Appointment of Dr. Lalitha Raman-Wilms, Dean, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences

June 28, 2024

I am pleased to announce that the UBC Board of Governors has accepted the President's recommendation to appoint Dr. Lalitha Raman-Wilms as the Dean of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences for a five-year term, commencing October 1, 2024.

Dr. Raman-Wilms is currently a Professor and Dean of the College of Pharmacy, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Manitoba, where she is serving her second term. Prior to her appointment to the University of Manitoba in 2017, she served in various leadership roles at the University of Toronto’s Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, including as Associate Dean (Education), Associate Dean (Professional Programs), and Director of Division of Pharmacy Practice.

Dr. Raman-Wilms graduated from the University of Toronto with a Baccalaureate of Science in Pharmacy (BScPhm) and a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) and completed a hospital pharmacy residency program at McMaster University Medical Centre.

Her area of research is on medication optimization in older adults, with a specific focus on management of polypharmacy through deprescribing. Over the course of her career, she has contributed broadly through publications, abstracts, book chapters, presentations and as the editor-in-chief of a drug reference manual for the public. Dr. Raman-Wilms has received many honours and distinctions, including a number of teaching awards. She has clinical experience working with older adults in team-based primary care, acute care and long-term care settings. Dr. Raman-Wilms has participated on several boards nationally, including serving twice as the President of the Association of Faculties of Pharmacy of Canada (AFPC).

As a leader, Dr. Raman-Wilms has a strong commitment to support education, research, practice and community engagement. She continuously supports efforts in equity, diversity, inclusion, anti-racism and reconciliation, and has most recently contributed as a member of the President’s Task Force on EDI, University of Manitoba. She strives to be inclusive, consultative and transparent, and is committed to bringing people together through positive and collaborative leadership.

I would like to acknowledge the President's Advisory Committee members for their commitment of extensive time and energy throughout the search process. I also extend my thanks to students, faculty and staff for actively participating in the search process and providing valuable feedback to the committee.

I would also like to thank Dr. Larry Lynd for his generous work and commitment as Dean pro tem for the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences over the last year.

Please join me in congratulating Dr. Raman-Wilms on her appointment and in welcoming her to UBC and the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Gage Averill
Provost and Vice-President, Academic, UBC Vancouver