Historical Timeline

Plans in the Works

photos of Dean August Lemberger, Professor Joseph Wiederholt, and UW Political Science Professor William Young

School of Pharmacy Professor Joseph Wiederholt, Dean August Lemberger, and UW Political Science Professor William Young (Oscar Rennebohm Foundation) discuss establishing research center in Social and Administrative Sciences (SAS) division to honor John L. Sonderegger.

Officially a Center

original Sonderegger Research Center logo with tagline "Interdisciplinary Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy"

Sonderegger Research Center (SRC) is established with funding from Rennebohm Foundation, becoming the first center in the nation focused on health services research in pharmacy.

First Director Appointed

Professor Betty Chewning, first director of SRC

Board Established and First Report Published

Inaugural SRC Administrative Board Members:

  • Robert Hammel,  PhD, SAS division
  • David Kreling, PhD, SAS division
  • August Lemberger, PhD, SoP Dean
  • Jeanine Kerl Mount, PhD, SAS division
  • Bonnie Svarstad, PhD, SAS division
  • Joseph Wiederholt, PhD, SAS division
  • Betty Chewning, PhD, SAS division

thumbnail of first Lemberger Report
First report describing research projects, administrative board member bios, and publications/ presentations is published

Dissertator Award Program Established

Tanvee Thakur (SAS grad student and winner of the 2018 Dissertator Award) poses with Chuck Lauhon, Director of Graduate Studies

SRC establishes Dissertator Award program to assist SAS graduate students with proposal development, and funding of dissertator research.

New Space in Rennebohm Hall

At an SRC meeting, Dale Wilson (dark blue short-sleeved shirt), Dave Mott, Betty Chewning, Dave Kreling and Henry Young sit around a table and discuss next steps.

  • SRC moves to 2,385 square ft center in the new School of Pharmacy, Rennebohm Hall.
  • SRC mourns loss of Joe Wiederholt.
  • SRC publishes 2001 report.
25th Anniversary

A banner celebrating the SRC's 25th anniversary hangs outside of Rennebohm Hall

  • SRC celebrates 25th Anniversary
    Over $10 million in grant funding received in first 25 years – (details presented in the 2010 Report).
  • Symposium and reception is held in November.
  • SRC mourns loss of August Lemberger.
PEARLRx Established


PEARLRx (Pharmacy Practice Enhancement and Action Research Link), a practice-based network of Wisconsin pharmacists is established. SRC researchers collaborate with School of Pharmacy Preceptor Director Marty Kieser to invite pharmacists at preceptor sites to join. A range of practice site types are included (community, outpatient, inpatient, etc.).

First Lemberger Report Released

First Lemberger Report is published, in honor of August Lemberger. The report provides information and insights related to pharmacy and public health in Wisconsin, in keeping with the Wisconsin Idea.

2011 Mini Symposium

Mini Symposium: “Scanning the Healthcare Horizon: Pharmacy’s Pivotal Role” features Jon Schommer, PhD, University of MN

2012 Mini Symposium

Flyer for 2012 mini symposium: "Evolving Pharmacist Roles"

2012 Mini Symposium: “Evolving Pharmacist Roles”

  • “Pharmacists Indispensable to Team Based Care”  Elizabeth Chester, PharmD, MPH, FCCP, BCPS, Kaiser Permanente, CO
  • “Retooling the Pharmacist’s Role in Improving Health Outcomes & Reducing Health Care Costs”  Kathy Skibinski and Kari Trapskin, Pharmacy Society of Wisconsin
2013 Rennebohm Lecture Series

Flyer for 2013 Rennebohm Lecture Series featurin gTheo Raynor, PhD, BPharm, FBPharmS

2013 Rennebohm Lecture Series:

  • “From Zero to Hero – Europe’s 30 Year Journey in Consumer Medicines Information” – Theo Raynor, PhD, University of Leeds, England, 2013 Rennebohm Lecturer
  • “To Be or Not to Be Taken? – Are the Consequences of Patient Empowerment All Good?” – Theo Raynor, PhD, University of Leeds, England, 2013 Rennebohm Lecturer
  • “How Can Pharmacy and Other Providers Empower Patients in Medication Management?” – Betsy Sleath, PhD, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy
2014 Mini Symposium

Mini Symposium: “Improving Care Transitions: Medication Communication Across Systems and Patients”

  • “The Need for Pharmacists During Transitions: Education and Medication Reconciliation” Korey Kennelty, PharmD, PhD, Wm. S. Middleton VA and UW-Madison School of Pharmacy
  • “The Hospital in Action: Breaking Down Barriers Across Systems” Michelle Thoma, PharmD, BCACP, UW Hospital and Clinics
  • “PSW in Action: Statewide Initiatives to Improve Transitions in Care” Kathy Skibinski, RPh, MS and Kari Trapskin, PharmD, Pharmacy Society of WI
  • “Community Pharmacy in Action: Improving Care Transitions” Alex Berce, PharmD, Kenosha Good Value Pharmacy
  • “Next Steps in Research and Evaluation” Tosha Wetterneck, MD, MS, FACP, SFH, UW School of Medicine & Public Health
30th Anniversary

SRC celebrates 30th Anniversary.

poster from 2015 Mini Symposium

Mini Symposium: “Leveraging Partnerships to Grow Pharmacy Roles”

  • WPQC: PSW Partnership – Kari Trapskin, PharmD, Pharmacy Society of WI
  • Med Wise Study: Patient Partnership – Beth Martin, RPh, PhD, UW-Madison School of Pharmacy
  • Referral Study: Physician Partnership – Dave Kreling, RPh, PhD, UW-Madison School of Pharmacy
  • VAX Study: WI Immunization Registry Partnership – Cameron Cech, DPH 4, UW-Madison School of Pharmacy

Second Lemberger Report is published.

SRC Executive Committee is formed

SRC Executive Committee is formed, with broad representation that will guide the research agenda and provide perspective from academic and practice settings. Committee members are:

  • Michelle Chui, PhD, SAS Division
  • SRC Director Dave Mott, PhD, SAS Division
  • Barry Gidal, PharmD, Pharmacy Practice Division
  • Paul Smith MD, UW–Madison Department of Family Medicine
  • Duane Kirking, PhD, SoP Board of Visitors
  • Mohammad Kharbat, MBA, RPh, Regional Director, Pharmacy Services, SSM Health of WI
  • Patrick Cory PharmD, Program Director, Pharmacy Benefit Management Services, Quartz

SRC is renamed Sonderegger Research Center for Improved Medication Outcomes to reflect focus on research to improve overall value of the health care system.

logo: Sonderegger Research Center for Improved Medication Outcomes

SRC Undergoes Remodeling

Chui Lab Group meets in the new large conference room in the newly renovated SRC space

SRC space is remodeled to include two conference rooms to facilitate collaboration and project team meetings. State of the art teleconferencing technology is installed.

PEARLRx partners with the Pharmacy Society of Wisconsin (PSW) to offer PEARLRx membership to pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and student pharmacists who are PSW members.