Professor Kenneth Barker Retires from Harrison School of Pharmacy
Retirement Party on September 21, 2009
r. Kenneth Barker was the honoree at his retirement party on September 21, hosted by Dean Evans and attended by present and past faculty, staff and former graduate students of Dr. Barker. The event was held at the Auburn University Hotel and Conference Center. Dr. Barker retires as Professor Emeritus of the Harrison School of Pharmacy Department of Pharmacy Care Systems after a long and celebrated career. He was Head of the Center for Pharmacy Operations and Designs (CPOD).
A framed retirement resolution was presented to Dr. Barker by Dean Evans. Afterwards impromptu speeches were made by various of his colleagues and former graduate students.Please view the slide show to see scenes from the party: http://www.pharmacy.auburn.edu/photogallery/barker_retirement_2009/index.htm
Below is the text of the resolution presented to Dr. Barker
On His Retirement, The Auburn University Harrison School of Pharmacy Recognizes
Kenneth N. Barker, Ph.D.
Professor Emeritus of Pharmacy Care Systems
We hereby honor Professor Kenneth N. Barker for over 30 years of unselfish service to Auburn University, the Harrison School of Pharmacy and the Auburn Community. We recognize his untiring dedication and commitment to excellence in research, teaching and leadership in pharmacy operations, in particular, research on medication errors, healthcare facilities design, and pharmacy automation and robotics.
His tenure at the Harrison School of Pharmacy encompassed numerous responsibilities including Department Head of Pharmacy Care Systems, Sterling Professor, and the Head of the Center for Pharmacy Operations and Designs (CPOD). Professor Barker will be remembered, by faculty and graduate students alike, as a teacher and mentor who is a model of integrity and strength of character. As a leader and faculty member, he has always been seen as contemplative, wise and just. Dr. Barker has attracted over $11.5 million dollars in funded research, has published three books, ten book chapters, over 110 scientific publications, and has made over 300 presentations.
Dr. Barker is credited with the development of the unit dose concept. He has received over 25 honors and awards for his accomplishments. These include the prestigious H.A.K. Whitney Award of the American Society of Hospital Pharmacists (the highest award of the Society) for significant contributions to hospital pharmacy, the Remington Honor Medal of the American Pharmaceutical Association (the highest award in the Pharmacy profession), and a Lifetime Award for Research on Medication Errors from the Institute for Safe Medication Practice. He was named a Fellow of the Academy of Pharmaceutical Research and Science of the American Pharmaceutical Association, an Honorary (lifetime) member of the American Society of Hospital Pharmacists, and was a collaborator for the ABC News 20/20 program featuring AU medication errors research which won the Edward R. Murrow Award for Excellence in Electronic Journalism. At Auburn he was named an Alumni Professor and received the Sterling Drug Endowed Distinguished Professorship.
Professor Barker leaves behind a legacy of outstanding research, the development of faculty members and a tremendous vision of how to advance the profession of pharmacy. He will be missed more than we can express. We wish him and his family well.
