University of the Sciences President Dr. Philip P. Gerbino Announces His Retirement

PHILADELPHIA, May 12, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- University of the Sciences President Dr. Philip P. Gerbino announced his retirement effective August 31, 2011. Dr. Gerbino graduated from the institution as a student in 1969 and would go on to serve as a faculty member and administrator, and has been president of USciences since 1995.

"With new leadership coming to the board, I felt that the time was right to announce my retirement and step away from this beloved university," Dr. Gerbino said. "University of the Sciences is where it needs to be to continue to move forward and grow. I've been here for 44 years as a student, administrator, and as a president. The timing of my retirement feels right."

Gerbino graduated with a degree in pharmacy in 1969 from the former Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science (PCPS, now University of the Sciences). While an instructor in pharmacy at the school, he earned his doctor of pharmacy in 1970. Gerbino worked his way up through the ranks at PCPS as a faculty member and an administrator becoming vice president of academic affairs in 1992. He served in that role as well as becoming dean of the college before being appointed president in 1995.

As president, Gerbino helped usher in the transformation of PCPS to University of the Sciences in Philadelphia in 1997 when the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania approved the institution's application for university status. Today, the University continues to build on its esteemed reputation and is home to 27 undergraduate and 21 graduate programs in five colleges. Its 3,000 students have enrolled in premier programs in the health sciences, ranging across pharmacy with its direct entry doctoral program to pre-med to physical therapy to healthcare business and health policy.

"I want to thank Dr. Gerbino for his incredible devotion and dedicated leadership over his many years as president, administrator, faculty member, student and then alumnus of USciences," said Marvin Samson, USciences board chairman. "Over the years he has touched many lives, guided many careers and made many significant contributions. During his tenure as president, he helped transform the institution into the leading health sciences university it is today."

As president, the University's operating budget tripled while the endowment quadrupled. The size of the student body doubled as did the academic offerings. Physically, the university has grown to 22 buildings over 36 acres, creating an urban learning campus with residential living and palpable student life. The athletic teams have been elevated to NCAA Division II status.

Personally, Dr. Gerbino has been awarded numerous honors and distinctions, including Pennsylvania Bio's Frank Baldino Bioscience CEO of the Year Award in March of this year. He serves on the boards of the University City Science Center, the Life Science Congress of the Philadelphia Visitors and Convention Bureau, TargetRx, Numoda and Pennsylvania BIO.  He also serves on the President's Council of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II.

Between now and August 31, Dr. Gerbino will be working with new board chair Marvin Samson and the board executive committee on transition matters, including a presidential search.

At University of the Sciences, students embark on a challenging learning experience in a proving ground for successful professionals in the science and healthcare-related fields. A private institution dedicated to education, research, and service, and distinguished as the nation's first college of pharmacy, the University has produced leaders in the science and healthcare marketplaces since its founding in 1821. Students in USciences' five colleges learn to excel in scientific analysis and to apply their skills to improving healthcare in the lives of people worldwide through such disciplines as pharmacy, biology, physical therapy, healthcare business, and health policy. For more information, visit usciences.edu.

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SOURCE University of the Sciences