Administration
Dean Kenneth L. Audus earned a B.S. from the University of South Dakota in 1980 and a Ph.D. from the University of Kansas in 1984. He was also a postdoctoral associate at KU from 1984-1986.
Associate Deans
Senior Associate Dean Gene Hotchkiss joined the KU School of Pharmacy in 1986, as assistant to the dean and coordinator of experiential learning. In 2003, he earned the title of associate dean, and in 2012 was named senior associate dean. Hotchkiss graduated from the KU School of Pharmacy in 1969.
Associate Dean Brian J. Barnes earned a doctor of pharmacy degree from the University of Kansas School of Pharmacy and a Masters of Science in Clinical Research from the University of Kansas School of Medicine. Following graduation from he completed PGY1 and PGY2 (Critical Care) residencies at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. He joined the school's faculty in 2002 and was promoted to associate professor with tenure in 2009. He has served as associate dean for academic affairs since 2012.
Associate Dean Robert L. Emerson earned his Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Pharmacy Degrees from the University of Kansas School of Pharmacy. After several years of community pharmacy practice he joined the university in 1993 where he has served as instructor and coordinator of the Pharmacy Skills Laboratory and Director of the school’s early experiential education program. Dr. Emerson was appointed Associate Dean of the school’s Wichita Campus when it opened in 2011. He has a faculty appointment as Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice and an adjunct faculty appointment as Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine with the KU School of Medicine-Wichita.
Associate Dean Jim Backes earned a B.S. in Pharmacy and Pharm.D. from Creighton University in Omaha, NE. Prior to joining the University of Kansas, he practiced as an ambulatory care pharmacist in the Family Medicine Clinic at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. He is a professor in the Pharmacy Practice and Internal Medicine departments and serves as the Assistant Director of the Atheroscierosis and LDL-Apheresis Center (ALAC) on the Kansas University Medical Center campus.
Associate Dean John Stobaugh earned a B.S. from the University of Oklahoma in 1974, an M.S. from the University of Oklahoma in 1977, and a Ph.D. from the University of Kansas in 1982.
Assistant Deans
Assistant Dean Joe Heidrick earned a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D) Degree from the University of Kansas in 2004. Following graduation he completed his residency at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. Heidrick coordinates the school's experiential education program, placing pharmacy students in a variety of professional practice settings in Kansas and across the US.
Assistant Dean Cheryl Holcomb oversees the school's IT department and all areas of financial and budgetary management, contract review and human resources. She also serves as liaison for students, university leadership, and community leaders in areas related to community service and outreach and works closely with members of the service community to identify volunteer opportunities for students, faculty and staff.
