Members of The University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy Alumni Association Leadership team and previous William J. Sheffield Outstanding Alumnus Award recipients have selected the winners of this year’s Alumni Awards. The 2024 honorees will be recognized on Saturday, November 23, 2024 at the UT Austin Pharmacy Alumni Association Homecoming Tailgate, generously sponsored by H-E-B.
Dr. Robert L. Talbert
2024 Legend of Pharmacy Award Recipient
Robert Talbert received both his B.S. and Ph.D. at the University of Kentucky and is a licensed pharmacist in both Texas and Kentucky. As one of the nominators noted in his nomination, "The mission of the UT Austin College of Pharmacy is ‘to provide exemplary education, training, research and professional development for Pharm.D. students, graduate students and postgraduates in the pharmaceutical sciences; to advance discovery, innovation and patient care; and to provide service to the university, professional and scientific communities and society.’ Dr. Talbert has upheld this mission throughout his professional career and beyond."
His 38-year career at Texas Pharmacy demonstrates his dedication to teaching and scholarship, as do the numerous awards he has received, including the Robert G. Leonard Memorial Lecture Award from UT Austin and the Texas Society of Health-Systems Pharmacists (TSHP), the Robert K. Chalmers Distinguished Pharmacy Educator Award from the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP), the Russell R. Miller Literature Award and the Paul F. Parker Medal from the American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP). Dr. Talbert has published more than 150 peer-reviewed journal articles and edited a wildly successful pharmacy textbook during his illustrious career. He attained emeritus status as a Professor of Pharmacy in 2013. His loyalty to the college is also demonstrated by his philanthropy, with his support of the Dr. Robert L. Talbert, Jr. and Betsey S. Talbert Endowment for Excellence in Pharmacotherapy. In May 2013, he retired from the college and moved to the Lake LBJ/Lake Marble Falls-area with his wife. The Talberts have two children and five grandchildren.
Dr. Cynthia A. Gutierrez
William J. Sheffield Outstanding Alumnus Award Recipient
Cynthia (Cindy) Gutierrez began her journey with The University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy in 1997, graduating with her Doctor of Pharmacy degree 2001, and a Master of Science in conjunction with a Psychiatric Pharmacy Practice Residency in 2003. Dr. Gutierrez has worked at the South Texas Veterans Health Care System as a Clinical Pharmacist Practitioner in Psychiatry for over 20 years, and as Associate Chief of Clinical Pharmacy Programs since 2017. She served as Residency Program Director for the VA’s UT-affiliated PGY2 Psychiatric Pharmacy Residency for ten years, starting in 2004. Dr. Gutierrez served three years with the VHA National Clinical Pharmacy Practice Office as a member of the Clinical Pharmacy Advisory Board. Most recently she served as President of the American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists. She maintains an adjunct faculty appointment with the college, serving as a lecturer and preceptor.
Ms. W. Renee’ Acosta
William J. Sheffield Outstanding Alumnus Award Recipient
W. Renee’ Acosta received both her B.S. and M.S. degrees from The University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy, working as a community pharmacist in the Austin area before entering academia. She has been on faculty at the college for the past 20 years. She currently serves as the Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and a Clinical Professor.
In her faculty role, Dean Acosta’s primary teaching is in the nonprescription and self-care course series. She also coordinates and teaches an elective designed to provide students with tools to enhance their academic success and life-long learning. She is a mentor, facilitator, supervisor and preceptor to countless students each year. Dean Acosta has been recognized for her contributions to teaching excellence and interprofessional education. In her capacity as senior associate dean, she oversees the Pharm.D. program and all activities involved from recruitment through licensure.
Dr. Chibuokem Amuneke-Nze
2024 Distinguished Young Alumnus Award Recipient
Chibuokem (Chib) Amuneke-Nze is an Inpatient Pharmacy Assistant Manager at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (MDACC) in Houston, Texas. He received his B.S. in Chemistry and Molecular Genetics from The Ohio State University and his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from The University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy. Dr. Amuneke-Nze has been fortunate to partner MDACC and Texas Pharmacy within experiential education, aiming to ensure model institutional education and mentorship for UT Pharmacy students. As part of the college community, he has served as a guest lecturer, interviewer and active Alumni Council member. Statewide he serves as a Texas health system legislative advocate and service leader as the current president of the Houston area TSHP chapter. Dr. Amuneke-Nze has published scientific work on health promotion with Texas Pharmacy professors and fellow alumni. He is currently involved with inpatient operational quality improvement programs examining the safety, cost of care and wellness for pharmacy service delivery within oncology care.
Congratulations to all the winners! You can honor the recipients personally at this year’s Texas Pharmacy Homecoming Tailgate.