Assemi named assistant dean of accreditation and quality improvement

Mitra Assemi, PharmD, UCSF School of Pharmacy associate professor of clinical pharmacy, has been named the School's assistant dean of accreditation and quality, effective September 1, 2009.

"Mitra has the perfect qualifications for this pivotal position. She understands the complexities of the PharmD program and its delivery. She is a remarkable teacher, a superb leader, is extremely well organized, and always thinks ahead," remarked Dean Mary Anne Koda-Kimble, PharmD, who made the appointment. "She is a great addition to the School's impressive roster of deans."

Accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education is essential for the viability of School's program and funding, explained Koda-Kimble. "Full accreditation is not easy to attain, and the standards are extremely high," she commented. "While we have been accredited at each 6-year review cycle, the process is demanding and involves the entire faculty. Mitra will stay on top of the accreditation standards, monitor changes in the review process, and ensure a smooth review."

Assemi will work with Cynthia Watchmaker, MEd, MBA, UCSF School of Pharmacy director and associate dean, Office of Student and Curricular Affairs (OSACA), to ensure the accomplishment of any program improvement plans outlined by the School in its own written self assessment during accreditation periods. She will also work with Watchmaker as OSACA takes on responsibility for both collecting the specific PharmD program data required for accreditation and directing the results to appropriate committees and other School bodies if program improvement is needed.

"I very much look forward to this new role," explained Assemi. "While the School goes through a complete accreditation review every 6 years, the ongoing accreditation work that underpins our PharmD program ensures that our curriculum continues as the best in the nation, remains fresh, and produces pharmacy leaders who are agents of change. Our graduates are creating better ways to deliver pharmacy services and shaping the future of pharmacy patient care for the world. Though it is a large and daunting responsibility, it's an honor to serve the School in this capacity through this new appointment."

Assemi is the program director of the UCSF School of Pharmacy education site in Fresno, California. She is a diabetes practitioner focused on culturally and linguistically appropriate care; accomplished teacher; veteran of curriculum design and assessment, recruitment and development of volunteer faculty, student mentoring and career counseling, and outreach to underrepresented and socioeconomically disadvantaged youth in California's Central San Joaquin Valley.

Assemi is also a 1997 graduate of the UCSF Doctor of Pharmacy program, which continues to rank as number one among PharmD degree programs in the United States according to results of a survey conducted in 2007 and published online on March 26, 2008 by U.S. News & World Report.