James D. McKinley’s college education began in 1941 at San Angelo Junior College (now Angelo State), but was put on hold after finishing his associate degree. He enlisted in the Army for three years during World War II. After being discharged from the service, Mr. McKinley attended the University of Texas where he graduated in 1948 with a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy. He then decided to pursue a master’s degree in hospital pharmacy at the University of Maryland, one of the few schools in the country to offer the program. Upon graduation, he moved to MD Anderson to organize the first pharmacy. Due to limited space at the hospital in the early days, when Mr. McKinley began the pharmacy he was given a room that measured nine feet square and that had been converted from a restroom. He served as the entire department for three years while they were located at the Baker Estate before moving to the new building. Feeling that he had achieved all the goals he had created for himself and the pharmacy, he stepped down as Chief of Pharmacy Services in 1977 but continued to serve in the capacity as assistant. He served MD Anderson for more than 30 years before retiring.
From the guide to the James D. McKinley Interview 1 OH-McKinley-JamesD-20030327., March 27, 2003, (Historical Resources Center, Research Medical Library, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center)
