Renae Chesnut, associate professor of pharmacy practice and associate dean for student affairs in Drake University’s College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, will be inducted as the 131st president of the Iowa Pharmacy Association (IPA) next month.
Chesnut, a resident of Johnston, Iowa, served as IPA’s president-elect for 2009-10. She will be honored at a reception held during the association’s annual meeting from June 11-13 at the Sheraton Hotel in West Des Moines.
As part of her recognition, Chesnut will present her presidential address on priorities for the coming year.
“The outlook for our profession is exciting as our association works to move pharmacy forward and prepare for the opportunities presented through health care reform,” Chesnut said.
“Now more than ever, we must innovate by involving the pharmacy professionals in the pursuit of new endeavors, inspiring our patients to achieve better health and initiating change to improve our communities and our profession.”
Chesnut is a founding member and team leader of the Drake Entrepreneurial Leadership Tools for Advancement (DELTA Rx) Institute. The mission of the DELTA Rx Institute is to install a spirit of change and innovation in the pharmacy profession.
She recently received the 2010 C. Boyd Granberg Professional Leadership Award in recognition of her professional organization leadership, demonstration of professional leadership traits and commitment to advancing the pharmacy profession.
Chesnut also won the 2009 Hartig Faculty Development Award, which will support her development activities that educate, encourage and enhance entrepreneurialism in community pharmacy practice or ownership.
In 2009, Chesnut received the Donald V. Adams “Spirit of Drake” Award for her commitment to students, athletics and the University. She has served for more than eight years as faculty athletic representative to the NCAA, Missouri Valley Conference Intercollegiate Athletic Council.
Before joining Drake, she worked for Eli Lilly & Co. in Indianapolis for eight years as a pharmaceutical sales representative. Chesnut holds a B.S. in pharmacy, an M.B.A. and a Doctor of Education, all from Drake University.