Tuesday, August 2, 2011

MSOP Students Transform Lives Through Medical Missions

Friends:
As in most academic communities, things slow down just a bit during the summer months. But, as the fall academic semester approaches us in less than a month, the wonderful stories about the great things our students, faculty and staff do on a daily basis start to flood in.

The message below is from Dr. Bill Rogers, a cardiologist at UAB who is extensively involved with medical missions. Dr. Rogers has been a champion for pharmacist involvement in medical mission trips and has involved MSOP students and faculty members for several years now. On this most recent trip to Peru, Dr. Tim Covington (a former MSOP faculty member) joined his team with our students.

I invite you to read Dr. Rogers post below and view the photo carousel.

On Monday August 1, Dr. Rogers wrote:

"Charlie:

Thanks again for allowing us to recruit Peru mission volunteers from among the Samford Pharmacy student body! We really enjoyed having Justin Moore, Joni Morgan, and Simone Spellen with us this year! All of them did a great job, under the leadership of Tim Covington. Unfortunately, Clint Stephens was unable to make the trip.

Our website for view photos from the trip is http://arequipamissiontripjuly2011.shutterfly.com/
(Go to the Guest tab)

I hope that we can continue to recruit from Samford on future trips. I wonder if it would also be possible to recruit from some of the other schools--perhaps nursing and nutrition?

Best regards,

Bill

William J. Rogers MD"

Let us hear from you if you are interested in joining Dr. Rogers and our students on an upcoming mission trip!

Monday, June 6, 2011

2011 Graduate Describes Her Transformative Experience at MSOP

Friends:

The inspiration for today's post comes from Rachel Long, PharmD. Rachel just graduated from our program on May 13, 2011 and we thought we'd share with you her thoughts on her experience here at MSOP.

In an email Rachel wrote:

"I was actually accepted into 4 other schools along with Samford. Samford was the last school to accept me, but I remained determined to attend MSOP. Most of my family was on pins and needles, but I knew MSOP was the right choice for me.

At MSOP it's all about making a difference in patient's lives. It's not about preparing you for a career to make money, its about preparing you to become a leader and a changer in the field of pharmacy. MSOP also provides that close knit family atmosphere. When just one student struggles or suffers, the whole school does with him or her. The professors and other faculty push every student to achieve higher standards in the profession and though I may have disagreed with some, I never lost respect or admiration for any.

MSOP provides well rounded training in pharmacy practice and creates pharmacists who care. I am blessed for my time spent here, and hope to represent the school well as I progress through my career.

Sincerely,
Rachel Long"

Let us hear how your time at MSOP has transformed your life and the lives of patients you serve!

Monday, May 30, 2011

Student-Faculty Relationships Exemplify MSOP Vision Statement

Friends:

The inspiration for today's post comes from Mr. Scott Keith, the current president of the rising 4th year class. This month Scott offered the following (unsolicited) message to our outstanding faculty. His message speaks for itself!

Scott wrote the following to the faculty email list-server.

"Dear Faculty of MSOP,

Somehow you have managed to take 120 or so diamonds in the rough and find something of value for the world of pharmacy. While I will admit this journey has not always been easy over these past 3 years, it certainly has been some of the best years of my life. I know it cannot be easy dealing with students; no doubt it is mostly a trial by fire. But through it all, you keep teaching, laying down thoughts and concepts that are intrinsic to the thought-process of the pharmacist. On behalf of the class of 2012, I want to thank you for your kindness and consideration over the past 3 years. In my opinion, in no other college of pharmacy on the planet will you find instructors who care more about a student as a person and as a student. In my 35 years on this earth, these 3 will remain some of the favorites in my memory. I wish each one of you continued success in educating the brilliant minds of the future.

Your friend and colleague,
Scott
Class of 2012 President"

Let us hear from you if you find Scott's words transformative!

Monday, May 23, 2011

Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Institute Transforms Lives and Scientific Research at MSOP

Friends:

The inspiration for today's post comes from Dr. Greg Gorman, Director of the Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Institute (PSRI). In its first year of operation the PSRI is performing marvelously under Dr. Gorman's leadership and with the assistance of Ms. Lori Coward. More than a venue to conduct pharmaceutical research, the PSRI is a melting pot for innovation and collaboration between our excellent faculty and students. We are truly proud to have Dr. Gorman and Ms. Lori Coward on our team at MSOP.

Dr. Gorman writes:

"The PSRI in Samford’s MSOP has been established to provide resources for faculty and students to conduct scholarly research in the pharmaceutical sciences. The mission and vision of the laboratories in the PSRI are aligned with those of the school in order to nurture and prepare persons within a Christian environment to be exemplary pharmacists who transform lives.

At the PSRI fulfillment of the mission and vision of the MSOP is accomplished through providing resources for our students to conduct scholarly research in the pharmaceutical sciences. These research activities augment classroom learning and facilitate a natural connection between research and teaching in the school. Research conducted in the Institute involves students as part of their education under the direct supervision of experienced faculty mentors.

To date students have been actively involved in research projects in various areas including: development of new therapeutic entities for Alzheimer’s, glaucoma and cancer, improving the effectiveness of existing drugs to treat eye diseases, and improving the efficiency of early metabolic screening of new drug candidates. As the PSRI nears the start of its second year the focus will be on accomplishing the mission and goals of the MSOP and provide students with additional opportunities to transform lives through pharmaceutical research."

Let us hear from you if you are interested in learning more about the fine work that is conducted at the PSRI at the McWhorter School of Pharmacy!

Monday, May 16, 2011

MSOP Transforming Lives in Perry County, Alabama

Friends:

The inspiration for today's blog post comes from our Pilar Murphy, Pharm.D., Public Health Resident at the Perry County Health Center in collaboration with Sowing Seeds of Hope. As the original home to Samford University (Howard College then) our university holds the town of Marion and its people in especially high regard. The Perry County Health Department is a wonderful melting pot for interdisciplinary teaching and learning among several academic divisions of Samford University. We are very proud to serve and transform the lives of the very fine people of Perry County.

Read below, in Dr. Murphy's own words, how MSOP continues to transform lives across Alabama and the world.

"DC, 48 year old African American male presented to Sowing Seeds of Hope (a faith-based organization located in Perry County that operates hypertension and diabetes clinics in conjunction with Samford University’s McWhorter School of Pharmacy) in mid-January holding a coupon for an expensive antiplatelet medication. He simply asked “Can you help me get this medicine?” Upon interviewing the patient I learned that he had a heart attack and 2 stents placed at a hospital in New York in May 2010. He was able to fill the prescription for the first month, but had not taken his prescribed medications since June 2010 due to cost. He recently moved to our area to join family, and had only been taking aspirin once daily. The patient said that he felt fine at this visit, but knew that he needed to be taking his medications. Due to the recent MI, I knew all the medications the patient should be receiving, and he was not taking near enough medicines. Unfortunately, the patient did not know the names or strengths of any of the other drugs he had been prescribed. I searched online for the pharmacy he used in New York and spoke with the pharmacist in New York explaining our predicament. She gave me the list of medications the pharmacy had on his profile.

While DC was at my office, I asked if I could check his blood pressure to see how he was doing and it was elevated (172/116 mmHg). Although the patient felt fine and was having no symptoms, I insisted that he go see the physician at our Rural Health Clinic, and wrote a letter for him to take with him describing the situation, which drugs we could help him acquire through patient assistance, and the ones that were on the $4 list at a local discount retailer.

The patient returned to our office with prescriptions for the medications, and I proceeded to sign him for patient assistance (a needs based drug procurement system for the poor). Sowing Seeds of Hope was able to purchase his first fill of his medications outside of his expensive antiplatelet medication, as he had used all of his funds for the physician’s visit.

This patient now comes by at least once a month to have his blood pressure monitored, and we have recommended dosing adjustments to his blood pressure medications that have been taken by the physician, and he is now better controlled on a combination of medications recommended by our pharmacy team. He continues to receive his expensive antiplatelet medication through the patient assistance program and is on the way to a longer, healthier lifestyle.

I felt like I helped save a life that day.

Pilar Z. Murphy, Pharm.D.
Samford Univ. Pharmacy Practice Resident
Site: SSOH/Perry Co. Health Dept."

We'd love to show you the good work being done in Perry County and our other clinical outreach sites. Let us hear from you!

Monday, May 9, 2011

New MSOP Vision Statement Resonates with Student Body

Friends:

Several weeks ago we informed the student body of our new school vision statement and requested feedback on our new vision and way of thinking.

I received the comments below from a current first year student, David South, who I believe hit the nail on the head.

"Dr. Sands,

I really like the vision statement “Preparing Pharmacists Who Transform Lives”. To me, there are two meanings in this statement. Obviously, as health care professionals, everything we do should be aimed at improving the quality of life for our patients. Through the pharmacist-patient interaction, we are able to build lasting relationships with others that can have a direct impact on the patient’s life.

However, there is also a deeper spiritual meaning to that statement. As Christians, everything we do should be aimed at adding to God’s kingdom. When I looked up Ephesians 2:10 in my Bible, it cross-referenced Ephesians 4:12, which states “to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be build up.” How great is it that we are able to help transform a patient’s life in the physical health senses but also lead people, be it through example, attitude, or direct evangelism, to the person with the greatest ability to transform lives of all, Jesus Christ.

I will make this vision statement, encompassing both meanings, my attitude and goal for the rest of my time at MSOP and continue it as I advance in my career as a pharmacist."

Let us know if you agree with David!

Monday, May 2, 2011

MSOP Reacts and Responds to Storm Damage

Friends:

We at McWhorter School of Pharmacy face difficult days ahead. Thankfully our campus, students, faculty and staff are safe and escaped without serious bodily harm. But, for so many in our community there is a healing process that has just begun.

We are overwhelmed by the thoughtful notes of support and encouragement from our alumni all across the country coupled with the outpouring of support from other colleges of pharmacy. It is times like these, when people come to each other’s assistance for the sake of good alone, that gives believers a taste of “heaven on earth”. It is these same foundational principles of selfless service to others that guide our University and our profession of pharmacy. It is our hope that we never lose sight of these guiding principles as individuals and professionals.

If you desire to assist our neighbors in need who were affected by the tornadoes we encourage you to visit www.samford.edu to support efforts through “Samford Gives Back”. In addition to acts of service, we also ask you to be “first responders” in prayer to lift our hurting community up in spirit.

Let us hear from you if you have been directly impacted by the storms and how we can help as a community.

Monday, April 25, 2011

MSOP Transforming Lives Through International Exchange

Friends:

Happy Easter! May the joy of the Risen Lord be with you and your families!

The inspiration for today's message comes from Dr. P.J. Hughes who is an assistant professor in the Samford University Global Drug Information Center (DIC). At the Asian Conference on Clinical Pharmacy over the past several years, as an effort to continue to live and breathe the mission and vision of MSOP, we have had several productive conversations with leaders from the National University of Singapore School of Pharmacy (NUS) who were seeking US placement for their PharmD students. This year NUS will graduate its first class of non-traditional PharmD students and in March of this year two of these five graduating PharmD candidtates (Jonathan Seah and Melissa Ngai) spent the month of March with Dr. Hughes in the Samford DIC to complete their drug information advanced pharmacy practice experience.

Recently, Dr. Hughes queried both students to offer any feedback (both positive and negative) regarding their experience at MSOP. Below is an excerpt from what one student had to say in his reflection of the month spent with Dr. Hughes.

In a message dated April 17, 2011 Jonathan Seah wrote:

"Hi Dr. Hughes,

I would like to express my thanks for your guidance and hospitality during my month in Birmingham. I have definitely had a positive experience and have given this feedback to (NUS administration).

For the rotation, there was a definite structure from introduction, to assignments and evaluation that I could use as a basis for sharing my experience and training future pharmacists in Singapore. Everyone we met had been hospitable and forthcoming with their help.

I think besides the knowledge and skills learnt, we also learnt more about providing more responsibilities and encouragement to our colleagues and juniors. This is something that is not always practised back in Singapore, and which should be improved on. Furthermore, being in Asia, we will also need to better relationships with our counterpart in the neighbouring countries to improve pharmacy practice.

In a couple of weeks, I'll be heading back to work and I hope my experience in the Pharm.D. course and in Birmingham would put me in better stead to have a positive impact on my patients' care. I also hope to inspire my colleagues to consider having these experiences that can transform their lives and likely their patients in the future.

Cheers,
Jonathan"

If you wish to read more about Jonathan and Melissa's experience at Samford you can follow the link below.

http://www4.samford.edu/belltower/030211/news_singapore_students.php

As always, please share your transformative stories from the world of pharmacy practice with us!

Monday, April 18, 2011

MSOP Public Health Residents and Faculty Transform Lives

Friends:

The inspiration for today's post comes from Jessica Skelley, PharmD, Pharmacy Practice Resident at the Jefferson County Department of Health (JCDH) . Our faculty (Drs. Lander and Dugan) and residents (currently Drs. Skelley and Monroe) who practice at the JCDH provide a such a valued service to our immediate and surrounding community. Recently, one of the JCDH patients, with whom our faculty and residents have regular interaction, wrote a letter of support to assist them an effort to apply for a practice-based award of recognition. Below is the letter this patient wrote the awards selection committee about our transformative pharmacy team at JCDH:

"Dear Award Selection Committee,

My name is Name Withheld, and I am a 55 year old Caucasian woman with Type 2 diabetes. I have had diabetes for several years, but have always had trouble controlling my diabetes and my blood sugar. My physician at the health department, Dr. Name Withheld, referred me to the Diabetes Clinic to help me have better control over my diabetes. When I first began seeing the Diabetes Clinic pharmacists in September 2010, my A1C was 11.7%. They explained to me what my goal A1C was, and how to better take care of myself. They helped teach me how to test and log my blood sugars, and how my medications help to treat my diabetes and the importance of taking them. We discussed diet, exercise, and setting attainable goals for myself. With all of my medical complications and my age, my physician relied on the pharmacists heavily for medication choices and dosage adjustments. They also called me regularly to check in on me and see how my blood sugar was doing- it was encouraging and helpful for me to be able to touch base with them so frequently, and helped keep me on track with managing my diabetes. When I came to clinic to see them they took time to talk with me and listen to the whole picture. With their (the pharmacist's) help and encouragement, I was able to reach an A1C of 7.2% by December 2010!

I am not the only person impressed with my progress. An endocrinologist that I saw at Cooper Green Mercy Hospital checked my A1C the last time that I saw her, and she was so amazed at the change in my diabetes control that she asked what I was doing differently. I told her about the pharmacist team that runs the Diabetes Clinic at the health department, and she asked me to put her in touch with them so she could learn more about what they are doing and how they are so effective with patients like me. It encourages me that my medical team is reaching out to each other simply because they want to help other patients like me, and learn from each other the best way to do it. Without the help of the Diabetes Clinic, I don’t know where I would be. They have helped me take control of my own health and better understand how to manage my diabetes. They have even helped me successfully quit smoking, and I have been smoke-free for 4 years. I am so grateful for everything they have done to help me and all the other patients that they see.

Sincerely,

Name Withheld "

We will be sure to let you know how the awards selection process works out!

Thursday, April 14, 2011

MSOP Continues to Transform Pharmacy Practice Worldwide

Friends:

We received a thoughtful message from Hyunah Kim, PharmD, BCPS who is a MSOP graduate and completed her PGY-1 residency at West Virginia University Medical Center immediately following graduation here. Following her completion of residency training Dr. Kim was awarded the distinction of board certification in pharmacotherapy through the Board of Pharmacy Specialties. For the past several years Dr. Kim has been a faculty member of the School of Pharmacy at Seoul National University in her native homeland of Korea. We are truly proud to call Dr. Kim one of our own!

In a note dated April 13, 2011 Dr. Kim wrote, "In my role as a professor at the College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University in Seoul, Korea, I have had the opportunity to Transform lives by providing up-to-date knowledge and skills related to the practice of clinical pharmacy to young Korean pharmacy students. My goal is to produce pharmacists that assume the responsibility for providing patient-centered care that ensures optimal drug therapy outcomes for the people of Korea. I am grateful to the education I received at the McWhorter School of Pharmacy, Samford University, that has prepared me for this role as a professor."

Again, be sure to let us know how MSOP has helped you become an agent for transformation within the profession of pharmacy!

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

MSOP Alumni and Faculty provide insight into possible career choices in the pharmaceutical industry

Friends:
With impending healthcare reform and a number of new schools of pharmacy opening, many of today’s PharmD graduates are finding career placement to be more challenging than in recent years. As conversations have been initiated with our stakeholders, we see again the tremendous support that our alumni and friends offer our MSOP community, by opening minds and doors to equally-promising opportunities in the industrial sector. Many thanks to all who have responded to the call to action. Let us keep this interesting and very important conversation going about “transforming” pharmaceutical care in the industrial sector by emphasizing appropriate treatment and prevention of disease-related complications!

The following are some responses we've received on this subject:

In looking through a list of students seeking jobs I was struck that not one of them indicated that industry might be an opportunity they would seek. I wonder if they are provided with a good understanding of how important and vital pharmacists are to the entire pharma industry? Opportunities in formulation, product development, regulatory, quality assurance, quality control, production as well as marketing, sales, and management are great ways for pharmacists to utilize their background and talents in areas other than the traditional ones people usually think of.
Bob Booth, President and CEO, Centrix Pharmaceuticals
April 1, 2011 7:40 AM
 
Greg Gorman said...
In an effort to begin to raise students awareness to career opportunities Drs. Luthin, Arnold, Halberg and Gorman (all of whom have industry experience) have put together an elective course on the Drug Discovery and Development process and are offering it for the first time this semester. The class is structured such that the students form a virtual company, develop a name and logo and each student is assigned a role in the company (i.e., director ADME/PK, medicinal chemistry, regulatory affairs, CMO, CSO, CEO, HTS etc) and given a job description. During the course of the semester the "company" must develop a critical path for discovery/development of a new therapeutic compound in a disease state of their choice from a provided list of indications. This will include target ID, HTS, preclinical (in vitro and in vivo), clinical and market launch. At the end of the semester the "company" will present their case to the course faculty as if to obtain VC or angel funding. In addition to the course faculty, outside speakers from industry are also brought in to make presentations on selected topics. Since this is a new course it was not available to the current P4 class, however, we will be offering it again in the fall and will make some necessary tweaks with the idea of increasing visibility of industry opportunities to students.
April 1, 2011 11:58 AM 

Charlie Sands, Dean and Professor said...
Bob,
Dr. Gorman has shared with you one of the ways that we here at MSOP are using to increase interest in careers in the pharmaceutical industry. We appreciate your interest in and support for MSOP.
Charlie
April 5, 2011 7:50 AM 

All,
I concur with Bob about student interest in the pharmaceutical manufacturer segment of health care. I do appreciate MSOP's efforts to address these concerns. The elective course on Drug Discovery and Development process is a great start. Over time, I think we will see student interest grow. The PSRI is a vital pillar in the development of MSOP students in pharma.
Dr. William C. Davis
Senior Regional Scientific Manager, Neuroscience
AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals
Nashville, Tennessee
April 6, 2011 8:33 PM 

Charlie and Bob,
So many opportunities for pharmacists to make big contributions in industry. I went directly into industry from Samford with Eli Lilly and Company and spent 20 great years there before moving to California to take a CEO position. Tons of opportunity in sales and marketing as well as product development. Now with my current company we hire pharmacists that also have MPH degrees to do projects for pharmaceutical companies that average between $250-$500K and take 6-9 months to complete and they are very valuable to or teams. I think on the whole the students are just not knowledgeable about things outside retail and hospital. I made a presentation about industry many years ago but would be willing to come and do another for the students to help open their eyes to other opportunities.
Regards,
Randy Nelson, Vice President, LifeSciences Division, Cerner, Inc.



Monday, April 4, 2011

Friends: The following reflection is from President Westmoreland’s weekly reflection “Monday Mission”.

McWhorter School of Pharmacy is transforming lives in many ways:

Our Story

Bruce Foster is the director of external relations and admissions for the McWhorter School of Pharmacy.  Because McWhorter draws students from throughout the United States (and the world), Bruce often greets prospective students who know nothing of Birmingham.  When Bruce realized that one recent guest from Minnesota wanted to gain an appreciation for our community, but was going to take his tour via taxi, he loaded the young man's bags in his own vehicle, acquainted him with the great sites of Birmingham (with sparkling commentary, no doubt), and deposited him safely at the airport for his flight home.

The world is better because of Bruce Foster.

Charlie Sands

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Welcome To The New MSOP Blog!

Dear friends of MSOP,
We recently unveiled our new vision statement of “Preparing pharmacists who transform lives”.  This blog has been initiated to garner feedback from you in an effort to more completely align our teaching, research, service and alumni outreach efforts in the context of this vision. We hear so many inspiring testimonials on a regular basis regarding the good things our graduates, students and faculty do to transform the lives around them.  Please view this blog as a venue for you to tell us how you as a McWhorter School of Pharmacy alum, student, faculty member, friend, or stakeholder are transforming lives in the world we are called to serve.  You will see occasional posts from me highlighting the efforts and successes of our alumni, students, and faculty.  You are invited to participate in our effort by answering any of the following questions: How has your MSOP professional training equipped you to transform lives?  Do you know of an MSOP alum that has recently transformed a life that you would like to share with us?  Have you transformed a life lately?  If you would like to respond, please do so (please keep in mind any applicable patient privacy regulations).  By developing an immediate and extended community of believers in transforming the lives we serve, the world will be better for it.  I look forward to hearing from you!!

Sincerely,
Charlie Sands
Dean and Professor
McWhorter School of Pharmacy
Samford University