July 2002
From University of Illinois at Chicago
UIC College of Pharmacy to dedicate medicinal plant garden WHAT: Dedication of the UIC Dorothy Bradley Atkins Medicinal Plant Garden, an on-site, living library of 87 different plants used today in the manufacture of medications and dietary supplements.WHO: Dr. Robert Atkins, whose gift made the garden possible, and UIC Chancellor Sylvia Manning will join UIC College of Pharmacy Dean Rosalie Sagraves at the afternoon event. WHEN: Friday, July 19, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Dedication begins at 2 p.m.; reception immediately follows. WHERE: Corner of Polk and Wood streets. DESCRIPTION: One of only a handful of medicinal plant gardens maintained by pharmacy schools, the garden is a living library of many of the plants used today in the manufacture of medications and dietary supplements. The garden will allow pharmacy students to gain first-hand knowledge of medicinal plants. "With the growing popularity of natural products and dietary supplements, it is more important than ever that we educate and expose our pharmacy students to the effects of plants on patients," says Harry Fong, professor of pharmacognosy and director of the garden. Nearly 25 percent of prescription drugs are derived from natural sources, including plants. The 87 plants in the garden range from Allium (commonly known as onion), which can be used for age-dependent vascular changes and loss of appetite, to Zingiber (ginger), used as an anti-emetic and for prevention of motion sickness. The garden will feature an interactive, web-based kiosk to help visitors identify and understand special characteristics and medicinal properties of garden specimens through photos, descriptions and other information. Virtual visitors will be able to access this information online via the UIC College of Pharmacy Web site at www.uic.edu/pharmacy Dorothy Bradley Atkins earned her bachelor of science degree from the University of Illinois College of Pharmacy in 1945. She met Robert Atkins, a 1945 University of Illinois College of Medicine graduate, while they were both students. Dorothy worked as a pharmacist while her husband served in the Army and later completed residency training in general surgery. They lived in Chicago before moving to Champaign, where they raised three children. Mrs. Atkins died in 1995. |