Chanel F. Whittaker

Dr. Chanel F. Whittaker is a Professor and Residency Program Director at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy’s Geriatrics Residency Program. She holds a PharmD from Rutgers University and completed residencies at Kaiser Permanente and the Baltimore Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Her clinical and teaching specialties include geriatric pharmacotherapy, chronic kidney disease, and health communication. She directs the PGY2 Geriatrics Residency Program, emphasizing interprofessional education and culturally competent care for diverse older adults.

Dr. Whittaker’s research focuses on health literacy, medication safety, and improving outcomes for older adults. She developed educational programs through the Stanford Geriatric Education Center’s faculty development program and evaluates interventions to enhance medication management in low-literacy populations. Her practice sites include the Geriatric Education and Medication Management (GEM) Clinic and Baltimore VA ambulatory nephrology clinic.

Her awards include Fellow of the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (FASCP) and Board Certifications in Pharmacotherapy (BCPS) and Geriatric Pharmacy (CGP). She mentors residents in the residency program, which has produced leaders in clinical practice and academia. Her work spans geriatric drug therapy, long-term care policy, and interprofessional collaboration, with a commitment to addressing health disparities in aging populations.

Key contributions include curriculum development for ethnogeriatrics, pilot studies on medication adherence, and strategies for clear health communication. She collaborates with institutions like Texas Tech University and Remedi SeniorCare to advance geriatric pharmacy practice and education.