News & Events
Two STLCOP Faculty Members Honored by MSHP
The Missouri Society of Health-System Pharmacists (MSHP) honored two St. Louis College of Pharmacy faculty members this year. Julie Murphy, Pharm.D., BCPS, received the MSHP Pharmacist of the Year award and Tricia Berry ‘94/’95, Pharm.D., BCPS, received the MSHP Research and Education Foundation’s 2009 Thomas J. Garrison Achievement Award.
Julie Murphy, assistant professor of Pharmacy Practice at the College, received the Pharmacist of the Year award for her high level of integrity and significant contributions that have affected the practice of health-system pharmacy in Missouri. She was selected by previous recipients of the award and from nominations from MSHP members, board of directors, and staff. Murphy’s clinical practice site is at St. John’s Mercy Medical Center and Mercy Family Medicine where she is the PGY-1 residency coordinator. She also is very active in professional organizations and has contributed to the profession through her many lectures, poster presentations, and publications.
The MSHP Research and Education Foundation board selected Berry, director of experiential programs and a professor of Pharmacy Practice at STLCOP, for her outstanding accomplishments, including development of an innovative service in health-system pharmacy, publications, and activity with pharmacy students. Her clinical interest is in the area of asthma management. Berry also is very involved with professional organizations and is on the board of the MSHP Research and Education Committee. “I am honored to receive this award,” Berry said in her acceptance speech. “I feel fortunate to be a part of a profession that has so many great people and such a strong mission.”
College Awards First Faculty And Staff Scholarship
St. Louis College of Pharmacy faculty and staff joined together this past fall to further demonstrate their dedication to the
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| Dr. Richard McCall, professor of physics; Steven Paradee; and Dave Rice, director of Financial Aid |
Fifth-year student Steven Paradee, was the recipient of the award at this spring’s Scholarship and Awards Luncheon. Paradee was chosen by the Financial Awards Committee, which consisted of faculty and staff members. At the luncheon, 198 scholarships totaling $322,190 were awarded to 177 students, with the Faculty and Staff Scholarship being the largest award. “When I found out I was going to receive this award I was speechless; I was so touched,” Paradee says. “It means a lot to me that we have such a great group of faculty and staff who put a great interest into the student body.”
Colleagues Recognize Three STLCOP Employees for Outstanding Service
This spring, President Thomas Patton was host for the annual STLCOP Faculty and Staff Recognition Luncheon. At the luncheon, three employees were honored for going above and beyond the expectations of their position. Amy Tiemeier,
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| Amy Tiemeier, Anne Brackett, and Ibrahim Kojic |
“I enjoy my job, and I like doing the best I can for students and faculty,” says Kojic, who has been with the College for seven years. “Winning the award reminds me that everyone appreciates the efforts I put into my job.” Brackett, who also is an advisor for two student organizations, says she enjoys going the extra step for the students because she gets as much back as she puts in. “It’s very satisfying to see students grow and develop during their time at STLCOP. I know that most students don’t even realize the impact we have on their lives until years later, but I can see a difference and know, at least to some degree, how different their lives are because of what we do here.“
APhA Recognizes Dr. Gattas at National Conference
Nicole Gattas, Pharm.D., BCPS, and assistant professor of Pharmacy Practice at STLCOP, was recently awarded the American Pharmacists Association’s (APhA) Academy of Pharmacy Practice and Management Distinguished |
| Dr. Gattas (left) accepts her award from Marialice Bennett, 2007-2009 APhA-APPM president. |
“People are usually nominated without their knowledge, so it was a great surprise and honor when I was named the recipient.” Dr. Gattas says. “A lot of great people have inspired me to do what I do in my career, including my mentors, patients, and students. My mentors have taught me that the best way to make improvements in pharmacy is to be actively involved in it. My students help me stay creative and excited about the profession. Also, helping improve patients’ lives is a huge motivating and inspiring factor in my work. When I help a patient by giving them a vaccine or explaining how a medication works, it is a great accomplishment. ”
At STLCOP, Dr. Gattas teaches community pharmacy topics such as self-care, immunizations, and medication therapy management, and she coordinates the APhA immunization certificate program. In addition, Dr. Gattas is a member of several pharmacy associations, is on the St. Louis American Diabetes Association community leadership board, and serves as an APhA-ASP chapter advisor.
Commencement 2009 Presents 149 Pharm.D. Degrees
On May 16, St. Louis College of Pharmacy presented 149 Doctor of Pharmacy degrees to the Class of 2009. Despite a |
Kevin Colgan ‘77, president, American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, addressed the graduating class during commencement. “When I graduated in 1977, there were only a few choices of jobs. You could go into pharmaceutical sales as a sales rep. You could work at a retail pharmacy. You could work in a hospital pharmacy. You could teach – go into academia,” Colgan says. “Today, there are probably 80 to 90 different positions for pharmacists in the health care field. Today’s graduates are equipped to fulfill numerous needs in health care.” The top employers of STLCOP’s recent graduates were chain pharmacies, hospitals, and independent pharmacies.
Watermelon Bash Raises LXA’s Food Pantry Donation Past 15,000 Pounds
May 1 marked Lambda Chi Alpha’s Pi Lambda Zeta chapter’s 2nd Watermelon Bash at St. Louis College of Pharmacy. |
The Watermelon Bash is held as part of a large-scale North American Food Drive that Lambda Chi Alpha chapters across the nation put on each year. “This event was more successful than the brothers of Lambda Chi could ever have asked it to be,” says Tyler Dinkelaker, vice president of the Pi Lambda Zeta chapter. “We raised more than 15,000 pounds of food for the Arnold Food Pantry this semester, with a large part of the donation coming from the bash philanthropy.”
The chapter plans to host another food drive in November to further benefit the fraternity’s nation-wide food drive.
Three STLCOP Students to Participate in Clinical Research Program
Three STLCOP students have been selected to be among 22 predoctoral students from various health professions to
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| Andrea Basso, Eric Venker, and Kelli Fitterling |
The students applied to the program under the guidance of Dr. Terry Seaton, a Pharmacy Practice professor, because of their interest in research. “After working in a community pharmacy and finding it wasn’t for me, I realized there is an entire field (of pharmacy) devoted to uncertainty and discovering answers—which greatly interests me,” Fitterling says. Venker hopes that he will be able to use what he learns in the program to push the borders of his impact as a health care provider. “Research is an integral part of health care advancement,” Venker says. “Every disease state we learn about that has a clear-cut therapeutic regimen was at one point misunderstood, misdiagnosed, and perhaps even mistreated. Myriad afflictions still exist that need that conversion to take place; research is the arena in which that conversion will occur, and I am hopeful to play my part in the process.”
"Ask the Pharmacist" Segment Thursday on KSDK
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On Thursday, May 7, from 5:30 to 7 a.m., St. Louis College of Pharmacy faculty and alumni will participate in St. Louis' KSDK’s (Channel 5) telephone bank and Web chat for an “Ask the Pharmacist” segment. The segment will air throughout the morning show, “Today in St. Louis.” STLCOP participants will field questions via the Web and take calls from St. Louisans concerning medication safety, medication usage, and the safe disposal of medication. They also will answer questions related to health issues. Call in at 314-969-8655, or log on to ksdk.com to ask you questions Thursday morning!
Stepping Out for MS
On April 23 around 30 STLCOP students, staff, and faculty members joined hundreds in St. Louis’ Kiener Plaza for the
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| Alicia Litteken, first-year student, and her mom, Jane. |
Organizers planned the walk as a fundraiser and awareness event for the St. Louis area, but some walkers on STLCOP’s team were already aware of the disease. Alicia Litteken, first-year student, decided to participate in honor of her friend’s mom, who has had active MS for a number of years. Litteken’s mom joined her in the walk and helped her raise money through doctors and drug reps that she works with. “My friend’s mom struggles every day, and we felt that getting involved with the society’s main fundraising event was a good way to honor her struggles,” Litteken says. The STLCOP team raised nearly $900, which will help fund research for multiple sclerosis and help those who currently suffer from multiple sclerosis lead fulfilling lives.
STLCOP Holds St. Louis Medication Safety Forum
On Thursday, April 16 St. Louis College of Pharmacy held the second St. Louis Forum on Medication Safety on the College’s campus. As a dedicated leader in improving the safe production, distribution, and use of pharmaceuticals in
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| Congressman Russ Carnahan |
The speakers touched on a variety of topics surrounding medication safety including how to improve medication labeling, patient education, and in-pharmacy tracking systems to better monitor patient stats and prescriptions. The speakers emphasized that pharmacists can be the leaders in these patient-centered improvement plans. “When pharmacists routinely interact with patients, monitor their progress, and coach them on taking medications, everybody wins,” says Lucinda Maine, Ph.D., R.Ph., executive vice president, American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy. Andrew Pleasant, Ph.D., co-author of Advancing Health Literacy: A Framework for Understanding and Action, stressed the importance of pharmacists raising patients’ understanding of health literacy, which he believes can strengthen the connection between the heath care system and the public.
The underlying message, however, was that the overall delivery system needed to be reworked. “Regulators always think that someone has to be blamed for medication errors when in actuality it is rarely any one person’s fault for the error- it is the system. To reduce errors, the focus needs to be on the multiple underlying systems that cause the errors instead,” says Donna Horn, R.Ph., Institute for Safe Medication Practices.
APhA Annual Conference Recognizes STLCOP
Twenty-four STLCOP students attended the American Pharmacists Association annual conference April 3-7 in San Antonio, Texas. At the meeting, the STLCOP APhA-ASP chapter was awarded a $2,000 grant to implement a medication adherence project. Students Davin Patel, Evan Schnur, Jessica Kassing, Kathleen Buechter, and faculty member Dr.
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| STLCOP students, faculty, and alumni at the APhA conference |
The project, titled”Project ACTION: Adherence Can Turn Into Outcomes Now,” included three parts. The first part involves sixth-year students providing medication therapy management services at Grace Hill in St.Louis, so under- and uninsured patients can bring their medications to the clinic to ask questions and have the medications reviewed by the students for potential adverse reactions. The second part is antibiotic callbacks, where every two weeks, student pharmacists will follow up with patients on antibiotics to ensure they complete their prescribed dosage, so they do not develop a resistance to the drug. The third part says that STLCOP will coordinate monthly disease state management presentations with local organizations like the American Diabetes Association.
“We developed this because we want to do more to serve the underinsured,” Patel says. “We thought this would be a good opportunity for students to work with this population, and see the importance of giving back.”
Dr. Naeger Receives Mortar & Pestle Distinguished Service Award
On Friday, March 27 members of the Mortar and Pestle Society, the leading donor recognition society for St. Louis
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| President Patton & Dr. Leonard Naeger |
Naeger, a professor of pharmacology, has been a faculty member at the College for almost 40 years. When he is not in the classroom, Naeger can be found helping out in his brother’s pharmacy in Perryville, Mo., or assisting in pharmacies of fellow Kappa Psi fraternity brothers throughout the metro area. Naeger says working a few days a month in a pharmacy setting helps keep him up-to-date with the profession and his students’ field experiences.
Naeger’s commitment to the profession extends beyond the College’s campus, whether he is delivering a continuing education presentation in California, attending Metro East Pharmacists Association meetings, or lecturing at a Kappa Psi national convention. However, Naeger’s deep commitment to STLCOP has become even more apparent over the past couple years. “I wanted to be able to spend more time at STLCOP, so about two years ago I quit 10 different faculty positions I held elsewhere, so I could spend more time working on things here,” Naeger says. However, Naeger is still an active member of the University of Missouri- St. Louis’ School of Optometry where he gives two-hour lectures for a pharmacology class about two to three times a month.
“Dr. Naeger was one of the original members of the Mortar and Pestle Society and since then has given graciously through his service to the College, his extensive participation in Continuing Education activities worldwide, and the vast alumni connections he has cultivated,” says President Thomas Patton. “He is a tireless supporter of the College both with his time and his resources and never seeks recognition, but it has been long due.”
Jason Wang Joins NCPA's Pharmacy Student Executive Committee
Jason Wang, fourth-year student, has been appointed to the National Community Pharmacists Association’s (NCPA) Pharmacy Student Executive Committee. The NCPA represents the professional proprietary interests of independent community pharmacists. Wang’s position on the Student Executive Committee is a two-year commitment. The first year
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| Jason Wang, fourth-year student |
As a member of these councils, Wang will attend planning and legislative conferences in Washington D.C., and annual conventions and steering committee meetings throughout the United States. During his first year on the SRC, Wang will work with other members to determine and execute two annual projects that will “enhance membership, community service, legislative action, or independent pharmacy promotion for NCPA chapters across the nation,” according to the NCPA. “I am really looking forward to traveling, meeting new people, and gathering fresh, innovative ideas to bring back to STLCOP as well as give my ideas out to respective learning institutions to create an overall synergy of promoting pharmacy,” he says.
Wang also plans to use this experience to help shape his future. “I hope to learn about what it takes to one day own my own pharmacy and meet business contacts who can help me reach that goal,” he says. “From my experience with independent pharmacists, one piece of advice that seems to repeat itself is to learn from someone who already knows the business, so you don’t repeat their mistakes, and learn what keeps their pharmacies alive and well.”
Two STLCOP Alumni Head Major Pharmacy Associations
In addition to leading two of the nation’s largest and most prominent pharmacy associations, Judith Beizer and Kevin Colgan have something else in common. They both graduated from the same college – St. Louis College of Pharmacy.
Beizer ‘80 is president of the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP), and Colgan ‘77 is president of the
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| Beizer '80 | Colgan '77 |
Both association presidents said STLCOP contributed to their professional success and rise to leadership positions. “It’s a testament to the tremendous job the College does in educating its students,” Colgan said. Beizer, who is also a clinical pharmacy professor at St. Johns University in New York, said her commitment to ASCP is the direct result of learning about the importance and purpose of professional organizations while at STLCOP; as a first-year student, she joined the American Pharmaceutical Association (APhA). “We were automatically enrolled as members as APhA, the membership dues were automatically included in our tuition,” Beizer said. “That exposure helped me understand how important it is to not only be a member, but also be involved.”
Recently, she visited STLCOP and discussed numerous ASCP initiatives. “Pharmacy organizations are important for a couple of reasons – policy and advocacy. They are our voice in Washington and in state legislatures,” Beizer said. “They are also sources for education and provide resources for practitioners to get their continuing education.”
Colgan agrees and has even coined a term to define the role and value of such organizations. He calls it the “Five C’s” – contemporary thinking; continual professional development and education; community; connectivity; and collective voice.
Unlike Beizer, he didn’t become involved with an organization until his fifth and final year at STLCOP. But once he did, Colgan “got hooked.” One of his preceptors, Neil Schmidt ‘73, and a former professor, extended an invitation. Colgan accepted – mainly for the purpose of enhancing his level of professionalism prior to graduating.“I got involved as a result of my rotations during my last year,” he said. “I was invited to the St. Louis Society of Hospital Pharmacists meeting, and I got hooked.”
On May 16, Colgan, now senior vice president of health economics and outcomes research at EPI-Q in Oak Brook, Ill., will serve as STLCOP’s commencement speaker.
STLCOP Students Entertain Diabetic Kids at JDRF Retreat
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The weekend of February 28, STLCOP students volunteered at the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation’s Family Retreat. The retreat offered education, support, and encouragement to families touched by diabetes. While parents and adult members of nearly 250 families attended lectures and discussions centered on the disease, STLCOP students kept their children entertained. “We played with the kids and helped them color and make crafts,” says Zenia George, a first-year student. “I was working with the younger children, so I also had to make sure that they weren't getting low on sugar.”
The student volunteers were members of the College's Student Pharmacist Association Operation Diabetes group, which often works with the JDRF.
LKS Masters the Met for the American Lung Association
STLCOP’s Alpha Zeta chapter of Lambda Kappa Sigma (LKS) took its recent charity project to new heights when
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| Lauren Gilbert, fourth-year student, on her final flight |
To participate in Master the Met, each climber had to raise a minimum of $100 for the American Lung Association. LKS’s team members surpassed the requirement, and its eight-member team raised $1,480. The team consisted of seven LKS members and one LKS “little brother.” Lauren Gilbert, fourth-year student, and LKS’s committee chairperson, chose the event for her fraternity. “We try to stay active in the community by doing frequent charity events,” she says. “Over winter break I stumbled across Master the Met online, and since the American Lung Association puts it on, I thought it would be a great way to tie together our community and health care.”
While the LKS team holds many great memories from the event, the members agree the best part was crossing the finish line. “Looking back, I would say it was easier than expected, but I might have disagreed with that if someone had asked me around floor 30!” Gilbert says. LKS plans to participate in the climb again next year and extend the invite to all STLCOP students.
ASCP President, and STLCOP Alumna, Talks Geriatrics With Students
On February 24 Judith Beizer ‘80, president of the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP), returned to her alma mater, St. Louis College of Pharmacy, to discuss with current students the opportunities, concerns and policy
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During her visit, Beizer spoke of the efforts to curtail the shortage of geriatric-trained health care professionals; funding initiatives for educational centers that promote safe medication usage; and Campaign 2011, a multifaceted initiative designed to raise awareness of the prevalence of medication-related problems among the elderly, promoted the benefits of pharmacist-led Medication Therapy Management, and increase the number of pharmacists with expertise in managing the specialized pharmaceutical needs of senior citizens. Beizer says a health care professional’s understanding of all these things can save patients from suffering from adverse effects as well as health care dollars.
Homecoming 2009 Raises Money for Autistic Children's Care
A men’s basketball team win at home on February 13 concluded another successful STLCOP Homecoming Week.
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During Homecoming week Student Council members raised money through event entry fees, and T-shirt and pizza sales to benefit Friends of Marvell House. “Friends of Marvell House provides childcare for the parents of autistic children who work odd hours, like the second or third shifts,” says Laine Rapp, third-year student and president of Student Council. STLCOP raised more than $2,100 for the beneficiary. “This year we chose Marvell House not only because it is a great cause, but it was founded by one of our own STLCOP security guards,” says Jessica Kassing, third-year student and Student Council secretary. “Not only does this donation impact the community but also our STLCOP family.”
STLCOP President Announces He Will Step Down in 2010
After 15 years with St. Louis College of Pharmacy, President Thomas F. Patton has announced he will step down,
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In spring 2007, Patton signed a contract extension that runs through June 2010. This week he informed the College community that he intends to fulfill that contract but not seek an extension. “This was an emotional decision for me,” Patton says. “I love the College, and I love what I do. But, the timing was right both personally and for the College. There are numerous major undertakings on the horizon – a new strategic plan, a fundraising campaign, and potential further capital improvement projects – that will require multi-year commitments. I didn’t think it was appropriate to start things I’m not going to finish. New leadership will bring fresh perspective to these undertakings.”
Under Patton’s leadership, the College’s enrollment has grown 45 percent to almost 1,200 students. The College’s endowment has grown more than five-fold from just under $17 million when he arrived to $88.7 million by the end of fiscal year 2008, partly as the result of concluding two capital campaigns; both of which exceeded their goals. Institutionally based student financial aid has grown dramatically, and the quality of the student body is one of the highest in the state and region. In addition, a $42 million capital improvement project created an inviting campus in the city’s Central West End; there were multiple building and parking improvements, including a new residence hall and cafeteria and the addition of significant green space. Also under Patton, the College was reaccredited twice, benefited from two strategic plans, and transitioned to a six-year, all-doctoral curriculum.
In recognition of Patton’s contributions and future value to the College, the board has offered him the title of president emeritus. He will commence a six-month sabbatical on July 1, 2010 and return to the College as a consultant in January 2011.
Students Create Storybooks About Diabetes
The complexity of diabetes is difficult for adults to understand, let alone children. This became apparent to K. Grace Brenner, fifth-year student and biology teaching assistant (TA). Brenner found that the books used to describe diabetes to kids at the diabetes camp she worked at last summer were somewhat lacking. So she decided to get involved and sought the assistance of Dr. Becker’s biology class, of which she was a TA. Brenner led the class in creating children’s books about type 1 diabetes.
With less than a week to complete a storyline and supporting illustrations, the students tapped into their creative abilities to develop a simple story to explain the complex disease. “It was difficult to first come up with an analogy children could relate to,” says Alexis Byline, first-year student. “But once we got to brainstorming, all sorts of themes came to mind such as cops and robbers, superheroes, and even science fiction.”
The class created twenty-one books, which were graded by the TAs and judged by Dr. Dayton Ford, associate professor of biology, and his daughter, Jasmine, who is diabetic. Ford and his daughter chose the two books that Brenner would take back to camp with her this summer. Two groups of first-year students created the two books chosen, “Cookies in the Body” and “The Real Autoimmune Story.” The class plans to submit all of the books to the American Diabetes Association, so they can reach even more young people who deal with diabetes.
Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity Holds Breakfast with Santa for Local School
On Saturday, Dec. 13, the STLCOP chapter of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity held its first annual Breakfast with Santa for
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The fraternity established the event to strengthen ties with the local community and to support U.S. troops. “We are a small school in a big city, so doing events like this go a long way in letting area businesses and schools know we are here and have a lot to offer,” says Brian Ogweno, member of Lambda Chi Alpha and co-coordinator of the event. “We also wanted to spread the Christmas cheer and provide a positive holiday experience for area children.” The chapter used the money raised from the $5 participation fee to purchase care packages for troops through the United Services Organization.
Ogweno and his Lambda Chi brothers agreed that the event was a success and plan to host it again next season. “Seeing the anticipation and awe on the kids’ faces when they saw Santa was quite amusing and refreshing,” he says.
Eutectic Runners Make StLCoP History as 5 Compete in Nationals
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| 2008 Eutectic Cross Country National Finalists |
Five Eutectic runners made St. Louis College of Pharmacy history by competing at the NAIA Cross Country National Championships on Nov. 22 in Kenosha, Wis. This is the first time in the College’s history that more than one athlete has qualified for national competition.
Third-years Amr AbuAlnadi (Lee’s Summit, Mo.), Rachel Maedeker (Mascoutah, Ill.), and Melissa Webelhuth (St. Louis), along with second-years David Baker (Chamois, Ill.) and Megan Rogers (Kirksville, Mo.) traveled to Wisconsin to compete in the national championship race, which matched them against 32 teams and more than 320 of the country’s top men’s 8K and women’s 5K cross country runners.
Race day was cold, with temperatures in the 20s. But the lack of wind and a frozen ground made conditions for racing relatively good. “Everyone ran tough, and a few even came away with season bests when it was over,” says Coach David Baker (no relation to the Eutectic runner of the same name. “I was very proud of how everyone competed."
Leading the Eutectic charge for the women, Megan Rogers clocked a PR time of 20:33 for the 5K race, finishing in 272nd place. Rachel Maedeker finished in 311th with a time of 21:52, and Melissa Webelhuth was 318th with 22:53. In the men’s race, Eutectic runner David Baker ran his best 8K race time of 27:29 to finish in 243rd place. Amr AbuAlnadi took 293rd place with a time of 28:36.
The five Eutectic runners qualified for the national event at the KIAC championships in Berea, Ky., on Nov. 8. By finishing in the top seven at the conference meet, all five runners also earned first-team all-conference honors.
Both the men’s and women’s teams finished third in the KIAC. Despite missing their top Eutectic runner at the conference meet due to injury (fourth-year Amy Hall – the only other StLCoP athlete ever to qualify for and compete at nationals) the women's team finished only two points behind runner-up Asbury College.
Students Join to Create 100 Soldier Care Packages
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Kim Allen, a fifth-year student, decided to get StLCoP involved with sending care packages to soldiers overseas when she saw how easy it was through the Web site www.anysoldier.com. “On this site, soldiers who don't get much sign up, so they can get care packages,” Allen says. “I thought this was really cool. I started sending a package a week, and after I showed my classmates the site, they became interested.” Kim, her classmates, and 11 student organizations, gathered donations and created 100 care packages for soldiers who were on the site and recommended by faculty, staff and students. Forty-five of those packages went to loved ones and friends of students, faculty, and staff.
Allen did a lot of the organizing prior to the November 4 elections. "I told students ‘I know we're all in different classes, voting for different presidents, and part of different organizations or fraternities, but I think we all can work together to support the people who are fighting for our country while they are away during the holidays,’" she says.
In addition to putting the care packages together, Allen effortlessly raised around $800 from the sales of T-shirts she created to help cover shipping costs. “Today’s society seems to have become more about wanting than giving,” Allen adds. “But I'm pretty sure after shipping off these packages; the students really understood the meaning of the holidays and a better understanding what the troops overseas go through.”
StLCoP Holds Boo Fest 2008
On Sunday, Oct. 26 the St. Louis College of Pharmacy quad turned into Pumpkin Park for Boo Fest, a safe Halloween
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StLCoP students presented educational information to the kids and parents and provided activities and games for the families. Activities include the Science Center’s “Creepy Chemistry Lab,” a costume contest, bounce house, face painting and temporary tattoos. “Seeing the smiles and hearing the laughter of the children playing the games were proof that this year’s event was a success,” Stenger says.
College Welcomes Young Democrats and College Republicans
St. Louis College of Pharmacy students have taken a step in the right, and left, direction by bringing political awareness
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| College Republican's president David Marcum and Young Democrat's president Sam An |
The two groups have kept busy promoting their prospective party and encouraging colleagues to register for the November election. “I wanted to be president of College Republicans because I feel the need to raise awareness among fellow students about how politics directly effects our profession,” says David Marcum, fourth-year student. “I also want to be an advocate or middleman between the student population and politicians. A vision I have is to have fellow students voice their concerns to our group, so we can relay it to a particular politician, that way he or she can see what policies, laws, etc. matter to college-age students.”
Both organizations agree that students should take advantage of their constitutional right to vote. “Those before us have fought for the right to vote, and Congress lowered the voting age to 18 from 21 for a reason,” says Sam An, second-year student and president of StLCoP’s Young Democrats. “Let's go out and take advantage of that!” While student excuses for not voting range from not having time to the hassle of absentee ballots, An and Marcum both think that the overlying reason is that students are apathetic about politics and do not think their vote matters. “By not voting you are silencing yourself,” Marcum says. “There are numerous laws and policies that will directly influence us and our practice when we get our degree either directly or indirectly.”
On Election Day, members from both groups plan to assist at the polls, remind students to vote, escort students to the polls, “and stay up late watching the results trickle in as I have done after the past three elections; yes, I was watching these things at age 6,” An admits.
StLCoP C.A.R.E.S.
On Saturday, Sept. 27, 315 St. Louis College of Pharmacy students participated in a variety of clinical and community activities for StLCoP C.A.R.E.S. (Community Awareness Reaching Everyone in St. Louis) day.
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Clinical activities included performing blood pressure and diabetes screenings and educating the public on upcoming flu shot opportunities at Shop ‘n Save locations in Shrewsbury and Maplewood. They also educated shoppers and their children at a St. Louis Walgreens on the differences between candies and medications while five students handed out heartburn preventatives and pamphlets at the Missouri Chili Cook-off in Westport.
In addition to helping residents, students participated in community improvement projects as well. They mulched, pulled weeds, and planted at Pagoda Circle in Forest Park; processed 15,356 pounds of food to provide 12,536 meals for the city’s hungry, did yard work at Gateway Greening’s Bell Community Garden, cleaned the grounds and built wheelbarrows for Operation Brightside’s Louie Lake, and performed yard work around the Ronald McDonald House off Park Avenue.
The students raised money at a faculty auction the previous week to buy the supplies and screening materials they used throughout the day. “Considering students had to get up early on a Saturday morning, they worked really hard in our community,” says Stephanie Seaton, fourth-year student and coordinator of the day’s events. “I think each student took something away from this experience. Hopefully the students were able to witness that they can make a difference in people's lives.”
SPA Faculty Auction Raises Money for Shriner's Hospital
St. Louis College of Pharmacy’s Student Pharmacists Association (SPA) collected $2,897 during its annual faculty auction on September 24. Faculty donated an array of items and services for students and other faculty and staff members to bid on. The money raised went to Shriner’s Hospital of St. Louis and bought supplies for StLCoP C.A.R.E.S. (Community Awareness Reaching Everyone in St. Louis).
More than 35 students and several faculty members contributed to the total number, topping last year’s amount of $2,000 raised. Michael Spinner, fourth-year student and coordinator of the event, says the most coveted items included mortar and pestle sets donated by Dr. Ken Schafermeyer, dinners and outings with faculty members, and an annual garage party hosted by Drs. Naeger, Hurd, and Zlatic.
Lambda Chi Alpha Participates in Light the Night Walk
On Friday, September 12, 2008, StLCoP’s Lambda Chi Alpha, Pi Lambda Zeta chapter gathered 38 students and faculty members to participate in The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Light the Night Walk in Forest Park. Among the walkers was Pi Lambda Zeta advisor, and leukemia survivor, Dr. Ken Schafermeyer, professor of pharmacy
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The Society's nationwide Light the Night walk was created to build awareness of blood cancers, and celebrate survivors, and honor those whose lives have been touched by cancer and ranges from two to three miles.
College Welcomes Class of 2014
The class of 2014 started its first day of classes at St. Louis College of Pharmacy on Wednesday, August 27. The
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| Students gathered at the Welcome Back BBQ and Resource Fair on Aug. 28. |
Class of 2014 by the numbers:
• 237 first-year students were chosen from 599 applicants
• 63% of the class are female; 37% are male
• 16 states(including Alaska) and Korea are represented by
first-year students
• 7 first-year students have siblings attending the College
• 184 first-years are living on campus
• 10% of first-years were valedictorians at their high school
• 3.81: average first-year high school GPA
• 28: average first-year ACT score
Society Honors StLCoP Student and Faculty Member
The St. Louis Society of Health-System Pharmacists (StLSHP) chose StLCoP’s Dr. Julie Murphy as Pharmacist of the
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| Sixth-year student and StLSHP Student of the Year and Dr. Julie Murphy, assistant professor, Pharmacy Practice, and StLSHP Pharmacist of the Year. |
Murphy has been part of the StLCoP faculty for the past six years; she is currently associate professor of Pharmacy Practice and a preceptor for StLCoP’s Introductory Practice Experience students and Advanced Practice Experience students at St. John's Mercy Medical Center, where she has practiced since 2006. Murphy has been a member of the StLSHP since 2004 and served as its treasurer from 2005-07. Murphy also is involved with the ASHP and MSHP.
A St. Louis native, Meyerhoff has been a member of StLSHP for the past year; however, she has worked in community pharmacies for the past six years. ”Kim has a strong interest in improving patient care and is excited about the future of the our profession ,” says Joel Hennenfent ‘96/’97, past president, StLSHP. “She has been valuable in promoting Health System Pharmacy at StLCoP and recruiting students to attend StLSHP meetings.” Meyerhoff currently works at Dierberg’s Pharmacy. She plans to do a residency after she graduates in 2009 and then go on to do clinical work.
The two will be presented their awards at the September 11 StLSHP meeting.
StLCoP Professor Organizes Free Health Screenings
Nimita Thekkepat, assistant professor of Pharmacy Practice, has brought together sixth-year StLCoP students, the American Liver Foundation, the City of St. Louis Health Department, and Walgreens to offer free Hepatitis C and HIV testing for St. Louis residents.
The confidential screenings are performed once a month at the Walgreens on Lindell Boulevard in St. Louis. The health department tests patients for HIV, while the American Liver Foundation screens for Hepatitis C. Sixth-year students encourage area residents and shoppers to participate in the screenings and often sit in on the screenings to learn more about the process and ask questions of the patient or test administrator.
Thekkepat organizes and oversees the screenings to help the residents of St. Louis. “Recently, we have had a pretty high infection rate of Hepatitis C and HIV in the city,” she says. “I really want to get this program going at our current location and get many people involved. Eventually I would like to see students who are currently involved with the screenings take the program with them to their future employers."
Patients who test positive for Hepatitis C or HIV are referred to Thekkepat who schedules them with a local physician and follows up with the patient once he or she is prescribed medication. “I show patients the proper technique for taking their prescribed medication, explain to them possible side effects and make sure they get their prescribed doses each month,” she says. In addition, if patients do not have prescription coverage, Thekkepat works with drug companies and social workers to ensure the patient has access to the appropriate medication.
College Welcomes 2008-09 Pharmacy Practice Residents
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Postgraduate residencies are accredited programs that build a participant’s knowledge, skills, attitude and abilities. Year-one residents enhance their general competencies in managing medication-use systems, and support optimal medication therapy outcomes for patients with a broad range of disease states. In the second year, residents increase their knowledge and skills in medication therapy management and clinical leadership.
Upon completion of the program, residents are prepared to pursue board certification.
The following residents will join the College as full-time Clinical Instructors of Pharmacy Practice for 2008-09:
Kacie Ballantini, Pharm.D. (StLCoP) –PGY-2 Internal Medicine Pharmacy Resident at John Cochran St. Louis VA Medical Center.
Ryan Camden, Pharm.D. (StLCoP) – PGY-1 Pharmacy Resident at John Cochran St. Louis VA Medical Center
Andrew Crannage, Pharm.D. (StLCoP) – PGY-1 Pharmacy Resident at Mercy Family Medicine/St. John’s Mercy Health Center
Jennifer Flesner, Pharm.D. (StLCoP) – PGY-1 Pharmacy Resident at John Cochran St. Louis VA Medical Center
Kala Gallagher, Pharm.D. (Creighton) – PGY-2 Internal Medicine Pharmacy Resident at John Cochran St. Louis VA Medical Center
Gregory Hughes, Pharm.D. (St. John’s) – PGY-1 Pharmacy Resident at Jefferson Barracks St. Louis VA Medical Center
Jamie Reski, Pharm.D. (Drake) – PGY-1 Pharmacy Resident at Mercy Family Medicine/St. John’s Mercy Health Center
Matthew Pitlick, Pharm.D. (Drake) – PGY-1 Pharmacy Resident at John Cochran St. Louis VA Medical Center
Lauren Roberts, Pharm.D. (StLCoP) – PGY-1 Pharmacy Resident at Jefferson Barracks St. Louis VA Medical Center
Erin Williams, Pharm.D. (Nebraska) – PGY-1 Pharmacy Resident at St. Louis County Department of Health
Summer Programs Introduce High School Students to Pharmacy
While the majority of St. Louis College of Pharmacy students are away for the summer, several area high school students have arrived on campus eager to learn more about a pharmacy education and the profession. On June 16, 25 high school students began the four-week Career Explorers Program and 30 students began the BESt Summer Pharmacy Institute’s classes.
Sponsored by Walgreens and the College, the Career Explorers Program is designed to increase the interest of students from underrepresented groups in pharmacy. During the four weeks, students learn about pharmacy classes, how to read prescription abbreviations, and how to fill prescriptions. They also participate in compounding exercises, take hospital tours, learn about the retail pharmacy system and spend time as a pharmacy technician at a local Walgreens. “Once students finish [the program], they have a broad view of pharmacy,” says Freddie Wills, the program’s coordinator and assistant director of multicultural student services at the College. “They leave saying this is something they’d like to one day pursue.”
At the same time, 30 multicultural students from 16 area high schools began classes at the College through the BESt Summer Pharmacy Institute. BESt is a collaboration between Barnes-Jewish Hospital, Express Scripts and StLCoP and was designed to motivate minority students to pursue pharmacy school by increasing their exposure to college life and creating a support system. In addition, the program aims to improve the chemistry and math base of the selected students and improve ACT/SAT scores. The selected students were chosen from more than 100 applicants because of their GPA, participation in extra-circular activity and interest in pharmacy school. Program organizers hope increased diversity in the pharmacy profession will improve access to health care and health care quality for minority patients
StLCoP Students Place 1st in NASPA Event
On June 14, four StLCoP students participated in a National Alliance of State Pharmacy Association-sponsored OTC jeopardy game at the Missouri Pharmacy Association convention in St. Louis. Three teams participated: students and alumni from UMKC School of Pharmacy, professional pharmacists from Missouri, and St. Louis College of Pharmacy students. “The StLCoP students handily won the competition,” says Nimita Thekkepat, StLCoP assistant professor, Pharmacy Practice and a judge at the game. “I was so impressed by the level of knowledge our students had.”
The students on the StLCoP team included Clifford Rich (third year), Joel Henneberry (second year), Steven Fuchs (third year), and Nicole Brougham (second year). The team received a glass plaque for placing first in the jeopardy game.
12th Annual Alumni & Friends Golf Classic
The championship took the team by surprise, as they admit they only get a chance to play a couple times a year. However, the students will get plenty of practice this year. La Fleur also won a round of golf at Fox Run for the team in the raffle, and Call won a round of golf for two at Forest Park for winning the closest-to-the-pin contest. “We also get to display the trophy at our places over the next year, and we will have bragging rights for the year!” La Fleur adds. To view photos from the tournament, visit www.alumni.stlcop.org, and click on View Photo Galleries. |
The Alumni Association’s 12th Annual Alumni & Friends Golf Classic was held Sunday, June 8, at the Norman K. Probstein Community Golf Course in St. Louis’ Forest Park. The Golf Classic raised around $34,000 through tournament play, donations and the sale of raffle tickets. The money will go towards student scholarships. StLCoP’s fifth-year students Chris LaFleur and Chris White and fourth-year student Will Call - all brothers in Lambda Chi Alpha - took home the first-place trophy at the end of the day. Amy Hall Finishes 11th at NAIA National Marathon
In a field of 33 entrants, St. Louis College of Pharmacy’s Amy Hall took 11th place at the NAIA marathon championships held in Edwardsville, Ill., on May 26. Her time of 3:13:44 smashed her previous marathon personal best of 3:21:42 from last year’s national marathon championship in Fresno, Calif. Hall, a third-year student at StLCoP, qualified for the national marathon competition this year by crushing the NAIA “A” qualification standard of 1:33 with a 1:28:39 finish in the Spirit of St. Louis half-marathon race on April 6. The 2008 marathon was Hall’s fifth appearance at an NAIA national championship including two NAIA track & field championships in the marathon and three NAIA cross country championships. Hall is the only StLCoP student athlete to qualify and compete in a national championship. |
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Student Organizations Plant Trees for Earth Day
The Forest Releaf of Missouri donated the trees, which included a mix of oaks indigenous to the St. Louis area. Crain Tree Farm & Nursery in Caseyville, Ill., donated the Yoshino cherry tree.
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In celebration of Earth Day, the Outdoor Club, with the help of Kappa Psi and the Environmental Action Committee, planted 50 trees in Forest Park’s Kennedy Forest on Saturday, April 26. The groups also planted a cherry tree on campus. “I wanted to do a community service project that was fun and would allow people to volunteer for without having to pay money,” says Jessica Bowermaster, president of the Outdoor Club.|
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