UT Tyler Announces New Fisch College of Pharmacy Dean

July 28, 2025 | Elizabeth Wingfield

The University of Texas at Tyler named Dr. Pamella Ochoa as the dean of the Ben and Maytee Fisch College of Pharmacy. Ochoa has served as interim dean since 2024.

“Dr. Ochoa is a dedicated leader and educator whose commitment to student success, academic excellence and service to East Texas has been unwavering,” said UT Tyler President Julie V. Philley, MD. “Her experience and leadership will help propel the Fisch College of Pharmacy forward and ensure our graduates are well-prepared to meet the growing health care needs of our region.”

Prior to this appointment, Ochoa served as the associate dean for experiential education and clinical professor. Since joining the Fisch College of Pharmacy in 2018, she has played an integral role in advancing the college’s experiential education program, guiding student-led patient care initiatives, fostering preceptor development and supporting curricular innovation. With more than two decades of experience in both clinical pharmacy and academia, as well as directing pharmacy residency programs, she brings a deep commitment to student success and faculty development.

“I’m honored to serve as dean of the Fisch College of Pharmacy and continue building on the strong foundation we’ve created,” said Ochoa. “Pharmacists play an essential role in the health and wellness of our communities and improving access to care, especially in rural areas. I’m proud to work alongside an outstanding team of faculty, staff and students who are deeply committed to advancing health in East Texas.”

Ochoa received a Bachelor of Science in biochemistry and in genetics from Texas A&M University. She earned a Doctor of Pharmacy from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Pharmacy, followed by a pharmacy residency at the UT Tyler Health Science Center. In addition to her other roles, she is the current chair of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy Experiential Education Section and served as chair on AACP experiential resolutions, newsletter, and programming committees, as well as a facilitator for the AACP Leadership Development SIG Leadership Circles Program.

With a mission to improve educational and health care outcomes for East Texas and beyond, UT Tyler offers more than 90 undergraduate and graduate programs to more than 10,000 students. Through its alignment with UT Tyler Health Science Center and UT Health East Texas, UT Tyler has unified these entities to serve Texas with quality education, cutting-edge research and excellent patient care. Classified by Carnegie as a doctoral research institution and by U.S. News & World Report as a national university, UT Tyler has campuses in Tyler, Longview, Palestine and Houston.