Pharmacists Helping to Train the Next Generation for Hawaii

Dozens of Hawaii pharmacists are helping to develop the next generation of pharmacists by serving as part-time faculty, guest lecturers, and preceptors for the Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy (DKICP). This academic year, the DKICP welcomed the following part-time faculty to share their expertise with students in the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program.

• Dustin Christensen-Grant, PharmD, is a clinical pharmacist with The Queen’s Health System, and an experienced pharmacy preceptor and faculty member. Christensen-Grant coordinated and taught the final Principles of Pharmacy Readiness course to third-year students and assisted with the Comprehensive Clinical Care course in Spring 2026.

• Samuel Hodges, PharmD, JD, MBA is a licensed pharmacist with extensive experience in managed care. He taught law and ethics as part of the Topics in Healthcare series in the PharmD curriculum to first-, second- and third-year students during Spring 2026.

• Marq Sims, RPh, is the retired owner of a compounding pharmacy in Hilo. He taught compounding in the pharmaceutics lab in Spring 2026.

• Travis Young, PharmD, is a part-time pharmacist with KTA. He taught pharmacy calculations to first-year students during Fall 2025, and labs in Essential Pharmacist Skills courses in Spring 2026.

During 2025-2026, an additional 22 Hawaii pharmacists and DKICP alumni across the US served as guest lecturers for classes. “We are fortunate that many of our colleagues are committed to ensuring that Hawaii has a well-trained pharmacy workforce,” said Nicole Young, chair of pharmacy practice. “Our part-time faculty and guest lecturers are recognized experts in their areas and enhance the classroom experiences provided to DKICP PharmD students.”

Aside from the part-time-faculty and guest lecturers, the DKICP had 96 additional pharmacists who precepted PharmD students at their practice sites in the 2025-2026 academic year, providing valuable real-life pharmacy practice experiences. “Preceptors serve as a catalyst to translate the information and skills learned in the classroom into the real world for our students,” added Jarred Prudencio, director of experiential education. “We appreciate the many hours that they volunteer to ensure the next generation of pharmacists are prepared to serve with confidence and aloha.”