Campus News Faculty Spotlight

Collaboration, variety define College of Pharmacy faculty member

Tim Brown serves as director of interprofessional education for the College of Pharmacy and professor in pharmacology and toxicology for the Augusta University/University of Georgia Medical Partnership. (Photo by Andrew Davis Tucker/UGA)

Tim Brown teaches students the power of interprofessional education

The adage “Variety is the spice of life” implies that life is more interesting and enjoyable when it includes many different things. It creates the idea that a mixture of elements contributes to a more meaningful existence.

In work and in play, Tim Brown embodies this idiom.

Having served in a dual faculty role with the UGA College of Pharmacy and the Augusta University/University of Georgia Medical Partnership for years, Brown is dedicated to teaching students the power of interprofessional education and how it impacts patient outcomes. With 31 years of experience in the pharmacy profession, Brown learned early in his career that collaboration among health care workers significantly improves health outcomes.

“When I first worked in primary practice at a clinic in Ohio, our team of pharmacists and physicians was one of the first to begin collaboratively prescribing pre-exposure prophylaxis for patients with HIV. With a team effort, we were able to help prevent the transmission of HIV at a time when awareness of how to do so was low among patients,” said Brown.

To his students at UGA, he emphasizes that a diversity of professions and values — such as the ones he experienced in primary practice — ultimately benefits patients.

“I teach what I teach because I am driven by patient care,” Brown said. “When I was in school, no one taught the value of working closely with a patient’s entire health care team, which includes physicians, nurses, therapists, social workers, and of course, pharmacists. We worked individually and independently in our assigned duties and roles. Now, I have the privilege of training students about how all voices at the bedside can make a difference in the life and well-being of a patient — and all voices need to be heard and respected by one another.”

Joining UGA in 2019, Brown developed a unique dual role that bridged a relationship between the College of Pharmacy and the Medical Partnership, a collaboration that felt natural given his extensive experience working with both professions. He now serves as director of interprofessional education for the College of Pharmacy and professor in pharmacology and toxicology for the Augusta University/University of Georgia Medical Partnership.

Pharmacy student Isabel Campa, left, listens to Tim Brown as he teaches inside the simulation center inside Russell Hall on the Health Sciences Campus. (Photo by Andrew Davis Tucker/UGA)

“Pharmacists and physicians are symbiotic professions,” Brown said. “One cannot live without the other, and teaching, role modeling and building a program that highlights this partnership has become my primary mission and passion.”

Although managing responsibilities for two schools can be challenging, Brown has embraced the dynamic nature of his role.

“Every day is both pharmacy and medicine,” he said. “There’s no set schedule; I prioritize based on what’s needed. Over time, I’ve aligned the goals for both schools, creating a universal focus on collaboration and care.”

Brown’s efforts have not only contributed to bringing the two schools closer but have also led to significant advancements in interprofessional activities, engagement and curriculum development. As UGA prepares to launch its own School of Medicine, Brown will soon take on the broader task of overseeing the interprofessional activities for the School of Medicine as well.

“The transition to UGA’s new School of Medicine is a significant step forward. We will support the community by training medical professionals, who, in turn, will provide care for those living in Georgia,” he said. “Also, creating a dedicated School of Medicine under UGA’s umbrella strengthens the collaboration between pharmacy and medicine even further. It’s about building a program that not only serves Georgia’s needs for more physicians but also fosters a deeper partnership between these two vital professions.”

Brown’s inclusive, wide-angle outlook and vast experiences spice up his life with much needed balance and variety — even after hours. He is passionate about giving back to the local community by volunteering with marginalized communities. In addition, he maintains a disciplined routine of working out and lifting weights for two hours daily. “It’s my sanity,” he said. Beyond fitness, Brown is a voracious reader with a love of many genres ranging from thrillers to biographies.

Reflecting on his time at UGA, Brown is optimistic about his future and the role he will play at UGA.

“I’m loyal to places that challenge me and give me opportunities to grow,” he said. “During my tenure, we’ve exceeded expectations, and I’m confident, with the advent of the new School of Medicine and our continuation of a collaborative working environment, we can achieve even more and become a model for how interprofessional education should be integrated within all health-related professions.”