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 25, 2011
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!
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!
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:
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
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.
Charlie and Bob,
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.
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
Nashville, Tennessee
Senior Regional Scientific Manager, Neuroscience
AstraZeneca PharmaceuticalsNashville, 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
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
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