University of the Sciences’ Alumni Association presented Tom Bernhardt with the Honorary Alumnus Award during its annual ceremony on Sept 25, 2010. The award is bestowed annually upon a non-alumnus who has shown exemplary dedication and commitment to the mission of the University.
Bernhardt, director of clerkship programs, joined the USciences in 1978 as a faculty member in the Department of Pharmacy Practice. Over 31 years, he has contributed to numerous University service roles, including academic scholarship management, ROTC student advising, and as a central resource for both students and alumni who need advice on pharmacy internship and licensure processes.
At USciences, Bernhardt was responsible for developing and managing the new final-year practical experience coursework curriculum implemented for the pharmacy class of 1980. This responsibility included the development of rotation objectives and performance evaluation tools for both preceptors and students, in addition to screening and enlisting hundreds of practice facilities and adjunct preceptors. In 1994, Bernhardt transitioned into managing advanced experience rotation courses in the new entry-level PharmD curriculum, while continuing pharmacy rotation management until that degree program was discontinued in 2000. Today, he continues to manage advanced pharmacy practice experience rotation courses for final-year PharmD students, as part of a pharmacy experience management team, supervised by Dr. Steven Sheaffer.
As a 1972 graduate of West Virginia University School of Pharmacy, Bernhardt acquired membership in Rho Chi and Kappa Psi at WVU, and in Phi Lambda Sigma at PCP. He is a past president of the New Jersey Pharmacists Association (1989-90), a member of American Pharmacist Association, and maintains active pharmacy licensure.
Bernhardt resides in Mt Laurel, New Jersey, with Pamela, his wife of 39 years, and has been blessed with two daughters, Erin and Andrea, and twin grandchildren, Matthew and Olivia.