PharmD and PharmTox students recognize outstanding educators with 2024–25 Teacher of the Year Awards

By Logan Underwood

“The greatest recognition that I could ever get is from students,” says Ed Portillo (PharmD ‘14), an associate professor of pharmacy practice at the University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Pharmacy. “That’s why we do what we do.”

Each year, students in each PharmD class, as well as Pharmacology and Toxicology students, recognize the instructors at the School of Pharmacy for their outstanding teaching, consistent mentorship, and overall support.

Portillo is one of four exceptional instructors at the School of Pharmacy recognized with a 2024–25 Teacher of the Year Award. He was selected by the second-year PharmD class, while the first-year PharmD class honored teaching faculty Emma Hickmann (PharmD ’22), the third-year PharmD class selected Professor of Pharmacy Practice Eva Vivian, and the Pharmacology and Toxicology class recognized Assistant Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences Ting Fu.

While all four award winners showed dedication to their students, each brought their own unique style of teaching to the School.

Emma Hickmann: New teacher for new students

Hickmann returned for her first year of teaching just two years after earning her PharmD from the School of Pharmacy. Launching right into teaching after PGY1 and PGY2 residencies at the William S. Middleton Veterans Memorial Hospital, Hickmann earned a Teacher of the Year award from the first-year PharmD class.

For Hickmann, her status as a recent graduate serves as a tool to better understand her students.

“Dr. Hickmann was always excited to teach and made students feel seen as we navigate the challenges of pharmacy school,” wrote one student nominator.

Drawing on her own recent experiences as a student, Hickmann works to establish a laid-back approach to her teaching that ensures students are comfortable asking questions and seeking guidance.

“I empathize so much, having been so close to that,” says Hickmann. “I think the relatability and the approachability was probably the connection that earned me the award this year.”

Hickmann teaches two lectures for first-year PharmD students, one covering drug reimbursement and another about patient communication and public health. In her lectures, Hickmann utilizes active learning, centering the conversation around student discussion and her own experiences from clinical training.

Hickmann felt that working with first-year PharmD students was a special opportunity. While she was adapting to a new role in the School of Pharmacy, so were they.

“It was my goal that I made them feel welcome in the program, that they belonged here, especially in their first year,” says Hickmann. “I think that can be a tough transition.”

While not expecting to break into teaching so quickly after her residency, Hickmann is excited for the opportunity to continue to grow and shape future careers.

“It would be my long-term goal to continue teaching students,” says Hickmann. “I may not be an expert teacher yet, but I can show students I care and that they belong here.”

Ed Portillo: A passion for teaching

As the second-year PharmD students submitted nominations for the Teacher of the Year Award, they consistently used one word to describe Portillo’s teaching style: “enthusiasm.”

“Dr. Portillo’s enthusiasm and optimism are so contagious, and he truly makes learning enjoyable,” reads one student’s nomination. Another described Portillo as “infectiously enthusiastic.”

Portillo graduated from the School in 2014, and after a two-year residency at the William S. Middleton Veterans Memorial Hospital focusing on health system pharmacy administration, Portillo found himself drawn back to the School. Interested in shaping how students interact with and care for patients, he began teaching in 2016.

Portillo works with second-year PharmD students in the pulmonary care unit, teaching them about chronic pulmonary conditions, such as asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). As a pharmacist at the pulmonary medicine clinic in the William S. Middleton Veterans Memorial Hospital, Portillo recognizes the impact pharmacists have on patients’ lives — even developing a pharmacist-powered intervention to improve outcomes for veterans with COPD. His experience treating life-threatening chronic conditions serve as the foundation of his teaching style at the School of Pharmacy.

“When I teach, it’s all about how you are going to impact patients’ lives every day,” says Portillo. “A lot of what we do is taking really good histories for our patients, understanding their concerns, and helping them get on those right treatments.”

Portillo translates this passion for his patients into the classroom. His enthusiasm and positive attitude toward teaching have earned him multiple Teacher of the Year Awards over his nine years as a faculty member — and it’s always a deeply meaningful honor.

“The number one great feeling you can have as a teacher is from getting any positive feedback from a student, so I really appreciate this,” says Portillo.

Eva Vivian: Legacy of mentorship

Even as a three-time Teacher of the Year awardee, Vivian was especially honored to receive this year’s awards from the Student Senate and third-year PharmD class. As she prepares to retire, Vivian was moved by the outpouring of support.

“The student recognition awards are what I value most, because I really enjoy teaching and working with the students,” she says. “Receiving these awards again as I approach retirement just means so much. It’s like the highlight of ending my career — being acknowledged by the students.”

Student pharmacists who nominated her praised the inclusive, engaging environment she created in the classroom.

“Dr. Vivian is a wonderful professor who really made lectures engaging and a judgment-free zone,” one student wrote.

Many students also mentioned her memorable habit of flagging key concepts for exams by telling them to add a “star, star, star” in their notes — a phrase that became a signature of her teaching style.

“Professor Vivian is a Star, Star, Star!” one student quipped.

As she transitions into retirement and relocates to Chicago, Vivian is looking to expand her research and community impact.

“I would like to further expand my research, and I’m hoping that going forward, some pharmacy students would like to work with me on research,” says Vivian.

A nationally recognized diabetes researcher, Vivian has spent nearly two decades at the School of Pharmacy. She taught courses in diabetes care and prevention and routinely involved PharmD students as pivotal contributors to her research. But for Vivian, her role as an educator extended far beyond the classroom.

“I try to provide them with advice on what direction to go and what path to take to be most successful, because a lot of students don’t get that information,” says Vivian. “When you try to navigate through this huge pharmacy world on your own, it’s really difficult.”

Ting Fu: The big picture

Fu began her faculty role at the School of Pharmacy in 2020, navigating her first semesters of teaching via Zoom during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Even as classes moved past virtual lectures, Fu found that she still had to adapt. With a background in biology and molecular-integrated physiology, Fu was used to explaining a patient’s diagnosis. As a professor teaching pharmacology, Fu also needed to dive into methods of treatment as well.

For Fu, overcoming these early challenges and earning the honor of the Teacher of the Year Award from the Pharmacology and Toxicology Class of 2025 has been a milestone in her career.

“It’s a really big encouragement for me,” says Fu. “I really appreciate it, and it was completely out of my expectation.”

In her lectures, Fu embraces a big-picture approach, helping students first understand broader physiological concepts before diving into the drug-specific mechanisms. When working with complicated processes, Fu believes this method ensures that no students are left behind.

“You need to give them a big sketch first, and then you add in the details,” says Fu.

In PharmTox students’ nominations, they highlighted Fu’s willingness to help each student learn as much as possible. Not only does she tailor her lectures for a variety of different learning types, but she also works to build trust with students through regular office hours and inviting student questions.

“Ting Fu always goes the extra mile to ensure students understand the material,” says a student nomination. “Her willingness to adapt to individual learning needs is a testament to how much she cares about her students.”

Across each program and class year, the 2024–25 Teachers of the Year reflect the School of Pharmacy’s enduring commitment to impactful, student-centered education. From recently graduated instructors to retiring faculty, each honoree has left a meaningful mark on students’ journeys.