Dr. Katelyn Alexander, director of Experiential Education at East Tennessee State University Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy, has been named a Fellow of the American Pharmacists Association (APhA), one of the profession’s highest honors recognizing exemplary achievements in pharmacy practice and outstanding service to the profession.

The APhA Fellow Award honors members who have demonstrated sustained contributions to pharmacy through practice, scholarship, education, mentoring, and advocacy, along with meaningful service to APhA and a distinguished record of professional achievement. Alexander, an APhA member since 2011, has actively contributed to the organization through committee service, appointed leadership roles, publications and editorial work, including serving on the Pharmacy Today editorial advisory board and reviewing for APhA journals, textbooks and live programming. Locally, Alexander has served as a co-adviser for ETSU’s nationally recognized chapter of the American Pharmacists Association Academy of Student Pharmacists (APhA-ASP) since 2013.  

Alexander says mentorship has been a cornerstone of her service.  

“The American Pharmacists Association has been my professional home since I was a student pharmacist, and I’m humbled to receive this honor,” said Alexander. “Mentoring student pharmacists – especially through APhA-ASP – has been one of the greatest joys of my career. Watching students grow as leaders, instilling in them a passion for professional service and continuing to support them long after graduation is incredibly meaningful.”

Her impact as a mentor is reflected in the words of  former students.  

“Dr. Alexander does not just produce successful chapters or polished presentations. She develops leaders, elevates practice and leaves a lasting mark on the profession of pharmacy,” wrote alumnus Dr. Scott Brewster (’17) in his nomination letter. “What stands out to me is how she prepared her students to thrive beyond the stage and the plaque. Many of those she mentored went on to serve as APhA-ASP national officers, committee members and award recipients, and more importantly, as professionals who are shaping patient care in meaningful ways.”

Alexander’s impact extends beyond APhA. She helped establish the ETSU Charitable Pharmacy in 2014, which expands medication access for uninsured patients across the Tri-Cities region. She launched a PGY1 community-based pharmacy residency program with Boone Drug in 2017, serving as its director and mentoring residents as they began their careers.  She has supported interprofessional education initiatives at ETSU since 2018 and has served in leadership and committee roles within the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy and the Tennessee Pharmacists Association.  

Today, as director of Experiential Education, Alexander oversees a major portion of the professional curriculum and works with more than 200 practice sites and 400 preceptors to ensure students receive high-quality clinical experiences.  

“This role allows me to mentor students as they transition from classroom learning to patient-focused practice,” Alexander said.  “Seeing our alumni return as preceptors and continuing the cycle of mentorship is an incredibly rewarding part of my work. My greatest impact on the profession is helping prepare the next generation and celebrating their success.”

Alexander earned her Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences (2007) and Doctor of Pharmacy (2011) from The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. She completed a Postgraduate Year One (PGY1) Community Pharmacy Practice Residency through the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy prior to joining the faculty at ETSU.

Learn more about ETSU Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy at etsu.edu/pharmacy.