College of Pharmacy’s Kris Dunlap, Pharm.D., Named AACP Distinguished Preceptor
| Kris Dunlap, Pharm.D., the pharmacy clinical coordinator for the emergency department at Arkansas Children’s, has been named a Distinguished Preceptor by the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP).
Dunlap, a 2006 UAMS College of Pharmacy graduate who has served as a preceptor for the college since 2015, is one of only five distinguished preceptors nationwide to be recognized this year.
“I am extremely proud and honored to work with Kris, who demonstrates her dedication not only to pharmacy students, but also our patients and their families,” said Kendrea Jones, Pharm.D., director of pharmacy at Arkansas Children’s. “Pediatrics impacts so many areas of pharmacy practice — a vital part of championing children today includes preparing the pharmacists of tomorrow. AACP choosing Kris for this award speaks to the mission, vision and values of Arkansas Children’s.”
The AACP Distinguished Preceptor Recognition Program recognizes preceptors who are not full-time employees of a college or school of pharmacy for their sustained commitment to excellence in experiential education and professional practice. The program was previously called the Master Preceptor Program before being renamed this year.
“It is such a privilege to be recognized as an AACP Distinguished Preceptor,” Dunlap said. “Precepting pharmacy students is one of my favorite parts of my job. I am routinely surrounded by high-caliber preceptors and students who help me excel. The experiential education staff in the UAMS College of Pharmacy provides a great environment for me as a preceptor to grow and enhance my teaching ability and skills. I am so honored that UAMS considered me worthy to be nominated for this prestigious award.”
Dunlap earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and physics education from John Brown University in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, in 1998. After receiving her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from UAMS in 2006, she began working at Arkansas Children’s. Over the past 17 years, she has developed and expanded pharmacy services for Arkansas Children’s Emergency Department. She is currently working on a master’s degree in clinical toxicology at the University of Florida.
Dunlap taught school for five years before applying to pharmacy school, and teaching is one of her passions. She said she loves the challenge of helping students to excel in their own way, using their own learning goals to tailor their clinical experience.
Founded in 1900, AACP is the national organization representing pharmacy education in the United States. Pharmacy is the third largest health profession — after nursing and medicine — with more than 300,000 clinicians practicing in community-based practices, hospitals/health systems and many other health care settings.
The mission of AACP is to lead and partner with its members in advancing pharmacy education, research, scholarship, practice and service to improve societal health.