When Samuel Augustine, Pharm.D, first began pharmacy school in the late 1960s, there were only about 1,800 drugs on the market.
Now that number approaches 10,000.
That is just one of the many changes that has taken place in the world of pharmacy, said Dr. Augustine, a professor in the College of Pharmacy at UNMC.
“There are also new areas of pharmacy not defined four decades ago,” said Dr. Augustine. “Like pharmacogenomics, the development of drugs based on an individual genetic makeup, which will affect therapeutic outcomes. You will find more and more specialization in the future because of the wealth of information being generated by biotech research.”
While Dr. Augustine has seen a lot of transformations in the field of pharmacy over the years, he has also been at the forefront of change defining a new specialty – nuclear pharmacy.
In 1982, Dr. Augustine became one of the first board certified nuclear pharmacists in the country.
In recognition of all of Dr. Augustine’s achievements and what he continues to do for the College of Pharmacy, he has been named the College of Pharmacy Alumni Association’s (COPAA) Distinguished Alumnus.
“There are others more deserving,” he says modestly.
But few who have given so much to the field of pharmacy, both academically and professionally, say colleagues.
“Collectively the award is a well deserved result of his commitment and sacrifice to the profession of pharmacy,” said John Skrabal, Pharm.D., senior manager of clinical affairs for Ortho Biotech Oncology and president elect for the UNMC College of Pharmacy Alumni Association. “He is one of the pioneers in his field of nuclear pharmacy and he continues to educate and mentor others in this field.”
Dr. Augustine originally became interested in nuclear pharmacy in 1972 when he registered for the first nuclear pharmacy course offered at UNMC.
“It was new and challenging,” Dr. Augustine said.
It was also a move that would prove to be very rewarding for him.
Dr. Augustine founded and was president of Great Plains Radiopharmacy, Inc., the first independent nuclear pharmacy laboratory in Nebraska, from 1987 to 1994.
He also co-founded and served as vice president of Great Plains Nuclear Services, Inc., (1983-2001) a group that specialized in radioactive materials regulations and nuclear medicine consulting.
Dr. Augustine has been an active scholar and educator in the areas of nuclear pharmacy, parenteral pharmaceutical formulations and extemporaneous compounding.
“Because of his efforts to establish nuclear pharmacy as a recognized specialty by the Board of Pharmaceutical Specialties other specialties were recognized for their uniqueness,” said Clinton Wright, Pharm.D, president of the COPAA.
Including psychiatric pharmacy, in which Dr. Wright is certified.
“I personally appreciate that,” he said.
More importantly, said Dr. Wright, Dr. Augustine has been a supporter of the College of Pharmacy and has served in many capacities to further its mission.
But for all of the fancy titles and positions he has held, Dr. Augustine said the most enjoyable thing he does now is volunteer at the SHARING Clinic where he serves as pharmacy advisor to the board and works with students.
“My greatest satisfaction is seeing the students mature over the four years they are at UNMC and imparting the understanding that you have to give back to the community,” he said.
Dr. Augustine is married with three grown children and one grandson. His daughter Ann Augustine is a 2004 graduate of the College of Pharmacy and is currently doing a residency in community pharmacy in Mt. Vernon, Iowa.