Rhys Axon Appointed Director of PharmD Program
Rhys Axon, PhD, MPharm, associate research professor in the Pharmacy Practice and Science Department, has been appointed the Director of the PharmD program. Axon, a University of Arizona alumnus, will oversee all aspects of the PharmD program, including program development and curricular updates, focusing on developing an innovative delivery system for the PharmD program.
“I enjoy the variety of responsibilities that I currently hold, especially the opportunity to conduct research that interests me. Conducting my one-hundredth study is just as exciting and challenging as the first,” says Axon. “I also have the privilege of teaching and mentoring pharmacy, graduate, and undergraduate students. In particular, I find great satisfaction in combining my clinical, research, and leadership expertise to educate the next generation of pharmacists and scientists, while developing initiatives that help advance the pharmacy profession.”
Axon also co-chairs the College of Pharmacy’s curriculum committee, which is working to develop a new curriculum to be implemented in Fall 2026. The goal is to build on the strengths of the existing program while creating more opportunities to enhance student success.
The committee is exploring ways to personalize the program to better meet the needs of the student population. They are investigating the development of additional learning modules in areas where students may struggle. Another potential enhancement is offering students the option to choose tracks or pathways tailored to their interests. “My vision is to create an efficient and innovative pharmacy program that supports students in their professional development while enabling them to pursue their career interests. We want our students to leave the program feeling confident and prepared to explore the wide range of career pathways available to pharmacists.”
Axon was first inspired to pursue a career in pharmacy by his father, a pharmacist. He grew up working in the pharmacy during school breaks and enjoyed everything about being a community pharmacist – from dispensing medications, providing clinical services such as medication reviews, flu shots, and smoking cessation support, to the business side and leadership aspects.
Though he enjoyed community pharmacy, his interests shifted once he was selected for a competitive university research internship. It was here that he first discovered his passion for pharmacy research. Even though it was very challenging, he enjoyed it enormously. After completing his pharmacy training, he applied to the University of Arizona’s PhD program and, upon earning his doctorate, joined the faculty in 2019.
Axon’s research expertise lies in social and administrative pharmacy, health economics and outcomes research (HEOR), and pharmacy education. His primary focus is on improving the clinical, economic, and humanistic outcomes associated with managing chronic health conditions utilizing both qualitative and quantitative methodologies. He is also dedicated to supporting student pharmacists and practicing pharmacists in scholarly activities while highlighting the value of the pharmacy profession.
Axon has received research funding from multiple organizations, published over 130 peer-reviewed papers, and presented his findings at national and international conferences. He has held leadership roles in professional organizations such as the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) and the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR). His contributions have been recognized with numerous awards, including the AACP New Investigator Award and the Graduate Teacher of the Year Award.