University of Findlay Mourning Loss of Pharmacy Professor
Written by WKTN Staff on February 18, 2019
The University of Findlay community is mourning the loss of beloved pharmacy professor Bradley W. Shinn, Pharm.D. He passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, Feb. 16, 2019, at his home.
Dr. Shinn was a Professor of Pharmacy Practice at the University, and had been a part of the College of Pharmacy since its inception in 2007.
According to Debra Parker, Pharm.D., College of Pharmacy Dean, he was a talented teacher, a strong and passionate student advocate, a kind man, and truly a cornerstone of our program. “He was never afraid to voice his opinions even when they differed from someone but always did so in a respectful and insightful manner. He educated and inspired thousands of students over the course of his career, and he will never be replaced,” reflected Parker. “This is a deep loss for our students, alumni and for all of us.”
Dr. Shinn was committed to inspiring pharmacy students to believe that they can truly make a difference in medication outcomes and the lives of their patients. In addition to teaching, he was especially interested in investigating and developing systems that better integrate the pharmacist in direct patient-care decision-making, optimizing the cost-effectiveness of drug therapy, and improving medication safety and the use of antimicrobial agents in institutional practice.
Recently, Dr. Shinn had been involved with developing and promoting pharmacist-managed antimicrobial stewardship programs. Through a partnership with Wood County Hospital, in Bowling Green (Ohio), he was working with the hospital’s medical team to assist with a more targeted approach to antibiotic use, with the ultimate goal of quicker recoveries for patients.
He graduated from the University of Michigan with a Pharm.D. degree in 1989 and completed a one-year clinical residency at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan. He then spent seven years as Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, where he was the recipient of several teaching awards. He practiced with the inpatient Internal Medicine service at St. Joseph Hospital in Omaha for five years, and in the SJH ambulatory clinics for two years. From 1998-2007, Dr. Shinn practiced as a combination clinical/staff pharmacist at St. Mary Mercy Hospital in Livonia, Michigan.
His accomplishments and dedication to teaching earned him numerous awards including the 2010-11 UF College of Pharmacy Teacher-of-the-Year Award, and the Ellerbeck Award for Teaching Excellence from Creighton University in 1991 and 1995.
Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this point, but the University will share more information about the arrangements once they are finalized.
UF asks for the community to keep Dr. Shinn’s wife, Pam, and their son, Harry, in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
