College of Pharmacy: Dean’s Advisory Council
Dean’s Advisory Council Mission
The College of Pharmacy’s Dean’s Advisory Council mission is to assist the College in building a strong presence in the world of pharmacy, to increase the College’s national and international visibility for quality research, education and service, and to serve as College ambassadors.
The Council will realize its mission by:
- Providing advice to the Dean in the area of long-range forecasting and identification of opportunities for the College.
- Assisting the Dean in identifying and cultivating potential major gift donors.
The Council is composed of 16 to 20 members, representing a broad cross-section of the pharmacy, business and educational communities.
The full Advisory Council will meet two times per year, once in the spring and once in the fall. Subcommittees will convene individually throughout the year, as needed, to address action items resulting from the semi-annual meetings.
The Dean will consider nominations for new Council members from current members and from the College of Pharmacy faculty.
Criteria for Council membership include:
- A willingness and ability to work actively on the College of Pharmacy’s behalf.
- A broad awareness of the pharmacy community and the issues it faces.
- A commitment to active participation and attendance at all meetings.
- A clear understanding of the Council’s mission and a commitment to assisting the College in raising financial support.
Council members will serve on rotating two-year terms with an option for renewal at the discretion of the Dean.
Jonathan Chan, PharmD
ABC Pharmacy, Owner
Jonathan graduated UOP in 2009. He served on the Dean’s board for UOP last year and now serves on the Dean’s Advisory Board at WesternU COP.
Jonathan currently works at ABC Pharmacy in Rancho Cucamonga. Both of his parents are pharmacists that met at UOP. He is from a family of 8 pharmacists including aunts, uncles, and cousins and has been around pharmacy his entire life. Since graduating, the family business went from 3 stores to 13+ now. His main focus is information and technology at their pharmacies.
Rebecca Cupp, RPh
Vice President, National Pharmacy Controls for Kaiser Permanente
Rebecca is currently Vice President, National Pharmacy Controls for Kaiser Permanente. She joined Kaiser Permanente in January, 2018 as Executive Director, Pharmacy Quality and Medication Safety for National Pharmacy Services. She retired as Vice President/Merchandiser of Pharmacy for Ralphs Pharmacies, a division of The Kroger Co, in 2017.
Rebecca is a graduate of the University of Washington, School of Pharmacy. After graduation, she spent four years on active duty as an Air Force officer before joining Kroger in 1983, as well as another seven years in the Air Force Reserves. She is also a 2008 graduate of the USC Food Industry Management Program and Babson College’s Strategic Planning Executive Management Program in 2013 at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, VA.
Rebecca is very active in state and national pharmacy organizations and also served as the APhA appointee to the American Society of Health Systems Pharmacists Commission on Credentialing from 2010-2013. She also served on the Board of Trustees for California Pharmacists Association (CPhA), among many other roles.
In her continuing efforts to promote the advancement of the pharmacy profession, Rebecca was certified as a trainer in Medication Therapy Management and Immunizations, as well as gaining certificates in Smoking Cessation, Asthma, and Osteoporosis Management. In addition to serving on the Western University of Health Science College of Pharmacy Deans’ Advisory Council, she has also served on the University of the Pacific, University of California – San Diego, and Ketchum’s School of Pharmacy Deans’ Leadership Advisory Councils. Rebecca received the Innovative Practice Award from California’s Right Care Initiative, and was named one of Progressive Grocer’s Top Women.
Steven W. Gray, PharmD, JD
Pharmacy Consultant and Educator for Pharmacy Law
Dr. Steven Gray has over 45 years of pharmacy experience, including military, hospital, community, pharmacy wholesale and warehousing operations, pharmacy compliance and pharmacy managed care. He obtained a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Southern California and a JD degree from Northrop University School of Law.
He has been teaching pharmacy law and ethics at the University of California, San Diego for more than six years. He is a Past President of the American Society for Pharmacy Law. He served on the Boards of Directors of the California Pharmacist Association’s (CPhA), Pharmacy Foundation of California and CPhA’s for-profit subsidiaries’ PBM, the Pharmaceutical Care Network and its Premier Pharmacists Networks. After serving as CPhA’s Speaker of its House of Delegates, in 2004, Dr. Gray served as president and Chair of the CPhA’s Board of Trustees. In 2006 years on its Board of Directors, he became President of the national association for managed care pharmacists, the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy, and served on the national Joint Commission of Pharmacy Practitioners (JCPP) with the Presidents of APhA, ASHP, NCPA, and other national pharmacy leaders. Between 2012 and 2014 he served as President-elect, President and Chair of the Board, respectively, for the California Society of Health-System Pharmacists. Steve retired in 2018 from being the National Pharmacy Professional Affairs Leader for Kaiser Permanente.
He currently is also teaching Pharmacy Law and Ethics at two more California Schools of Pharmacy and is self-employed as a Pharmacy Consultant and Educator for Pharmacy Law. He is a member of several professional associations including AMCP, APhA, ASHP, CPhA, CSHP, and the CA State Bar.
Levita Hidayat, PharmD, BCIDP
Senior Regional Medical Science Director-Southern CA, ID/Vaccines, U.S. Medical Affairs, Merck Research Laboratories
Dr. Hidayat received her PharmD from Western University of Health Science College of Pharmacy (Pomona, CA). Following graduation, she completed three years of post-graduate training including, Pharmacy Practice Residency (Huntington Hospital, CA) and Infectious Diseases/Pharmacokinetic Fellowship (University of Southern California, CA).
She spent half of her career in an academic and clinical practice setting. She held an Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Faculty position at Touro College of Pharmacy (2009-2015). In addition, she has collaborated with the infectious diseases team at her practice site and played an integral role in measuring the impact of ASP and patient outcomes. She has been the lead, co-author, and senior author on numerous posters, book chapters, and manuscripts in the areas of infectious diseases, education, and antimicrobial stewardship.
During her academic tenure, she was promoted to the Assistant Dean of Clinical Affairs (2014-2015) where she grew the experiential education team, developed, and implemented preceptor training program, and developed a feasibility plan in strengthening the clinical program. She also led a residency and fellowship preparatory program which resulted in doubling of national match result.
In addition to her academic experience, she spent numerous years working in Scientific Affairs for Pharmaceutical companies including Ortho McNeil Janssen (Johnson & Johnson), The Medicines Company, and Melinta Therapeutics. She currently works for Merck as a Senior Regional Medical Science Director in Infectious Diseases/Pneumococcal Vaccine covering several programs including Antimicrobial Stewardship, Gram-negative, CMV, COVID-19 and Pneumococcal Vaccine Programs. During her time in industry, she continued to nurture and build a strong scientific network and relationships around the Southern CA area.
Dr. Hidayat comes with 18 years of combined experience working in scientific affairs for pharmaceutical companies; leading clinical programs, conducting research and teaching in an academic institution; and a co-lead in an Antimicrobial Stewardship Program (ASP). She holds licensure as both a Registered Pharmacist and Board Certified Infectious Diseases Pharmacist.
Paul Huynh, PharmD
Healthcare Supervisor, Pharmacy and Retail Operations
Walgreens
Paul Huynh, Pharm. D. is an area healthcare supervisor for Walgreens. With 25 years of experience at Walgreens, Paul has held positions of pharmacist, pharmacy manager, pharmacy human relations specialist, and district pharmacy supervisor.
In his current leadership role of area healthcare supervisor, Paul is part of a team that provides support for district managers and drives healthcare programs and initiatives in the Southern California market.
Paul received his B.A. in Economics from the University of California, Irvine in 1993 and his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Creighton University in 1997. Paul resides in Yorba Linda with his family.
Victor Law, RPh
Owner, Pharmacist, Alpha Medical Pharmacy, Alhambra, CA
In addition to serving as the president of Alpha Medical Pharmacy Inc., Victor is also the founding CEO/President of Alpha plus Network Inc- a pharmacy IPA with over 130 retail pharmacies in the network. He served eight years on the California State Board of Pharmacy and he served as the president in 2018. He was the Chairman of the governing Board for Garfield Medical Center from 2008 to 2010 and served as the Vice Chair for the San Gabriel Valley Medical Center Governing Board in 2011. Prior to that, he served four years on the California State Board of Behavioral Science and was the president in 2009. Professionally, Victor was the Pharmacist of the Year for the California Pharmacists Association in 2017, as he had previously served four years as the president for the San Gabriel Valley chapter.
Carol J. Ou, PharmD
Senior Medical Science Liaison, Teva Pharmaceuticals
Dr. Carol Ou, is an accomplished medical affairs professional with extensive experience across US and global pharmaceutical landscapes. With her current role as a Senior Medical Science Liaison in neurology at Teva Pharmaceuticals, she brings a robust background in field medical affairs, medical information, and regulatory strategy. Carol has earned a PharmD from UCSF, completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Gilead Sciences/USC, and holds a graduate certificate in Regulatory and Clinical Affairs.
Dr. Ou brings a deep commitment to advancing pharmacy education and mentoring future professionals. She has led a postdoc fellowship program collaborative revamp, served as an adjunct faculty member, mentored PharmD students, fellows, and clinical pharmacists making their transition into industry, and was recognized with the Teva President’s Club Award for excellence in medical affairs. She is passionate about bridging science and patient care through evidence-based communication, leadership, and lifelong learning.
She is honored to serve on the Dean’s Advisory Council as a way to give back to the pharmacy profession and help support and guide the next generation of pharmacy leaders.
Elizabeth A. Park, PharmD, APh
Chief Regulatory Consultant, Simplified Medicine, Inc.
Dr. Elizabeth Akhparyan Park PharmD, APh received her Pharmacy Doctor degree from the Western University of Health Sciences, and then immediately served in a one-year ASHP certified, post-graduate Geriatrics Psych residency at the Los Angeles Jewish Home for the Aging as Chief Resident. In this unique facility and only one of two ASHP-accredited year-one postgraduate geriatric psychiatry programs in the United States at that time, she implemented multiple facility-wide interdisciplinary programs focused on reducing pill burden, maximizing drug efficacy, and optimizing target dosing for patients. Her work was then recognized in 2018 by the World Congress of Clinical Pharmacy Practice, for which she presented her experience and findings in Rome, Italy, to an international body of Physicians and Pharmacists. Dr. Park’s work in long-term care was further recognized by the California Association of Long Term Care Medicine (CALTCM) as the recipient of the “Innovation and Collaboration in Post-Acute and Long term Care” award, which ultimately inspired her to form her sub-specialty in regulatory affairs for health care facilities throughout California. Not only has she successfully obtained The Joint Commission Accreditation for many healthcare facilities, she is also an established facilities surveyor for compliance with California’s Medicaid program, per requirements set forth by the California Department of Health Care Services (“DHCS”) Medi-Cal program. She created innovative auditing procedures for Title 22 Community Care facilities regulated by the California Community Care Licensing Division (CDSS), and she helped many facilities pass onsite Board of Pharmacy inspections for their Licensed Sterile Compounding (LSC) permits.
Dr. Park created her consultancy firm, Simplified Medicine, Inc., to consult the clients of CPL- California Pharmacy Lawyers towards full compliance with regulations and to remediate noncompliance through education and real-time assessment. Dr. Park routinely implements surprise on-site visits for CPL Clients to audit for compliance, to create a compliance culture, and to devise real-world actionable steps towards remediation. She works with both start-up ventures and established facilities. The California State Board of Pharmacy has approved Dr. Park to serve as a pharmacist consultant for its probationers, and she is regularly called-upon as an expert witness for various administrative and civil cases involving pharmacy practice standards and regulatory compliance.
In 2023, Dr. Elizabeth Park also established Simplified Socratic Rx Institute (“SSRI”), an ACPE-accredited educational nonprofit school to unite and elevate the practice of pharmacy through a practical, insightful, and actionable continuing education curriculum for licensed pharmacists in California.
Dr. Park holds licensure as both a Registered Pharmacist and an Advanced Practice Pharmacist with the California State Board of Pharmacy.
Nayan Patel, PharmD
President/CEO of Central Drugs Compounding Pharmacy and Auro Pharmaceuticals, Inc, La Habra, CA
Dr. Nayan Patel graduated from USC School of Pharmacy in 1996. Over the last 22 years, he has built multiple sterile and non-sterile compounding labs, including 503B outsourcing facility from the ground up. He has 20 years of clinical experience specializing in non-sterile compounding and sterile compounding. He lectures and consults nationally and internationally on Hormone Replacement Therapy, IV Nutrition and setting up sterile and non-sterile compounding pharmacy.
Dr. Patel has worked closely with the USC School of Pharmacy in designing their compounding lab and he currently teaches students the regulations governing sterile compounding. He continues to speak at national pharmacy conferences on compounding and he has helped many pharmacists in starting compounding within their pharmacy.
Sunil Prabhu, BPharm, PhD
Dean, Professor of Pharmacy Practice and Administration, College of Pharmacy, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA
Dr. Sunil Prabhu became the fourth Dean of the College of Pharmacy on July 1, 2021. He joined WesternU in 1996 as an assistant professor and a founding faculty member during the College’s inaugural year. He has held several leadership positions within the College, most recently serving as Executive Associate Dean. Dr. Prabhu’s research interests include formulation development of novel drug delivery systems, application of nanotechnology for controlled release system design, cancer chemoprevention, and targeted therapy.
John Sie, PharmD
Clinical Pharmacy Director and PGY1 Residency Program Director, Kaiser Permanente, Downey, CA
Dr. John Sie graduated from the USC School of Pharmacy in 1985. Over the last 30 years, he built his career from various facets of pharmacy practice which include inpatient, ambulatory care, and management. He was instrumental in establishing many clinical pharmacy programs in the early years of Ambulatory Care. He continues to build justifications to expand the role of the clinical pharmacist and to add value to patient care in the realms of chronic disease management and cost-effective drug utilization. His vision is to advance the ambulatory clinical practice where pharmacists are an integral and invaluable part of the heath care team.
Dr. Sie is currently the Clinical Pharmacy Director and PGY1 residency program director for the Kaiser Permanente (KP) – Downey Medical Center. It is his passion and dedication to the profession that has allowed him to step into these roles so that he can continue to precept and mentor residents. To this date, he has successfully mentored over 60 residents in the last 30 years.
Dr. Sie also serves on various committees within Kaiser Permanente and is a member of the KP-SCAL residency project review committee. He is a member of both the CSHP and ASHP professional organizations.
During John’s spare time, he enjoys trying new foods at fun restaurants, searching for his next Yelp foodie destination, and spending time with family and friends.
Ramesh Upadhyayula
Director, Pharmacy Services, Desert Hospital Ambulatory Health and Outpatient Pharmacy
Dr. Ramesh Upadhyayula provides comprehensive and compassionate care, dedicated to improving the quality of life for terminally ill cancer patients. His focus is palliative care with an emphasis on pain management. His approach is to be very accessible to my patients, helping to reduce anxiety and improve outcomes.
In his role as director and CEO of pharmacy at Desert Hospital Outpatient Pharmacy (DHOP), Ramesh Upadhyayula helps manage operations and regulatory compliance for DHOP, Best Outcomes Clinic Pharmacy, Raincross Pharmacy, and Parkview Pharmacy. He collaborates with clinics and healthcare providers to deliver comprehensive patient care. Ramesh leads his team of pharmacists to comply with all industry standards and state regulations. Additionally, he inspires and drives clinical innovation and strongly advocates for ways we can move the profession forward.
Ramesh brings over 33 years of experience in pharmacy practice, having both inpatient and outpatient pharmacy experience. As CEO for multiple pharmacies, Ramesh negotiates contracts, promotes business growth, improves operational efficiency, and oversees outcome driven care.
Lilia Xu, PharmD
Pharmacy Owner, Vice President of Strategic Development, 986 Degrees Corporation, San Marino, CA
Dr. Lilia Xu earned her Doctorate of Pharmacy from The University of Southern California. In 2022, The Mann School of Pharmacy recognized her as the Young Alumni of the Year. She is the Vice President of Strategic Development for 986 Degrees Corporation where she owns and operates several pharmacies including long term care and community pharmacies. She currently serves our profession through the National Community Pharmacists Association along with the San Gabriel Valley Pharmacists Association. Dr. Xu is the Chief Financial Officer for 986 HOPE Inc. where she dedicates her time to the underserved populations including people experiencing homelessness. In addition to the various business ventures, Dr. Xu has dedicated her time to foster and mentor future leaders and entrepreneurs in the pharmacy profession.
Ray M. Yutani, DO, MS, PharmD, FACOFP
Associate Professor of Family Medicine, Patient Care Center, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA
Dr. Ray Yutani is an Assistant Professor of Family Medicine at Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific. He is a staff physician at WesternU Health Pomona, where he is a primary care provider and mentors third and fourth-year medical students in their clinical rotation. He received his DO degree from WesternU and his family medicine residency training at the Downey Regional Medical Center in Downey, California.
Dr. Yutani previously served as a Family Medicine physician with Kaiser Permanente until his retirement. Earlier in his career he was a staff pharmacist with Kaiser Permanente after receiving his PharmD degree from the University of Southern California. He also received an MS in Experimental Pathology from USC. He returned to WesternU after retiring from Kaiser to train future physicians the clinical perspectives of medicine – not only its practical aspects but its pathophysiology.
Dr. Yutani has had extensive experience in hospital medicine as a rotating hospitalist and overnight hospital physician while at Kaiser. He has continued to contribute to the practice of pharmacy as a member of the Dean’s Advisory Council at WesternU/College of Pharmacy. His personal interests are in sports (tennis) and music (mandolin and guitar).
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