Sally Van Doren

PharmD Sally Van Doren, loved by many and admired by even more, died unexpectedly on December 19, in Cuzco, Peru. Sally had recently learned of a serious medical condition and wished to see Machu Picchu before she became too ill to travel. She spent her last day on earth there and sent back pictures from the site- smiling, with Machu Picchu in the background. Anyone familiar with Sally's energy and life force cannot be fully surprised by the moxie of her striking out on her own in a hastily scheduled trip to Peru.
Born in Baltimore, Maryland to Charles and Betty Nuessle, Sally completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Maryland and then returned to the University to complete her doctorate in Pharmacy. She moved to California in the late 1980s. Following her residency at the University of California San Francisco, Sally began her postgraduate career in the field of medical affairs and pharmacovigilance at Syntex (Palo Alto). Eager to see the world outside of the United States, she accepted a three-year assignment leading development of pharmacy protocols and teaching at a major medical center in Saudi Arabia. She returned to San Francisco and began work at Gilead Sciences (Foster City, CA). After a decade at Gilead, Sally worked in clinical safety and monitoring at several smaller companies in the Bay Area. In 2007, she made the decision to open a consulting business in pharmacovigilance. That decision quickly led to the formation of her company, BioSoteria, Inc (named after Soteria, the Greek spirit to preserve safety and keep from harm).
Under her leadership, BioSoteria (Emeryville, CA) established a reputation as an exceptional source for reporting of safety and adverse events in large and small companies across the country and indeed throughout the world. In 2011, BioSoteria became part of the Dohmen Company (Milwaukee, WI). As part of Dohmen, Sally remained president of BioSoteria and continued to insist on excellence in the company's service to biotechnical and pharmacological clients. Not one to forego the notion of "giving back," Sally served proudly as a community advisory board member on the Alliance Health Project (San Francisco) and the Board of Visitors for the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy (Baltimore). Sally also established the Doris McCaig (her aunt) endowment fund at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy to help needy students with their tuition.
As is often the case with accomplished leaders, there was Sally's professional countenance and, away from work, her personal one. Whether professional or personal, few who knew Sally for any period of time will soon forget her amazing wit, her easy smile, her ceaseless sense of curiosity about the world, and, most importantly, her generosity to those around her. Though her death comes as a shock to us, her quiet establishment of a foundation dedicated to support for at-risk teens should come as no surprise at all. That is just who she was and how she got about in the world.
In accordance with her wishes, Sally will be cremated in San Francisco. A celebration of her life is currently being planned for January 26. For details, please send email correspondence to inhonorofsally@aol.com.