University of the Sciences in Philadelphia

You'll learn from seasoned, practicing professionals who share their firsthand knowledge with students, contribute current insights into the field and offer connections in the profession. Because they stay abreast of the latest developments in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries, they are able to provide you with the most up-to-date information.

Patricia R. Audet, PharmD
Chair, Department of Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Business
Associate Professor of Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Business
p.audet@usp.edu
Dr. Audet earned her PharmD and BS in pharmacy from University of the Sciences in Philadelphia.

William L. Ashton, MEd
Associate Provost and Vice President of Strategic Business Development
Founding Dean, Mayes College of Healthcare Business and Policy
Assistant Professor of Pharmaceutical Marketing and Management
w.ashton@usp.edu | 215.596.7557

Mr. Ashton is a Fortune 100 senior executive with over 28 years experience in Biotechnology management. He is extremely skilled at developing and executing long-term business strategies. He has been recognized in the U.S. biopharmaceuticals market for his expertise in building and developing commercial operations and establishing key relationships with government agencies. Mr. Ashton recently retired from a lengthy career at Amgen Inc., the world’s largest biotech firm. He served as Vice President of Commercial Affairs and Reimbursement (2003–2005) and was directly responsible for strategy development and corporate activities designed for key government agencies including: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Office of Inspector General, Government Accountability Office, Office of Management and Budget, and MedPAC.

Prior to that, Mr. Ashton was Vice President/General Manager for one of the Amgen key business units where he had responsibility for sales and marketing of Amgen’s largest customer base including Health Systems, Managed Care Organizations, Commercial and Government Payors, Distribution Channel, GPO’s and Physicians’ Practice Management Groups.  He also served as Vice President of U.S. Sales.

Brian P. Colfer, MBA
Assistant Professor of Healthcare Business
b.colfer@usp.edu | 215.596.7631

Mr. Colfer earned his MBA from University of the Sciences in Philadelphia.

Dr. O’Connor earned his PharmD and BS in pharmacy from University of the Sciences in Philadelphiaand his MBA from Babson College. He has 35 years of teaching experience at institutions including Albert Einstein Medical Center, Ohio State University, Temple University, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences and Thomas Jefferson University, where he has taught pharmacy students, pharmacists, nurses and industry professionals. Within the PMM program, Dr. O’Connor teaches students the therapeutic information regarding drug therapy, product selection and patient monitoring. His research interests include patient medication adherence and compliance techniques, pharmaceutical marketing, pharmacoeconomics, pharmacy management and implementation of patient counseling services. 

Alice Levy, MBA
Assistant Professor of Pharmaceutical Marketing and Management
a.levy@usp.edu | 267.295.3184 

Ms. Levy holds an MBA with a concentration in marketing management from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, and a BA in political science and English literature from Johns Hopkins University. She has nearly 30 years of industry experience, serving most recently as director of global marketing with IMS Health. Alice also has worked as a marketing consultant and held marketing positions with CIGNA Corporation, Kraft Dairy Group and Campbell Soup Company. At USP she teaches courses on product management, market research and marketing; she also is an adjunct faculty member in the Wharton School’s Global Consulting Practicum, where she advises MBA student teams on international marketing consulting projects.

Melanie B. Oates, MBA, PhD, RN
Assistant Professor of Pharmaceutical Marketing and Management
Director of Undergraduate Business Programs
m.oates@usp.edu | 215.895.1182

Dr. Oates holds an MBA degree in Marketing from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.  She earned her PhD in Pharmacy Administration from the University of the Sciences.  Dr. Oates has 15 years experience in pharmaceutical sales and marketing, including sales training, product management, marketing research and merger analysis. She also spent five years working as a registered nurse. As a psychiatric nurse, she conducted one-on-one therapy sessions and facilitated group psychotherapy. Her current research centers on the use of web 2.0 technology in marketing education.

Robert J. Votta, MBA
Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Administration
r.votta@usp.edu | 215.596.8583

Mr. Votta earned his MBA in management from Saint Joseph’s University and is currently a PhD candidate in health policy administration at USP. Prior to joining the faculty, he worked for more than 12 years in the insurance industry. Mr. Votta served as a distance learning consultant for Pierce College and has 10 years experience as a distance learning professor in business law and Management; he also previously was an adjunct professor at numerous other schools. He researches, health policy administration and legislation, pharmaceutical advertising and corporate social responsibility.