For nearly a century, McWhorter School of Pharmacy has been shaping the future of pharmacy education. Founded as part of Howard College in 1927, the school began with a small group of students and faculty. Following its initial closure in 1929 due to economic challenges and new accreditation requirements, the school reopened in 1932 through the efforts of the Alabama State Board of Pharmacy and the Alabama Pharmaceutical Association. By the late 1930s, it had become the largest pharmacy program in the South.

As Howard College became Samford University and the university moved to its current campus, the pharmacy school grew alongside it. In 2016, McWhorter became part of Samford's College of Health Sciences, joining other health-related academic programs in a collaborative environment focused on preparing students to improve health and well-being across diverse communities.

Rooted in Samford University's Christian mission, McWhorter School of Pharmacy integrates faith and learning, preparing students to serve others with compassion, integrity and a commitment to improving the health of their communities.

Today, McWhorter continues its legacy of excellence, preparing pharmacists and healthcare leaders to make a meaningful impact across a variety of settings, from acute care and community pharmacy to executive leadership at some of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies. Through nearly a century of change and advancement in healthcare, the school remains committed to educating practice-ready pharmacists, advancing the profession and serving others through patient care, research and leadership.

Clayton McWhorter

We talk often about the world of possibilities that open for a McWhorter School of Pharmacy graduate. No example makes that point more clear than the life of R. Clayton McWhorter. McWhorter went to the University of Tennessee for two years before coming to Samford to earn his degree. While his degree was in pharmacy, McWhorter spent most of his career in hospital administration, eventually leading one of the largest hospital organizations in the world.

McWhorter began his health care career as an assistant administrator with the Hospital Corporation of America, working for Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital in Albany, Georgia. He also served as administrator of Sumter Regional Hospital in Americus, Georgia, and West Georgia Medical Center in LaGrange, Georgia. McWhorter remained with HCA through the 1980s, becoming president and chief operating officer until 1987, when he left to form his own company.

McWhorter helped form HealthTrust, Inc., which owned and operated hospitals around the United States. He served as chief executive officer at HealthTrust until merging with his former employer, Columbia/HCA, in 1995 to form the largest hospital corporation in the world. From April 1995 to May 1996, McWhorter served as Chairman of the Board for the combined company. He went on to serve as chairman of Clayton Associates, LLC, which he founded in 1996 to provide venture capital to start-up companies. That same year, he also created LifeTrust America, Inc., a developer and operator of assisted living communities, and served as its chairman until the company was sold in 2004.

In 1993, Samford University bestowed upon him the honorary degree, Doctor of Commerce. He served on the Advisory Board of the McWhorter School of Pharmacy and the Samford University Board of Overseers.

In December 1995, the University trustees voted to name the school the McWhorter School of Pharmacy in honor and recognition of McWhorter and his family. 

McWhorter died on January 23, 2016 at the age of 82, but his legacy will forever be a part of Samford University's McWhorter School of Pharmacy.