Ladell is recognized by the Pharmacy Alumni Association for pharmacy leadership and ongoing commitment to community
For more than a decade, a photograph of the Memorial Union Terrace has hung in the office of Nick Ladell (PharmD ’11) at Aurora West Allis Medical Center. It serves as a daily reminder of where his pharmacy career began. And, he says, it’s a big part of why it turned out the way it did.
When Ladell graduated from the University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Pharmacy 15 years ago, he was unsure of where life would take him next. Today, he’s the longtime director of pharmacy at a 350-bed hospital — his dream job.
In recognition of his professional achievements and continued commitment to the Pharmacy Badger community, Ladell is being honored as the 2026 Young Alumnus of the Year by the UW–Madison School of Pharmacy’s Pharmacy Alumni Association (PAA).
“The School of Pharmacy is an institution that I believe in and trust […] If that caliber of institution feels so moved to include me in a recognition program, that’s something rather special.”
–Nick Ladell
“My first reaction was, ‘I’m not that young,’” Ladell jokes. “The other thought was, it’s a humbling recognition. There was a genuine, humble appreciation for hearing the news.”
For Ladell, the award is especially meaningful coming from his alma mater.
“The School of Pharmacy is an institution that I believe in and trust,” says Ladell. “It’s an elevated institution in my life experience. If that caliber of institution feels so moved to include me in a recognition program, that’s something rather special.”
Finding his path in pharmacy
After graduating from the School of Pharmacy, Ladell didn’t immediately land a residency.
“My plan was always to do a residency, but it just wasn’t in the cards that match day in 2011,” he says. Looking back, he says this detour taught him the value of patience and persistence.
Instead of beginning a residency right away, he spent a year working as an inpatient clinical pharmacist at Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center before completing a two-year residency in pharmacy administration with Aurora Health Care.
The experience, combined with the foundation he built at the School of Pharmacy, prepared Ladell to take the next step in his career: becoming director of pharmacy at Aurora West Allis Medical Center, where he has now served for more than 12 years.
“Because of my great School of Pharmacy experience and some great mentors, most of them UW–Madison alumni, I started my career post-residency in a dream job,“ says Ladell.
In December 2019, Ladell was asked to lead the hospital’s Emergency Management Committee — never guessing what 2020 would bring.
“This opportunity would have me facing one of the greatest challenges of my career,” says Ladell, whose role quickly evolved into the COVID-19 Incident Command Team Commander. “I believe I had a larger impact on patient care in this role using my gifts as a leader than I would as a clinician or working face-to-face with patients.”
Through the incident command team he led, Aurora West Allis Medical Center doubled the capacity of its emergency department, nearly doubled the number of intensive care beds, and increased the number of inpatient beds, while securing resources to meet elevated needs during the pandemic.
“Looking back, I learned that leading requires a team built on trust, and that a focused, well-built and supported team can do anything,” Ladell says.
Leading with purpose
Aurora West Allis Medical Center is a 350-licensed-bed hospital, and Ladell oversees pharmacy services across every floor. From the emergency room to the operating room, pharmacy services are a part of nearly every patient’s journey through the hospital.
But for Ladell, the work goes beyond the advanced, high-quality care his team provides. It’s about the people behind the medications.
“When I’m retired, and I’m looking back at my career, it’s not going to be the renovations, or the new technology we implemented, or even the new services we expanded,” says Ladell. “It’s going to be the opportunity to serve and support people in their greatest moments, but also in their darkest moments. I can be a figure that can play a part in their journey, and hopefully, make their life better.”
Participant to promoter
“For 12 years, I’ve been blessed,” says Ladell. “I’ve been able to participate in alumni functions and support the School and the Pharmacy Society of Wisconsin (PSW).”
Since graduating, Ladell says his involvement as an alumnus has grown through a series of small opportunities. He first began attending the annual School of Pharmacy Alumni & Friends Tailgate to stay involved and rekindle his connection with classmates and faculty.
“First I went from a participant to a promoter,” he says. “Then I went from being a promoter of this pre-existing event to helping coordinate another event, my class’s 10-year reunion.”
Ladell’s involvement continued next by helping to host an alumni gathering in Milwaukee that brought together numerous Pharmacy Badgers from multiple graduating classes and generations.
“It’s been just a slow progression of helping to be a part of this alumni community that has led me on this journey, and I’m not done yet,” he says. “I’m only 15 years post-graduation, and I think I’m just at the beginning of my journey of supporting the PAA.”
Ladell is also making an impact statewide, serving as treasurer of PSW since 2023. Through PSW’s annual meetings, he continues to reconnect with fellow Pharmacy Badgers at the luncheons held by the School’s Pharmacy Alumni Association.
For Ladell, the reason to stay involved is simple.
“I believe in communities,” he says. “The PAA is a community of pharmacists trying to do good for young learners and the profession itself. The value of community can’t be overstated, and the value of a pharmacy alumni community is a powerful force that can help do good.”
Continuing the journey
With decades left of his career as a pharmacy leader, Ladell still looks forward to the opportunities ahead. One challenge he hopes to help address is expanding patient access.
“The new drugs in the market are amazing. Science is pushing the envelope when it comes to pharmaceutical solutions and therapies,” says Ladell. However, he notes that these new, innovative medications also come with high price tags.
“The barrier of access is increasing, and that will mean that there will be patients left behind,” he says. “That is a challenge that I want to be a part of solving.”
“Looking back, I learned that leading requires a team built on trust, and that a focused, well-built and supported team can do anything.”
–Nick Ladell
While the profession continues to evolve, Ladell encourages students to approach their own careers with patience and persistence.
After experiencing his own unexpected path into residency and pharmacy leadership, he says this lesson is one he hopes the next generation of pharmacists carries with them throughout their careers.
“Let’s say you didn’t match for residency, or you weren’t selected for that job opportunity you really wanted,” says Ladell. “Don’t give up. Stay persistent. I believe that patient persistence will benefit learners at the beginning, in the middle, and at the end of their career.”
Fifteen years into his career, the Mount Horeb Family Pharmacy co-owner is still showing student pharmacists what independent pharmacy can be.