Celebrating the Legacy of Dr. Gary L. Grunewald: The Advanced Community Pharmacy Rotation at Pharmacy of Grace

November 8, 2024

Kansas City, KS — Pharmacy of Grace is honored to announce the Dr. Gary L. Grunewald Legacy Advanced Community Pharmacy Rotation, named in memory of an esteemed educator and mentor who devoted more than five decades to the training and development of pharmacists and medicinal chemists. Pharmacy of Grace is founded and staffed by many of his former students, and this is a wonderful way for us to honor his memory. Pharmacy of Grace hosted an event Thursday November 7th, 2024 to unveil a plaque and officially name our student rotation program in his honor.

“Dr. Grunewald was more than just our Medicinal Chemistry professor; he was a genuinely kind person who always made time for his students, said Michael Fink, Pharmacy of Grace Vice-President of Clinical Operations and Pharmacist-in-Charge. “You’d often see him around Lawrence, especially at KU sporting events, and always with a friendly smile. I’ll always remember him fondly.”

Pharmacy of Grace founder John Yost also remembers that despite being vision impaired, Dr. Grunewald would perfectly draw chemical structures on the blackboard. He was a significant influence in his field of medicinal chemistry, but also had a positive influence on students’ lives, smiling and greeting them in the hallways. “He taught hundreds of future pharmacists and trained many PhDs who went on to have a significant impact on drug development and research,” said Yost.

Dr. Grunewald has already left a remarkable legacy at the University of Kansas, where he joined the School of Pharmacy in 1966 as one of the pioneering faculty members of the Department of Medicinal Chemistry. We continue to honor his memory through this student rotation program, which will continue to inspire future students. Pharmacy of Grace dedicated the plaque in honor of Dr. Grunewald at an event Thursday November 7th. 

Dr. Grunewald was more than a professor—he was a leader and a mentor who influenced the pharmacy world on a national scale. His impressive list of accolades speaks to his commitment and expertise. He served as national chairman of the American Chemical Society’s Division of Medicinal Chemistry, was recognized as a Distinguished Fellow of the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists, and became a Fellow of the American Chemical Society. His induction into the ACS Division of Medicinal Chemistry Hall of Fame highlights his profound impact on the medicinal chemistry community. In addition, Dr. Grunewald was a founding board member of the Medicinal and Bioorganic Chemistry Foundation, a nonprofit organization devoted to educating medicinal chemists.

Upon his passing in 2023 at age 85, Dr. Grunewald’s legacy lived on through the creation of the Gary L. Grunewald Charitable Fund, established through his estate with the Douglas County Community Foundation. This act of generosity continues to support efforts that reflect his values and dedication to pharmacy education, including the work being done at Pharmacy of Grace—a pharmacy proudly founded and staffed by many of his former students. The Dr. Gary L. Grunewald Legacy Advanced Community Pharmacy Rotation is a testament to his vision and his enduring influence on the profession. 

Goals of the Rotation Program

This rotation offers an enriching experience for future pharmacists, aligning with the values Dr. Grunewald embodied throughout his career. The program’s objectives include:

• Patient-Centered Care: Students will collaborate with patients to create comprehensive, evidence-based care plans that consider social determinants of health, cultural beliefs, and health literacy. These plans will be monitored and adapted to ensure effectiveness and affordability.
• Interprofessional Collaboration: Participants will work as part of a multidisciplinary healthcare team, sharing medication-related expertise and communicating effectively with other health professionals to address patient needs.
• Pharmacy Operations: The rotation provides practical experience in fulfilling medication orders and overseeing pharmacy operations, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
• Professional Development: Students will create and implement a plan for continuous professional growth, emphasizing lifelong learning and professional integrity.
• Foundational Skills: The program focuses on cultivating professionalism, strong communication skills, and a deep understanding of foundational pharmacy knowledge—qualities Dr. Grunewald instilled in all his students.

Pharmacy of Grace is deeply proud to carry on Dr. Grunewald’s legacy through this rotation. It is a fitting tribute to a man whose life’s work was dedicated to improving the profession of pharmacy and supporting the next generation of healthcare professionals. His impact will continue to resonate for years to come, as students who pass through this program uphold the same high standards he championed throughout his remarkable career.

Here are a few photos from the event. The entire photo album from the event can be found here on our Facebook page. Make sure to like and follow us, and help spread the word about Pharmacy of Grace.

Dr. Gary L. Grunewald Charitable Fund Board of Trustees (from left to right):

Tim Caldwell, Dan Flynn, and Mike Rafferty

Gene Hotchkiss (former Senior Associate Dean of the KU pharmacy school) and wife Kari.

From left to right back row: POG VP of Clinical Operations/Pharmacist-in-Charge Michael Fink, Trustee Tim Caldwell, POG Co-Founder John Yost

From left to right front row: Trustee Dan Flynn, POG Co-Founder Sara Yost, Trustee Mike Rafferty.

The event included unveiling the plaque that marks the official naming of the Pharmacy of Grace rotation program in honor of Dr. Gary L. Grunewald.

Dinah and Apurba Dutta (students of Gary, interim chair and associate professor Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Kansas.)

Watch the video from our event here or on our YouTube page: