Rick Hess received his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Mercer University Southern School of Pharmacy in 1998. He completed his post-graduate residency in community practice specializing in providing diabetes care in community pharmacy. Following his residency, Dr. Hess started providing diabetes self-management education and became director of a pharmacy-based ADA-recognized program while practicing in Atlanta, Georgia. In 2007, Dr. Hess joined the ETSU College of Pharmacy as a Professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice. He currently provides diabetes care with State of Franklin Healthcare Associates. Dr. Hess is a Certified Diabetes Educator, and a Certified Insulin Pump Trainer.
Education, Degree, & Post Graduate Training:
PGY-1 Community Pharmacy Practice 1998-1999 Mercer University Southern School of Pharmacy Atlanta, GA
Doctor of Pharmacy Summa Cum Laude 1994-1998 Mercer University Southern School of Pharmacy Atlanta, GA
Bachelor of Science Degree Major: Biology 1988-1992 University of South Florida Tampa, FL
Additional Certifications:
Board Certification in Ambulatory Care Pharmacy, Board of Pharmacy Specialties
Certified Diabetes Educator, National Certification Board for Diabetes Educators
Teaching Specialty:
Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders
Interpersonal and Interprofessional Communication
Classes Taught:
Integrated Series
Evidence-Based Diabetes Management
Communication Skills for Health Professionals
Research Interests:
Diabetes, interpersonal and interprofessional communication skills.
Selected Publications:
Willcoxon T, Hess R. A Survey Snapshot Measuring Insulin Underuse in a Primary Care Clinic. Ann Fam Med. 2023;21(1):70-72.
Hess R, Whitley HP, Majerczyk D, Stamm P. An Online, Multi-institutional Debate on Diabetes Medications by Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience Students. Am J Pharm Educ. 2023;87(1):ajpe8815.
Hess R, Schumacher C, Whitley HP, Reece S, Knezevich EL, DeLa Peña LE, Gross B, Knezevich JT, Ginzburg R, Albanese NP, Isaacs D. Diabetes Technology: A Primer Highlighting the Role of the Pharmacist. American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP) Endocrine and Metabolism Practice and Research Network (PRN) Opinion Paper. J Am Coll Clin Pharm. 2022; 5(12): 1307 – 1323.
Hess R, Brandon S, Johnson FP. Effectiveness of Pharmacist and Physician Collaboration in the Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes with Severe Insulin Resistance Using U-500 Insulin. h2South Med J. 2016 Nov;109(11):690-693.
Hess R, Hagemeier NE, Blackwelder R, Rose D, Ansari N, Branham T. Teaching Communication Skills to Medical and Pharmacy Students Using a Blended Learning Course. Am J Pharm Educ. 2016; 80(4): Article 64.
Hess R, Renfro C. A Comparative Analysis of Pharmacists' Self- Confidence Beliefs for Regular U-500 (concentrated) Insulin and U-100 Insulin. J Diabetol Endocrinol. 2016; 1(1):5-8.
Hess R. New Therapies for Type 1 Diabetes. In: Dong BJ, Elliott DP, eds. Ambulatory Care Self-Assessment Program, 2016 Book 1. Endocrinologic/Rheumatologic Care. Lenexa, KS: American College of Clinical Pharmacy, 2016: 35-57.
Hagemeier NE, Hess R, Hagen KS, Sorah EL. Impact of an Interprofessional Communication Course on Nursing, Medical and Pharmacy Students’ Communication Skill Self-Efficacy Beliefs. Am J Pharm Educ. 2014; 78(10):Article 186.
Organizational Involvement/Membership:
American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP)
Tennessee Pharmacists Association (TPA)
Christian Pharmacists Fellowship International (CPFI)
Personal motto or favorite quote:
"The gospel is this: We are more sinful and flawed in ourselves than we ever dared believe, yet at the very same time we are more loved and accepted in Jesus Christ than we ever dared hope." Timothy Keller