Pharmacy Alumni Spotlight: Tyler Vest, PharmD '16
Tyler Vest is a 2016 graduate of the James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy and is currently the pharmacy system manager of Inpatient Operations and ED Services at the Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He is also an assistant professor of clinical education at the University of North Carolina at the Chapel Hill Eshelman School of Pharmacy. Tyler credits the James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy for supporting his goals and setting him up for success in his young career.
As a North Carolina native, Tyler was drawn to the UC College of Pharmacy for its excellent reputation and was inspired by Dean Neil MacKinnon’s leadership in creating a forward-facing strategic plan. He was impressed by the robust clinical curriculum and countless rotation opportunities within Cincinnati. During his time at UC, he gained valuable leadership experiences through student involvement, serving as a founding member of the UC student chapter of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP). Through mentor relationships with Dr. Marianne Ivey and Dr. Teresa Cavanaugh, he ultimately decided to pursue hospital administration. “The faculty sincerely invested in me and created a bond that will last a lifetime,” said Tyler.
After graduating from UC, he was matched with his top residency program choice at the University of North Carolina Medical Center (UNCMC). He completed the Health-System Pharmacy Administration Residency Program at the UNCMC and concurrently completed a Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences with a Specialization in Health-System Pharmacy Administration at the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy. Upon completion in the summer of 2018, Tyler took on his current role at the Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center where he oversees inpatient pharmacy operations and the emergency medicine pharmacy services.
Tyler also shares his enthusiasm and expertise as a volunteer with the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). He rose up through volunteer positions with ASHP, serving on the ASHP Pharmacy Student Forum and ASHP New Practitioners Forum Advisory Groups as both a member and Chair. Tyler recently finished a term as Vice-Chair of the New Practitioners Forum Executive Committee and began his term as Chair in June 2019.
Reflecting upon his experiences so far, Tyler shares advice for current UC Pharmacy students. “Identify skills where you excel and make strides to stand out within your area of interest. Participate in research, get involved and form meaningful relationships with faculty and mentors. Don’t be afraid to commit.”
To share your alumni story and tell us what makes you #BoldlyBearcat, visit https://200.uc.edu/share-your-story.html.
Related Stories
Alex Apyan: Get to know the UC Bearcat turned Orion program team member
April 7, 2026
For UC grad Alex Apyan, his time as a student-athlete on the Bearcats’ football team has only been a precursor to a successful career that currently has him as an integral part of the Mission Planning and Analysis team with the Orion Program. A native of Chattanooga, Tenn., and graduate of UC's aerospace engineering program, Apyan was a long snapper for the Bearcats from 2007-11. Now, he has an important role in the multi-purpose crew vehicle used in NASA’s Artemis program, helping the first crewed flight launch last week.
Investing in the minds that shape our skyline
April 6, 2026
In 2002, the City of Cincinnati began the demolition of the 32-year-old Riverfront Stadium. This created a slew of memories for Cincinnati residents who knew the stadium as the home of the “Big Red Machine” baseball dynasty and the place where Cincinnati hosted three World Series Championships. Riverfront Stadium was especially meaningful to its former construction manager, Donald E. Wehmeyer, Eve ’61.
UC Alumni Week highlights innovation and impact
April 3, 2026
Alumni Week, the UC Alumni Association’s spring spotlight on the alumni family, highlights the remarkable achievements and enormous impact of graduates of the University of Cincinnati.