For 20 years, the Wegmans School of Pharmacy has prepared pharmacists for lives of intellectual, professional, and civic integrity. To commemorate the anniversary, the School hosted events throughout National Pharmacy Week for alumni, faculty, staff, students, and supporters.
Among the celebrations were an alumni happy hour, an anniversary luncheon, a Service Saturday, and attending the 2026 Rochester Pharmacy Gala.
The celebratory luncheon guided attendees along 20 years of milestones and memories. Dr. Christine Birnie, dean of the Wegmans School of Pharmacy, welcomed guests and reflected on pivotal moments in the School’s history.
“Today, we celebrate two decades of preparing pharmacists for lives of the highest intellectual, professional, and civic integrity. Looking back over these 20 years, our collective impact is extraordinary,” she said.
In that time, the School has welcomed 20 cohorts, graduated 16 classes, and educated more than 1,200 future pharmacy leaders. They have built a robust early assurance program and expanded the academic offerings by integrating bachelor's degrees into the Pharm.D. pathways, established a Pharm.D./MBA dual degree option, and developed seven specialized residency and fellowship programs in partnership with clinical partners.
Service has remained central to the School's education, impacting communities near and far through 20 Annual Service Days and over 80 service trips to countries including El Salvador, Kenya, India, Guatemala, Honduras, Tanzania, Peru, and South Africa. Domestically, the outreach has extended to Montana, South Dakota, and Texas, supporting Native American and refugee communities.
The School also expanded its reach through the launch of its Online Pharm.D. program in 2020. Today, students from more than 30 states are enrolled in the program, representing approximately 40 percent of the School's student body.
During the luncheon, Dr. Gerard Rooney, president of the University, shared his reflections. At the time the School opened, Rooney was the vice president for enrollment management and remembered fondly the vision, the momentum, and the energy that the new School brought to Fisher.
“Twenty years ago, creating a school of pharmacy at Fisher was an ambitious idea. It grew from a shared belief among community leaders, healthcare partners, alumni, and leadership that Rochester needed more highly skilled pharmacists, and that Fisher was uniquely positioned to answer that call,” said Rooney. “Today, we celebrate our founders, benefactors, faculty, staff, students, alumni, and partners. Because of your commitment, the Wegmans School of Pharmacy has transformed thousands of lives and strengthened the healthcare landscape across our region and beyond.”
For the Service Saturday, a group of students, faculty, post-graduate trainees, and family and friends came together to volunteer with Rochester Hope.The group helped serve hundreds of community members in the food pantry and with a blood pressure screening and counseling table.
To conclude the celebrations, members of the Wegmans School of Pharmacy joined the Rochester Pharmacy Society for a collective celebration of Pharmacy Week at the Rochester Pharmacy Gala. The evening included dinner, live music, and a celebration of 20 years of the Fisher pharmacy program with the pharmacy community. Fisher pharmacy philanthropist Lucy Malmberg was honored as the 2026 Pharmacy Champion.
As it enters its third decade, the School continues to expand educational opportunities, strengthen community partnerships, and prepare future pharmacists to meet the evolving needs of the healthcare profession.
Wegmans School of Pharmacy Celebrates 20 Years2026-10-28T10:23:00-04:00For 20 years, the Wegmans School of Pharmacy has prepared pharmacists for lives of intellectual, professional, and civic integrity. To commemorate the anniversary, the School hosted events throughout National Pharmacy Week for alumni, faculty, staff, students, and supporters.
Among the celebrations were an alumni happy hour, an anniversary luncheon, a Service Saturday, and attending the 2026 Rochester Pharmacy Gala.
The celebratory luncheon guided attendees along 20 years of milestones and memories. Dr. Christine Birnie, dean of the , welcomed guests and reflected on pivotal moments in the School’s history.
“Today, we celebrate two decades of preparing pharmacists for lives of the highest intellectual, professional, and civic integrity. Looking back over these 20 years, our collective impact is extraordinary,” she said.
In that time, the School has welcomed 20 cohorts, graduated 16 classes, and educated more than 1,200 future pharmacy leaders. They have built a robust early assurance program and expanded the academic offerings by integrating bachelor's degrees into the Pharm.D. pathways, established a Pharm.D./MBA dual degree option, and developed seven specialized residency and fellowship programs in partnership with clinical partners.
Service has remained central to the School's education, impacting communities near and far through 20 Annual Service Days and over 80 service trips to countries including El Salvador, Kenya, India, Guatemala, Honduras, Tanzania, Peru, and South Africa. Domestically, the outreach has extended to Montana, South Dakota, and Texas, supporting Native American and refugee communities.
The School also expanded its reach through the launch of its Online Pharm.D. program in 2020. Today, students from more than 30 states are enrolled in the program, representing approximately 40 percent of the School's student body.
During the luncheon, Dr. Gerard Rooney, president of the University, shared his reflections. At the time the School opened, Rooney was the vice president for enrollment management and remembered fondly the vision, the momentum, and the energy that the new School brought to Fisher.
“Twenty years ago, creating a school of pharmacy at Fisher was an ambitious idea. It grew from a shared belief among community leaders, healthcare partners, alumni, and leadership that Rochester needed more highly skilled pharmacists, and that Fisher was uniquely positioned to answer that call,” said Rooney. “Today, we celebrate our founders, benefactors, faculty, staff, students, alumni, and partners. Because of your commitment, the Wegmans School of Pharmacy has transformed thousands of lives and strengthened the healthcare landscape across our region and beyond.”
For the Service Saturday, a group of students, faculty, post-graduate trainees, and family and friends came together to volunteer with Rochester Hope.The group helped serve hundreds of community members in the food pantry and with a blood pressure screening and counseling table.
To conclude the celebrations, members of the Wegmans School of Pharmacy joined the Rochester Pharmacy Society for a collective celebration of Pharmacy Week at the Rochester Pharmacy Gala. The evening included dinner, live music, and a celebration of 20 years of the Fisher pharmacy program with the pharmacy community. Fisher pharmacy philanthropist Lucy Malmberg was honored as the 2026 Pharmacy Champion.
As it enters its third decade, the School continues to expand educational opportunities, strengthen community partnerships, and prepare future pharmacists to meet the evolving needs of the healthcare profession.