Dean Emeritus Norma Lerma of the Faculty of Pharmacy died on Dec. 4 due to acute respiratory failure. She was 91.
Her death was confirmed to the Varsitarian by her grandson, Joshua.
“As an educator, she was patient, caring, and thorough in her efforts to help her students become knowledgeable and confident in applying what they’ve learned,” Joshua told the Varsitarian.
Born on Jan. 25, 1932, Lerma obtained her bachelor’s degree in pharmacy and medical technology from the University in 1952 and 1965, respectively. She completed her master’s and doctorate in pharmacy in 1954 and 1956, also at UST.
Lerma held the record as the longest-serving dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy, dedicating 18 years of service from 1981 to 1999.
Lerma was granted the title of dean emeritus in 2000.
In 1995, she earned recognition as an Outstanding Pharmacist from the Professional Regulation Commission. She received The Outstanding Thomasian Alumni Award (Total) for Education in 1996.
In 1998, Lerma was honored with the Ishidate Award for Pharmacy Education by the Federation of Asian Pharmaceutical Associations. This prestigious award acknowledges pharmacists who have made substantial contributions to enhancing public health in Asia.
Lerma became president of the Colegio Medico-Farmaceutico de Filipinas, Incorporada, a professional organization of physicians and pharmacists, from 2009 to 2010.
In 2019, the organization honored her with a lifetime achievement award.
In a Facebook post, UST remembered Lerma as an educator and recognized scholar with “great leadership” and a “respected figure in UST and the pharmacy profession.”
The wake for Lerma is scheduled to take place from Dec. 6 to 8.
Her final resting place will be at The Sanctuarium in Quezon City.
