Campbell University alumnus Riley Bowers was recently accepted into the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy’s Academic Leadership Fellows Program. The AACP states that the program “supports and contributes to the development of leaders in academic pharmacy and higher education, providing an opportunity for Fellows to expand relationships with peers and colleagues in other institutions, as well as within their own college and university.”

Bowers attended undergrad at Campbell University before being accepted in the pharmacy program within the College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences. He completed a pharmacy practice PGY1 residency with Harnett Health and Campbell, followed by a PGY2 residency in internal medicine and academia at Duke Regional Hospital. In 2017, he returned to Campbell as clinical faculty and is the residency program director for the PGY2 Internal Medicine Pharmacy Residency at Cape Fear Valley Health.

Bowers and 34 other pharmacists began the one-year ALFP in September. The 35 pharmacists will attend four in-person meetings where they will receive resources and experiential activities designed by the dean mentor at their home school. The program will emphasize critical topics addressing how to lead change, conflict management, diversity, equity and inclusion in leadership development, and advocacy.

“I am very excited for the upcoming sessions, and the opportunity to bring what I learn back to CPHS” remarked Bowers in a press release. “The first session was an incredible experience in leadership training and networking with top leaders in pharmacy and other fields. I am very excited for the upcoming sessions, and the opportunity to bring what I learn back to CPHS. I am incredibly grateful to have the support from our leadership at CPHS as I complete the Academic Leadership Fellows Program.” 

Bowers’ mentor, CPHS Dean Michael L. Adams commented in a press release, “I’ve watched Dr. Bowers evolve from student to resident to faculty member. He has been a leader every step of the way. His participation in the AACP ALFP was the next logical step in his professional development as he continues to explore the potential for his impact in pharmacy education.”