UNC Radiology congratulates Eric Smith, PharmD, BCNP, for being named a 2021 American Pharmacists Association (APhA) Fellow as part of the 2021 Association’s Awards and Honors Program. Dr. Smith was among 14 new APhA Fellows announced in December 2020 for their demonstration of exemplary professional achievements and service to pharmacy practice and management, and/or pharmaceutical research and science. All new Fellows have also been involved in activities with APhA and professional organizations dedicated to the field over the course of their careers. The APhA Academy of Pharmacy Practice & Management (APhA–APPM), Dr. Smith’s branch of APhA membership, uniquely recognized him “as a leader in nuclear pharmacy practice and for building bridges among organizations with his specialized knowledge.”
Dr. Smith joined UNC Radiology faculty in August 2014, and was appointed Director of Radiopharmacy Programs and Quality Management for UNC’s Cyclotron and Radiochemistry Research Program, at the Biomedical Research Imaging Center. Over five+ years, he has overseen regulatory compliance, Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) development and personnel training at UNC Hospitals’ nuclear medicine hot lab. Dr. Smith’s expertise is instrumental in delivery of radiopharmaceuticals for use in the program’s development of radiolabeling methods, imaging probes and therapeutic approaches to clinical and research applications. The 2019 renaming of UNC Radiology’s Nuclear Medicine division to Molecular Imaging and Therapy reinforced how vital Dr. Smith and his expertise is to the work of the Radiochemistry Research Program in advancing human imaging in clinical research at UNC.
Dr. Smith received his Master of Science and Doctor (2004) of Pharmacy from Purdue University School of Pharmacy. During his education and early career years, he worked for industry and academia in lead positions related to radiopharmacy, pharmacy management and practice, chemistry and pharmacy research and clinical instruction. Dr. Smith serves on the Radiation Safety Subcommittee and Advisory Committee for the UNC School of Nuclear Medicine Technology and Molecular Imaging. He is also Chair of UNC’s Radioactive Drug Research Committee (RDRC).
Dr. Smith noted: “It is an honor to be recognized as a Fellow by my radiopharmacy colleagues and APhA. This achievement really celebrates all the people who have played significant roles in my career development. My thanks to the Department of Radiology (SOM) and Department of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics (DPMP) for the support they have provided during my tenure at UNC.”
APhA Fellows selected in December 2020 will be officially recognized at the Academy’s annual meeting in March 2021 (APhA2021).
