Neal Jaret Benedict

Neal Jaret Benedict is an Associate Professor of Pharmacy and Therapeutics and Director of Assessment at the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy. He is also a Critical Care Pharmacist at UPMC-Presbyterian Hospital, where he practices in the Surgical/Trauma and Medical Intensive Care Units. Dr. Benedict holds a PharmD from Duquesne University (2002), followed by pharmacy residencies at Kaleida Health (2003) and the University of Pittsburgh (2004).

Education:

• Doctor of Pharmacy, Duquesne University, 2002
• Pharmacy Practice Residency, Kaleida Health, 2003
• Critical Care Specialty Residency, University of Pittsburgh, 2004

Research Interests: Dr. Benedict focuses on educational technologies, virtual patient simulations, and assessment strategies to enhance pharmacy student mastery. His clinical research addresses resistant alcohol withdrawal syndromes and critical care pharmacotherapy. He has pioneered blended simulation progress testing and virtual patient curricula, emphasizing self-directed learning and clinical readiness assessment.

Awards:

• 2023 AACP Distinguished Teaching Scholar Award
• 2016 Chancellor's Distinguished Teaching Award
• 2018 AACP Rufus A. Lyman Award
• Multiple 'Cohen Teacher of the Year' and 'Preceptor of the Year' recognitions

Teaching & Advising: Coordinates PharmD courses, mentors IPPE/APPE students, and leads interprofessional education initiatives. His innovations in virtual patient systems (e.g., vpSim) have been nationally recognized. He oversees assessment programs like the Blended Simulation Progress Testing system.

Labs & Teams: Collaborates with UPMC's Critical Care Pharmacy team and academic researchers on projects such as the Pharmacotherapy Scholars Program. Active in AACP and SCCM professional organizations.