Ohio State’s pharmacy professor Milap Nahata was recently named to the national Institute of Medicine. He was the first pharmacist in Ohio to receive this honor.

Even though Nahata has been elected into this prestigious national academy, he remains modest.

“I have been very fortunate and I couldn’t have done all this without the help of other people,” he said.

Nahata grew up in India where he watched his family struggle.

“My childhood and adolescence was difficult … it became very clear growing up that if we wanted to improved our quality of life education was the way,” Nahata said.

After high school Nahata went to the University of Jodhpur and earned his bachelor’s degree in physics, chemistry and math. He then went to the University of Bombay where he earned his a bachelor’s in pharmacy.

“Failure was not a choice. You make your best effort and that’s what I tried to do,” Nahata said.

He came to the United States at age 23 and attended Duquesne University in Pittsburgh where he received his master’s degree in pharmaceutics and his doctorate of pharmacy.

“I came with two suitcases and not much else. Coming to a different language was a challenge … it was very difficult to adjust to a new culture,” Nahata said.

After completing his studies he began working at OSU. During his 31-year career he has received a myriad of honors and awards.

Among them are five national research achievement awards, two national distinguished educator awards and he has been a fellow to five professional and scientific societies.

“I never dreamed of any of the recognitions or awards I have received over the years,” Nahata said. “The opportunities I have had over the years have been tremendous.”

Nahata’s students have voted five times to award him with the Miriam Balshone Award for Distinguished Teaching.

“Students love Dr. Nahata,” said Kenneth M. Hale, RPh, PhD and Assistant Dean for the college of pharmacy.

“Him just being there for students is just amazing … he tries to make himself as available as possible,” said Purvi Bheda, a fourth-year Pharm.D. student.

During his career Nahata has kept a demanding schedule. He is a professor, chair in the Division of Pharmacy Practice and Administration, and a professor of internal medicine at the College of Medicine. He is also the editor-in-chief of The Annals of Pharmacotherapy and finds time to do research.

Nahata has authored and co-authored more than 500 peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters and books about medication use and drug formulations.

“He is one of the most well-known and accomplished people I know and yet he is also one of the most humble people I know,” Hale said.

Students, faculty and staff think Nahata’s election to the Institute of Medicine is well deserved.

“He is a leader in the pharmacy profession … and his career has not just impacted pharmacy but other health care disciplines,” said Daren Knoell, associate professor. “I think it’s very well deserved and I think it helps summarize the impact he has not just in pharmacy but in health care in general.”

Tatum Shroyer can be reached at [email protected].