Anne Lin, PharmD, AACP President
The 2020-2021 president of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) is Anne Lin, PharmD. Dr. Lin has served as the founding Dean and Professor of the School of Pharmacy at Notre Dame of Maryland University since 2008. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in pharmacy in 1984 and her Doctor of Pharmacy in 1986 from St. John’s University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in Jamaica, New York. Dr. Lin then went on to complete a Clinical Pharmacy Residency at the Virginia Commonwealth University Health System in Richmond Virginia from 1986 to 1987. She started her academic career as an Assistant and Associate Professor at St. John’s University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences where she worked from 1987 to 1996. During this time, she also served as the Director of Drug Information Services at the Long Island Jewish Medical Center in New Hyde Park, New York. Building upon a successful career as a practitioner, she assumed leadership roles in academic pharmacy and continues to have a strong impact on pharmacy practice at the local and state level. Dr. Lin served as the founding Chair and Professor of the Department of Pharmacy Practice from 1996 to 2004 at Wilkes University Nesbit School of Pharmacy. Prior to her current position, she served as the Dean and Professor at the Midwestern University College of Pharmacy-Glendale from 2004 to 2007.
Dr. Lin is a dedicated member of the Association and is privileged and honored to be given this opportunity to continue to serve AACP. Her previous service to AACP has included Chair of the Council of Deans, Chair of the Section of Teachers of Pharmacy Practice, Chair of the Women Faculty SIG, Dean Mentor for the Academic Leadership Fellows Program in 2011-2012 and 2015-2016, as well as serving on numerous committees and panels ranging from By-Laws and Policy Development, to the PharmCAS Advisory Panel, the Academic Affairs, and Lyman Award committees. She is excited to be able to make great strides not just in the education of pharmacy students but also in advancing pharmacy practice with her research interests, which include teaching, learning and assessment; leadership and organizational development; cultural competence in the health professions; and interprofessional education and practice.
Dr. Lin has given over 100 presentations, medical in-service lectures, and faculty development programs, as well as being a frequently requested speaker for professional societies and graduations. She has authored or co-authored over 65 peer-reviewed publications and book chapters. Her professional recognitions include The Daily Record’s Maryland Top 100 Women in 2010 and 2013, The Daily Record’s Annual Heath Care Heroes – Health Care Professional Winner in February 2010, and the Distinguished Practitioner and Fellow of the National Academies of Practice in March 2012. Dr. Lin is also a member of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy, American Pharmacists Association, American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Maryland Pharmacists Association and the Maryland Society of Health-System Pharmacists. She has been extremely involved in various activities for pharmacy organizations and local and state committees in Pennsylvania, Arizona, and Maryland. Dr. Lin has served as a peer reviewer for the American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, Pharmacotherapy, and the Annals of Pharmacotherapy. She is currently serving on the editorial board of the Journal of Interprofessional Education.
Dr. Lin is passionate about pharmacy education and enthusiastic about guiding faculty and staff members and students to develop their full potential. She does this by providing opportunities and encouragement, thus enabling individuals to accomplish things that they thought were out of reach but now see they are able to achieve. Her personal philosophy is focused on the concept that striving for excellence should be the goal for all, and she will work tirelessly to achieve success. Dr. Lin believes it is important for us to educate each student as a whole person, and she finds no greater reward than to hear them say that they are graduating as a different person compared to when they started their education. Furthermore, she believes that to be a pharmacist requires more than just the professional knowledge and skills we possess. Pharmacists must be willing to take care of everyone in their practice site and community.
Dr. Lin feels grateful and fortunate for all the faculty members, colleagues, and mentors who believed in her and enabled her to achieve her goals through their support and confidence in her even when she did not have confidence in herself. As such, she believes it is critical to do for others what colleagues and mentors have done for her. Because of the guidance and mentoring she received, Dr. Lin believes she now has a responsibility to guide and mentor others as a way to give back to the profession and the pharmacy academy.
Dr. Lin’s colleagues and friends recognize her as an individual who, despite her many leadership roles, is always down to earth, very approachable, and committed to serving her students, faculty members, staff members, and colleagues. She always makes the time for others. Dr. Lin is committed to the importance of being socially responsible by understanding current initiatives and being respectful of history when involved with new projects and activities. Dr. Lin’s success as a leader is grounded in her excellent intellectual, organizational, and interpersonal skills. She always upholds the highest academic standards, most rigorous academic requirements, and highest ethical standards for all. She uses her leadership for good and is recognized as a true leader by her school and across the campus. Her colleagues describe her as an amazing individual who is a “rock star” in pharmacy education and rock solid in her leadership skills. She easily blends pharmacy education and practice with an understanding of human nature and humanity. Most importantly, Dr. Lin is known for her compassion and caring for all those she serves and works with each day.
During her free time, Dr. Lin enjoys spending time with her husband, Aaron, her two grown daughters, Kelly and Kristine, and her parents. Anne and Aaron enjoy traveling, visiting art museums and galleries with impressionist collections, and reading novels by authors of Chinese descent who integrate Chinese culture with immigrant experiences. She also enjoys classical and jazz music and handcrafting greeting cards.