James B. Ray

Dr. James B. Ray is a Clinical Associate Professor in both the Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science at the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy and the Department of Internal Medicine at the Carver College of Medicine. He holds the James A. Otterbeck OnePoint Patient Care Professorship in Hospice and Palliative Care. As a Clinical Pharmacy Specialist for the Inpatient Adult Supportive & Palliative Care Service and a faculty member of the Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship at Iowa Healthcare, Dr. Ray focuses on integrating palliative care into pharmacy education and clinical practice.

He co-founded the SOLACE Palliative Care Collaborative, established a university-approved Palliative Care Certificate for PharmD students, and developed the ASHP-accredited PGY-2 Palliative Care and Pain Management Pharmacy Residency at the University of Iowa. His professional contributions include leadership roles in organizations such as the Society of Pain and Palliative Care Pharmacists (SPPCP), where he previously served as president and board member.

• Research Interests: Deprescribing, Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CINP), and alternative medication delivery routes.
• Awards:
  • Ben Pardini Interdisciplinary Teaching Award
  • Third Place Impact Award (John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center)
  • Encore (Gold) Award (Ortho-McNeil Janssen Scientific Affairs)
• Grants & Initiatives: Led Pain Management Process Improvement and Methadone Safety initiatives, contributing to policy guidelines in hospice care.

Dr. Ray’s work emphasizes educational innovation, clinical practice improvement, and interdisciplinary collaboration in palliative care. He actively mentors through residency programs and contributes to national pain management guidelines.