UB Announces New Leader for Interprofessional Education

Dear UB family, 

I am thrilled to announce the appointment of Nicholas M. Fusco, PharmD, as interim executive director for Interprofessional Education (IPE) for health sciences. A seasoned educator and renowned scholar, Dr. Fusco brings over a decade of experience and unwavering dedication to IPE, making him ideal to guide the University at Buffalo’s continued ascent as a national leader in collaborative health care education.

A proud alumnus of UB’s School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (SPPS), where he earned his PharmD in 2010, Dr. Fusco returned to his alma mater after completing post-graduate residency training at the University of Maryland. He quickly rose through the ranks, demonstrating exceptional teaching skills and research prowess.

Today, he serves as clinical associate professor and division head of the Division of Education and Teaching Innovation, Department of Pharmacy Practice, demonstrating his commitment to both cutting-edge pedagogy and academic leadership.

His expertise extends far beyond the classroom. Dr. Fusco boasts an impressive record of research and scholarship in IPE, authoring over 36 peer-reviewed manuscripts (30 as lead author) and securing nearly $100,000 in grant funding to support his work on innovative IPE instructional design strategies. This dedication to advancing the field has been recognized nationally, culminating in his prestigious fellowships with the American College of Clinical Pharmacy and the National Academies of Practice.

Dr. Fusco's leadership extends beyond his own research. Since 2016, he has been a driving force behind UB's IPE initiatives, serving on the Office of IPE leadership team and spearheading the development of the School of Pharmacy's robust IPE curriculum.

His efforts have led to the implementation of seven annual IPE activities, transforming a program with no formal structure into a model of excellence recognized on multiple occasions.

Dr. Fusco's knowledge, commitment, and passion for interprofessional collaboration are exactly what we need to propel our programs to new heights, preparing students to excel in tomorrow's health care teams.

Sincerely, 

Allison Brashear, MD, MBA
Vice President for Health Sciences and
Dean, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
University at Buffalo