Chris Edwards, PharmD, receives John A. and Frances P. Ware award

Chris Edwards, PharmD, an associate clinical professor at the R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy, has been named as a new John A. and Frances P. Ware Professor. This award is through the endowment established in 2020 by the late John Ware, a Coit College of Pharmacy alumnus, and his wife Frances. Ware's career in pharmacy spanned three decades, having started his career in chain stores before purchasing a community drugstore.

The Ware Professor is a distinction appointed to outstanding faculty in clinical pharmacy, teaching, and research. Candidates must play an essential role in the college and be an associate professor or professor.  

“I am honored to be awarded the first John A. and Frances P. Ware Professorship of Clinical Pharmacy at the R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy. I’m grateful for the recognition of my accomplishments in advancing emergency medicine pharmacy practice and for the college’s continued support of high-level clinical pharmacy services,” Edwards said.

In 2010 Edwards completed his PGY2 specialty residency in emergency medicine pharmacy practice at the College of Pharmacy, but it wasn’t until 2018 that he joined the Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science as an assistant professor. As an educator, Edwards has integrated state-of-the-art pharmacy practice with clinical and didactic education, teaching students and residents in both a high-intensity clinical environment and in the classroom. 

"On behalf of the Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science, I am thrilled to congratulate Dr. Edwards on this achievement. This honor not only recognizes his outstanding contributions to emergency medicine but also underscores the impact of his dedication to advancing the practice of Clinical Pharmacy,” says Jason Karnes, PharmD, PhD, department head of Pharmacy Practice and Science. “Dr. Edwards’ leadership continues to inspire us all, and we look forward to the opportunities this endowment will bring to our college. We are deeply appreciative of the generosity of John A. and Frances P. Ware that made this possible.”

In addition to this award, Edwards’ dedication has been recognized through several recent awards, including fellow status within the American Society of Health Systems Pharmacists (ASHP) and the Arizona Pharmacy Association’s Excellence in Innovation Award. Throughout his career he has authored nearly 30 peer-reviewed publications, served as a co-editor for the seventh edition of the textbook “Basic Skills in Interpreting Laboratory Values” and serves as lead editor for the first edition of a new textbook “Foundations of Emergency Medicine Pharmacotherapy” for ASHP publishing. The textbook will be the first of its kind, representing another major advancement in emergency medicine pharmacotherapy.