PharmD and PharmTox students recognize exceptional educators with 2025-2026 Teacher of the Year Awards
There are many ways to measure a great teacher using metrics like student outcomes and test scores. But for the educators at the University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Pharmacy, few feel as meaningful as recognition from the students themselves.
Every year, PharmD and Pharmacology and Toxicology students select instructors to recognize for their outstanding teaching, mentorship, and support. This year, five educators earned that honor: Associate Professor Ed Portillo (PharmD ’14), chosen by the first-year PharmD class; Professor Casey Gallimore (PharmD ’05, MS ’13), chosen by the second-year class; Associate Professor Marina Maes, chosen by the third-year class; instructor Emma Hickmann (PharmD ’22), chosen by the PharmD Student Senate; and Professor Jeff Johnson, chosen by the PharmTox graduating class.
“Coming directly from students, it means a lot,” says Gallimore. “Teaching is my favorite part of my job and the reason I went into academia, so it’s extra meaningful.”
Associate Professor Ed Portillo
First-Year PharmD Class Teacher of the Year
After graduating from the UW–Madison School of Pharmacy in 2014 and completing a two-year residency at the William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital focused on health system pharmacy administration, Portillo found himself drawn back to where it started. Interested in shaping how students care for patients, he began teaching at the School in 2016, while maintaining a clinical practice at the VA.
“Pharmacy is about serving people, so I think a lot about experiences I have had serving others in clinical settings, and what I wish I had known as a student, and build cases around that,” says Portillo, who is also the School’s associate dean for advancement.
His student-centered approach has made a difference. This marks the second consecutive year that Portillo is being honored by students for his impact in the classroom, last year by the second-year PharmD class and this year by the first-year class. Each time, students highlighted his enthusiasm, kindness, and commitment to their success.
“Dr. Portillo’s passion in what he is teaching, his kindness, and his true wish to see us all succeed is apparent in everything he does,” says a student who nominated him. “He consistently went out of his way to make everyone feel like they belonged at the School of Pharmacy, and his encouragement is more appreciated than he could ever know.”
“Dr. Portillo’s passion in what he is teaching, his kindness, and his true wish to see us all succeed is apparent in everything he does.”
“Dr. Portillo made our first therapeutics class seamless,” says another. “He challenged us with many patient cases that helped to apply what we were learning and make the content stick.”
For Portillo, hearing directly from students is one of the highest honors, and being recognized at his own alma mater makes it especially meaningful.
“It’s a huge privilege to get to teach at this institution and a huge opportunity to impact students,” he says. “I’ve been doing this for 11 years, and seeing students I taught go out there and do incredible things is super rewarding. Every recognition from students means so much because our students are the next healthcare leaders.”
Professor Casey Gallimore
Second-year PharmD Class Teacher of the Year
Nearly 20 years into her teaching career at the School of Pharmacy, Gallimore has made the study of teaching itself one of her research focuses, and that commitment to evaluation and evolution is felt by her students.
“Professor Gallimore presents complex materials in a logical and straightforward manner,” says one second-year PharmD student who nominated her for the award. “We appreciate the time and effort she puts into her materials to make them easier to understand, without sacrificing the in-depth knowledge required for the subject.”
Gallimore earned her PharmD and master’s degree in clinical investigation at the School, and returned as a faculty member after completing a pharmacy leadership residency at the University of Minnesota. Her teaching focuses on behavioral health and interprofessional education, and she maintains a clinical practice at Tellurian Behavioral Health in Madison. That real-world experience shapes her approach to education.
“I work hard to take these complex concepts and present them clearly, making connections with other concepts in the course,” Gallimore says. “I’ve been trying to model my thought process for students and talk about how I take course information and apply it to solve a problem.”
“We appreciate the time and effort she puts into her materials to make them easier to understand, without sacrificing the in-depth knowledge required for the subject.”
Her students recognize her effort and the depth of her clinical expertise.
“Dr. Gallimore’s approach to teaching mental health pharmacotherapy is practical and effective,” says another student nominator. “The strategies she employed and insights she shared developed my ability to analyze complex cases through the lens of a pharmacist and set the stage for my continued learning and practice.”
For Gallimore, the recognition is a reminder of why the work matters.
“Adapting to students’ changing needs and expectations is both challenging and rewarding,” she says. “I enjoy getting to see students grow across the four years of the program and hearing about their careers after they graduate.”
Associate Professor Marina Maes
Third-Year PharmD Class Teacher of the Year
In her seven years at the School of Pharmacy, Maes has had a hand in training more than 700 pharmacists now practicing around the country. And she still takes the time to develop a relationship with each one.
“I view learners as humans first and pharmacy students second,” Maes says. “I learn their names and interests, goals within and outside of pharmacy — those points of connection build relationships and create trust.”
She focuses on fostering safe and inclusive learning spaces, where students feel respected and empowered to engage fully in their learning process.
“Dr. Maes is awesome at teaching and developing meaningful mentoring relationships with students,” says one third-year PharmD student who nominated her for the award. “She has helped me find my voice and build my confidence as a pharmacist this third year.”
Maes teaches multiple types of courses for third-year PharmD students — didactic, skills-based, and experiential — so she gets to know students well.
“This award is extra special for me because I spend so much time with the third-year class,” says Maes.
She threads concepts and progressively builds learning activities across different environments, to help students build their knowledge and skills.
“She has helped me find my voice and build my confidence as a pharmacist this third year.”
“I know what’s going on in their lecture courses and can reinforce those concepts in skills-based courses,” Maes says. “I try to balance rigor with support and be mindful of their workload and well-being.”
Maes came to the UW–Madison School of Pharmacy after earning her PharmD from the University of Colorado and completing two residencies: one in general practice, and one in ambulatory care with a focus on family medicine. Today, her clinical practice is at the UW Health Belleville Clinic, where she helps manage women’s health, diabetes, weight concerns, and more.
This is the fourth time Maes is being honored with a Teacher of the Year Award — three of which have been from the third-year PharmD class — and she’s also earned the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy’s 2022 Laboratory Innovation in Teaching Excellence Award and the American College of Clinical Pharmacy’s 2025 New Educator Award. The accolades all point to her passion for developing learners.
“What I enjoy most is being able to help students reach their goals,” she says. “Teaching and interacting with students are what drive me.”
Faculty Instructor Emma Hickmann
PharmD Student Senate Teacher of the Year
Hickmann graduated from the School of Pharmacy just four years ago, learning from the same faculty now honored alongside her as Teachers of the Year — the second such award Hickmann has earned across her two years of teaching.
“Dr. Hickmann is always helpful, willing to answer questions and listen, and she has taught us to be the best pharmacists we can be,” says one PharmD student who nominated her for the award. “She is always energetic in class and lab and treats us with the highest respect.”
That response is the result of Hickmann’s deliberate work to create an environment where students feel like they belong.
“I start with kindness, showing students I care and demonstrating that I’m here to help them be successful,” Hickmann says. “For me, that’s creating a classroom environment where students feel comfortable asking questions, trying new things, and making mistakes — that’s where learning happens.”
That philosophy is grounded in her own clinical experience. After graduating from the School, Hickmann completed PGY-1 and PGY-2 residencies at the William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital, where clinical pharmacy practitioners have a scope of practice that allowed her to see patients independently. She carries that experience into her clinical practice at Fitchburg Family Clinic, where she provides direct primary care alongside a team of pharmacists and a physician.
“Dr. Hickmann is always helpful, willing to answer questions and listen, and she has taught us to be the best pharmacists we can be.”
She brings in examples from her real-world pharmacy practice, showing students how what they’re learning is directly relevant to their future careers and encouraging them to envision practicing at the top of their skillset.
Hickmann interacts with students across the entire School of Pharmacy curriculum, teaching first-year students regularly, second-year students in skills lab, and third-year students in skills lab and rural health track courses. She is particularly honored to be selected by the PharmD Student Senate, which represents students across all cohorts within the School of Pharmacy.
“The highest recognition is from students — that’s why I do my job — so receiving this honor from them means so much,” Hickmann says.
Professor Jeff Johnson
PharmTox Teacher of the Year
For Johnson, few achievements rank as high as being named Teacher of the Year — an honor he’s earned five times.
“It’s always the best feeling to get an award from the students; it tops everything,” he says. “We have exceptional students and I really enjoy interacting with them as an instructor, as well as PharmTox program director.”
Johnson, a Vilas Distinguished Achievement Professor, earned his doctorate in environmental toxicology from UW–Madison and then completed postdoctoral training at the University of Washington. He joined the School of Pharmacy faculty in 1999, building a thriving research program focused on finding new ways to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative conditions.
In 2000, Johnson began his tenure as the faculty director of the PharmTox program, working with PharmTox students from their first semester through their final spring semester. His teaching style is interactive, minimizing text on slides, presenting key points verbally, and calling on students directly.
“He keeps students engaged and seems to want the best for all students involved in the School of Pharmacy.”
“To keep their interest, I’ll stop and ask questions, and if no one answers, I’ll ask someone specific for their opinion,” he says. “We have a very bright group of students, and I get to know them pretty well.”
Students say his approach makes a difference. “Dr. Johnson always made material engaging and interesting,” says one student nominator. “He also tells great stories that make it easy to follow along.” Another wrote that he “keeps students engaged and seems to want the best for all students involved in the School of Pharmacy.”
For Johnson, the connection with his students is the most meaningful part of his role.
“Research is obviously important, and we publish some amazing papers, and that’s rewarding, but I do think running the program for more than 20 years means the most to me,” he says. “I’m always there if students have questions, and I’m always ready to write a letter of recommendation.”
