Remembering Karen Edey Hunter

In honor of our alumna and an inaugural Rural Pharmacy Health Scholar

Story by Ryan McDaniel | Published August 27, 2024

The UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy mourns the loss of alumna, Karen Edey Hunter, PharmD ’17, who passed away earlier this month. Karen was known for approaching patient care with an open attitude, willing to listen carefully to patients’ needs and provide sage advice.

Karen was a pioneer for the School as an inaugural Rural Health Scholar, helping to launch the program that has become a signature of the Asheville campus.

Mollie Scott, Regional Associate Dean for Western North Carolina recalls, “Karen was inspired to become a pharmacist after a family member experienced access to care issues, and she was an exceptional student, leader, and pharmacist.”

Karen was born March 15, 1979. She was raised first in her birthplace of Barbados and then in Harlem, New York. She completed her undergraduate work at Harvard before coming to the Eshelman School of Pharmacy to pursue her PharmD.

Upon graduation, she practiced at Black Mountain Neuro Medical Treatment Center, where she quickly moved from Staff Pharmacist to Director of Pharmacy. She continued to be involved with the School and to share her passion and enthusiasm for rural health care with current students.

For her role as one of the first graduates of the Rural Pharmacy Health Certificate Program, Karen’s picture hangs in the hallway of Beard Hall, part of the museum installation of “Firsts.” It is a lasting tribute to a pharmacist dedicated to improving the health and the lives of our most vulnerable populations.

Those who knew Karen are invited to share memories below.