ACPHS Alumni News Magazine 2022

A Passion for Service

LETTER FROM ACPHS PRESIDENT, DR. TOYIN TOFADE

am delighted to lead this issue of the Alumni News Magazine for the first time as the 10th President of the Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.

You, perhaps more than any other group, know that ACPHS is a special place. It combines the best of a small, close-knit community with the professional opportunities of a large university. In deciding to take on the role of ACPHS President, I was particularly attracted to the College’s bold mission: to educate the next generation of leaders to improve the health of society. This is not a place where a narrow, skillspecific outcome is accepted. It’s a place of significant achievement because it dares to think big.

Most notably, I am especially proud of our students’ and faculty collaboration on our student-operated pharmacies (https://www. acphs.edu/student-operated-pharmacies) within underserved communities; our designation as the first pharmacy college in the country to create a biopharmaceutical manufacturing center (https://cbet.acphs. edu/); and our unique Collaboratory, a public health practice site (https://www.acphs.edu/ collaboratory) in medically underserved communities providing new or expanded health and wellness programs.

ACPHS alumni also provide us with some of our best examples of what can be accomplished when you think this way. This issue of the magazine highlights the kind of leadership that derives from a passion for service shared by so many of you. You are the models who show our students the many ways that they might be a force for good –through public health initiatives, volunteer service and community engagement.

I have met some of you and heard your stories – of the successes and the obstacles and the plot twists of your experience –and how you have taken what you learned at ACPHS to create fulfilling careers and rewarding lives.

I look forward to meeting more of you on campus and as I travel as a new representative of the school.

Until then, reach out to me anytime. I hope you will partner with me in educating the next generation of healthcare leaders.

Sincerely,

Dr. Toyin Tofade ACPHS President

FRIENDS WE’LL MISS

As of Oct. 31, 2022

1951

Anne Scuderi

January 9, 2018

Martin Scully July 26, 2021

Harold (Hal) Seitz December 17, 2021

Angelo A. Mercurio September 8, 2022

Jeanne (Burns) Wright October 6, 2022

1952

William R. Little April 13, 2021

Charles Stewart December 12, 2021

Wallace Kahn December 20, 2021

David R. Corina May 26, 2022

1953

Albert A. Curri October 1, 2022

James Scuderi April 12, 2019

John T. Westerman, Sr. October 27, 2021

1954

James Kennedy August 16, 2021

Robert W. Elliott, Jr. June 18, 2022

1955

George Rohde August 4, 2021

Marvin Block May 27, 2022

1956

Joseph W. MacFarland August 18, 2021

Alvin E. Strack June 4, 2020

1957

Marilyn (Shearer) Green July 2, 2021

Francis Magee February 13, 2022

Beverly Nugent March 6, 2022

1958

Frederick (Fritz) Lange October 20, 2021

Janice (Imson) Treichler February 18, 2022

Frank (Pete) Hempstead July 7, 2022

Bruce Kost July 8, 2022

1959

Anthony F. Andreone June 9, 2019

Albert Nicolella January 17, 2022

Betty (Hallenbeck) Williams May 7, 2022

Donald Wilk July 19, 2022

1960

Robert L. Landschoot April 9, 2022

Benjamin Hodes May 17, 2022

Claire (DuPlessis) Childs August 16, 2022

1961

Alfred Lotano March 13, 2022

1962

Jon Gallagher October 8, 2021

Jerry Berger August 23, 2022

1963

Joseph S. Janowski September 18, 2021

Robert Blackburn October 10, 2021

Robert C. Sclafani January 23, 2020

Raymond R. Bates April 22, 2022

John J. Sheeley, Jr. May 26, 2022

1965

Thomas S. Drahushuk October 16, 2021

Dean M. Thurheimer July 19, 2021

1966

James Chaffee March 7, 2022

William Sliter September 12, 2021

Louis J. O'Connor May 21, 2022

1967

Roger Murray June 6, 2021

Barbara (Papastrat) Retzer October 15, 2021

1968

John Ostrander February 22, 2022

Margaret (Corr) Costantino January 10, 2021

1969

Richard Relation June 23, 2021

Thomas J. Bradley September 9, 2021

Michael J. Pinsonneault September 15, 2022

1973

David P. Beach October 11, 2022

Gary M. Sanges September 8, 2021

1974

Vincent A. Pigula October 5, 2021

1975

LaVerne R. VanDeWall January 18, 2022

1976

Patricia (Weise) Halliburton May 20, 2022

Geraldine (Stout) McCrum September 4, 2022

1977

Raymond N. Dansereau July 23, 2021

1978

Thomas Henry February 9, 2022

1979

Barbara Henry April 5, 2022

1980

Martha Jolly December 9, 2021

1981

Jeffrey Fudin May 27, 2022

1982

Douglas Gay November 30, 2021

Lori Throop December 19, 2021

1984

Peri (Black) Coleman October 4, 2021

Robin Alteri January 6, 2022

1985

Timothy Alamo January 18, 2022

1987

James Cross February 3, 2022

1988

Katherine A. Thurheimer June 6, 2022

Linda (Silliman) Potts July 10, 2022

1991

Kimberly (Hunter) Skylstad December 15, 2021

1992

Tracey (Coroa) Andrews August 2, 2021

Mark Mahay December 8, 2021

1994

James G. Trainham October 27, 2021

1996

Christine (Flanders) Rowley June 8, 2022

2009

Thomas Lawton January 5, 2022

2025

Jesse Nesbitt January 28, 2022

Friends of the College

Kenneth J. Blume April 9, 2021

Kenneth W. Miller September 19, 2022

A SPECIAL TRIBUTE

Over the last year, the College has said goodbye to many friends and alumni. We’d like to take a moment to remember a few particularly influential and beloved members of our community who have passed on.

Jeffrey Fudin ’81 ’98

Jeffrey was a tireless patient advocate, teacher, pharmacist, friend, and mentor. His professional work was prolific and has helped to shape a generation of pain specialists. We were touched by the outpouring of stories we heard from alumni who had worked with him either as a student or as a colleague. He made a difference in so many lives. We are honoring his life with the Dr. Jeffrey Fudin ’81, ’98 Interdisciplinary Scholarship that will continue his legacy to promote work across the healthcare professions in the service of all patients.

Dr. Kimberly Skylstad ’91

Kimberly was passionate about her work. She was a teacher in and out of the classroom, and she cared deeply about her students and her profession. She worked as a pharmacist in many settings including home health care, long term care, hospital, and industry. Her loss leaves a hole in the ACPHS community and the wider world. We are carrying Kim’s legacy forward by establishing The Kim Skylstad ’91 Scholarship and ensuring that motivated students are able to pursue their studies and their goals to become healthcare professionals.

Dr. Kenneth Blume

Ken began his career at the College in 1988 as an Assistant Professor of History and Humanities, was promoted with tenure to Associate Professor in 1995, and received the highest faculty rank of Full Professor in 2002. His dedication was evident in the PharmD curriculum taskforce he chaired; the humanities course revisions he guided; the humanities courses he coordinated; the Department of Humanities and Communication he strengthened and chaired for many years; and in his enthusiasm for the twenty-nine different history, literature, and humanities courses he taught. He was a committed advisor to hundreds of students. Many of his students remained in contact with him after graduation. Ken had an impact on over 5,000 graduates at the College. He was granted the title of Professor Emeritus upon retirement.

Dr. Kenneth Miller

From 1982 until 1994, Ken Miller served as the sixth Dean and President at ACPHS. He earned his master's and a doctorate in Pharmacology from the University of Wisconsin and previously had coordinated the PharmD program at Vanderbilt University. Ken had a strong interest in the establishment of a similar program at ACP and one of the first changes under his watch was the reorganization of the administrative structure at the College. Two key moves were the appointments of Joseph Lapetina as associate dean of academic affairs and Albert M. White as associate dean of student affairs. ACP's new leader had an open-door policy and an immediate rapport with students, listening to their concerns about the dress code, class bells and student apathy. At least one of those issues was addressed immediately; by the following year "rustling paper ha[d] replaced bells" at the end of class.

We at ACPHS know that you and your classmates have done so much for the healthcare profession, and we want to take the time to celebrate you and your accomplishments. In 2022, we revived the Alumni Awards. Recipients were honored at the Celebration Dinner during Reunion Weekend in October. We thank everyone who applied, nominated a fellow alum, or served on the selection committee. We were inspired and honored by the passion and consideration of you all.

Dr. Peter B. Corr ’�� Dr. Nimish Patel ’�� RESPECT AWARD COLLABORATION AND COMMUNITY AWARD

Dr. Aniwaa Owusu Obeng ’�� Dr. Lucio Volino ’��

A Passion for Service

What motivates ACPHS graduates? For these four alumni, it is a desire to help, to create a tangible difference for their patients, for their communities, for as many people as they can. For them, and so many others, they find themselves driven by a passion for service.

Determined, empathetic, and driven. These are the words that spring to mind when it comes to Nicole Swiatkowski ’21.

DETERMINED.

When Swiatkowski thought about her future, she knew she wanted to be in the science and medical field. During high school, she began to explore her options. Eventually, she had them narrowed down to medical school or a physician assistant program. So, she did what any good scientist does, she researched. Looking at the big picture and thinking about everything she hoped to have in her life outside of her career, including having a family and being able to spend time with them, she settled on a PA program and never looked back.

EMPATHETIC.

Swiatkowski’s first experience volunteering in a health care setting came during high school, when she volunteered at a pediatric unit. While parents were doing paperwork or meeting with doctors, she would play with the kids, to help take their minds off of being in the hospital.

“It was my first exposure to medicine. I loved volunteering and being with patients in general. I wanted to carry that forward, that’s why I found these places when I came to ACPHS.”

Some who are drawn to the medical and scientific fields choose to go into research, but Swiatkowski learned early on that there was one part in particular that inspired her passion for health care.

“I liked the hands-on approach, that’s why I chose Public Health at ACPHS,” Swiatkowski said. "I enjoy working with the community, there are so many opportunities to help. It ignited my passion for getting to know my patients and work deeply with them.”

During her time at ACPHS, and in high school, Swiatkowski found as many of those opportunities as she could. Her freshman year, she learned about Capital City Rescue Mission in Albany and applied to become a volunteer. She was accepted and was there throughout her undergrad career.

“I helped patients who didn’t have insurance, who didn’t have money to pay for their medication,” Swiatkowski said. “I did their intakes, took their histories, vitals. It was the hands-on work that I love.”

Swiatkowski also spent two years volunteering for four hours each weekend at a hospice home. The patients who came there had less than three months left to live. She would help them with their daily needs, make their food, clean, and for those who were able to use a wheelchair, she would take them outside as well.

“I benefitted from these experiences,” Swiatkowski said. "The hands-on work that I did at City Rescue helps with the PA program now. And the hospice gave me bedside experience. But more than that, I was able to help as many people as I could.”

DRIVEN.

Swiatkowski managed a full courseload while also volunteering all of her extra time to help the community. During COVID, she also helped out with the vaccination clinics.

Originally from the Queens area, Swiatkowski hopes to go back after graduating from the PA program.

“I definitely want to do something similar to the Mission Clinic. I loved their code and morals,” Swiatkowski said. “I want to give back to the community, to people who don’t have insurance but need medical attention. I know that I have the education and skills. I know I can help people.”

NAME: Hassan Sheikh

CLASS YEAR: 2012

TITLE AND ORGANIZATION:

• Analyst in Public Health Emergency Management, Library of Congress

“Y

ou can’t control the details of your future; you have to go where it takes you.”

These words were spoken to Hassan Sheikh ’12 during his sixth year of pharmacy school. Sheikh had been drawn to pharmacy because of the impact that pharmacists had on his childhood, and after graduation, he worked behind the counter at Rite Aid, administering to the health of the community on a daily basis. But he had always been compelled toward larger population health measures and soon began to consider his next steps.

“I’ve always been driven to protect life. As a pharmacist, I have the ability to do that but also the capacity to do more. I can be the voice in the room, drawing from my real-life experiences,” Sheikh said. “I don’t think that kind of expertise was being leveraged or practically considered. I wanted to be that voice.”

Sheikh may say he’s just going where his future leads him, but he’s worked hard to get there. In 2015, he left his position with Rite Aid to pursue a law degree at University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law. He graduated in 2018 with a health law and policy specialization after having served as the Editorin-Chief for Maryland’s Journal of Health Care Law and Policy. Now, as an Analyst in Public Health Emergency Management for the Congressional Research Service at the Library of Congress, he has the chance every day to be the voice in the room, offering up his expertise and experience.

The Library of Congress serves as a source of information not only for the general public, but also for agencies that implement policies and for the lawmakers who craft them. In this role, Sheikh is an

objective source for information related to public health emergency management to members of Congress and their staff.

“Every day has purpose and meaning. When I engage in conversations, when they’re coming from a perspective of wanting to learn more. I can see when they start to understand, and then it becomes a conversation between peers,” Sheikh said.

Sheikh has experience with the practical side of public health emergency management as well. When the pandemic hit in 2020, he was working for the Baltimore City Health Department as a Medical Countermeasure Coordinator. After a year and a half responding to COVID-19 at the city-wide level, he found himself looking for ways to further give back to a larger community. At the Library of Congress, he knows that what he does every day has the potential to help millions.

“Being able to help as many individuals as possible is what I’m drawn to. And I know that my work has a tangible outcome,” Sheikh said. “What’s next for me, I really couldn’t say. The road could go anywhere.”

NAME:

Chris Smith

CLASS YEAR: 1994

TITLE AND ORGANIZATION: • Task Force Officer, FBI

• Detective, Colonie Police Force

From retail pharmacy to Task Force Office with the FBI, Chris Smith ’94 has not taken a welltraveled path.

After graduating from ACP, Smith worked in retail pharmacy for a year, then at Merck-Medco to take advantage of the better hours, eventually settling at Express Scripts. He got married, bought a house, and had three kids. All the while, he felt that his future lay elsewhere. So, after a decade in pharmacy, he reduced his hours to part time and joined the police academy.

“When I went to the police academy, it was a now or never type of thing. I was 33, and 35 years old was the cutoff for the academy,” Smith said. “I felt so strongly that this is what I needed to do; that law enforcement was my true calling. Personally and professionally I just knew it was right.”

Smith joined the Colonie Police Department as a patrolman in 2004. Over the next five years, motivated by the desire to help vulnerable victims, he found himself drawn to domestic violence cases. Smith trained as a Child Forensic Interviewer, interviewing child victims in abuse cases. From 2009 until 2012, he worked as a Special Victims Investigator with the CPD. In 2012 after working a case with the FBI, he joined the agency full time.

For the last 10 years, Smith has spent hours online, working undercover to capture child predators. It’s mentally taxing work that doesn’t allow for a lot of time away. On Christmas Day, he was taking pictures of his children’s presents, trying to convince the predators he’s talking to online that the gifts were his.

At 10 at night, he’s online with bad guys who want to talk about terrible things. But, even with the hard parts, he says there are a lot of good days.

“A child leaves my office feeling better, knowing that they’re getting help,” Smith said. “We get closure for the families. There was an 11-year-old girl who was on the spectrum, she’d been abused. We caught the guy and put him in jail. I still keep in touch with the family. Something like this, you become a part of their lives forever. That’s what keeps me motivated.”

Smith still draws on his pharmacy education. When interviewing a suspect and trying to get into their head, his medical background plays a big part in understanding the biology and chemistry of guys like this. Being able to understand what makes them tick gives him an advantage.

Jokingly referring to himself as the old guy in the office, Smith splits his time between his online work and showing the younger, enthusiastic troops “how it’s done”. He hopes to retire in a couple of years and travel to conduct trainings for new agents and officers.

“The organizational skills I developed as a pharmacist really carry over as well,” Smith said. “As a pharmacist, if you aren’t organized, someone can die. Now, someone could get out of jail. It taught me to be correct all the time.”

Maureen Mack

CLASS YEAR: 1994

TITLE AND ORGANIZATION:

• NYS Department of Corrections and Community Supervision

Before 2020, Maureen Mack ’94 spent her days working as a Pharmacy Manager at the NYS Department of Corrections and Community Supervision and much of her free time traveling to visit family. But with the onset of the pandemic, she was no longer able to travel and found herself looking for ways to use the extra time.

“I had a lot of free time and wanted to use it to make a difference,” she said.

Enter, the fridge.

The Utica Community Fridge is just that, a refrigerator located outside a shelter and food pantry in Utica but unassociated with the organization. As Mack was scrolling through social media one day, she saw a posting asking for volunteers to help.

“I never gave it much thought in the past. I’ve never been without food or anything to speak of, so I had no idea of the conditions that are out there,” Mack said. “Many of the people I met would explain how they ended up there. They lost their job overnight; they have other commitments that don’t leave money for food. You honestly never know what someone is going through. It’s made me more grateful and open to what’s going on outside my circle.”

Though Mack may not know what it’s like to go without, she is familiar with how much support from others can mean for a person. In the early 1990’s, Mack was working at a pharmacy in Elmira owned by the Steed family, a family that has had multiple generations attend ACPHS. They offered to pay for her schooling at the College. At the time, Mack was married with one child and another on the way. Her husband worked nights at Albany Medical Center, and she said that in some ways, it was easier than

a full-time job because of the flexibility schooling offered.

“My classmates would ask, ‘Did you stay up all night studying for the test?’ But no, I was up all night with a sick kid instead!” Mack recalls. “It was crazy.”

After graduation, Mack worked nights at a hospital. But her kids were getting older, and she was a single parent, so she needed something that worked better with her life. When a vacancy opened at the prison, she made the switch and has been with the DOCCS ever since. Recently, Mack was redeployed from Utica to the Elmira Correctional Facility, but since she still owns property in Utica, she goes back often and whenever she does, she makes sure to fill the fridge.

“Food pantries and food banks are great, but some of them have certain hours. That might not fit into someone’s schedule, and they’ll still struggle to find food. So, I try to fill it at odd hours, like at 6 AM before I would go into work. I figure it’s good for someone who might work nights and wants to stop there before heading home.”

Recently, when she stopped by to clean and fill the fridge, Mack met a man in a wheelchair. First thing he asked was if he could help her. She said he seemed glad to be doing something meaningful.

“These people aren’t there for a handout. I really am grateful for this experience that has given me the chance to help, and to learn more about others.”

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DAY IN THE LIFE OF A STUDENT

Our students are always on the go. But they still find ways to give back to their communities, through rotations, internships, or volunteer work. Recently, two of our students shared what a day in their lives looks like.

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9:00 5:00

10:00 6:00

1:00 9:00

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Forever Grateful

Our alumni are united in their passion for serving their patients and their communities. You can create a lasting legacy of care by making plans for the College in your will.

The ACPHS community is united by a commitment of care for others. Our passion for advancing humanity through science and medicine is unwavering, and we want to share a meaningful way for you to help us carry these pursuits well into the future.

A legacy gift to ACPHS takes as little as 20 minutes, costs you nothing today, and ignites the hearts and minds of future ACPHS students – to find the next breakthrough, the next cure, the next frontier in the future of healthcare.

Visit FreeWill.com/ACPHS to get started today.

ALUMNI CLASS NOTES

1950s

Richard Kuhn ’58, BS Pharmacy

My wife and I recently returned from a trip to Switzerland to visit my son and daughterin-law. My son is employed with Merck & Co. Pharmaceuticals. On our visit we enjoyed visiting with family and friends. We got to enjoy many short trips, delicious food, and drink, and even attended a block party. It was great to be back there after a few years hiatus. Besides our trip, life is good. My wife and I are in good health, and I have been enjoying life since I retired in 1999 at 63 years old. I wish my fellow classmates and alumni a friendly hello!

1960s

Julia (Franco) Carroll ’60, BS Pharmacy

I am a 4th generation pharmacist. My granddaughter, Kimberly Varner is also a 4th generation pharmacist. My father, James Franco, graduated from ACP in 1924! My father, myself, my husband, my sister, my daughter, my son-inlaw, and now my granddaughter. All pharmacists! My granddaughter graduated from High Point. She graduated with her Doctor of Pharmacy and got her MBA at the same time. She wants to go into administration.

Bob Taormina ’60, BS Pharmacy

I’m retired, most recently from Biopharma. I was the VP Manufacturing for the Cetus Corp, then Chiron Corp, both in Emeryville, CA. Prior to that I was in Parenteral Operations for J&J, Greer Labs and several other companies. I did a short stint with New York State for the Board of Pharmacy. I did a little time in retail and hospital and found my niche with Sterling Drug in Rensselaer.

I live in Western Nevada, near Lake Tahoe in the Sierra. The scenery is spectacular, the fishing in the streams and alpine lakes is great, but I still miss the Catskills and Adirondacks. I have many fond memories of my time at ACP and I’d like to get back sometime, especially to see the new biopharma facility. Best wishes to all my old friends!

John Bottiroli ’61, BS Pharmacy

John retired from Elizabeth Town Community Hospital on September 30. Congratulations, John!

Ronald Winchell ’65, BS Pharmacy

Last year, my first book was published: Memoirs of a Maverick Priest. I am also an Episcopal Priest in addition to being a (now retired) pharmacist. I owned two pharmacies in upstate NY before leaving for seminary at the Episcopal Divinity School (EDS) in Cambridge, MA. I really

owe my pharmacy career to the grace and wisdom of Francis J. O’Brien, Dean of ACPHS.

My joint career has taken me to many places in the USA, including NYS, Virginia, North Carolina, Florida and Utah. I was a church consultant to many parishes; probably the most interesting were those in Utah, since the state is 98% Mormon. I established a Christian (non-Mormon) presence at the Iron County Correctional Facility, calling on non-Mormon prisoners. While living in St. George, Utah, I completed my doctorate at McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago (June 1992).

I am a huge fan of golf and downhill skiing. When I had a pharmacy in Palm Beach Gardens, FL, Jack and Barbara Nicklaus (the famous golfer and his wife) were customers of mine.

I’m now 79 and currently retired. My wife, Judy, and I have been married for 57 years and are looking forward to our first Viking River Cruise from Prague to Amsterdam. Our daughter, Debbie, is an international flight attendant and purser with United Airlines. As a result, we get to fly free (standby) to anywhere in the world. We have especially loved the British Isles. We were fortunate to visit her in Japan some years ago and stopped at the world’s largest fish market in Tokyo.

For now, golf and skiing take up most of my time, but I also have an outstanding perennial garden in my backyard. God has been very good to us and we always try to return the favors bestowed upon us.

consultant, researcher and preceptor for over 37 years working with various state, federal and international health care organizations and educational institutions worldwide to improve patient safety and the practice of pharmacy. Thank you, ACP and faculty.

I also want to share the second birthday of our granddaughter, Peyton Marie, born during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic in Hoboken, NJ. Peyton is loved and cherished. All our best to the Class of 1975 alumni and friends.

1980s

Nick Zacharczenko ’82, BS Pharmacy

Retired dentist, Dr. Nick Zacharczenko, ACP ’82, won gold medals this summer in singles pickleball in the 60–64-yearold category at the highest 4.5 level at the Empire State Senior Games, the Granite State Senior Games and the Massachusetts Senior Games, which were held in Cortland, NY, Exeter, NH, and Westford, MA., respectively. Since 2015 Nick has also published 7 comedy novels under his pen name - Dr. I. Mayputz. Available on Amazon.

Stephen Bean ’84, BS Pharmacy

After 32 years as a pharmacist at the University of Rochester Medical Center, with 28+ of those years with the Investigational Drug Service, I was fortunate enough to be able to retire on May 2, 2022. My wife, Lee-Ann, was also able to retire from her job at General Code on the same day and we are loving retirement. I thank ACPHS for giving me the foundation for such a rewarding career and wish all my classmates the same good fortune in their lives and careers.

Troy Spaulding ’85, BS Pharmacy

1970s

Jeff Firlik ’74, BS Pharmacy

Jeff Firlik '74 won the 2022 Bowl of Hygeia Award. Established in 1958, the Bowl of Hygeia Award recognizes pharmacists who possess outstanding records of civic leadership in their communities and encourages pharmacists to take active roles in their communities. Jeff served ten years on the Vermont Board of Pharmacy and worked for nearly two decades at the University of Vermont Medical Center.

Ed Dombroski ’75 BS Pharmacy

My ACP education has allowed me to practice as a clinical hospital pharmacist, pharmacy

Troy Spaulding was awarded the Bowl of Hygeia in 2021 as a Vermont Pharmacist. He received the award 50 years after his father, Dexter Spaulding, also an ACP alumnus, received the award.

Troy, a former independent pharmacy owner, was also promoted to Pharmacy Director at NOTCH (Northern Tier Center for Health), effective July 2022. NOTCH acquired his business, Swanton Rexall, in 2019 and Troy is still working at that same pharmacy today as Pharmacist-in-Charge in addition to his new title.

Ronald and Arthur Heath Light, the Bishop who ordained him at St. John’s Parish in Roanoke, VA on December 19, 1982.

Donna French ’88, BS Pharmacy was appointed to the ACPHS Board of Trustees.

1990s

James Hopsicker ’91 BS Pharmacy spoke at an AMCP Club meeting on Managed Care in April 2022.

Joe Medicis ’91, BS Pharmacy

Joe Medicis is currently at Madrigal, serving in leadership/ VP positions for emerging biotechs. He has become the Medical Affairs and Clinical Research Expert for late-stage drug products and startups—reaching patients with broad strokes by developing one drug at a time.

2000s

John M. Marraffa Jr ’03, BS Pharmacy

John Marraffa is the President of Kinney Drugs. John joined Kinney in 2019 as Vice President of Healthcare Services Integration and was appointed to his current role in 2021. Since 2019, John has made tremendous strides for both KPH Healthcare Services and the Kinney Drug Store Division. He introduced a new division, "Kinnect," a transformational onsite pharmacy for specialized healthcare facilities. He expanded the Delivery at Discharge program, introduced a Patient Safety Organization, and oversees the Central Fill facility in Gouverneur, NY.

On September 16, 2014, John was appointed to the New York State Board of Pharmacy and served the board through April 2022. John served two terms as chairman. As an active board of pharmacy member, John has been committed to protecting the public and has served on several of The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy Task Forces and Committees.

In addition to his role as President of Kinney Drugs, John serves on the National Association of Chain Drugstores’ Retail Advisory Board, Regional Chain Planning Committee and the “NACDS 2023” Advisory Board. John was recently appointed to The Lifetime Healthcare Companies, Central New York Regional Advisory Board and Regional Healthcare Advisory Committee. John is also a member of the North Country Regional Economic Development Council. John and his wife Lauren have two sons, Nico and JJ, and two boxer dogs, Junie and Billy.

Helen A. Ashuntantang ’06 PharmD was appointed to the ACPHS Board of Trustees.

Leslie E. Riddle ’06 PharmD spoke at the Student Pharmacist Society of the State of New York on Emergency Room Medicine and Critical Care in February 2022.

2010s

Anthony DiSpirito, Jr. ’10 PharmD was an alumni volunteer cloaker during the 2022 White Coat Ceremony in September.

Aniwaa Owusu Obeng ’11 PharmD spoke at the Women in Pharmacy Leadership event hosted by APhA in March 2022.

Courtney Tackes ’14 PharmD spoke at an APhA-ASP club meeting about how pharmacists can become preceptors in March 2022.

Stephanie Gaglione ’15 PharmD spoke at the Integrative Medicine Club about careers in medicinal cannabis.

Lindsey Wallace ’15, BS Health and Human Services & Joe Gottwald ’16, PharmD Joe and I met at ACPHS through the peer tutoring program and writing center and have been together since 2013. We just got engaged in January 2022 and plan to get married after he finishes his anesthesia residency training at Mayo Clinic. Joe completed medical school at Mayo Clinic's Alix School of Medicine and is in his PGY-3 year as an anesthesia resident (CA-2). I also still work at Mayo Clinic in the medical ICU as well and have since completed a critical care fellowship and earned my doctorate in science of PA studies. In classic ACPHS fashion we continue to strive to be the best providers and advance our careers as much as we can.

in June 2023. She was also the Keynote speaker and alumni volunteer cloaker for the 2022 White Coat Ceremony in September.

Patrick O. Forlenza ’18 PharmD gave an Industry Insights Webinar on Regulatory Affairs in January.

Schuyler Pruyn ’19, MS Pharmaceutical Sciences was a guest lecturer for Introduction to Botanical Medicines on regulation of botanical drug products in the USA in March 2022.

2020s

Madyson Allard ’20, PharmD Nicolas James ’20, PharmD Madyson and Nicolas were married on Saturday, September 3, 2022. Many other ACPHS alumni were in attendance, and the favors were pharmacy themed!

Jaden Dickinson ’20 PharmD spoke to the College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists Club about residency preparation in February 2022.

Alicia Bautista ’21 PharmD spoke to APhA-ASP Club about provider status and pharmacist rights in February 2022.

Jennifer Bowles ’21 PharmD spoke at the Women in Pharmacy Leadership event hosted by APhA in March 2022.

Umesh Yogarajah ’21 PharmD spoke to the ASHP-SSHP’s Club about residencies in Vermont in January 2022.

Vermont Gathering, September 2022

Vermont alumni gathered this fall to reconnect with each other after years of not seeing each other in person due to the Pandemic. We are grateful for all those who came, and we look forward to doing this again in the future.

Lindsey and Joe with their two Australian Shepherds, Rye and Jive.

Zachary Hecox ’16 PharmD was an alumni volunteer cloaker during the 2022 White Coat Ceremony in September.

Rebecca Chu ’18, PharmD Rebecca Chu was recently elected as the President Elect for New York City Society of Health-System Pharmacists. Her term will begin

David Knightes ’69, Jason To ’14, Sharon Zhou ’15, Amy Chen ’17, Jillian Donovan ’17, Frank Gilcreast, III ’17, Hayley Paige ’17, Venkatesh Satram ’17, Ryan Guilaran ’18, Justin Bouffard ’18, Elizabeth Sheehan ’18, Madeline Ciccone ’19, Kimberly Colgan ’19, Samuel Spahr ’19, Robert Elkins ’20, Alice Marino, and Sandra Rosa

ALBANY COLLEGE OF PHARMACY AND HEALTH SCIENCES

106 New Scotland Ave Albany, NY 12208

OCCUPATION STATION PODCAST

This podcast project is a collection of interviews with prominent alumni and friends of the College who hold careers across the health sciences industry. Our experts detail pivotal points in their careers and discuss what led them to where they are today. Listen online at acphs.edu/podcast or via Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, or Apple Podcasts.

SALAH EL-SAHEB ’06

Executive Director, Evidence Generation Leader at Genentech A typical day for Salah El-Saheb involves working with biostatisticians, data scientists and clinical operations. While the work is complicated, his underlying desire is ultimately to get help to those who are sick with as little discomfort on their part as possible.

KELSEY HENNIG ’18

Clinical Assistant Professor at Binghamton University Kelsey Hennig is the perfect example of the power of mentorship. She says it was some of that mentorship during a research opportunity at ACPHS that helped her realize her passion for the study of the patient/provider relationship.