Charles R. Blackburn

Charles (Chuck) Blackburn, an alumnus of Allegheny College in Meadville, PA, earned a degree in Biology with a minor in Chemistry. Post-graduation, he joined the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy as a Graduate Assistant, working in the Department of Pharmacognosy under the mentorship of Dr. Norman Farnsworth, Ph.D.

During his tenure with Dr. Farnsworth’s research team, commissioned by the Eli Lilly company, he delved into studying the anticancer potential of the vinca tree roots from Madagascar, specifically targeting Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. This pivotal research led to the discovery of two alkaloids, culminating in the development of the drugs Oncovin and Velban, which remain in use over 50 years later.

While at the University of Pittsburgh, Charles worked alongside Dr. Peter Safar, M.D., dubbed the Father of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, and became one of the university's first certified CPR instructors. His involvement extended to training First Responders in CPR and advocating for significant enhancements in prehospital emergency care. This advocacy spurred him to integrate an Emergency Medical System (EMS) component into his local fire department, where he took on the role of EMS Chief.

Inheriting leadership of BLACKBURN’S Physicians Pharmacy, Inc., a business originally established by his father as a community drugstore in 1963, Charles expanded its scope to include a wide range of home medical and rehabilitation equipment, along with medical/surgical supplies, serving customers across Pennsylvania and New York.

Certified as both an Enterostomal Therapist and Registered Pharmacist, he has significantly contributed to postoperative care for ostomy and wound care patients. Presently, he serves as the Chairman of the Board of Directors at BLACKBURN’S. His involvement on the Research Guided by Patients Committee, alongside his wife, Georgie, who is affected by RUNX1-FPD, underscores his ongoing commitment to enhancing medical outcomes and healthcare policy.