Pharmacy College Names Achoe Director of Equity and Inclusion

The James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy is pleased to announce that Patricia (Pat) Achoe, RPh, MBA, has joined the college in her new role as Director of Equity and Inclusion. In this role, Achoe will chair the college’s council on diversity, serve as advisor to the Student National Pharmaceutical Association (SNPhA) and assist the college in meeting targets related to equity, inclusion and diversity as outlined in the college’s new strategic plan, We Are Pharmacy: Rx for the Future.

"Pat is already well-known to many in the profession of pharmacy in Cincinnati and brings a wealth of experience and leadership qualities to the position,” says Neil MacKinnon, PhD, dean of the college.

Achoe’s position, he says, is funded by collaboration with the Kroger Co., where Achoe began her career as a pharmacy manager in 1990 and rose to the title of manager of clinical services.

Her academic background includes a pharmacy degree from Howard University and a master’s of business administration degree from Grand Canyon University. Recently, Achoe received her Six-Sigma Greenbelt certification which entailed an examination and completing a project that resulted in cost savings and process improvements for Kroger.

Achoe says her interest the pharmacy profession started at a young age: "In high school, someone came to my school and talked about the career of pharmacy to my science class. She planted the seed because she was so passionate.”

In her new role, Achoe says she looks forward to talking with young people about pharmacy as their career choice with that same passion, and hopes that she too, "will be able to plant many seeds and grow awareness about our profession.”

In addition to her role at UC, Achoe: 

·         Serves on the continuing education committee of the Cincinnati Pharmaceutical Association and is a lifetime member of the National Pharmaceutical Association.

·         Currently co-chairs the African American Associate Resource group at Kroger.

·         Recruits for Kroger at the National Student Pharmaceutical Association (SNPhA) annual meeting.

A native of Detroit, Achoe enjoys meeting people and traveling. She resides in Cincinnati with her husband Howard and is a faithful member of the Lincoln Heights Missionary Baptist Church.