As part of our 50th anniversary celebration, The Pulse recently reached out to several long-time employees to have them share their stories, experiences and memories as NEOMED has continued to grow. Altaf Darvesh, Ph.D., associate professor of pharmaceutical sciences, was an early member of the College of Pharmacy faculty, joining just two years after it was founded.
When did you start at NEOMED?
I interviewed for the College of Medicine, back when the University name was NEOUCOM, on February 26, 2007, and was offered the job on March 4, 2007 – which happened to be my 35th birthday! I started on October 1, 2007.
What was your first role at the University? Subsequent role or roles?
My primary appointment at NEOMED was assistant professor of pharmaceutical sciences in 2007. I was granted tenure and a promotion to associate professor of pharmaceutical sciences in 2015. I also hold an adjunct appointment as associate professor of psychiatry in the College of Medicine.
What led you to NEOMED?
I came from India to Cincinnati for my Ph.D. in Fall 1999. I moved to Portland, Oregon, to pursue a postdoctoral fellowship in 2005, and in 2006 I started applying for faculty positions in pharmacy schools. I chose to come to NEOMED since they are a medical school that had just started a pharmacy school, and it gave me an opportunity to come back to the Buckeye State!
What do you remember most about your first day or week or month at NEOMED?
October 1, 2007, was a lovely autumn day and I was given a warm welcome by the College. I was absolutely thrilled that I was back in Ohio and could start using OHIO LINK after two years!
What is your favorite NEOMED tradition?
In my initial years there used to be a fall mixer event and it was a lot of fun! One year we were asked who our favorite cartoon character was – and my answer was DONALD DUCK – QUACK QUACK!
Besides the most visible changes – such as adding a College of Pharmacy or changing the name from NEOUCOM – what are some of the most impactful changes you’ve seen over the years at NEOMED?
I have seen amazing growth at NEOMED – becoming Ohio’s newest state university, the massive expansion on campus including the RGE building, the NEW Center, and The Village. I have seen such wonderful developments at NEOMED such as the establishment of the College of Graduate Studies, the Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant Program, important clinical partnerships, and the newest development – the Bitonte College of Dentistry!
Are there any changes that had particular meaning for you? What and in what way?
Ever since the campus expansion I find a renewed energy and vibrancy at NEOMED. There is a positive feeling about the future. The 50 year celebration is also very meaningful to me!
What is your favorite place on the NEOMED campus that did not exist when you started?
The NEW Center – I absolutely love it!
Who is one (or some) of your biggest mentors during your time at NEOMED? How did they impact your career?
I have been fortunate to have wonderful mentors at NEOMED, including my deans and chairs. My first department chair, Dr. Cornelius van der Schyf, who was instrumental in getting me hired, was a very important mentor for me – especially at a time when I was starting in my faculty and teaching career.
What’s your best, most touching or funniest NEOMED story?
This took place at the Paris Airport on Dec. 30, 2016. I was returning back to the U.S. from India. I had flown into Paris from Mumbai and was waiting for the next flight to Detroit. I saw an Indian family looking at me and talking amongst themselves. Finally a young gentleman approached me, and asked if I am Dr. Darvesh? He said that he was an M3 student at NEOMED. Since I had taught him in the M1 and M2 years he said that I looked familiar! I met his family, who reside in Cincinnati, and were also returning back to the U.S. from India.
The student said that it truly is a small world – two years earlier on a flight from London to Chicago he was sitting next to a gentleman returning from India. When the student mentioned that he was an M1 student at NEOMED – the co-passenger told him that he runs the BP gas station in Rootstown!
How has the field changed since you started at NEOMED?
Over the past decade, I have been teaching about several new medications which have complex mechanisms of action. Also, since the COVID pandemic, the online/hybrid model for teaching and meetings has brought a lot of changes in learning and work culture.
Anything else you’d like to add?
I have loved being at NEOMED ever since I started here in 2007 and hope for a long career teaching students in the health care professions! I fondly look back at the 17 years that I have spent at NEOMED and look forward to many many more!