Lara Rains, Pharm.D., Named NACDS Faculty Scholar
| The National Association of Chain Drug Stores Foundation (NACDS) recently selected Lara Rains, Pharm.D., for its annual Faculty Scholars Program. She is one of only six faculty members from U.S. schools and colleges of pharmacy nationwide to receive the honor.
The 2026–2027 scholars will each develop and complete an original research pilot project focused on improving health outcomes through community pharmacy practice. Their findings will be disseminated via publication in peer-reviewed journals and presentations as part of the program’s commitment to advancing evidence-based pharmacist-led care.
“Developing the next generation of leaders is essential to driving future innovations in community health,” NACDS Foundation Interim President Christie Boutte said in a news release. “We are thrilled to welcome another exceptional cohort of Faculty Scholars from across the nation. To date, more than 50 scholars have taken part in this program, and each has made a lasting impact on health outcomes and population health.”
Rains is an assistant professor of pharmacy practice in the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences’ (UAMS) College of Pharmacy. She received her Pharm.D. degree from UAMS in 2022 and served her postgraduate residency at the UAMS Outpatient Pharmacy before joining the college’s faculty last year.
“I am extremely excited to learn more about the ins and outs of community pharmacy-based research, and to learn from other scholars in the program,” Rains said. “The ability to work through the entire research process with the support and guidance of my project mentor at UAMS, along with foundation program leaders, and other scholars is a unique opportunity that will shape how I approach research moving forward.”
“Dr. Rains is an outstanding early-career faculty member whose curiosity and drive make her an ideal fit for the NACDS Faculty Scholars Program,” said Amy Franks, Pharm.D., professor and chair of the college’s Department of Pharmacy Practice. “This experience will further strengthen her ability to impact community-based patient care.”
The Faculty Scholars will have the opportunity to present their research projects during the 2027 American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy Annual Meeting, July 10–13, 2027, in Toronto.