Donald Godwin, PhD, named interim dean of the UNM College of Pharmacy

The University of New Mexico Chancellor for Health Sciences Paul B. Roth, MD, MS, recently announced that Donald Godwin, PhD, executive associate dean for Education and associate professor in Pharmaceutical Sciences, will serve as the interim dean for the UNM College of Pharmacy after the departure of Dean Lynda Welage, PharmD, at the end of July.

Pharmacy faculty and staff honored Dean Welage during the staff appreciation picnic on July 11, where she was presented with several going away gifts. Welage has accepted the position of dean at the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy and is confident that the college is in good hands, "Don Godwin is an excellent leader who has enthusiastically served the college for more than twenty years," Welage says.

Godwin has worked closely with Welage over the last 5 years in his role as executive associate dean. "I have a deep understanding of Lynda's vision as I move into my new role," says Godwin. "I will continue to work with faculty, staff, students and alumni to maintain and advance the mission and vision of the College of Pharmacy and look forward to leading the college through this transition."

Godwin has been a UNM faculty member since 1996 has held several positions over the years, including serving as interim dean, and brings a wealth of experience to the interim role.

Richard S. Larson, MD, PhD, the Health Sciences Center's executive vice chancellor, has been named as chair of the search committee. Selection of additional committee members will soon be finalized and a national search will be conducted.

The college is optimistic that a new pharmacy dean will be hired by the start of the 2018-2019 academic school year.