In recognition of her tremendous efforts related to the equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines and advocacy for the pharmacy profession, Deanna Tran, PharmD, associate professor of pharmacy practice and science (PPS), has been named to the Baltimore Business Journal’s 2021 40 Under 40 list.
“Dr. Tran is a catalyst for change and has an impressive record of leadership for her patients, students, and colleagues,” says Natalie D. Eddington, PhD, FAAPS, FCP, dean and professor of the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy. “Over the past year, she has dedicated countless hours in service to the UMB and Baltimore communities through vaccine education and delivery and is most deserving of the BBJ’s recognition.”
Tran, 35, earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the School of Pharmacy in 2011 and completed a community pharmacy residency at Virginia Commonwealth University and Martin’s Pharmacy. She is co-director of the School’s Pharmacy Practice Laboratories, where she guides students as they develop their pharmacy practice, patient care, and leadership skills. Since 2012, she has served as co-advisor for the School’s student chapter of the American Pharmacists Association-Academy of Student Pharmacists (APhA-ASP), guiding it to 13 regional and 16 national awards and recognition, and being named APhA-ASP Outstanding Chapter Advisor in 2013.
She is one of three pharmacists serving on the SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination Technical Advisory Group for the Maryland Department of Health and a research team member on the University of Maryland School of Medicine’s Health Resources Services Administration grant focusing on COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. She is active in providing immunizations to patients as an ambulatory care specialist at the University of Maryland Family and Community Medicine practice and assisting in flu and COVID-19 vaccination clinics, as well as educating and training pharmacists and student pharmacists on the APhA Immunization Certificate program.
“Dr. Tran is a strong advocate for pharmacists to practice at the top of their license,” says Jill Morgan, PharmD, professor and chair of PPS. “She has played a crucial role in keeping pharmacists informed of COVID-19 vaccine safety and efficacy data and in addressing vaccine hesitancy within the community so that patients will feel confident receiving the vaccine.”
During the pandemic, Tran co-led a training program for first-time pharmacist immunizers to administer the COVID vaccine, training 150 community pharmacists in two months.
Tran is president-elect of the Maryland Pharmacists Association (MPhA), a 1,200-member group she joined as a first-year pharmacy student. Through her involvement in MPhA, she has created several new initiatives including founding the New Practitioner Network, spearheading MPhA’s first online webinars and MAGIC (Mentorship, Advocacy, Growth, Innovation, and Collaboration), an annual student and new practitioner event. She is a recipient of MPhA’s 2014 Distinguished Young Pharmacist Award and its 2018 Mentor Award. She and students have participated in numerous MPhA/APhA events at the state and federal level to advocate for patient access to pharmaceutical care, including immunizations, point of care testing, and collaborative practice.
“I am extremely honored to receive the BBJ’s 40 Under 40 award,” says Tran. “It means that much more to be recognized in the Baltimore community. Thank you to Dean Eddington, Dr. Morgan, and the School of Pharmacy for supporting my passion to help the community through pharmacy service and advocacy.”
The Baltimore Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 recognizes young professionals who have made a mark not only at their individual organizations but in their industries and in the Greater Baltimore community. Tran is joined on the 2021 list by a diverse group that includes entrepreneurs, small business owners, lawyers, nonprofit leaders, financial, and real estate executives, and everything in between.