The Gregory School of Pharmacy at Palm Beach Atlantic University mourns the loss of Barbara Kelly, Associate Professor Emerita of Pharmacy Practice, who died on August 2, 2023 following a battle with cancer.
Professor Kelly joined the Lloyd L. Gregory School of Pharmacy in November 2003 as a founding administrator and faculty member for the program. She served as Assistant Dean of Students and Academic Affairs from 2003 until 2010. During these initial years, Professor Kelly assisted with the development of programmatic policies and procedures, building plans for Gregory Hall and other tasks related to programmatic development. Like administrative positions in novel programs often experience, her role as an administrator and faculty member evolved as the first class of students matriculated into the pharmacy program. She assumed important leadership roles for overseeing pharmacy admissions and created the infrastructure of the Student Leadership Council. She quickly became known as an advocate for professionalism and servant leadership, and the profession of pharmacy and has remained true to this in her teaching and interactions.
From 2010 to 2016, Professor Kelly transitioned out of administration and back into a full-time faculty role. During this time, she began teaching and facilitating in courses like Critical Pharmacy Knowledge, Servant Leadership, Healthcare Delivery and Patient Safety, and Communications in Healthcare. Notably, she developed the service-learning elective that is known today as Coaching for Health and Wellness. In 2016 through 2021, Professor Kelly received the title of Senior Associate Professor where she remained engaged in the pharmacy program. In 2022, Professor Kelly made the decision to retire, and she was given the prestigious title of Associate Professor Emerita of Pharmacy Practice.
Because of her longevity with the pharmacy program, Professor Kelly was well-acquainted with almost all of our students and graduates. While she assumed various roles in the pharmacy program, she will be best remembered as advisor, mentor, colleague and sister in Christ. Undoubtedly, she has left a lasting legacy that will forever impact our program and its graduates. In recognition of her service, in honor of her impact, and in accordance with her wishes, the Gregory School of Pharmacy has established the Barbara Kelly Memorial Scholarship. Gifts made in Professor Kelly’s honor will directly assist first-generation college students enrolled in the Pharmacy program at PBA. (Please write “In Memory of Barbara Kelly” in the comments section.)
PBA’s thoughts and prayers are with the Kelly family.
