Celebrating Milestones Across 75 Years

Formerly the UBC Department of Pharmacy, the Faculty of Pharmacy is established in 1949. The degree upon graduation was a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy (BSP).

Dr. Esli Woods served as the first dean until 1951.
Dr. Arnold Whitney Matthews becomes the second dean, serving until 1967.
The Cunningham Building opens, which was named after George T. Cunningham for his service to UBC and his help in establishing the Faculty.
The research wing of the George Cunningham Building was opened in 1971, and programs in radiopharmaceutics, positron emission tomography, and clinical pharmacy were developed. Interdisciplinary research in diabetes, multiple sclerosis, dystonia, schizophrenia and epilepsy was also facilitated.
This interactive timeline was created to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences at UBC. Scroll down for an overview of some of the defining moments in the Faculty's history.
Dr. Finlay Morrison assumes the position of acting dean for eight months after the sudden passing of Dean Woods on December 31.
The UBC Senate approved the introduction of a Master of Science program in Pharmacy, with its first student graduating in 1962.
In 1967, Dr. Bernard Riedel was appointed dean in July. In the following year, the Doctor of Philosophy program was added to the graduate studies available, and the name of the Faculty was officially changed to Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences.
In 1991, the UBC Senate approved the proposal for the Doctor of Pharmacy. In 1993, the first class consisting of six outstanding young women graduated as the first Canadian-trained PharmDs.
The Annual Pharmacy Ski Trip at Manning Park, 1975, is pictured to the right. Students and alumni of the Faculty have always had a close-knit community.
The Health Sciences Centre Hospital, of which the Faculty played a major part in the establishment of its Imaging Research Centre, was opened by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on March 9, 1983.
Dr. John McNeill was appointed dean in January 1985.
Dr. Frank Abbott is appointed dean in July 1996, the same year that the Faculty celebrates its 50th Anniversary. A series of events were held to celebrate the milestone, most notably a wine and cheese reception at Cecil Green Park House where over 150 alumni and friends gathered, and a gala banquet held on June 1 at the Wall Centre Garden Hotel.
Dr. Robert D. Sindelar is appointed dean in September 2002, serving until 2013.
Dr. Helen Burt is appointed acting dean in August 2010.
The Pharmaceutical Sciences building , a state-of-the-art learning and research facility measuring 246,000 square feet, opens as the new home of the Faculty.
In March of 2013, Dr. Wayne Riggs was appointed dean pro tem.
The Entry-to-Practice (E2P) Doctor of Pharmacy Degree program launches. The first cohort of 193 students graduated in May 2019.
The Flexible Doctor of Pharmacy Degree program launches. The program is designed for working pharmacists who wish to advance their current practice or explore new career opportunities. In this program, students have flexibility in the pace to complete coursework and experiential components.
The Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Sciences Degree program launches and the Pharmacists in Primary Care Network (PCN) Program is established.
To learn even more about the Faculty's history, please visit the following additional resources:
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Celebrating 75 years of leadership in pharmacy and the pharmaceutical sciences
Golden Years - Celebrating 50 Years of Pharmacy at UBC
History of the Faculty
In July of 2013, the current dean, Dr. Michael Coughtrie, was appointed.
The first patient receives care from the UBC Pharmacists Clinic–the first Canadian university-affiliated, pharmacist-led patient care clinic.