OAKWOOD, VA (JUNE 3, 2026) – Appalachian College of Pharmacy Alumna Dr. Jennifer Hammons, who earned both her Doctor of Pharmacy degree (2018) and her Doctor of Public Health degree (2025) from ACP has been named the Director of Rural Health Advancement at the college.
“We are pleased to welcome Dr. Hammons as the ACP director of rural health advancement,” said ACP Provost and Dean Susan Mayhew. “Not only was she the first ACP student to graduate from our new Doctor of Public Health program, but she also double majored in the program, earning her DrPH in rural health and in integrative and preventative health.
“In her new role at ACP, she will not only be teaching our students, but she will also be overseeing rural health access programming and advocating for pharmacists’ roles in underserved communities like ours,” Mayhew added.
“This position is a natural extension of both my PharmD and DrPH training, combining clinical pharmacy, public health leadership, workforce development and rural health advocacy,” Hammons said. “Much of my focus will center on helping prepare the next generation of pharmacists and public health practitioners to better understand healthcare access, prevention, chronic disease management and the social determinants of health in rural Appalachia.”
At ACP, Hammons will teach pharmacy practice and public health while overseeing pharmacist-led interventions connecting clinical care, prevention and rural health access, while continuing to advocate for pharmacist provider status and the expansion of pharmacists’ roles in underserved communities.
Hammons first chose ACP because of what she said was its deep commitment to serving rural and underserved populations, aligning perfectly with her own calling to bring equitable, compassionate care to the communities she calls home.
Hammons completed her undergrad requirements through Southwest Virginia Community College to begin studying at ACP and went on to successfully earn her PharmD degree in 2018.
While pursuing her degrees through ACP, Hammons has also been a full-time mother and wife. Married to Shane Hammons, they have three daughters, Azzy, age 20, Mia, age 18; and Camille, age 15.
“As a pharmacist, I’ve always believed pharmacy extends far beyond dispensing and this role allows me to help build programs, partnerships and educational experiences that strengthen the future of rural healthcare,” Hammons said. “My DrPH background allows me to approach these challenges from a systems and population health perspective, helping bridge clinical care with broader public health initiatives. The DrPH degree is designed to develop public health leaders who can translate knowledge into real-world community impact, systems change and policy-driven solutions. ACP gave me the opportunity to become both.”
Hammons said ACP’s role in educating the next generation of pharmacists is critical.
“Appalachian College of Pharmacy (ACP) represents more than just a place of learning, it is a mission-driven institution rooted in the heart of Central Appalachia,” Hammons said. “ACP is building pharmacists who not only understand medications and patient care, but also the broader social, economic and public health factors that impact entire communities.
“The future of healthcare is interconnected,” she added. “Recognizing that pharmacy and public health are no longer separate conversations, especially in rural and underserved communities where healthcare professionals are often the frontline connection between patient care and broader community health outcomes. Building and developing that interconnection is essential to the future of rural healthcare.”
“ACP is home,” Hammons said. “I am so happy to be here.”
ABOUT ACP: The Appalachian College of Pharmacy is the only three-year Doctor of Pharmacy program in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Founded in 2003, the college accepted its first students in 2005. It is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Its mission is to cultivate a learning community committed to education, community outreach and the professional development of pharmacists. Its graduate pharmacists are now practicing throughout the United States. Learn more at www.acp.edu.
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