Message from the Chancellor: Carolyn Ma, dean of the pharmacy college, to retire February 2022

The following message from Chancellor Bonnie Irwin about Dean Ma’s retirement was sent via email to the UH Hilo community today:  

Aloha Kākou,

Carolyn Ma, dean of the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy, will retire on February 1, 2022. Please join me in congratulating Dean Ma on her well-earned retirement and wishing her a joyful, fulfilling next chapter!

Dean Ma came to UH Hilo in 2007 as a founding faculty and clinical education coordinator for the College of Pharmacy in the interest of building the future of pharmacy in Hawai‘i, her home state. She became the chair for pharmacy practice in 2009, interim dean in 2015, and permanent dean in 2016.

Among her accomplishments in these years are the completion of the long-awaited permanent building, Hale Kiho‘iho‘i; the start of renovations for analytical and pharmaceutical science research labs; the establishment of philanthropic opportunities including the Legacy Path for alumni engagement; the Building a Future campaign for naming opportunities for Hale Kiho‘iho‘i; and student success and faculty development funds.

Dean Ma is the recipient of the Bowl of Hygeia, the lifetime pharmacy service award and in March 2021 was inducted as a Distinguished Fellow to the National Academy of Practice.

Her passion for legislative and health care advocacy, especially for inter-professional health care has resulted in the passing of legislative bills that include pharmacy intern law licenses, medication take back, pharmacist immunization, HPV vaccination, and the preceptor tax credit bill.

An announcement regarding interim leadership for the college will be forthcoming.

Bonnie D. Irwin
Chancellor