A professor in Samford University’s McWhorter School of Pharmacy recently was elected to a leadership position in the College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists (CPNP). Marshall E. Cates, professor of pharmacy practice, was voted by his peers to serve as board member-at-large for the professional society.

Each year, individuals are nominated for the board of directors from more than 1,500 CPNP members. Cates will assume his new role on July 1 and work with the 2016–18 board of directors. As member-at-large, Cates’ responsibilities include attending board meetings and the annual meeting in April, as well as working as a liaison between the board and various CPNP committees.  

“This position brings a positive light to school of pharmacy and the university. It is an honor to be recognized by peers on a national level,” said Cates. 

Cates has more than 20 years of clinical experience in psychiatric pharmacy practice, and has concentrated much of his research on mental illness attitudes of pharmacists and pharmacy students. Passionate about mental health education, Cates is ready to use his position to further the CPNP mission “to advance the reach and practice of neuropsychiatric pharmacists.”

Cates was among the first group of pharmacists to be board certified in 1996. He has been a member of CPNP since its founding in 1998. 

Emily Duval is a journalism and mass communication major and a news and feature writer in the Office of Marketing and Communication.