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
Engineering alumnus instrumental in NASA Artemis mission
May 19, 2026
Space, rockets, and NASA have been a lifelong fascination for John McCullough '89. He was inspired after watching the moon landing as a child and learning about aerospace engineering. He graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a degree in aerospace engineering and has worked at NASA for more than 36 years. He has played key roles in many missions including Artemis I and the most recent Artemis II.
Donald P. Klekamp College of Law at the University of Cincinnati naming celebration
May 19, 2026
Joy reverberated in the atrium at the Donald P. Klekamp College of Law at the University of Cincinnati on Friday, May 15, 2026. Laughter, smiles, heartfelt speeches and an appearance by the Bearcat made for a special afternoon for the family, friends, University of Cincinnati alumni, students, faculty and leadership who gathered to celebrate the renaming of the college.
$15 million bequest supports endowed chair at UC College of Medicine
May 19, 2026
As a student and resident at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, George G. Bemis, Jr., MD, Med ’64, saw firsthand that medicine was more than a profession for those teaching and leading him. Inspired by their sense of calling, he knew he wanted to pursue the same path.