MUSC Names Terri Warholak Next College of Pharmacy Dean

The Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) has named Terri L. Warholak, Ph.D., as dean of the MUSC College of Pharmacy, effective Oct. 1.

Warholak, a registered pharmacist, currently serves as dean and professor at the St. Louis College of Pharmacy at the University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis, Missouri. She is nationally recognized for her expertise in medication safety, research, pharmacy education and academic leadership.

Warholak began her career with the Indian Health Service and U.S. Food and Drug Administration before serving as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Public Health Service. She later earned her master’s and doctoral degrees from Purdue University.

She spent 17 years at the University of Arizona College of Pharmacy, advancing to professor and assistant dean for Academic Affairs and Assessment. Her body of scholarly work includes 180 peer-reviewed publications and projects representing more than $39 million in research funding.

Since becoming dean in St. Louis in 2022, Warholak has led efforts to strengthen organizational culture, financial sustainability, alumni engagement and academic innovation. To her credit, graduating students who said they would choose the college again almost doubled, annual clinical service revenue tripled and alumni giving more than doubled.

“MUSC has an extraordinary opportunity to connect pharmacy education and research with clinical practice in ways that improve care and expand what pharmacists can do for patients,” Warholak said. “I look forward to working with students, faculty, staff, alumni, health system colleagues and industry partners to prepare the workforce of the future and improve the health of communities throughout South Carolina.”

Warholak joins MUSC as the college prepares for the fall 2027 launch of Helix+, its redesigned Pharm.D. curriculum, while advancing research, graduate education, clinical collaboration and industry partnerships.

“In Dr. Warholak, we are gaining an accomplished scholar and passionate advocate for the pharmacy profession,” said John V. Marymont, M.D., executive vice president for Academic Affairs and provost. “Her record demonstrates that she knows how to turn ambitious ideas into measurable results while bringing people together around a shared purpose. I am confident she is the right leader to elevate the College of Pharmacy, expand its national influence and ensure its work makes an even greater difference for South Carolina.”

Warholak succeeds Philip D. Hall, Pharm.D., who announced plans to step down after 15 years as dean.