Ashley Yarabinec is a dedicated faculty member at the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy, serving as an Assistant Professor of Pharmacy and Therapeutics and the Associate Director of Experiential Learning. Her passion for student development and commitment to fostering equitable educational structures underpin her approach to advising.
Dr. Yarabinec plays a pivotal role in advising pharmacy students within all four years of the Doctor of Pharmacy program. In her role as Associate Director of Experiential Learning, she is particularly dedicated to increasing students’ interactions with diverse patient populations and enhancing interprofessional experiences. Her innovative programs, such as the Cooper-Stewart Longitudinal Exchange Program with Howard University College of Pharmacy and the Explore More advanced pharmacy rotation, are designed to support students' professional identity formation and cultural responsiveness. Dr. Yarabinec’s dedication to equitable education is also reflected in her involvement with various initiatives aimed at enhancing cultural humility and responsiveness among pharmacy students. She leads improvement science projects designed to assess and address disparities in pharmacy education, ensuring that students are well-prepared to effectively serve patients.
As the Faculty Advisor for the Beta Kappa Chapter of Kappa Psi Pharmaceutical Fraternity at the University of Pittsburgh, Dr. Yarabinec has made significant contributions to the fraternity's growth and success. Her leadership and guidance have been instrumental in establishing new chapters and fostering a supportive environment for professional development. Prior to her role as Faculty Advisor at the University of Pittsburgh chapter, she helped establish the Zeta Lambda and DFW Graduate chapters in Fort Worth, Texas. She currently works with two other Beta Kappa co-advisors, Karen Hoang and Thai Nguyen. Together, this advising team empowers their members to create positive structural changes to improve chapter engagement, membership, and leadership.
Dr. Yarabinec’s work has been recognized through numerous publications and awards, including the 2024 Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association's Preceptor of the Year Award, and the 2020 Ambulatory Residency Program's Preceptor of the Year award at Allegheny General Hospital.
She is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and supportive educational environment and she passionately advocates for the social and educational rights of all students. For this reason, Dr. Yarabinec is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education degree in Higher Education at Pitt's School of Education while working full time and raising a family, with graduation expected in May 2025.