Remembering Kethen So, PharmD ’95, MBA

Kethen So, PharmD ’95, MBA, a beloved mentor, educator and leader in pharmacy, died on Feb. 10, 2025, leaving behind an extraordinary legacy that has shaped generations of pharmacists.

“Kethen was an incredible force in our pharmacy community — his leadership, mentorship and dedication to our students and alumni were unparalleled,” said Kathy Giacomini, PhD, BSPharm, dean of the UCSF School of Pharmacy. "He had an infectious passion for pharmacy and was always willing to share his wisdom with the next generation. His legacy will continue to inspire us all.”

Throughout So’s career, he taught and mentored countless pharmacy students. He held numerous staff and managerial positions at UCSF Health, where he played a critical role in improving patient care and educating future pharmacists. Most recently, he was named 2024 fellow of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) for excelling in pharmacy practice.

Passion for clinical excellence

A self-described connector and cheerleader, So was a fixture of the UCSF campus for more than 30 years, since emigrating from Hong Kong in 1986 and beginning his career as a volunteer at UCSF Medical Center (now UCSF Health) in 1989.

After graduating from the UCSF School of Pharmacy, So went on to complete two years of residency training that solidified his passion for clinical excellence. As a clinical pharmacist, he collaborated with other pharmacists to develop and implement pharmacist practice guidelines, focusing on symptom management in patients receiving high chemotherapy for transplantation and hematological malignancies.

In 2000, he became pharmacy manager at Children’s Hospital Oakland, where he coordinated many operational programs to improve inpatient pharmacy service and served as the pediatric bone marrow transplant pharmacy consultant. In 2001, he was recruited back to UCSF Health as a senior pharmacist supervisor, where his pharmacy automation projects optimized medication delivery systems.

In 2005, So began overseeing pharmacy services that included sterile compounding and outpatient oncology infusion services, and in 2010 he was selected to join the Electronic Health Record team, leading medication usage and the development of the pharmacy program.

A lifetime of continuing education

So, who has called pharmacy “a lifetime-learning career,” went on to complete ASHP’s Pharmacy Leadership Academy®, and in 2020 earned his MBA with a focus on health care administration from New England College in New Hampshire. Throughout his work as course coordinator of the APPE Pharmacy Operations rotation at UCSF Health, he lectured on topics related to oncology, hematology and pharmacy practice and served as a discussion facilitator of the pharmacy management class. In 2017 the rotation received the APPE Site of the Year award.

Even after his retirement in June 2024, So remained an integral part of the UCSF pharmacy community. He was vice president of the UCSF Pharmacy Alumni Association and a clinical professor, actively engaging in student education and school committees, encouraging learners to be active in professional organizations.

Beyond UCSF, So was a dedicated advocate for pharmacy practice through his leadership in the California Society of Health-System Pharmacists (CSHP). He served as a presidential officer, a member of the board of directors, and a contributor to numerous committees and task forces, working tirelessly to advance the role of pharmacists in health care.

Paying it forward through mentorship

Despite his many accomplishments, Kethen remained humble and deeply committed to mentorship. He often spoke about his love for teaching and the profound impact his mentors had on him as a student.

“Pharmacy is more than just dispensing medications — it’s about patient care, collaboration and always striving to be better,” he said. “I was fortunate to have incredible mentors, and I’ve tried to pay that forward to the next generation of pharmacists.”

A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, Feb. 23 at 10 a.m. at Chapel of the Chimes, 4499 Piedmont Ave. in Oakland. In honor of Kethen’s memory, his family is establishing the Kethen So Memorial Scholarship to support aspiring pharmacy leaders.

More

So named ASHP fellow: “Pharmacy is a lifetime-learning career”

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