Thomas Buckley '82 (PHR), '94 M.P.H.

Humanitarian Award 2008

Volunteer Clinical Advisor, Mae Tao Clinic, Thailand
Nominated by: Lauren Schlesselman

Thomas Buckley ’82 (PHR), ’94 M.P.H. is the recipient of the UConn Alumni Association’s Humanitarian Award for his work at the Mae-Tao Clinic in Thailand. Buckley began his career as a clinical pharmacist at New Britain General Hospital, where he specialized in cardiology, cardiac rehabilitation, and patient education. In 1999 he left the hospital to become senior clinical education manager at Pfizer Inc., where he provided clinical medical and pharmacy consultation. After his fifth year at Pfizer he applied for their Global Health Fellowship position, a highly competitive program which allows medical professionals to embark on three to six month assignments in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, and Latin America, to help support nongovernmental organizations. He was accepted into three programs but chose to work in Thailand, drawn to the Mae-Tao Clinic because of its work with refugees. The Mae-Tao clinic, stationed directly on the border of Burma and Thailand in Mae Sot, Thailand, is a medical clinic for the Burmese migrant community. Buckley’s broad focus was on improving their clinical pharmacy service and educating the existing pharmacy and medic staff over the course of his six-month stay. Upon his return to the United States, Buckley decided that his work at the clinic was not finished. This February he returned to the Mae Tao clinic as a volunteer. During this trip, Tom continued his previous activities and established a central pharmacy for the clinic. This fall Tom will join the UConn School of Pharmacy faculty.

Updated: July 2008