Brad Phillips, Pharm.D., BCACP, understands that when students are active participants in their own education, the sky’s the limit for what they can achieve. The clinical assistant professor of pharmacy education and practice has earned the prestigious title of the UF College of Pharmacy’s 2024-25 Teacher of the Year, thanks to his interactive and creative teaching style, as well as his commitment to mentoring students in the classroom and beyond.
“My goal is to empower students to reach their full potential and feel confident in their abilities,” said Phillips, a faculty member at the college’s Orlando campus. “This recognition not only validates my efforts but also inspires me to continue striving for excellence. When I graduated from this prestigious university, I could not have envisioned a career path that would lead to such an achievement. Being recognized by the faculty, staff, and students — who I hold in the highest regard — is one of the greatest honors of my career.”
In teaching courses like patient care 3, skills lab, the ambulatory care elective, and the mind/body elective, Phillips incorporates interactive elements such as multimedia presentations, gamified learning experiences, and real-world problem-solving scenarios to foster a learning environment that’s both inviting and entertaining.
“To impart information to my students in novel and creative ways, I focus on fostering engagement and active participation,” Phillips said. “By using simulated experiences and online collaborative tools, I create immersive and dynamic learning environments. This approach not only makes learning more enjoyable but also helps students retain information better and develop critical thinking skills.”
When Phillips was nominated for this award, which recognizes excellence, innovation, and effectiveness in teaching, one of his students remarked: “Dr. Phillips was one of the most engaging instructors we had this year. He did a great job of incentivizing participation, making each lab activity enjoyable, and he fostered an environment where it wasn’t anxiety-inducing to add to the conversation.”
Phillips’ commitment to his students extends far beyond classroom instruction and even beyond office hours. In addition to serving as a faculty advisor for Kappa Psi, American Pharmacist Association – Academy of Student Pharmacists, and the National Hispanic Pharmacists Association – Organización Latina de Estudiantes de Farmacia, he volunteers with students and patients through on-campus organizations and Orlando-based community programs. The 2018 graduate of the UF College of Pharmacy also spearheaded a near-peer teaching assistant program on the Orlando campus to promote student learning.
“Dr. Phillips exemplifies the very best of what it means to be an educator, mentor, and innovator in pharmacy education,” said Peter W. Swaan, Ph.D., M.Pharm., dean and professor in the UF College of Pharmacy. “His ability to engage and inspire students in the classroom has been widely recognized, and his commitment to their professional growth makes him a well-deserving recipient of the 2024-25 UF College of Pharmacy Teacher of the Year award.”
It’s Phillips’ mission to guide his students toward professional success by cultivating a safe space where every student can express themselves freely.
“I aim to serve as a mentor by fostering an environment of trust, respect, and open communication,” he said. “I make myself available for one-on-one discussions where students can share their concerns, aspirations, and challenges without fear of judgment. By actively listening and providing personalized guidance, I help students navigate both academic and personal hurdles.”
As one of Phillips’ students said in his nomination materials, “He is consistently present for his students, always approachable and ready to provide support, whether it’s clarifying a challenging topic or offering advice. Beyond his teaching, Dr. Phillips is a remarkable mentor who shares valuable insights and knows how to encourage us, helping build our confidence and resilience.”
Phillips is the second faculty member from the Orlando campus to win the UF College of Pharmacy Teacher of the Year award. Shannon Miller, Pharm.D., won the award in 2018.
In addition to receiving the highest recognition of teaching excellence within the College of Pharmacy, Phillips was also bestowed with the Paul Doering Excellence in Teaching Professor award. He will be recognized at the UF Teacher of the Year events and the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy Annual Meeting this July in Chicago.
Exemplary Teacher Awards
Three faculty members won the Exemplary Teacher Award. These winners are Teacher of the Year finalists who were judged by the curriculum committee to have exemplary teaching as evidenced by a superior teaching portfolio.
- Akash Alexander – Akash Alexander, Pharm.D., has dedicated himself to enhancing his skills as an educator since joining UF and has already demonstrated having a great impact on students both inside and outside of the classroom. He adapted lectures to follow the format of engaging podcasts and hosted pro/con therapeutic debates on his material to increase engagement with his content. Additionally, Alexander worked to provide scaffolding and update lab materials to help students focus on honing their communication skills while improving relevant clinical drug knowledge. Alexander is also noted for his dedication to teaching professionalism and promoting whole-person growth of students. One student wrote, “It is clear to me and my classmates that Dr. Alexander is an outstanding professor who leads by example. His dedication to both his students’ academic success and their development as compassionate, well-rounded professionals is evident in every class he teaches.”
- Eric Egelund – Eric Egelund, Ph.D., Pharm.D., utilizes hands-on experiences and storytelling to encourage students to seek knowledge as opposed to just transferring knowledge, and these approaches have led to transformational teaching in multiple courses. He has worked to develop an interdisciplinary HIVelective course and create an opportunity for students to complete a certificate on an interdisciplinary approach to antimicrobial stewardship. Egelund also utilizes simulation, visual aids, and gamification to enhance his teaching. Finally, he intentionally creates moments to encourage students, demonstrate his commitment to them, and sometimes, give them a much-needed laugh. One student commented, “Dr. Egelund is an excellent teacher and mentor. He is always so supportive of all students, no matter which direction they wish to take their careers. He always has a friendly word and a smile for everyone and is a true asset to the Jacksonville campus. He always makes himself available to answer questions about academics or professional life. His diverse academic and professional background makes his input invaluable to students. Dr. Egelund fosters a calm environment where students feel comfortable learning and asking questions, something that should not be undervalued in a professional program.”
- Richard Segal – Richard Segal, R. Ph., Ph.D., integrates core principles of life and rich storytelling to create environments for students to grow. Additionally, he intentionally designs activities and adjusts his style to the diverse needs of his learners. Dr. Segal’s consistent care and enthusiasm leave a great impact on students in his 1PD course, principles of patient centered care. His dedication to patient care is also consistently demonstrated through his service to Community Health Workers in a training program that aims to improve medication adherence. One student noted, “Dr. Segal is an outstanding professor who has laid out an extreme foundation for what is to come throughout the College of Pharmacy curriculum. Not only is he knowledgeable on the material provided, his excitement to teach and his commitment to the success of his students was something notable amongst not only myself, but that of my fellow classmates. His passion for what he teaches and his desire for students to succeed is something that I will never forget.”