Linda Wells - A Pioneer in Managed Care Pharmacy

Linda Wells pictured with Krista Tafoya (class of 2009) during the AMCP annual meeting in San Diego April 2007.

Linda Wells shown with Kerri Powell (class of 2009) during the AMCP annual meeting in San Diego April 2007.

"The School of Pharmacy recently received approximately $1,150,000 from the estate of Dr. Linda Wells (class of 1970). With this remarkable gift the school is on track to meet or exceed our goal by May 2010, the 60th anniversary of the first graduating class of the school," commented Dean John Vandel speaking about the O'Day Finance Campaign goal to raise $3 million in endowed funds for the School of Pharmacy.

In honor of Dr. Wells, HS 291 (currently the Pharmacy Learning Resources Center) will be named the "Linda Wells Student Learning Center".

The income from the endowment will fund research graduate assistants. It will also provide scholarships and cash awards for two pharmacy students to attend annual Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP) meetings each year.

Dr. Wells passed away December 14, 2008. She was a longtime benefactor of the UW School of Pharmacy.

Linda Lee Wells was raised in Worland, Wyoming, and moved to Casper where she attended Natrona County High School prior to earning a B.S. in Pharmacy from the University of Wyoming School of Pharmacy in 1970. While in college, she belonged to the Kappa Epsilon Fraternity for women in Pharmacy and to Phi Kappa Phi. She was also named to Who's Who among students in American Universities and Colleges.

She went on to earn a M.S. degree in mental health and a Ph.D. in chemical dependency in 1983 from Columbia Pacific University. An avid lifelong learner, Dr. Wells furthered her education and attended Harvard Business School and received a Certificate in Business Management.

While working in pharmacies and benefits management she recognized an opportunity in the industry. She started her own successful business in pharmacy benefits management. Dr. Wells was one of the first women pharmacists to be a leader in the practice of managed care pharmacy.

Dr. Wells was honored as the 2005 Alumna of the Year for the UW School of Pharmacy for extraordinary contributions to her profession and to the school. She also provided the resources for many students to attend the annual national meetings of the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP).

Pharmacy students Krista Tafoya and Kerri Powell (class of 2009), attended the AMCP annual meeting in April 2007 in San Diego. Their trip was sponsored by Linda Wells and both students enjoyed the opportunity to meet Wells and spend a lot of time with her at the conference.

Tafoya commented that "it was very important to her that she introduce us to others in the practice. I feel very honored and privileged to have had the opportunity to meet Linda and to have learned so much about her path in pharmacy. She shared great advice with each of us! She had a big heart, and I am sure that her talents, knowledge, and compassion will be greatly missed!" Powell added "I learned quite a bit in the time we had spent at the conference and with Linda. Krista and I had a wonderful time with her. It was evident her goal for us at the conference was to learn as much as possible and for us to have a great time in San Diego. I found Linda to be a very delightful and outgoing individual. Ironically, I think that trip influenced the decisions I have made in my career path as a student and as a future pharmacist."

Lindsey Poppe (P4, class of 2009) attended the AMCP annual meeting in April 2008 in San Francisco. She commented "the conference opened up my eyes to another realm of pharmacy. Unfortunately, Linda was unable to attend this year's conference, so I did not have the chance to meet her."

Linda Wells had a great passion for life, education, world travel, photography and nature.

She touched many lives with her kind heart, generosity and positive attitude.

Her brother, Pearley Wells of Casper commented "Linda was a very caring and generous person. She was always there to help not only her family but numerous friends as well as strangers. Linda gave to many different causes whether it was homeless people that needed a helping hand or youth groups across the State. Linda truly believed that an education was a very important part of life, I was blessed to attend her Harvard Business School graduation. That was where I really learned how respected Linda was from her friends throughout the world."

Dr. Wells was a UW College of Health Sciences Advisory Board member and on the School of Pharmacy Advisory Committee; a member and sponsor of the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy; and petitioned and earned the first membership for a single woman to the Rotary club of Jackson, Wyoming.
 

Posted on Thursday, February 19, 2009