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Department of Pharmacotherapy and Outcomes Science

Shaping the future of medication effectiveness and patient care

Pharmacotherapy and outcomes science integrates pharmacy practice, clinical sciences and health outcomes research. It focuses on optimizing medication use and improving patient outcomes through personalized evidence-based approaches. Our department combines expertise in pharmacotherapy, clinical pharmacology, digital health, personalized medicine and health economics and outcomes to educate and train future pharmacists, researchers and leaders.

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Degree Offerings

Our M.S. and Ph.D. programs offer rigorous training in pharmacotherapy and outcomes research, equipping students with the expertise to drive innovations in patient care and health outcomes.

Ph.D. student Silas Contaifer shares the final product of his virtual reality research with industry partners at the school's Research Day. The industry partners are reacting with surprise as one of them, wearing a VR headset, turns a dial in the sterile lab space that's being simulated in their VR headset - and the dial works as if the user is really in the lab turning the dial!

Research

Our researchers lead the development of innovative treatments and improvements in health care delivery for patients of all ages and conditions.

A student sits with a patient filling out paperwork.

Courses

Review a list of pharmacotherapy and outcomes science courses on the VCU Bulletin site.

Students and faculty sit at classroom tables talking.

Student Organizations

Explore our dynamic student organizations that offer opportunities for connection, professional development and leadership.

A group of students standing in front of a classroom hold up the number one.

Who We Are

Faculty and Staff

Meet our dedicated faculty and staff, whose expertise and commitment drive our mission and foster a dynamic learning environment.

Graduate Students

Meet our current graduate students, who are actively contributing to cutting-edge research and advancing their fields within the department.

Alumni

Explore the achievements of our alumni, who exemplify the success and impact of our department's education and training.

Pharmacotherapy and Outcomes Science News

The Pharm.D. Class of 2030 applauds during a group photo at their White Coat Ceremony

Sept. 14, 2026

White Coat Ceremony speaker to Pharm.D. Class of 2030: 'Life is too short to sit on the sidelines'

Keynote speaker John Beckner, R.Ph., senior director of strategic initiatives at the National Community Pharmacists Association, charged students to get involved early to find their professional home and remember their why throughout pharmacy school.

Fourth-year Pharm.D. student Nina Chatman (in business casual clothing) holds the plaque for the award she won in front of the VCU School of Pharmacy sign. The plaque says

Sept. 14, 2026

Pharm.D. student Nina Chatman earns national recognition for community engagement around organ donation

'Every person has the power to make an impact,' says Chatman, winner of the Best Overall Project award for the American Society of Transplantation's Transplant Pharmacy Community of Practice Organ Donation Challenge.

A smiling Provost Saavedra, in a suit with a black and gold bow tie, gestures toward the audience to emphasize a point while onstage at the School of Pharmacy's 4th Annual Convocation.

Aug. 25, 2026

Provost at Convocation: As problem-solvers, 'in 20 years, think, what will no longer be a problem?'

Keynote speaker Arturo Saavedra, M.D., Ph.D., M.B.A., addressed faculty, staff and new students to share what motivates him and what’s next for VCU’s academic enterprise before the community celebrated seven faculty and staff honorees and three faculty promotions.