Phi Lambda Sigma McCarty Lecture
2026 McCarty Leadership Lecture
"When Life Gives You Lemons, Make Something That Matters: Career Insights from a Public Health Pharmacist Turned Medical Affairs Leader"
Kim Nezianya, Pharm.D., AAHIVE, U.S. Medical Director, ViiV Healthcare
12:15-1 p.m. Monday, April 13
Rooms 3048/3050, Health 2, and Zoom
About the 2026 McCarty Lecturer
Kim Nezianya is a U.S. Medical Director at ViiV Healthcare, where she leads medical strategy for long-acting injectable HIV prevention. With nearly a decade of experience advancing HIV prevention, treatment, and health equity, she operates at the intersection of clinical science, medical strategy, and real-world impact. Her work centers on reducing stigma, restoring dignity, and advancing equitable access to HIV prevention and care.
Dr. Nezianya began her career as a community-based clinical pharmacist and completed a PGY-1 Clinical Pharmacy Residency through the University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Pharmacy. She also completed the Midwest AIDS Education and Training Center (AETC) HIV Clinician Scholar Program and is credentialed through the American Academy of HIV Medicine as an HIV expert. After completing her postgraduate training, she went on to serve as a Medical Science Liaison at ViiV Healthcare for seven years, supporting healthcare providers across South Texas.
She is known for translating complex scientific data into clear, evidence-driven medical narratives that inform both strategy and clinical decision-making. She is deeply committed to advancing more thoughtful, non-stigmatizing approaches to HIV prevention and to ensuring innovation translates into meaningful impact for the patients and communities most affected.
The shouts of "Carpe Diem" emanating from James T. McCarty encouraged his students to strive to live for the day – to persevere through their time spent at the college for benefit of the patients they will serve. In fact, many students may remember how he emphasized the importance of treating all patients as equals.
Throughout the curriculum, faculty and students used McCarty as a model of leadership within the profession by emulating his ideals and teachings. For this reason, the students of Phi Lambda Sigma, the national pharmacy leadership honor society, are proud to have named the Leadership Lecture Series after such an influential individual. The annual lecture is co-sponsored by UH College of Pharmacy.
James T. McCarty (1928-2020) was a retired professor and alumnus of UH College of Pharmacy. Having spent a lifetime with the university, from graduation to retirement, McCarty built a legacy of professionalism in the classroom, in pharmacy practice, and behind the podium.
McCarty had many years of varied pharmacy experience, including hospital, manufacturing and community. His professional affiliations included Rho Chi National Honor Society, American Mensa and Phi Lambda Sigma, the national pharmacy leadership society where he served as president in 1992 (one of five UHCOP alumni to hold the highest office in the organization). McCarty received many honors during his career, including the 1997 Harris County Pharmacist of the Year, the 1991 UH College of Pharmacy Distinguished Alumni Award, the 1992 Texas Pharmacist Association Pharmacist of the Year Award and the 1992 Albert Rosica, Jr. Memorial Award by the American College of Apothecaries "for recognition of outstanding contribution to pharmacy education."
The shouts of "Carpe Diem" emanating from this distinguished gentleman encouraged his students to strive to live for the day – to persevere through their time spent at the college for benefit of the patients they will serve. In fact, many students may remember how he emphasized the importance of treating all patients as equals.
Throughout the curriculum, faculty and students used McCarty as a model of leadership within the profession by emulating his ideals and teachings. For this reason, the students of Phi Lambda Sigma, the national pharmacy leadership honor society, are proud to have named the Leadership Lecture Series after such an influential individual.
Phi Lambda Sigma honors leadership. Members are selected by peer recognition. No greater honor can be bestowed upon an individual than to be recognized as a leader by one’s peers. Such recognition instills and enhances self-confidence, encourages the less active student to a more active role and promotes greater effort toward the advancement of pharmacy.
The purpose of Phi Lambda Sigma, also known as the national Pharmacy Leadership Society, is to promote the development of leadership qualities, especially among pharmacy students. By peer recognition, the Society encourages participation in all pharmacy activities. Since membership crosses fraternal and organizational lines, the Society does not compete with other pharmacy organizations.
Founded in 1965, Phi Lambda Sigma has expanded to more than 90 schools and colleges of pharmacy in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. The UH Upsilon Chapter was established in 1988.
Denise Jonathan, Pharm.D. ('05), 2024
Thomas Roduta, Pharm.D., M.S. ('18), BCPS, 2023
Alex C. Varkey, Pharm.D. ('05), M.S., FAPhA, 2022
Janis Parsley, B.S. ('82), Carolyn Hilscher, B.S. ('85), Julie Spier, B.S. ('86), Debbie Veselka, B.S. ('94) and Lynn Simpson, Pharm.D. ('97), 2021
No lecture in 2020
Thani M. Gossai, Pharm.D. ('08), MBA, 2019
Michael Moné, BS Pharm, J.D., FAPhA, 2018
George Okpamen, Pharm.D., MBA, 2017
Joyce A. Tipton, MBA, R.Ph. (B.S. '79), FASHP, 2016
David A. Zilz, B.S., M.S., and Roger W. Anderson, DrPH, R.Ph., FASHP, 2015
The Honorable Charles L. "Chuck" Hopson, R.Ph. (B.S. '65), 2014
No lecture in 2013
Todd W. Canada, Pharm.D., BCNSP, FASHP, FTSHP, 2012
Lisa Scholz, Pharm.D. ('99), MBA, FACHE, 2011
Dennis B. Worthen, Ph.D., 2010
Joesph T. DiPiro, Pharm.D., 2009
Lloyd Y. Young, Pharm.D., 2008
Rhea Blanken, 2007