Former owners of Simpson’s Pharmacy in Pawtucket donate $1 million to College

David ’57 and Nancy L. Simpson, of Simpson’s Pharmacy in Pawtucket, have reinforced their legacy at URI with a $1 million gift that supports the University, the College of Pharmacy, and pharmacy students.

Simpson Pharmacy in Pawtucket, RI, was an independent, community-based pharmacy that was founded in 1929. Two of the Simpsons’ daughters, Carol Smith ’84 (Nursing), Cheryl Stoukides ’85 (Pharmacy), carried on the family business before recently closing. David Simpson’s gift will benefit qualified potential pharmacy students who don’t have the means to pay tuition.

“It’s prompted by this legacy of education in our family,” Cheryl Stoukides said. “Education was so important to my father. And he wanted everyone to have an opportunity, especially those he knew didn’t have the resources.”

The Simpsons have designated $500,000 to endow the Simpson Family Scholarship in Pharmacy to educate future pharmaceutical leaders who lack the financial means to pay for tuition. They created the Simpson Family Promenade on the second floor of Avedisian Hall, home to the College of Pharmacy, with another $500,000.

“A gift of this magnitude allows us to merge the values of community pharmacy with today’s healthcare system,” said Dean Paul Larrat. “It underscores our shared commitment of exceptional service to patients regardless of the setting. The Simpson family has demonstrated its strong commitment to the College’s future and the future of pharmacy education at URI.”

The Simpson gift also comes in as part of Big Ideas. Bold Plans. The Campaign for the University of Rhode Island. This multi-year initiative aims to help students and faculty while also advancing research and improving facilities. All contributions to URI count toward the comprehensive campaign’s $300 million goal until its completion in June 2024.