Trisha Wells Wins 2023 Teaching Excellence Award

Trisha Wells, PharmD, clinical assistant professor of pharmacy and clinical pharmacist, Michigan Medicine, is the recipient of the 2023 Teaching Excellence Award. This award recognizes exceptional teaching in the University of Michigan College of Pharmacy’s PharmD and PhD programs.

“Dr. Wells is a very compassionate teacher who shows that she cares about her students’ progress. She goes above and beyond to help her students and is very understanding,” says one student nominator. “Dr. Wells is very deserving of this award. She ‘brings it’ every class. As a P3 now, I still reflect on our class time with her and how organized, concise, and prepared she was,” another student nominator adds.

Dr. Wells received her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Michigan College of Pharmacy in 2003. Following graduation, she completed a pharmacy practice residency at Sinai Grace Hospital within the Detroit Medical Center and remained on staff in both inpatient and ambulatory care positions.

In 2005, Dr. Wells was appointed clinical assistant professor at the University of Michigan College of Pharmacy and established ambulatory care clinical services at the U-M Brighton Health Center. She currently manages patients with diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and patients with multiple medications for polypharmacy visits. 

“Teaching for me wasn’t something that was on my radar when I was in pharmacy school, but I am so glad that opportunities have led me to teach,” says Dr. Wells. “I truly find it rewarding to see the students grow over time into pharmacy practitioners and know that I played a part in their successes. The hard work of teaching is well worth the reward. Being able to see the progression in student learning is why I do what I do.”

Dr. Wells teaches didactics in the second-year pharmacy therapeutics course with topics including hypertension, hyperlipidemia, obesity, diabetes, women’s health, and endocrine disorders. She is also the fall therapeutics course coordinator. Dr. Wells is a preceptor at her ambulatory care clinic site for second- through fourth-year students along with second-year pharmacy residents. In addition, she an active faculty preceptor for various student extracurricular functions.

“It is faculty like Dr. Wells that really ensure our students can learn from those on the front lines of care,” explains Vicki Ellingrod, PharmD, FCCP, FACNP, dean John Gideon Searle Professor of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy. “Balancing a busy clinical practice with teaching is not easy but Dr. Wells dedication to our students makes it looks like it is, which is why she is so deserving of this award.”

Dr. Wells received the Southeastern Michigan Society of Health-Systems Pharmacist Resident of the Year Award in 2004. In 2011, Dr. Wells and her colleagues received the American Society of Hospital Pharmacists Best Practices Award along with the Michigan Pharmacists Association Innovative Practice Award for their group-practice model in the patient-centered medical home model of patient care. In 2018, she received the Student Appreciation Award from the University of Michigan College of Pharmacy P2 class.

“It has been a privilege to teach at the University of Michigan for the past fifteen years,” notes Dr. Wells. “Building lasting relationships with students and teaching them the field of pharmacy keeps me fulfilled. I am a better pharmacist as well from my experiences in teaching, especially with regards to communication and empathy. Teaching has become a passion of mine, and winning this award validates that passion.”