Page 39 - RxBound Winter 2020

In Memoriam

Sam K. Shimomura, PharmD

March 8, 1946 – January 12, 2020

Dr. Sam Shimomura affectionately referred to as “Dr. Sam” by students
and colleagues earned his doctor of pharmacy degree in 1970 from UCSF.
He joined the faculty shortly after graduation where he remained for 26
years in San Francisco initially, but he would later relocate to Southern
California as the experiential education coordinator for UCSF for the
Los Angeles and Orange County regions. During his time at UCSF he was
involved with the “9th Floor Satellite” program, which demonstrated the
value of placing pharmacists where medications were being used as
opposed to where they were being dispensed. Dr. Sam holds an emeritus
status at UCSF for his outstanding service.
In 1996 he moved from UCSF to Western University of Health Sciences as
one of the founding faculty members in the College of Pharmacy. During
his time at the college he was integral in the development of experiential
education sites and continuing education programs. Dr. Sam also helped
more than 300 Vietnamese pharmacists receive their pharmacy license in
the U.S. through special review courses.
He was a part of the USC, UOP and WesternU group that founded the
California Pharmacy Student Leadership (CAPSLEAD) program in 2001.
Dr. Sam was the first faculty at WesternU College of Pharmacy to establish
an endowment. The Sam Shimomura Endowed Scholarship provides
support for student pharmacists interested in careers in hospital or health systems pharmacy with a focus in geriatrics. Dr. Sam served
as Associate Dean for College Advancement until his retirement in 2018.
Dr. Sam dedicated his career to educating and mentoring students. He had a long history of service to CSHP and ASHP. He served as
CSHP president elect, president and past president from 1989 to 1992. He was recognized as CSHP Pharmacist of the Year in 1995;
received the Distinguished Service Award in 2006 and in 2017 he was recognized by the Board of Directors with the CSHP Lifetime
Honorary Membership Award. He also served on the ASHP Board of Directors from 1999 to 2002. Dr. Sam was recognized as a fellow
from both ASHP and CSHP.
During his 48 years of service as an educator, mentor and colleague, Dr. Sam has touched the lives of over 6000 pharmacy students and
residents. He will forever be remembered for his remarkable impact on pharmacy education and the profession.
Dr. Sam passed away on Sunday, January 12, 2020 at his home in Irvine, California.

On Saturday, March 7, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. a Celebration of Life
for Dr. Sam Shimomura was held at Mariners Church in Irvine, CA.

If you were unable to join us it can be viewed at

https://www.youtube.com/c/WesternUCollegeofPharmacy

In lieu of flowers the family has requested that donations be directed to:
The Sam Shimomura Endowed Scholarship
c/o Western University of Health Sciences, College of Pharmacy
309 E. Second Street, Pomona, CA 91766
For online donations please use the link: giving.westernu.edu/cop