School of Pharmacy Remembers Contributions of Key Collaborator

• By Amber Bustos
• April 12, 2024
• Education

The TTUHSC Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy (TTUHSC-SOP) is saddened to share the news of the passing of our partner and friend, Cynthia Nash, Pharm.D. We extend our sincere condolences to her family, friends, and colleagues.

Dr. Nash served as an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice for the School, and was an instrumental collaborator and key ally in our partnership with the Dallas VA North Texas Health Care System (VANTHCS).

In her role as Associate Chief of Pharmacy at the VANTHCS, Dr. Nash helped lead the initiative for our faculty to collaborate with the VA, and worked with the Dallas Regional Dean to craft a true clinical specialist model practice contract that encompassed clinical practice, teaching, and research. Dr. Nash was also integral in developing student rotations, and the growth of our residency programs. 

“The TTUHSC-SOP Dallas campus would not be where it is today without her presence, guidance, and support,” said Sara Brouse, Professor and SOP Regional Dean of the Abilene Campus. “She was a strong advocate for the VA/Texas Tech HSC partnership with administration locally, within the VISN, and beyond.”

Under her leadership, clinical pharmacy services were expanded with TTUHSC-SOP faculty and PGY2 residency programs blossomed, allowing patients better care and students and residents the opportunity to train in the areas of internal medicine, ambulatory care, infectious diseases, critical care, cardiology, oncology, and psychiatry.

“Cynthia was instrumental in the relationship with the Dallas VA site,” shared Krystal Edwards Professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice. “She helped move clinical pharmacy forward and supported the Texas Tech – VA collaboration to be one that became a model for other sites.”  

This innovative partnership led to an AACP Crystal APPLE award, which recognizes innovative pharmacy school-affiliated partnerships that foster excellence in pharmacy education and practice, in 2007. 

Dr. Nash served as a mentor for not only the faculty who practiced at the Dallas VA but for countless pharmacy residents and a dozen VA Medical Center health care clinicians over the years. 

Dr. Nash received her pharmacy training at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in 1986 and completed a post-doctoral psychiatric pharmacy practice residency at the University of Texas Health Science Center. She was most recently the Associate Chief of Staff for Education for the North Texas VAHCS, the first pharmacist to serve in that role, and retired from that position after 27 years with VANTHCS at the end of January 2024.

“Her impact on the VA and our program was immense,” said Eric MacLaughlin, Professor and Chair of the Department of Pharmacy Practice.

We were fortunate to have Dr. Nash as part of the TTUHSC-SOP family, and our school is better because of her contributions and dedication to the pharmacy profession.