2024 Alumni Awards: Distinguished Alumnus Timothy Vanderveen, '77

He spent 10 years serving as a faculty member under late Dean Emeritus Bill Golod and somehow earned his Pharm.D. while doing it. It was a remarkable accomplishment.

So, when Timothy Vanderveen left the Medical University of South Carolina to start a long and illustrious career in the San Diego-based pharmacy industry, it’s safe to say he took a piece of South Carolina with him. And it comforting to think that Dr. Golod left an imprint of pharmacy philosophy in California through a favorite pupil, faculty member, and alumnus.

As a recipient of the 2024 MUSC College of Pharmacy Distinguished Alumnus Award, Tim Vanderveen is one of the college's honorees at MUSC's Alumni Awards Dinner later this month. He will be joined by fellow Distinguished Alumnus Award winner Terry Blackmon, '80, and Emerging Leader Award winner Shelby Kolo, '19.  

Vanderveen attended Purdue University, where he earned a BS in pharmacy in 1970 and an MS in clinical pharmacy in 1972. He came straight to the MUSC College of Pharmacy and took up a position of assistant – then associate – professor of clinical pharmacy. MUSC’s pharmacy services were housed under Dr. Golod, so he also took on the role of associate director – then director – of the pharmacy department.

He stayed at MUSC until 1982, having managed to earn his Pharm.D. from the college in 1977.

“Dr. Vanderveen exemplifies the best of MUSC pharmacy,” said Dean Philip Hall, who nominated him for the award. “He is an outstanding representative both as an alumnus and as a former faculty member, following an accomplished academic career as one of our students.”

Vanderveen served as senior manager for IMED Corp in San Diego from 1983 to 1989, establishing clinical service for the medical device company. From 1990 to 1999, he served as director of clinical services for Alaris Medical Systems, where he directed the clinical staff and focused on medication safety/infusion therapy. Starting in 2000, he served for 16 years at BD/CareFusion/Cardinal Health as vice president of the Center for Safety and Clinical Excellence.

MUSC 2024 Alumni Awards