June 3, 2019 | Karin Whiting Burgess - School of Pharmacy

Philip Hritcko Appointed UConn School of Pharmacy Interim Dean

Philip Hritcko, associate dean for admission & student affairs and associate clinical professor of pharmacy practice, has been named interim dean of the University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy.  Hritcko steps in as James Halpert, Ph.D., returns to his faculty appointment in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences after five years as dean. Hritcko will lead […]

Philip Hritcko, associate clinical professor of pharmacy practice, has been appointed interim dean of the UConn School of Pharmacy

Philip Hritcko, associate clinical professor of pharmacy practice, has been appointed interim dean of the UConn School of Pharmacy effective June 1. (Karin Burgess/UConn School of Pharmacy)

Philip Hritcko, associate dean for admission & student affairs and associate clinical professor of pharmacy practice, has been named interim dean of the University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy.  Hritcko steps in as James Halpert, Ph.D., returns to his faculty appointment in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences after five years as dean. Hritcko will lead until a new dean is selected.

“UConn is appreciative of Jim Halpert’s many contributions to the School of Pharmacy during his deanship, including an 80 percent increase in funded research, revamping recruitment and admission of Pharm.D. students, promotion and hiring of faculty, and fund raising,” said John A. Elliott, UConn’s interim provost and executive vice president for academic affairs.  “He was also instrumental in launching PITCH (Program in Innovative Therapeutics for Connecticut’s Health together with Yale and the Dean of Medicine and VPR). Please join me in thanking Dean Halpert for his leadership over the last five years.”

“I am confident,” continued Elliott, “that Professor Hritcko will bring strong academic values and excellent judgment to the leadership of the UConn School of Pharmacy through this period of transition.”

Hritcko earned his bachelor’s in pharmacy and doctor of pharmacy cum laude from the Albany College of Pharmacy of Union University in Albany, New York, and has worked at UConn in the School of Pharmacy since 2003.

Prior to his most recent role, Hritcko was the School of Pharmacy’s assistant dean for experiential education while also acting as an associate clinical professor. His tenure in the Office of Experiential Education totaled twelve years. Prior to UConn, he was responsible for the design and implementation of a pharmacist-managed Anticoagulation Clinic within the VA Connecticut Healthcare System; and practiced as a registered community pharmacist for fifteen years.

Hritcko is an active member of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) where he was Speaker of the House of Delegates from 2013-15.  He is also an AACP Fellow and participated in the 2008-2009 AACP Academic Leadership Fellows Program and is a past chair of the AACP Experiential Education Section. In addition, he is an active member and past president of the Connecticut Pharmacists Association.