School of Health Sciences - Sam L. Barker
1994 Distinguished Alumnus

Dr. Sam L. Barker grew up and received his basic education in a small town in southern Arkansas. Athletics and academics were important and he attended Henderson State College on a basketball scholarship. He received a B.S. degree from Henderson in 1964, an M.S. degree from the University of Arkansas in 1966, and a Ph.D. degree from the Bionucleonics Department at Purdue University in 1969.

Sam joined Squibb as a Research Scientist in 1969. After several years in diagnostic research, finance, and manufacturing, he was appointed Vice President and General Manager of a new operating division, E.R. Squibb Diagnostics. Success there led to his appointment as General Manager of the E.R. Squibb-U.S. Pharmaceutical Division. In 1987, he accepted an assignment as Vice President of Operations Planning and was named Vice President Asia/Pacific and Middle East in 1989.

After the merger of Bristol-Myers and Squibb, he assumed the position of Vice President, Asia/Pacific, for the Bristol-Myers Squibb International Pharmaceutical Group. In 1991, he assumed responsibility as President, Intercontinental, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company. Effective April, 1992, Sam was appointed President, U.S. Pharmaceutical Division.

Sam and his wife Judy have celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary and have two grown children. In his spare time, Sam enjoys golf, gardening, and classical music.