Dr. Charles McPherson III

Charles McPherson, III is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Pharmacy. Additionally, he works as a Clinical Pharmacist in the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of Illinois Hospital. He received his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Texas at Austin in 1997 and completed his pharmacy practice residency at UIC College of Pharmacy.

Dr. McPherson has had a rewarding career in clinical pharmacy practice and in pharmacy education. He says “When you look over the span of my career at UIC, you will see that I have navigated towards those experiences that serve to enrich the lives of patients and of students. This is how I know that a position in academia is ideal for me. UIC College of Pharmacy has- at its core- a mission to serve. However, the degree to which an individual faculty member embraces that mission is personal.”

Dr. McPherson has a passion for teaching, advising and mentoring students. He has mentored students within the Pharm.D. program for the past 16 years. He states “Serving as faculty advisor at the College of Pharmacy is optional; but for me, it is essential for I understand the importance of assisting students as they make decisions regarding their professional careers.” As co-advisor to the UIC Chapter of the Student National Pharmaceutical Association (SNPhA), I assist pharmacy students as they realize the mission of the national organization, which is to provide care to underserved populations. Through SNPhA, he and his pharmacy students utilize their talents to provide services and education throughout the Chicagoland area to raise the level of awareness within the community regarding the prevention and treatment of diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, and HIV.

As an educator, Dr. McPherson has served as both lecturer and course coordinator within the College of Pharmacy. He also serves as medicine preceptor for 4th year students on clerkship, and in 2007, was voted “Pharmacy Clerkship Preceptor of the Year.” He has published papers in peer-reviewed journals and has given presentations at both state and national pharmacy association meetings. Dr. McPherson has served on the College of Pharmacy Admissions Committee for six years and is also a faculty member for the Urban Health Program. He has worked closely with UHP directors and leadership to develop curricula and shadowing opportunities for Chicago-area high school students that are a part of the College’s pipeline program.

In 2012, Dr. McPherson completed the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy Academic Leadership Fellows Program, a prestigious, national leadership development and training program designed to cultivate the next generation of leaders within academic pharmacy. Dr. McPherson deems the experience “one of the highlights” of his career.