Office of the Dean Biographies

Dean

Miriam Mobley Smith, Pharm.D. is Dean of the Chicago State University College of Pharmacy (CSU-COP).  She is currently a member of the Illinois State Board of Pharmacy and Board of Directors for Professional Examination Services. Dr. Mobley Smith was a member of the Institute of Medicine (IOM) Committee on the Future Health Care Workforce for Older Americans, a 2006 Academic Leadership Fellow with the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy and a 2005 Primary Healthcare Policy Fellow with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.   She has chaired the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination Standards Setting Committee, the 2005 National Practice Analysis, and was Past-President of the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board Certification Council.  Dr. Mobley Smith was also an adjunct faculty member in the Allied Health, Nursing and Human Services Department at South Suburban College (SSC), South Holland, Ill., serving as a member of a curriculum advisory board and on the "Tech Prep Medical Professional" advisory committee.  Dr. Mobley Smith was featured in the Aetna 2005 African American History Calendar for her impact in older adult communities, received the 2006 Sid Granet Aging Network Achievement Award from the Illinois Area Agencies on Aging, recognized as the 2005 Illinois Council of Health-System Pharmacists “Pharmacist of the Year”, and awarded the 2004 National Pharmaceutical Association’s James N. Tyson Award in recognition of outstanding achievement in contributions to the profession of pharmacy.  Active in local and national pharmacy professional organizations, she is a member of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists’ Council on Education and Workforce Development, JACHO Health Care Professional Education Roundtable, and Illinois Drug Policy Coalition.

Dr. Mobley Smith received her B.S. in Pharmacy from the University of Michigan and Pharm.D. from the University of Illinois.  Her research and program grants are focused on preventive health-related issues affecting older adults, including an Illinois Department on Aging, Title III-D program entitled "Medication Monitoring and Safety in Older Adults: A Community-Based Education Program", the “Senior Medication Education and Review Program” for the Woodlawn Community Development Corporation and Chicago Housing Authority, and Chicago Department on Aging Wellness Program (in collaboration with Area Agencies on Aging). She has delivered over 100 invited local, regional and national presentations and published in areas relative to her areas of focus.

Founding Dean and Dean Emeritus

David J. Slatkin, Ph.D. R.Ph. is Founding Dean and Dean Emeritus of the Chicago State University College of Pharmacy (CSU-COP).  He provided the leadership in establishing his third college of pharmacy.  Previously, he served as Founding Dean and Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the Midwestern University College of Pharmacy - Glendale.  He served in that capacity since the college's founding in 1998.  Dr. Slatkin originally joined Midwestern University (MWU) in 1991 as Founding Dean of the Chicago College of Pharmacy.  Prior to joining MWU, he served as Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and Director of Graduate Programs at the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy. 

Born in Brooklyn, NY and graduated from Scarsdale High School, Dr. Slatkin holds Bachelors Degrees from Wayne State University, Detroit (1966 in Chemistry) and Mercer University's Southern School of Pharmacy, Atlanta (1968) and the M.S. (1971) and Ph.D. (1972) degrees from the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy.  From 1972 to 1973, he taught at the Northeast Louisiana University School of Pharmacy.  From 1973 until 1991, he served on the Faculty of the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy. He was the recipient of the Merck Award from Mercer University and was an American Foundation for Pharmaceutical Education - Edwin Leigh Newcomb Memorial Fellow at the University of Mississippi. 
           
His research interests encompassed several areas within Pharmacognosy. He has authored over eighty scientific publications, served as a reviewer for the Journal of Natural Products and Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and has been the major advisor for twelve graduate students.  He is a member of Rho Chi Honorary Society and Phi Delta Chi Pharmacy Fraternity.  He has been very active in many professional and scientific organizations, including serving as Treasurer of the American Society of Pharmacognosy since 1981. In 1999, Dr. Slatkin was selected by American Pharmacist magazine as one of the 50 Most Influential Pharmacists in the US.

Elmer J. Gentry, Ph.D. is the Associate Dean of Pharmacy Academic Affairs for the Chicago State University College of Pharmacy (CSU-COP).  Dr. Gentry received his B.S. from Missouri Western State College (1993 in Chemistry) and M.S. (1996) and Ph.D. (1999) in Medicinal Chemistry from the University of Kansas.  He served on the faculty at Midwestern University, College of Pharmacy-Glendale from 1999-2007.

He was named the 2007 Teacher of the Year for both the first and second year pharmacy classes at the College of Pharmacy-Glendale.  Additionally he has received the Edgar C. Little Outstanding Chemistry Graduate Award from Missouri Western State College, the Pharmacy Graduate Student Honors Symposium Award from the University of Kansas, and an American Foundation for Pharmaceutical Education Pre-doctoral fellowship from 1997-1999.  He was honored as the National Advisor of the Year runner-up by the Phi Delta Chi pharmacy fraternity.

Dr. Gentry is a member of numerous scientific and professional organizations and has served as the Chair of the Section of Teachers of Chemistry of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy.  His research interests include:  synthetic manipulation of antimicrobial agents to modulate potency and spectrum of activity, use of combinatorial chemistry for drug discovery and development, and improving delivery of science courses for professional and pre-professional students.

Rosalyn Padiyara Vellurattil, PharmD, CDE is the Director of Capstone and Milemarker Experiences at Chicago State University Chicago College of Pharmacy (CSU-COP). She also holds appointment as an Associate Professor in the department of Pharmacy Practice. Dr. Vellurattil received her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago, and completed a specialty residency in primary care with a focus on education from Midwestern University Chicago College of Pharmacy.  She served as faculty at Midwestern University from 2005-2012. Prior to arriving at CSU, she maintained an active clinical practice site where she provided pharmacy services that included treating and managing patients with diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension.  Additionally, she participated in PCMH (patient-centered medical home) services.

Dr. Vellurattil’s contributions to the profession of pharmacy include the education and training of future pharmacists and pharmacy leaders. Her research interests have focused on ambulatory care services, pharmacy career satisfaction, pharmacy education, and preventive medicine. She has presented her work at several national professional organizations, and published in a variety of peer-review journals.

Dr. Vellurattil has been a member of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP) and American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy since 2004.  She has held leadership positions in ACCP, specifically in the Endocrine and Metabolism Practice and Research Network.

Staff

Ms. Yolanda Solarte is the Office Administrator to the Dean at Chicago State University (CSU-COP).  Ms. Solarte also serves as the central person to the Departments of Pharmacy Academic Affairs and the Office of Pharmacy Development Affairs.   She provides administrative support for the departments.   Ms. Solarte has served the College in this position since March 2007.  Prior to this position, Ms. Solarte served as Administrative Secretary in the Office of the President for 17 years.  Ms. Solarte comes to us with educational and corporate work experience.

Louis Wright is the Executive Director of Development for the Chicago State University College of Pharmacy (CSU-COP).  Louis has close to twenty-years of professional fundraising experience with a vast background in higher education, health care, media arts, and social services.

In this new capacity, Louis is responsible for developing and implementing strategies that engage and cultivate alumni and friends to philanthropically support  Chicago State University College of Pharmacy in its mission and goals.

In his most recent position, he was responsible for all major gift initiatives at Norfolk State University. Louis worked from 2004 to 2009 at University of Illinois at Chicago as director of development and director of advancement. As the director of advancement, Louis led a team of development professionals within the College of Pharmacy towards reaching a $20 million goal, a component of the University of Illinois’ Brilliant Future campaign.  Over a two-year period, Louis successfully assisted the College of Pharmacy in securing over $9 million in new philanthropic commitments and provided the 150 year old college with its first endowed chair and professorship, which was valued at over $3.5 million.

Louis is a native of Columbus, Ohio.  He attended Kent State University, and graduated from Franklin University in 1987 receiving Bachelor of Science degrees in business management and finance.

As administrative and faculty positions become available they will be listed on the CSU Jobs webpage: http://www.csu.edu/eeo/jobsandposition.htm