The UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy reflects on the extraordinary life of former Dean Tom Miya, who passed away on May 30, at the age of 96.
Dean Miya, born in Hanford, California, led the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy from 1977 to 1992. During his tenure, the growth of pharmacy education at the School began to unfold, the North Carolina AHEC program began, and the Pharmacy Foundation of North Carolina undertook aggressive action in developing its assets.
Dean Miya had a powerful story of perseverance that included surviving Japanese internment camps during WWII, pushing to be accepted into pharmacy school, serving in the U.S. Army and later receiving his doctorate in pharmacology. He shared his story of determination in this video.
Miya graduated with a B.S. degree in pharmacy and M.S. degree in physiology and pharmacology from the University of Nebraska, received his Ph.D. in pharmacology from Purdue University and joined the faculty there in 1948. Miya left Purdue in 1956 to come back to his alma mater at Nebraska and serve as associate professor and chairman of pharmacology. He returned to Purdue in 1958 as professor and became chair of the Department of Pharmacology in 1963.
Miya’s research focus was pharmacodynamics, biochemical pharmacology and toxicology. A well-known research scholar, he was also recognized as a leader in pharmacy education and in 1975 was elected president of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP).
When Miya visited Chapel Hill to be interviewed for the dean’s position, he saw a tremendous amount of potential for growth in the Triangle area and on the campus, according to the School’s history.
Dean Miya is survived by daughter Pamela of Omaha and brother Harry of Hanford, CA, sisters-in-law Nancy of Hanford, CA and Patricia of Redondo Beach, CA, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. His funeral will be held June 27, at Crosby Burket Swanson Golden Funeral Home in Omaha, Nebraska.