AIHP Mourns the Passing of Alice Jean Matuszak - American Institute of the History of Pharmacy

AIHP recently learned of the passing of Alice Jean Matuszak, a longtime member and former AIHP President. Dr. Matuszak was professor emerita of pharmaceutics and medicinal chemistry at the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy. She passed away in January at the age of 85.

Dr. Matuszak became an AIHP member in 1966 and maintained her membership for more than 50 years. In addition to serving as the Institute’s President from 1997 to 1999, she also was a member of the AIHP Council, a member of the AIHP Executive Committee, and Chair of the Section of Contributed Papers. She received an AIHP Certificate of Commendation in 1990.

AIHP’s current President, W. Clarke Ridgway, remembered Dr. Matuszak as “a warm, gentle soul who contributed much to the history of pharmacy through her many articles and presentations on the history of California pharmacy.” He also cited her role in the formation of the Don and June Salvatori California Pharmacy Museum, in Sacramento, California.

Dr. Matuszak served on the faculty of the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy from 1963 until her retirement in 2000. She is survived by her husband, Charles, and two sons. Read her full obituary.

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Upcoming events hosted by AIHP

January, 21, 2026, 11:00 am (Central): Pharmacy History Working Group: Spring Semester Welcome Back Event: A critical reading of Jacqueline Susann's Valley of the Dolls, hosted by Kelly O'Donnell, Towson Unviersity.
February 18, 2026, 11:00 am (Central): Pharmacy History Working Group: Audrey Ke Zhao, UC Santa Cruz & CHSTM Research Fellow
March 18, 2026, 11:00 am (Central): Pharmacy History Working Group: Ryan A. Kashanipour, University of Arizona

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Upcoming events of interest to pharmacists and historians of pharmacy, pharmaceuticals, medicines, science, and related fields.

December 7-11, 2025: ASHP Midyear, Las Vegas, NV.
January 14, 2026: JCPP January 2026, Alexandria, VA.
March 27-30, 2026: APhA 2026, Los Angeles, CA.
April 18-21, 2026: NACDS Annual Meeting, Palm Beach, FL.
June 3-7, 2026: AAHM 2026, Buffalo, NY.
June 13-17, 2026: ASHP Pharmacy Futures, Charlotte, NC.
June 25, 2026: JCPP June 2026, Alexandria, VA.
July 18-21, 2026: AACP Pharmacy Education, Grapevine, TX.
September 17, 2026: JCPP September 2026, Alexandria, VA.
October 3-6, 2026: 2026 NCPA Annual Convention, Kansas City.