For Dr. Jeff Gray, being a pharmacist has always been about serving others in ways that extend beyond the traditional pharmacy counter.
“Being a pharmacist is about people, and with experience, I have come to realize that I can serve the community in ways that aren’t easily recognized as a pharmacist’s traditional practice environment,” he said.
Gray is a professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice in the Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy at East Tennessee State University, where he has spent 16 years building collaborative partnerships that strengthen communities across the region. For these and other efforts, he is the winner of the university’s Distinguished Faculty Award in Service, one of the most prestigious honors available to faculty at ETSU.
Among his many service initiatives, Gray is especially known for the drug take-back operation he helped establish in 2009. This collective effort brings together law enforcement agencies, local coalitions, students, educators, community members, and policymakers, to provide a critical medication disposal service in the community.
“In collaboration with law enforcement, local coalitions, the college, the university and other stakeholders, the take back program has grown to address community needs,” Gray said. The program has investments from what he described as a “critical mass of individuals” that ensures its continuation well into the future.
The impact of Gray's work extends far beyond ETSU's campus.
Recognizing the need, former students regularly contact him seeking guidance on establishing similar programs in their post-graduate communities. These graduates were inspired by their participation in take-back events during their student experience.
“Former students, who participated in a take-back event while they were a student, reach out to better understand how to partner with law enforcement agencies, coalitions, the Department of Health, and others in order to develop similar services,” Gray said.
Through his interprofessional approach, Gray has helped train students, educate patients and create lasting change throughout the region. His work exemplifies ETSU’s mission to improve lives in the community through education, service and collaboration.
When Gray joined ETSU 16 years ago, he recognized entering an academic environment from the corporate world would be a significant change. While he didn't fully understand all the opportunities for teaching, research and service that awaited him, he has embraced them with enthusiasm.
“Our college and certainly the university are here to improve the lives of people in our region,” Gray said. “And I believe, we are doing just that through the students that we've trained, the patients that have received care, and certainly through the collaborative opportunities that have been created, I have no doubt that our communities are different and better. And that’s fun to watch.”
Learn about the ways ETSU faculty, staff and students excel at etsu.edu/go-beyond.
