A $200,000 gift to the International Center for Regulatory Science by businessman D.K. Kim will expand global outreach efforts by the USC School of Pharmacy by establishing international service and summer scholars program funds.

The gift will create the D.K. Kim International Service Fund to support clinical service programs to train pharmacy students to become primary healthcare providers to patients living in underserved areas of developing countries, and provide much-needed medical services to individuals who may not otherwise receive proper care.

The gift will also establish the D.K. Kim Summer Scholars Program Fund, advancing regulatory science internationally by supporting a one-month summer scholars program for students from a variety of countries. The program will foster a collaborative, international learning environment focusing on areas relating to ethics, quality systems and regulatory science.

“We’re honored by the support the D.K. Kim Foundation has provided to our students,” said USC School of Pharmacy Interim Dean Glen L. Stimmel, PharmD, who notes the school will begin work on both programs immediately.

“The funding allows us to advance unique programs related to global engagement that otherwise would be very difficult to support,” said Frances Richmond, PhD, director of the International Center for Regulatory Science.

The first group supported by the D.K. Kim International Service Fund will travel to Cambodia in December under the leadership of USC associate professor of clinical pharmacy Naomi Florea, PharmD, who has organized a number of highly successful clinical trips to various countries. The first Summer Scholars program will take place in July with participants from Korea, Taiwan and China.

About the D.K. Kim Foundation and the International Center for Regulatory Science

The mission of the D.K. Kim Foundation, founded by businessman Dong Koo Kim, is to construct a global community that fights poverty and promotes innovation through entrepreneurship, scholarship, and service.

The International Center for Regulatory Science, directed by Frances Richmond, PhD, is a global leader in producing professional graduates with the knowledge and skills to manage regulated biomedical products worldwide. It offers the world’s only professional doctorate in regulatory science as well as master’s degrees in regulatory science, management of drug development and medical product quality.

— Michele Keller