general clinical residency. At Hollings, she provides direct care to patients throughout all stages of the transplant process. She has trained numerous students, as well as post-graduate year one (PGY1) and post-graduate year two (PGY2) residents, and served as residency program director for the PGY2 Oncology Residency from 2014 through 2016. 

Earlier this year, she was selected for the 2019 Distinguished Preceptor Award by the Palmetto Experiential Education Partnership. This statewide award honors preceptors annually for their dedication and commitment to excellence in experiential education, pharmacy practice, and service to the profession, the community, and the college.

A board-certified oncology pharmacist and pharmacotherapy specialist, her research interests are focused on optimizing care and outcomes for blood and marrow transplant patients. She is frequently invited to speak at local, regional, and national meetings, and has contributed numerous posters and publications in hematology and oncology to advance pharmacy practice in these areas.

“Kathy is an incredible practitioner and role model educator for our student pharmacists, PGY1 and PGY2 pharmacy residents,” said Cathy Worrall, associate dean for student affairs and experiential education. “Evaluations of her precepting by student pharmacists and residents over her many years of service to the college have been outstanding.”