Stephen Eckel

Stephen Eckel, Pharm.D., M.H.A., is an Associate Professor and Associate Dean for Global Engagement at the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy. He serves as Vice Department Chair of the Division of Practice Advancement and Clinical Education (PACE) and Interim Chair of PACE. As Director of Pharmacy for Innovation Services at UNC Medical Center, he leads the Health-System Pharmacy Administration residency program and oversees a two-year Master of Science program in Health-System Pharmacy Administration. His entrepreneurial ventures include launching ChemoGLO LLC and Assure Technologies LLC, focusing on medical device innovation such as the Precynge syringe. Eckel has held leadership roles in professional organizations like ASHP and APhA, and has received awards including the ASHP Residency Excellence Preceptor Award (2015) and APhA Distinguished Achievement Award (2012).

Education:

• Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy and PharmD from UNC-Chapel Hill
• Pharmacy Practice Residency at Duke University Medical Center
• Master’s of Health Care Administration from UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health

Research Interests: Eckel’s work centers on advancing health-system pharmacy through innovation, technology integration, and leadership development. He focuses on optimizing medication-use processes, hazardous drug safety, and residency program excellence. His innovations include telepharmacy systems, gravimetric technology for sterile compounding, and frameworks for reducing drug waste. He also explores global pharmacy standards via FIP’s Basel Statements and advocates for pharmacist leadership in healthcare systems.

Awards and Recognition:

• APhA Distinguished Achievement Award (2012)
• NCAP Excellence in Innovation Award (2013)
• ASHP Foundation Preceptor Award (2015)
• Fellowships in ASHP, APhA, ACCP, and National Academies of Practice

Advancing Pharmacy Practice: Eckel’s initiatives include a flipped residency research model and a structured approach to residency education. He co-founded programs like the UNC Pharmacy Grand Rounds and has collaborated on national projects evaluating closed-system transfer devices and aseptic technique competency. His work bridges clinical practice, education, and global pharmacy policy.

Global Engagement: As Associate Dean for Global Engagement, Eckel fosters international partnerships, exemplified by UNC’s collaborations with institutions in China and sub-Saharan Africa. His teams have developed self-assessment tools for global hospital pharmacies and promoted cross-border educational exchanges.