2011 Outstanding Alumnus Award Winner
The Distinguished Service to Pharmacy Award is presented to an individual, organization, or corporation in recognition of their service to the pharmacy profession. This year’s award is bestowed upon Dr. Robert J. Nolly.
Growing up in Fort Plain, N.Y., Robert Nolly had dreams of becoming a pilot. But after being exposed to three local pharmacies, he became intrigued and attended Albany College of Pharmacy, where he received his bachelor’s degree. He went on to receive his master’s degree in hospital pharmacy administration from The Ohio State University. There one of his greatest mentors, the late Dr. Clifton J. Latiolais, was a professor in the College of Pharmacy and director of The Ohio State University Hospitals Department of Pharmacy.
With parents who worked diligently in local manufacturing companies, Nolly says, “Going to college to become a pharmacist was such an opportunity.” He serves as a professor in the UT Health Science Center Departments of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Clinical Pharmacy and as an associate director of the Plough Center for Sterile Drug Delivery Systems. Nolly is involved in the educational and training programs of the Pharmacy Technology Laboratory and the graduate programs in Pharmaceutical Sciences and Health Outcomes and Policy Research. Nolly contributes to the educational, training, research, and GMP manufacturing programs of the Plough Center. He is also involved in the development of the joint PharmD/MBA program with the University of Memphis. Since 1980, Nolly has been involved in education and training of pharmacy students, pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, pharmaceutical industry personnel, and others in aseptic technique and processing and the compounding and preparation of both sterile and nonsterile products and dosage forms.
“The defining moment in my career,” he says, “was when I was chosen to lead the UT Bowld Hospital.” With interests in hospital pharmacy management, hospital management, and materials distribution, Nolly has received many accolades and awards. He has been featured annually on the Who’s Who lists of Marquis and Strathmore since 1994. He also valuably served on the UTHSC College of Pharmacy Building Committee. “Rob has done an extraordinary job working with architects, construction companies, faculty, and staff in the construction and opening of our new building. His constant involvement and leadership have been extremely important for several years in making certain this building is what we want and need,” says Dick Gourley, dean of the college.
In addition to having served on the board of directors of a nursing home, Nolly belongs to several professional organizations, including the American Society of Health-Systems Pharmacists, the Tennessee Pharmacists Association, and the Parenteral Drug Association. “My life has been filled with opportunity,” he says. Nolly has been married to Diera Nolly for 42 years. They have three daughters. He defines his passions as “being a good husband, father, friend, and co-worker.” He lives his life inspired by Walt Disney’s quote: “All your dreams can come true if you have the courage to pursue them.”
View Past Pharmacy Award Winners