PostScript Fall 2007 by Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

FA L L 2 0 0 7 VOLUME 18 NUMBER 2

PostScript N E W S

O F

A L B A N Y

C O L L E G E

O F

P H A R M A C Y

Paradise Found! Alumni find the Caribbean a great place to practice pharmacy

PostScript 8

President’s

Ledger

FEATURES_________________________________________ Mario Zeolla ’97 Remembered The College community mourns Cover Story: Paradise Found Alumni find life in the Caribbean rewarding

James J. Gozzo, Ph.D. 16

DEPARTMENTS____________________________________

On the Cover: Josh Dorval ’05 and Erin Cinelli Dorval ’03 on a dive near their home in the U.S. Virgin Islands

President’s Ledger From the Dean’s Desk Letters to the Editor

1 2 3

On Campus There’s nothing like IPPExperience Practice makes perfect Roll ’em – Schallehn films at Cannes ACP broadens graduate degree options Springfest! Future looks bright White Coat Ceremony Commencement 2007

4 4 5 5 6 7 7 8

Student News Know your pharmacist Students in the news Bone marrow drive a big counter

10 10 11

Faculty News Faculty awards and achievements Nature-ceuticals conference Teachers of the year New faculty join ACP

12 12 13 13

Advancement Calendar of events PRI hosts event Home suite home Giving gets easier Tax benefits for 2007 New scholarship established Planned giving

20 20 21 21 22 22 23

Alumni Affairs History in the making Lending a helping hand Dean’s Cup a winner Thank you class of 1957 Share your memories DiLascia lecture and dedication 2007 Reunion Weekend

24 25 25 26 26 27 28

Class Notes Weddings, births, retirements & much more

In Memoriam

Focus on … Michael ’99 and Nicole Edwards Darbyshire ’03

Expanding in Albany and Beyond The 2007-2008 academic year has started off on a great note with many positive developments to report. In September, we welcomed our largest class ever with a total of 297 freshmen enrolled to add up to nearly 1,450 students on campus. Our B.S. programs in Pharmaceutical Sciences and Biomedical Technology also have record breaking numbers this year with 30 first-year students enrolled. The class includes eight valedictorians, seven salutatorians, an Intel Science award winner, and students from as far away as Hawaii, China, Africa, Romania, Thailand and Yemen. For the first time in ACP’s 126-year history, there are housing options on campus for not only first-year students, but for students in years two through six as well, with more than 800 students in residence. The addition of the former Department of Transportation building to create ACP Holland Suites has added apartment-style living for 175 upperclass students, while renovations to South Hall have provided space for an additional 36 first-year students to make a total of 254 residents. All over campus, new or newly renovated facilities continue to enrich the educational experience for students. These include a new Panther’s Den in the Student Center, an expanded Fitness Center and a Teaching and Learn-

ing Commons to offer instructional technology support to both faculty and students. At the same time our campus on New Scotland Ave. is expanding, ACP is growing, literally, in other directions. We recently applied for approval from the Vermont State Education Department to begin offering courses in the greater Burlington area and in the months ahead will be moving ahead to develop a four-year professional program that will provide an opportunity for students to obtain the same high quality pharmacy education in Vermont as they have found in Albany. Support from local health care and educational facilities and pharmacists and alumni throughout the state has been strong and we look forward to working with them. With the need to recruit students for two locations, I am pleased to report that Tiffany Gutierrez has taken on the role of vice president of enrollment management. Tiffany will work closely with administrative and academic leaders, faculty and staff to provide a comprehensive enrollment and retention strategy for the future. The College is also moving eastward with the relocation of the Pharmaceutical Research Institute staff to UAlbany’s East Campus Genomic Center across the river in Rensselaer. They

will join ACP research staff from the Center for NanoPharmaceuticals, which moved to the new site late last year. This state-of-the-art facility will allow PRI to bring nanotechnology, biotechnology, drug formulation and drug delivery together under one roof and provide opportunities for students to participate in cutting-edge research. While ACP is experiencing physical growth, course offerings will be expanding as well. We have recently received approval from the New York State Education Department for new graduate programs in Pharmacy Administration and Health Outcomes Research. Health care has seen a growing need for pharmacists specialized in these areas and there is strong interest from professionals already working in the field. The new programs join our existing degree programs, including the six-year Doctor of Pharmacy, B.S. programs in Pharmaceutical Sciences and Biomedical Technology and a B.S./M.S. in Physician Assistant Studies. All in all, it has been a remarkable year with unprecedented growth in every area. As always, I invite you back to campus to see first-hand the progress that we have made.

Fall 2007

FA L L 2 0 0 7

F ROM THE

VOLUME 18 NUMBER 2

Dean’s Desk

PostScript is published as a magazine for alumni, parents and friends of Albany College of Pharmacy.

Mehdi Boroujerdi, Ph.D.

Editor

Christine Shields 2007-08 Editorial Board

James J. Gozzo, Ph.D., President Mehdi Boroujerdi, Ph.D., Dean Vicki A. DiLorenzo, Vice President of Institutional Advancement Robert J. Gould, Vice President of Finance and Administrative Operations Packy McGraw, Assistant Vice President for Student Services

A Look Back and a Glimpse Ahead

Contributing Writers

It seems like only yesterday that I began the always exciting, if sometimes challenging (but never boring!), job as the ACP Dean. Working together with dedicated administrators of the College, a loyal and hard-working faculty and staff and a supportive President and Board of Trustees, we have accomplished much during the past academic year. It has indeed been a very productive time for ACP and we should be content with the progress we have made. We are even more excited by the growing sense of commitment from alumni and friends who share responsibility with faculty, students and administration in shaping our College. Over the course of the past year we have initiated and completed a number of academic tasks, which each could be discussed at greater length. Due to space constraints, I will list only academic accomplishments here, though there have been many other positive developments in the areas of physical plant improvements, institutional advancement and other non-academic initiatives. Academic Initiatives: • Refined the organizational structure, establishing the departments of Arts and Sciences, Health Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences and Pharmacy Practice, and recruited departmental leaders • Established the Academic Council and Administrative Committee to facilitate interdepartmental communication and administrative policy development

Fall 2007

• Created the position of associate dean for academic and professional affairs to centralize institutional assessment; provide leadership for required curricular refinements; supervise the accreditation self-study reports and maintain consistent communications with the New York State Board of Pharmacy and local professional organizations • Established the Office of Continuous Professional Development/Continuing Education to begin addressing the current expectations of ACPE as they relate to the life-long learning of practitioners • Finalized the Institutional Readiness document and received approval from the New York State Education Department to offer graduate degree programs at ACP • Established graduate programs in Pharmacy Administration and Health Outcomes Research • Instituted a Graduate Council • Created the position of associate dean for research and graduate education to supervise the Office of Grants Administration; coordinate graduate and post-graduate training programs; provide leadership for the Graduate Council; oversee graduate marketing and admissions; explore and initiate new graduate programs; and develop graduate bylaws, handbook and catalog • Enhanced collaboration with neighboring organizations in the Capital Region • Established the Research Institute for

Health Outcomes (RIHO) • Refined the academic standards and increased progression requirements for professional years • Enhanced the pharmacy practice laboratory experience by the addition of a sterile product laboratory • Streamlined Student Affairs and Student Services • Initiated the Hooding and Awards Ceremony with the first annual ceremony held before Commencement 2007. Members of the Pharm.D. Class of 2007 were recognized for their achievements and all students received a Pharm.D. hood representing ACP as the degree-granting institution. • Established the Dean’s Forum and Students Advisory Council to enhance communication with students As I reported to you in the previous issue, we have developed a five-year strategic plan for 2007-2012, which charts an ambitious, but doable, future course for the College. The centrality of the plan is to assure that our students are well prepared for the professional life and challenges they will face after graduation. As always, we encourage your active participation, involvement and feedback. Together with our alumni, faculty, students, staff and administrators, we can make the 2007-08 academic year another successful and terrific one for ACP.

Letters to the Editor

James J. Gozzo, Ph.D. Mehdi Boroujerdi, Ph.D. Donna Bebee J. Michael Darbyshire ’99 Nicole Darbyshire ’03 Jennifer Evans ’96 Ron Lesko Patrick Rathbun Christine Shields Contributing Photographers

Nancie Battaglia Michael J. Buckley Don Elliott Photography Ron Lesko Patrick Rathbun Christine Shields Christina Spinelli David Zdunczyk Office of Institutional Advancement

Vicki A. DiLorenzo, Vice President of Institutional Advancement David Zdunczyk, Assistant Vice President of Institutional Advancement Donna Beebe, Director of Major Gifts Michael J. Buckley, Major Gifts Officer Shelly Calabrese, Director of Annual Programs Lynne DellaRocca, Systems Administrator Deanna Ennello-Butler, Director of Advancement Research Patrick Rathbun, Assistant Director of Publications Deborah Reutter, Coordinator of Institutional Advancement Christine Shields, Director of Publications Christina Spinelli, Coordinator of Donor Relations and Stewardship Patty Tompkins, Events Manager Please send story ideas, comments, letters and suggestions to: PostScript Albany College of Pharmacy 106 New Scotland Avenue Albany, NY 12208 1-888-203-8010 alumni@acp.edu

To the Editor: I am writing in regard to the picture of the chicken in the spring issue of PostScript. I don’t know why the editor would think this was a fraternity prank! A restaurant on Central Ave used this trailer-mounted chicken as its advertising. It was driven around town and parked in front of the restaurant. The following is the best of my recollection, after 41 years. One of the Kappa Psi brothers made arrangements for the chicken to be brought to the school. After a Kappa Psi meeting, the new pledges were to pull the chicken someplace (probably to Ralph’s). We had appropriate safety lights and got about halfway down the New Scotland Ave. hill when Albany’s finest had a different idea and redirected us back to the school, along with the chicken. It stayed there for a day or two, then found its way back to the restaurant. I am the second person from the left in the picture.

To the Editor: The chicken picture in Postscript was a fraternity prank by Kappa Psi. A restaurant on Central Ave had this huge chicken on a trailer that was always parked outside the restaurant. As I remember either regular members or pledges of Kappa Psi went over and stole the chicken. The owner of the restaurant reported the theft to the police and Dean Francis J. O’Brien had to employ the assistance of Albany Mayor Erastus Corning (who was a member of the college board) to get the charges dropped.

Tom Breon ’67

John LeGrand ’70

We Want to Hear from You! Do you want to comment on an article you’ve read in this issue of PostScript? Do you want to express your views about an important issue in the world of pharmacy, health care or science? Or about a professional issue you’ve encountered recently? Do you want to reminisce? Or share your thoughts about developments at Albany College of Pharmacy? We want to hear from you! We’ll reserve this space in each issue of PostScript for letters to the editor to give you a forum to share your two cents (checks and major credit cards accepted!). This is your chance to sound off about issues that are important to you. Let us know how we’re doing. Let us know how you’re doing. Let us know what’s important to you. Letters to the editor can be sent by e-mail to alumni@acp.edu, or mailed to PostScript Letters, Albany College of Pharmacy, 106 New Scotland Ave., Albany, NY 12208. All letters to PostScript are subject to editing for length, taste and accuracy. To be published, letters must include the writer’s name, address and a phone number at which the author can be reached. Contributors should specify whether they want their e-mail address published. In the words of Garrison Keillor: Be well, do good work and keep in touch.

Fall 2007

On Campus

There’s Nothing Like Experience

ROLL ‘EM Bernie Schallehn screens his films at Cannes

ACP introduces new Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experiences

ACP has taken a big step forward with the approval of a brand new Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience (IPPE) program at the College. As part of a new curricular requirement at ACP, the Experiential Education Division has developed two new introductory experiences that include patient assessment and institutional

pharmacy. Beginning in 2008, fourthyear students will have the opportunity to apply knowledge gained through classroom learning and laboratory in these settings. The experiences will introduce the students to institutional pharmacy practice, provide an initial opportunity to experience patient-centered care and prepare them for their

advanced pharmacy practice experiences in the sixth year. For additional information or to find out how you can become a preceptor, please contact Jennifer Evans ’96, coordinator of introductory practice experiences, at evansj@acp.edu or (518) 694-7110.

Director of Counseling Services Bernie Schallehn just may have a shot at the big time! His short films “The Solution” and “The Appointment,” were screened in May in the Cannes Short Film Corner in France. Launched in 2004, the Short Film Corner is the Cannes Festival’s short film market and open to all the international industry professionals accredited with the Festival de Cannes and the Marché du Film. Short filmmakers have a tremendous opportunity to showcase their work to dozens of potential buyers and festival programmers. This year’s included nearly 3,000 participants from almost 80 countries, 2,000 registered short films and more than 22,000 film viewings by the attending professionals. Among these professionals, more than 40 short film buyers from major international companies were present. Bernie’s films averaged between five to 10 viewings a day and have engendered interest from film production companies in Russia and England. “The Appointment,” which premiered in Saratoga Springs last April, is a contemporary interpretation of Somerset Maugham’s “The Appointment in Samarra.” It is Bernie’s third short film, following the “The Cobbler” and “The Solution.”

Practice Makes Perfect Preceptors honored for service Congratulations to all of the ACP preceptors who were recognized at the Preceptor Appreciation Luncheon on October 9. Honored as Preceptor of the Year was Jodi Walker, Pharm.D., who provides ambulatory care experience to our students completing rotations at the Bath Veteran’s Administration Hospital. The award is made possible by Roche Laboratories and is given by each college of pharmacy to a practicing pharmacist/preceptor who is dedicated to the experiential training and education of pharmacy students. Students completing Introductory or Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences are eligible to nominate up to two APPE and two IPPE preceptors. Also honored during the event were those preceptors who have supervised rotations for 15 years or more. Congrat-

Fall 2007

ACP Broadens Graduate Degree Options

Preceptors who have supervised ACP student rotations for 15 years or more were honored at an October Continuing Education event and luncheon at the Hilton Garden Inn adjacent to campus

ulations go to David Stitt ’76, Jennifer C. Denoncourt, Donna Chiefari ’81, Kelly Letawa Flynn ’82, John Macri ’84, Mary Ellen Jensen Rinaldi ’83, Lynn Hamil ’86, Thomas P. Lombardi, Daniel P. Christensen ’75, Marc Marchand ’81, Jeffrey Fudin ’81, Richard Cummings

’80, Edward F. Dombrowski ’75, Theodore Hahn ’72, Michael Maggy ’85, Leo E. Maggy ’58, Peggy Brault DeCelle ’81 and Frank Steed ’86. Thanks to all for a job well done and many years of dedicated service. We couldn’t do it without you!

Come 2008, ACP will be offering two new graduate programs in pharmacy administration and health outcomes research. ACP President James J. Gozzo, Ph.D., announced the expansion plans during a recent meeting. “These programs will mutually benefit our graduates and the health care industry,” Dr. Gozzo said. “Graduates can be a part of a growing administrative- and research-oriented health care sector, which also will benefit from having such specialized individuals.” Health care has seen a growing need for pharmacists specialized in these areas, which both contribute to

overall cost effectiveness in the health care field. Pharmacy administration professionals in the program will be able to pursue several career tracks, including drug utilization review, program auditing, ensuring fiscal integrity and cost management. Graduates with concentrations in health outcomes will develop and supervise research activities and pharmaceutical ecomonics. In five years, the president sees ACP continuing to increase its enrollment in the health science fields; the introduction of the new programs will promote interest in this area. The

growing demand for these specialists secures the job market for graduates, who will contribute to the overall quality of life through health care. Both programs are well-suited for traditional graduate students, but also accommodate others working in health care. The new M.S. programs will offer those already working in the field additional opportunities for professional development, complementing ACP’s Continuing Professional Development program. For more information, call the graduate education administrator at (518) 694-7210 or e-mail GraduateEducation@acp.edu.

Fall 2007

On Campus

Future Looks Bright!

SPRINGFEST!

Board renews President Gozzo’s contract The Board of Trustees has renewed the contract of President James J. Gozzo for six years, extending his tenure through the 2012-13 academic year as the College continues its dynamic strategic growth initiative. Board Chair Kandyce J. Daley ’74 announced the extension, which includes a reworked final year of President Gozzo’s previous contract for

2007-08 and five additional years. The contract runs through June 30, 2013. “President Gozzo has provided exceptional leadership throughout this exciting period for the College,” said Daley. “He has managed the expansion of our academic offerings, physical campus, student body and research activities with great vision. We are wellpositioned for the future as we carry

on with our Comprehensive Growth Plan, and excited that President Gozzo will continue to lead us on this path.” President Gozzo became ACP’s seventh president on July 1, 1998. Entering his 10th year, he is the College’s longest-tenured leader since the late Walter Singer, Ph.D., who retired in 1982 following 15 years.

WHITE COAT CEREMONY Clad in sparkling white lab coats, third-year students recite the Pledge of Professionalism during the annual White Coat Ceremony held on Friday, September 28 during Parents Weekend. In attendance were 288 students and more than 600 family members and friends. Lawrence Mokhiber ‘71, M.S., R.Ph., executive secretary of the New York State of Pharmacy, gave the keynote address. After the ceremony, the guests enjoyed an outdoor reception under a festively decorated tent adjacent to the Student Center.

Springfest 2007 was held on a beautiful day in April featuring music, food and lots of fun for the entire campus community. The fun kicked off with ACP musical act See Side Panel at noon and showcased ACP performers R.A.T.S. and Mina T later on in the day. Students and faculty alike feasted on Giffy’s barbecue with all the fixin’s. Activities included the always popular mechanical bull, henna tattoo artists, caricaturists and carnival games. New this year was a skydive simulator new that gave students a chance to stretch their wings! Thanks go to Kinney Drugs for their sponsorship of the event.

Fall 2007

On Campus Sammons, who helped lead the nation’s No. 3 drugstore chain on a dramatic financial turnaround this decade, also received an honorary degree from the College. Sammons joined Rite Aid as president and chief operating officer in 1999. She was promoted to CEO in 2003 and has been a key catalyst behind the company’s revitalization. Her responsibilities will include more than 5,000 drugstores nationwide with annual revenue close to $27 billion when Rite Aid’s acquisition of the Brooks and Eckerd drugstore chains is completed. At that time, she also will be named chair of the company. Recognized as an exceptional leader in both the pharmacy and business communities, Sammons has been named among the best CEOs in America, a list that includes Bill Gates at Microsoft, Margaret Whitman at eBay, Steve Mary F. Sammons addressing the 2007 graduating class

grams. Based on survey data collected from 115 members of the Class of 2007, the average starting salary is about $100,000. “We are proud of the outstanding achievements our graduates have made during their academic careers at ACP,” said President James J. Gozzo, Ph.D. “They will help people manage the increasingly complex drug therapy programs that are becoming critical components of today’s health care management, they will play a vital role in research and drug development, and they will serve in a wide variety of other critical roles as members of the health care team.”

Commencement 2007 Rite Aid President and CEO Mary F. Sammons challenges grads

Challenging the members of the Class of 2007 to make a difference in the lives of their patients and in the communities in which they work and live, Rite Aid President and Chief Executive Officer Mary F. Sammons delivered the graduation address during Albany College of Pharmacy’s 127th Commencement in May.

Fall 2007

“You are graduating at a very exciting time for pharmacy,” Sammons said during the ceremonies at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center. “The pharmacist’s role as a health care provider continues to grow as doctors have less time to spend with their patients, especially in the inner city and rural areas.”

Proud family members at the post-Commencement reception

Jobs at Apple and Janet Robinson at The New York Times. She has been on Forbes magazine’s “100 Most Powerful Women” list since 2004 and last year was named one of Fortune magazine’s “50 Most Powerful Women” for the fourth consecutive year. She has been selected by The Wall Street Journal as one of its “50 Women to Watch.” In 2001, she was named Chain Drug Retailer of the Year by the industry trade magazine Chain Drug Review. ACP awarded 141 Doctor of Pharmacy degrees, the most in school history. The college also awarded three Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences degrees and its firstever B.S. in Biomedical Technology. As in previous years, all Pharm.D. graduates had jobs waiting for them or were continuing on to graduate pro-

Friends share a laugh before the ceremony

Fall 2007

Student News

Know Your Medicine … Know Your Pharmacist

Bone Marrow Drive a Big Counter!

ACP students go on the air to promote American Pharmacists Month On Thursday, October 4, students from ACP’s chapter of the American Pharmacists Association donned their white coats and gathered in New York City with more than 200 pharmacists and pharmacy students to promote American Pharmacists Month on the air. A morning television show excursion to NYC was one of many events throughout the country during October that aimed to increase awareness of the pharmacist’s role in improving medication use and advancing patient care. Shown here, the ACP delegation with APhA advisor Macary Weck Marciniak, Pharm.D., BCPS (left holding banner), and CBS’s Early Show cohost Harry Smith (left in suit).

An April Bone Marrow Drive organized by Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences Administrative Assistant Jennifer Yaghy was a huge success, adding 122 new registrants to the National Bone Marrow Donor list. The goal of the program is to find donor matches for people awaiting bone marrow transplants. The drive was held in honor of Vincent Kujawski, the father of fifth-year student Evan Kujawski, who had been diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia. Mr. Kujawski passed away earlier this fall. Many accelerated students participated in the drive, which also drew faculty and staff from ACP and Albany Medical Center, as well as students from Albany Law School. Several peo-

ple learned about the drive from the Web site of a little girl in Latham who also is in need of a transplant. A representative from the National Bone Marrow Donor Program was on Students read over information on bone marrow donation at an event held in the Albert M. hand to answer White Gymnasium in April questions about the test, which is a simple mouth swab. Yaghy. “Wouldn’t it be nice to know that you can save a life!” “Many of us have never been faced More information can be found at with a life or death decision, but imagine if it were you, or someone you loved www.marrow.org/ DONOR/Steps_of_ Donation/index.html. dearly, who needed a transplant,” says

STUDENTS IN THE NEWS Two ACP students were selected for special opportunities to showcase their research expertise this summer. Mike Dobis, a fifth-year Doctor of Pharmacy student, worked in the New York State Attorney General’s Office on water quality issues pertaining to drug disposal. In August he presented a paper on his work at the Northeast Water Science Forum in Portland, Maine. Lisa Murphy, a sophomore in the Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences program, is one of 12 students statewide to be awarded a research fellowship for the summer at Masonic Medical Research Laboratory

Fall 2007

in Utica, N.Y. Lisa did her research in the area of cell electrophysiology. Congratulations to sixth-year student Erin Burke who won a gold medal for weight lifting at this year’s Empire State Games, competing in the 48-kg class (105 pounds). Erin also took home the gold in 2005 and a silver medal in 2006. ACP’s chapter of Colleges Against Cancer has elected new officers for 2007-08. Congratulations go to: Christin Morkos, president-elect; Bryan Trombley, Relay for Life chair; Phil Lubanski , advocacy chair; Lindsay Bell, education chair; Diana Khalil, survivorship chair;

Jessica Baugh, secretary, and Sal Ferro, treasurer. ACP’s chapter of the American Pharmacists Association Academy of Student Pharmacists (APhA-ASP) was recognized as the nation’s most improved chapter during awards presentations at the APhA annual meeting in Atlanta in March. Chapter advisor Macary Marciniak, Pharm.D., BCPS, says the award is a tribute to the terrific work the chapter’s members have done in recent years. To further illustrate the chapter’s outstanding work, ACP captured first place in Region 1 for its patient care projects

Operation Immunization and Operation Diabetes. It is the fourth year in a row the chapter has won first-place regional honors for Operation Immunization, and the first year it has been recognized for its diabetes outreach. More than 50 runners turned out in April for the inaugural Two-mile Team Relay, organized by ACP’s Cross Country Club to raise money for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Led by Joel Messina, Team Joel blew away the field to win by 1:08. Last Second Entry (captain John Jezak) finished second. “I know I left the track that day with a

bigger heart and a great feeling inside knowing how great our student body really is and can be,” said Craig Tynan, assistant registrar and men’s basketball coach. The Alpha Theta chapter of Phi Delta Chi continued its national excellence by finishing third place in the Thurston Cup standings at the professional pharmacy fraternity’s Grand Council National Meeting in West Palm Beach, Fla. this summer. The Thurston Cup is the highest honor a chapter can receive. ACP’s chapter earned the top ranking last year and this marks the third year in a row

they have placed in the top three. In addition, sixth-year Doctor of Pharmacy student Stephen Esker was elected to the national office of Grand Vice President of Student Affairs and will serve in this capacity until August 2009. Esker’s responsibilities include direct contact with five regional officers and staying in touch with pharmacy students around the country to increase the level of professionalism and service involvement in the fraternity. More than 400 students from more than 50 pharmacy schools were in attendance at the meeting.

Fall 2007

Faculty News

Faculty Awards and Achievements

Teachers of the Year Drs. Moon and Cosler earn top awards

Department of Pharmacy Practice faculty member John M. Polimeni, Ph.D. has been busy! He co-authored a paper, “Labor Migration and Rural-Suburban Symbiosis in Igbo Society,” that was presented at the 2007 International Applied Business Research Conference in Mazatlan, Mexico. Dr. Polimeni also made a podium presentation on “Jevons’ Paradox and the Implications for Europe” at the International Association of Energy Economists conference in Florence, Italy in June. The IAEE seeks to promote research on energy, economics and the environment and has more than 3,500 members in more than 70 countries. Dr. Polimeni’s paper will be published in the International Business and Economics Research Journal. From Florence, Dr. Polimeni went on to the College Teaching and Learning Conference in Padua, Italy. His presentation there was entitled “Assessment of the Economics Curriculum at a College of Pharmacy.” The paper will be published in the Journal of College Teaching & Learning. Department of Pharmacy Practice

faculty member Gina Garrison ‘94, Pharm.D., has been recognized by the Student Government Association with the Advisor of the Year award for 200607. Dr. Garrison was recognized for her work with ACP’s chapter of The Rho Chi Society, the academic honor society in pharmacy. Dr. Garrison also has been elected to national office in Rho Chi as Region I councilor, which involves coordinating activities for Rho Chi chapters in New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Director of Instructional Communication Andreas Karatsolis, Ph.D., presented his paper “Tablets as Writing Canvases and Construction Sites” at the 2007 Workshop of Pen-based Technology on Education, held at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind. He also participated in a higher-education panel entitled “Tablet PCs and Higher Education, Are They Made for Each Other?” Furthermore, Dr. Karatsolis participated in the DyKnow user group meeting at DePauw University in Greencastle, Ind., where he held a “student seat” presentation on the use of DyKnow in Com-

munication classrooms. The presentation and an interview were showcased in the DyKnow User Spotlight Web site. Department of Arts and Sciences Professor Elisabeth L. Vines’ oil painting “Windows through Windows” was accepted to the juried 25th National Annual Small Works Exhibition held at the Tri-County Arts Council in Cobleskill, New York this summer. Artists from 26 states were selected to be in the show. Vines also presented her peer-reviewed “Pictures of Potatory Pleasures: Drinking in Nineteenth Century France” at Global Approaches, the fourth International Alcohol and Drug History Conference, at the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada, in August. Professor Rinaldo DeNuzzo has been selected to be included in the 25th Anniversary editions of Who’s Who in America and Who’s Who in the World. In addition, he has been awarded a Wings of Freedom citation as a founding member of the American Air Museum in Britain, dedicated to American airmen who lost their lives during World War II.

NATURE-CEUTICALS CONFERENCE Dudley Moon, Ph.D., a professor in the Department of Arts and Sciences at ACP, organized a spring conference with the theme “Nature-ceuticals: Bridging Science and Nature.” The event was made possible with generous support from Maruzen Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. in Japan. Featured speakers were Eric Block, Ph.D., Carla Rizzo Delray Distinguished Professor of Chemistry at the University at Albany and one of the leading garlic researchers in the U.S., Mark Blumenthal, founder and executive director of the American Botanical Council, and Gabriel Giancaspro, Ph.D. director of dietary supplements, U.S. Pharmacopeia. Pictured, left to right, are: Dr. Moon, Dr. Block, Mark Blumenthal and Dr. Giancaspro.

Congratulations go to Department of Arts and Sciences faculty member Dudley Moon, Ph.D., and Department of Pharmacy Practice faculty member Leon Cosler ’82, Ph.D., who were the recipients of ACP’s Teacher of the Year awards for 2006-07. Dr. Moon received the Traditional Teacher of the Year award, recognizing an outstanding faculty member in the first two years of the curriculum. Dr. Cosler received the Professional Teacher of the Year award, recognizing an outstanding faculty member in years 3-5. The awards are voted on by students in years 1-5.

Dr. Cosler ’82

Ryan Madison ’08, Student Government Association president in 200607, announced this year’s recipients at ACP’s 127th Commencement in May. “Both of these professors engage students in the classroom and support us in numerous endeavors outside of lecture. Most importantly, they have befriended us with their kindness and compassion. Not only do we respect them as bright, intelligent mentors; we love them for the people they are. Congratulations are in order for our winners and all of the nominees who each exemplify these traits.”

Dr. Moon

New Faculty Join ACP The summer brought a few new faces and new areas of expertise to ACP as three faculty members joined our ranks. Arnold Johnson, Ph.D., joined ACP as professor of pharmaceutical sciences in July. Dr. Johnson has had a very productive research career highlighted by a sustained record of funded scholarly activities and has a national and international reputation as an expert in the area of pulmonary vascular pharmacology. He currently is the principal investigator on a funded grant from NIH’s National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) and a co-

investigator on a grant from the Veteran’s Administration Medical Center. Alex Steiner, Ph.D., came to ACP as assistant professor of pharmaceutical sciences in August. Dr. Steiner received his Pharm.D. from the Pharmacy School of Ribeirao Preto, University of São Paulo in Brazil, and his Ph.D. in Physiology from the Medical School of Ribeirão Preto. His postdoctoral training was done at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix. He has published 46 articles in refereed journals and presented 51 abstracts at national and international meetings.

Catherine Sheffield, Pharm.D., also joined us in August as an assistant professor of pharmacy practice. Dr. Sheffield received her B.A. in Biology from the University of Virginia at Charlottesville and her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from ACP in May 2006. She completed her residency in Adult Medicine/Endocrinology through ACP and the Endocrinology Group residency program.

See the calendar on page 20 for information on the next Nature-ceuticals Symposium coming up in June.

Fall 2007

Remembering Mario Zeolla ’97

Dr. Mario Zeolla … pharmacist, educator, mentor, colleague, leader, husband, friend. Mario became a member of the ACP family 15 years ago when, as a freshman, he moved into his basement apartment in our former Alumni Hall. It was then that he began to build the relationships that bring so many of us here today to celebrate his life. Mario brought to ACP an excitement and passion for all that he took on. He was an avid soccer player, and he became equally passionate about his career as a pharmacist. He was an exceptional student and an exceptional athlete who built exceptional friendships along the way. None of those friends were closer to Mario than Noah Sorensen, a fellow member of the Class of 1997. Mario and Noah were inseparable as students, and their bond remained strong as they began to build their careers and over the ensuing years. The memory of these two great friends will live on here at ACP. After Mario earned his Doctor of Pharmacy at ACP in 1999, he joined the College as an assistant professor the following year, and rose up the ranks to associate professor. From the very start he displayed an enthusiastic cando attitude. In addition to his position as an ACP faculty member, Mario worked in retail pharmacy as a patient care pharmacist. His scholarly activity focused on this important and growing area of community pharmacy practice. Last year, he was honored by the American Pharmacists Association as one of 10 award recipients nationally in the One to One Counseling Recognition Program in acknowledgement of his work and his passion as a community pharmacist. The effort to provide greater access to immunizations for New York’s elderly population was an important cause for Mario throughout his career. It was one of his areas of focus as a co-advisor to the College’s chapter of the American Pharmacists Association Academy of Student Pharmacists. Our chapter was recognized this past March as the most improved chapter in the United States. The chapter also won its fourth consecutive regional award for its Operation Immunization efforts.This is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our students, and a testament to the outstanding professional leadership these students received from Mario and his co-advisor, Dr. Macary Marciniak. Mario always strived for the highest level of excellence in everything he took on. He pursued his profession the same way he pursued life – with enthusiasm, energy, integrity and that familiar smile. He had such a promising future. I envisioned him as a department chair, a dean and a president. There was no end to the possibilities open to him as a leader in pharmacy and academia. But for all his professional strengths, we will remember Mario most for the personal characteristics that made him one of the most well-liked members of our campus community. He has been described many times over as a great father…a great brother…a great husband….a great friend…a great man. He was a man of great compassion and great integrity. A man who engendered a very high level of respect from those who knew him – not because he sought it, but simply because that was the kind of person he was. I would like to leave you with a few words that I know would make Mario smile. They are from Derek Jeter, captain of Mario’s beloved New York Yankees. “I have the greatest job in the world. Only one person can have it. You have shortstops on other teams…I’m not knocking other teams…but there’s only one shortstop on the Yankees.” And there could only be one Mario Zeolla at ACP. –– President James J. Gozzo

Fall 2007

n September 19 the campus community gathered together to honor the memory of faculty member Mario Zeolla ’97 who, along with classmate and dear friend Noah Sorensen, was killed in a tragic car accident in June en route to their 10th Reunion celebration at ACP. To carry on the values that were so important to Mario, his wife Christine Tallo Zeolla ’99, and family have created the Mario M. Zeolla ’97 Memorial Scholarship to be awarded

annually to a pharmacy student enrolled in the professional years of study who shows strong leadership qualities, has a high academic standing and has completed two full seasons of soccer. For more information, contact Donna Beebe in the Office of Institutional Advancement at (518) 6947125 or beebed@acp.edu.

Mario was a source of light in my life. I am sure that many of you feel the same way. He was straightforward and genuine – Mario was as you perceived him to be. His character was sterling – he had nothing but the best intentions. He was a brilliant man. Lately, many of you have wondered what would have become of Mario. I don’t wonder – I know. He would have been magnificent and a leader in our profession. His energy was boundless! He was involved in so much. Whenever he would tell me all that he had going on at a particular time, I would grow tired just listening to him. But for Mario, it wasn’t enough. He was always thinking what was next, how he could be better tomorrow than he was today. He had such drive – I think he would refer to it as “forza!” I often went to Mario at times when I was concerned about something and needed someone to talk to. He would listen so intently. He gave me a sense of comfort and hope. He also could make me laugh – Mario routinely would bring me to tears. Those laughs made my spirit soar. I left every conversation with Mario a better person. I am so grateful for the blessing of his friendship. –– Angela Dominelli ’78 Associate Dean of Academic and Professional Affairs

We shall be better healthcare professionals because we were taught by one of the greatest. With his guidance, we will be able to speak up on behalf of our profession when others see us as mere pill-dispensers. With his passion and dedication, we will be able to build strong relationships with our patients and counsel, not because we have to, but because we know the importance and need for our patients. With his mentorship, we will push ourselves to become the best professionals and future mentors we can be, and be humbled by those who could teach us more along the way. Dr. Zeolla was more than our professor, advisor, and preceptor…he was our mentor and friend. Most importantly he will forever be in our hearts as a man we would like to emulate, as a man that we want to make proud as we embark in the profession of pharmacy and start a new chapter of our lives. –– Sonia Patel ’08

Fall 2007

Paradise Found Alumni find the Caribbean a great place to practice pharmacy

Fall 2007

Barbados…Bruce D. Martin ’55

n Bajan culture it’s referred to as Goat heaven – a state of bliss – and that’s just what Bruce Martin ’55 and his wife Marilyn Harris found when a consulting opportunity in Barbados turned into a 25-year commitment to winter life on this most easterly of all Caribbean islands. When it came time for Bruce and Marilyn to retire, there was no question as to where they would find their own little bit of heaven. The couple first became involved in Barbados, a small island some three and a half hours flying time out of Miami, in the 1970s when both were faculty members at Duquesne University’s School of Pharmacy in Pittsburgh, Pa. Bruce was dean of the school and Marilyn an associate professor in Pharmacy Administration and the college’s chief educational specialist. After spending a year with the World Health Organization in Geneva, Switzerland, as a staff educator and trainer, Marilyn returned to Duquesne and became heavily involved with curriculum development. “She devised the first competency-based curriculum for the school, swiftly becoming known among pharmacy educators for her expert knowledge and experience,” explains Bruce. Marilyn soon received invitations to help other programs. One of the most intriguing was a call from Project Hope to upgrade the curriculum at Barbados Community College from a two-year pharmacy dispenser’s program to a three-year associate degree program. In 1979, she took a leave of absence from her faculty duties at Duquesne and spent a year with the Barbados program, revising curriculum and introducing student internships with community and hospital pharmacists. Thereafter, the couple traveled back to Barbados every year during their Christmas break to act as evaluators of the program. Marilyn taught International Health while Bruce became a guest lecturer on a number of topics, including tropical diseases such as malaria and leprosy, at the college and for the Barbados Pharmaceutical Society. “The program has prospered over the years and we have fostered friendships with numerous colleagues and students on the island, as well as their families,” says Bruce.“Following the fortunes of the program as it has developed has been one of the things we have enjoyed the most.” The island has a very progressive educational strategy, with college freely offered to inhabitants.The government underwrites all the educational expenses for Barbadian students and dictates class size, adjusting as needed to maintain an appropriate number of pharmacists on this island of more than a quarter of a million inhabitants. “Classes run between 20 to 30 students most years but not all of them are Barbadians,” Bruce explains.“Other Englishspeaking islands routinely send students so the class size is maintained at the optimum number.”

Most students remain as dispensing pharmacists on the island but a few of the more adventuresome leave to attend graduate studies in the United States, England or elsewhere. “Since students are screened careBruce Martin enjoying retirement time in Barbados fully before acceptance to the pharmacy program, we find they are top-notch and can study as equals with the best our American schools graduate. Graduates have completed Pharm.D. degrees and returned to Barbados, thereby improving pharmacy services and raising the expectations of the island for more and better educated pharmacists,” says Bruce.“We are pleased to be there among the pharmacy community, participating in pharmacy society activities and encouraging those we know to keep advancing the progress of the college,” he adds. Just recently, the college was authorized degree-granting privileges and the pharmacy program will confer a four-year baccalaureate degree for the first time. “We are still favoring the more advanced five- or six-year degree program but this will take time to develop. A lot depends on the needs of the country, the outlook of the party in political power and the manpower situation,” says Bruce. When retirement from Duquesne beckoned, the Martins considered their options and decided to spend a large part of their time, especially the cold months of the year, in Barbados, among all the people they’ve met over the past 25 years. In the mid-1990’s the couple bought a small colonial house on Barbados’ south coast and spent years renovating it. A few years back, they downsized to a condominium in the same area and now split their time between the island and Pittsburgh. Both strongly encourage friends and colleagues to develop affiliations such as theirs during their professional years so that they may enjoy retired life to the fullest. “If you do move, the important part is to become part of your new scene before you settle permanently and not to just go cold into a new environment,” cautions Bruce. “We are now happily surrounded by tropical plants and banana bushes and spend our winters in Barbados visiting friends and taking part in the cultural activities that tourists rarely see,” Bruce says.“We have the best of both worlds.” Goat heaven indeed…

Fall 2007

Erin Cinelli Dorval ’03 with Tim Coyle ’85 outside one of his Chelsea Drug Stores.

Paradise Found: U.S. Virgin Islands…Josh ’05 and Erin Cinelli Dorval ’03

ailing off into the sunset is one thing, sailing to work is another. What started as a pipedream for Josh ’05 and Erin Cinelli Dorval ’03 became reality when they moved to the U.S. Virgin Islands in 2005 to ply their trade. The whole thing began one night when Josh and a group of friends tried to outdo each other when talking about what they would do after graduation. Josh wanted to move to the Virgin Islands and practice hospital pharmacy

Fall 2007

and was determined to make it happen. In the spring of his fifth year, he headed to the islands to scope out the territory. “I walked to every pharmacy that I could during that trip,” he says. “Fortunately there are not many on the islands!” One of the places he visited was a pharmacy belonging to Tim ’85 and Heidi Papathanasiou Coyle ’87, who had relocated from Saratoga Springs, N.Y. to the Virgin Islands

in 1999. Today the couple operates two Chelsea Drug Stores; one in Cruz Bay, St. John and the other in Red Hook, St. Thomas. After his trip to the islands, Josh was more convinced than ever that he wanted to begin his career in the V.I. He visited again a few months later, this time with Erin. And this time the couple was armed with an introduction from the ACP faculty member who had worked with Erin during her community pharmacy residency in her last year of the Pharm.D. program. Instructor Andy Flynn ’87 had been a classmate of Heidi’s and had at one time been supervised by Tim. Erin and Josh spent an idyllic day with the Coyles and, by the next day, had decided that the Virgin Islands would be their future home. The couple moved down in July of 2005, just after Josh’s graduation. They found an apartment on St. Thomas, a mountainous island with stunning vistas in almost every direction, and quickly settled into island life. Erin landed a job at the Chelsea Drug Store in St. John, the smallest of the U.S. Virgin Islands, while Josh began as a staff pharmacist at the Schneider Regional Medical Center in St. Thomas. “Erin and I both stated working within a week or two of arriving on island,” explains Josh. “We share a car, so I would drive Erin to the ferry every morning and then go to work. At the end of the day I would pick her up at the ferry dock.” Named director of pharmacy at the medical center this past January, Josh says that the hospital’s 169 beds handle everything from oncology to a nursery. “Our biggest challenges include keeping staffed and having drugs in stock,” Josh says. “All of our medications have to come from the United States, so it can take a long time to receive them. Borrowing items from St. Croix [the third of the U.S. Virgin Islands] is also difficult as you have to arrange for transport by sea plane.” Although St. Thomas has quite a few pharmacies, Erin is employed at the sole drug store on St. John. The pharmacy fills about a hundred prescriptions a day, which leaves her ample time to counsel patients. Practicing on the island is marked by some key differences, she says. “This is a U.S. territory so we do follow federal law when filling prescriptions. That means we often have to explain to tourists that we do not sell antibiotics or pain killers over the counter,” she explains. “However, because I was used to practicing in New York state, it took me a little while to get used to a more relaxed set of rules. For instance, there is no time limit or quantity limitation when

Erin and Josh’s boat provides a great way to commute home from work filling CII prescriptions and covers are not needed for CIII-V prescriptions. In addition, customers can transfer all remaining refills, as well as controlled prescriptions, to other pharmacies, if their law allows.” “Most days I don’t feel like I am a pharmacist practicing in the islands – except that I have on capris and flip flops,” she adds with a laugh! “But there are those moments when I get a question from one of my local West Indian customers that throws me for a loop and I remember where I am.” She has a lot of customers, especially those without insurance coverage, who like to use vitamins, supplements and homeopathic medications. And there have been a few new phrases Erin has had to learn in order to counsel patients effectively. For instance to “chuke” means to prick with a needle or lancet, and when someone asks her for something to “build their blood,” they want an iron supplement. She also gets a lot of Spanish speaking customers because the island is so close to the British Virgin Islands and Dominican Republic. All in all, life in the V.I. has been good to the Dorvals. They bought a boat, “Whiskey Dream,” last year and have learned to sail. Another new hobby is diving – both have logged a couple dozen dives since receiving their certification. “When we’re not working, we’re usually on the water,” says Josh. “Sundays I like to pick Erin up from work on the boat, and then we sail home together.” “Life on the rock has become very routine. The water is always warm and clear, and the boat is always ready to set sail.”

Josh and Erin are also featured on our cover.

Fall 2007

Advancement

Home Suite Home!

CALENDAR OF EVENTS Important dates and events to watch for (all events at ACP unless otherwise noted).

DECEMBER Sunday, December 2 ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting in Las Vegas, Nev. Reception with ACP Dean Mehdi Boroujerdi, Ph.D., at the Venetian Resort, 6:00 p.m. To RSVP, call Debbie Reutter at (888) 203-8010 or e-mailreutterd@acp.edu by Nov. 26, 2007.

Sunday, January 20 Continuing Education Program: Annual Psychiatric Pharmacotherapy Symposium. Visit acp.edu for details.

MAY

JUNE FEBRUARY Sunday, February 10 Continuing Education Program: Annual Infectious Disease Update. Visit acp.edu for details.

JANUARY Wednesday, January 9 Continuing Education Program: Respiratory Disease and Pharmacotherapy. Visit acp.edu for details.

Wednesday, February 27 Continuing Education Program: Annual Update on New Drugs. Visit acp.edu for details.

Wednesday, January 16 Decade Breakfast for Classes of 19701979. Rite Aid Room, Student Center, 7:30-9:00 a.m.

MARCH Friday and Saturday, March 7 and 8 Continuing Education Program: Annual Pharmacy Practice Institute. Visit acp.edu for details.

Friday, June 6 – Sunday, June 8 Reunion Weekend 2008. For classes ending in 03 and 08. Watch your mail for details! Saturday and Sunday, June 14 and 15 Nature-ceuticals: Bridging Science and Practice. Symposium sponsored by Maruzen Pharmaceuticals with keynote speaker David Eisenberg, M.D., Bernard Osher, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Director, Division for Research and Education in Complementary and Integrative Medical Therapies. For more information, contact Dudley Moon, Ph.D., at (518) 694-7240.

New PRI Facility Site of Tasty Event The Pharmaceutical Research Institute’s new home at the University at Albany’s East Campus in Rensselaer was the site of a wine and tapas tasting event for a select group of ACP donors. The evening also featured tours of the cutting-edge research facility which now houses all PRI staff under one roof. Nearly 80 alumni and friends of the College enjoyed a culinary journey through the regions of Italy while gazing out over a spectacular view of Albany’s skyline visible from the facility’s soaring atrium.

Fall 2007

Institutional Advancement team expands

Sunday, May 11 128th Commencement 2008 The Office of Institutional Advancement has a new home, a new look and a few new faces this fall. Now housed in a much more central location on the first floor of the O’Brien Building’s Wardle Wing (formerly the cafeteria), the bright and airy office suite provides a welcoming atmosphere for visiting alumni and friends of the College. Also new is the major gifts team, including Director of Major Gifts Donna Beebe, Major Gifts Officer Mike Buckley and Coordinator of Donor Relations and Stewardship Christina Spinelli. Beebe and Spinelli join ACP after holding similar positions at the Albany Academies and Albany Medical Center. Buckley comes to ACP after working at Siena College. Overseeing the group is David Zdunczyk, who has been promoted to assistant vice president of institutional advancement. Zdunczyk, previously the director of development, came to ACP in 2006 from Albany Institute of History and Art, where he also served as director of develop-

The major gifts team, left to right, Mike Buckley, Donna Beebe and Christina Spinelli with David Zdunczyk at the Dean’s Cup Scholarship golf tournament ment. His resume includes development experience at The Sage Colleges and Albany Medical Center. “The addition of a major gifts team under the leadership of David Zdunczyk will go a long way to help

us reach our strategic goals,” Vice President of Institutional Advancement Vicki DiLorenzo said. “This is a time of excitement and progress for the Office of Institutional Advancement at ACP.”

Giving Just Got Easier! Assistant Vice President for Institutional Advancement David Zdunczyk with trustee David Kile and wife Susan, both 1974 ACP graduates, at a function held at the Pharmaceutical Research Institute’s new location in Rensselaer.

Giving to your alma mater is just a click away! For a totally secure online giving option, put away your pen and stamps, grab your Mastercard or Visa and visit www.acp.edu. Click on the Online Giving link on the home page and the rest is as easy as 1…2…3! Click before December 31, 2007 and you will enjoy tax benefits for this year.

Fall 2007

Advancement

Time’s Running Out!!

Planned Giving

New tax savings opportunities for donors aged 70 1⁄2 or older On August 17, 2006, President Bush signed into law new tax incentives for charitable gifts from donors who are 70 ½ or older. The Pension Protection Act of 2006 encourages financial support of charitable organizations across the country. Under the law, you can make a lifetime gift using funds from your individual retirement account (IRA) without undesirable tax effects. Previously, you would have had to report any amount taken from your IRA as taxable income. You could then take a charitable deduction for the gift, but only up to 50 percent of your gross adjusted income. In effect, this caused some donors to pay more in income taxes than they would have if they hadn’t made a gift at all!!

Fortunately, these IRA gifts now can be accomplished simply and without tax complications. Plus, you can make your gift now – when you’re able to see the benefits of your generosity first hand. You may contribute funds this way if: • You are age 70 ½ or older • The gift is $100,000 or less • You make the gift on or before December 31, 2007 • You transfer funds directly from an IRA or Rollover IRA • You transfer the gift outright to one or more public charities, but not supporting organizations or donor-advised funds

William F. O’Brien How to make a gift to Albany College of Pharmacy: It is wise to consult your tax professional for more information. If you are contemplating a gift under the new law, contact your IRA custodian before December 31, 2007 to transfer your desired amount to ACP. Please feel free to contact Donna Beebe, director of major gifts, in the Office of Institutional Advancement at (518) 694-7125 or beebed@acp.edu if you have any questions.

New Scholarship Established The family of the late Harry Mikhitarian ’54, who served for many years as an ACP trustee, hosted a golf outing in his memory on September 24. The Harry Mikhitarian ’54 Memorial Scholarship has been established with partial proceeds from the tournament. ACP was proudly represented when alums J. Gordon Dailey ’57, Howard Rubinger ’63 and Frank

Fall 2007

Viviani ’58, along with and Assistant Vice President for Student Services Packy McGraw, walked away with low gross honors. Also attending were ACP President James J. Gozzo, Vicki DiLorenzo and David Zdunczyk from the Office of Institutional Advancement, former finance chief Bill Cronin, trustee Mike Bette and Ralph Comanzo ’58.

Growing up as the son of ACP’s beloved dean Francis O’Brien ’20 and Hilda O’Brien ’21,William O’Brien, Ed.D., was intimately involved in life at his parents’ alma mater and place of work. Over the years, the O’Briens hosted gala Christmas parties at their home for ACP faculty and staff, started a “wives club,” provided emergency funding for students in need and, in general, made Dean Francis O’Brien ’20 life at the College a “family affair.” By the time Dean O’Brien retired in 1967, after 47 years at the College as a student, faculty member and administrator, Bill could almost be considered an honorary ACP alumnus himself! Over the years, he has most definitely been a friend to Albany College of Pharmacy. As educators themselves, Bill and his wife Josephine recognize the importance of a strong and well-rounded education.With that in mind, they have given generously to the Francis J. O’Brien ’20 Alumni Scholarship to provide support for students demonstrating academic excellence and financial need. In addition, they have supported the construction of the ACP’s state-of-the-art Student Center, opened in fall 2006, which nurtures students in their “off” hours by providing recreational and dining space in addition to two fully wired lecture halls. Several years ago, Dr. O’Brien made the College aware of his intent to make a bequest to ACP that will commemorate his father’s many years of dedicated service to ACP. In doing so, Bill became a charter member of the Francis J. O’Brien Heritage Circle, which honors individuals who have made a charitable planned gift or included ACP in their estate plans. Most importantly, his gift will support ACP’s long-term future and ensure that Dean O’Brien’s commitment to the College lives on.

WHAT IS PLANNED GIVING? Planned giving is a meaningful way to make a charitable gift of lasting value to ACP and realize significant tax benefits on your estate. Through a bequest provision in your will, you can designate a specific amount of money, a percentage of your estate or the remainder of your estate after other bequests are satisfied. Additional planned giving tools include charitable remainder trusts, charitable lead trusts and gifts of life insurance. For more information about planned giving at ACP, contact Director of Major Gifts Donna Beebe at (518) 6947125 or beebed@acp.edu.

Fall 2007

Alumni Affairs

History in the Making

Lending a Helping Hand

Throop Museum room dedicated to Gary Hall ’57

Marilyn Shearer Green ’57 There is a crucial need for pharmacists to accompany medical missions to the Dominican Republic

Retired faculty member Gary Hall ’57 has himself been a part of ACP’s history for more than four decades, ever since he first arrived at the College as a freshman in the fall of 1953. Now his role in preserving the history of pharmacy at the school has been recognized as well. On June 1, 2007, the manufacturing room at ACP’s Throop Pharmacy Museum was dedicated to Gary in recognition of his role in preserving the past and the future of the Throop, and in honor of his 50th Class Reunion. Gary Hall has always loved history. Though he was actively involved in the life of ACP and an editor for the Mortar and Pestle and Alembic Pharmakon, the yearbook noted that “when not sleeping, shooting darts or playing cards, Gary could be found

Doris and Gary Hall chat with a friend outside of the Throop Museum

Fall 2007

curled up in a corner reading a history book.” By the time Gary got to ACP, the historic O.B. Throop Drugstore had been in residence for 15 years, ever since the day in 1938 when it was moved “lock, stock and barrel” from Schoharie, N.Y., and reassembled at the College as a pharmacy museum. With its show globes, herbal remedies and compounding equipment, the Throop provided Gary and his fellow students with a glimpse pharmacy’s past. The old store, established in 1800 by Jabez W. Throop, was first located in the O’Brien Building upstairs from the modern “model” pharmacy, which occasioned the yearbook to note that “two flights of stairs span more than a century of the art of pharmacy.” By the 1950s, the old store had suffered heat and water damage and, with its poor facilities and lighting, was not the least bit conducive to the study of pharmacy history. When Gary graduated in 1957, he could not have imagined that his path would eventually lead him back to ACP and the Throop. After earning his master’s degree from Philadelphia College of Pharmacy in 1960 and exploring several career opportunities in pharmacy and pharmaceutical research, he returned to ACP in 1966 to try his hand at teaching. “I intended to stay just one year and then figure out what I wanted to do,” he says with a laugh. That was the beginning of 35 dedi-

cated years at the College until his retirement as a professor of pharmaceutics in 2001. During Gary’s tenure at ACP, the Throop Museum had been relocated from a small room on the top floor of the O’Brien Building to the present day site of the George ’28 and Leona Lewis Library. When the library was expanded in 2000, the College took the opportunity to renovate the Throop and reassemble it in a much more prominent location near the original entrance to the College. Gary played an active role in the process, from collecting memorabilia to working with museum curator Lee Anna Obos ’91 to ensure that the new renovations remained true to the museum’s history. After his 2001 retirement, Gary made possible the future development of the museum and encouraged scholarship and research relating to the history of pharmacy through a generous gift to the Throop Pharmacy Museum Endowment. Now located just upstairs from the state-of-the art pharmacy practice lab (itself in the building’s former gymnasium), the Throop is a highlight of College tours and reminder of just how far the field has come since 1881 when Albany College of Pharmacy was established. And once again, thanks to Gary Hall, a flight of stairs separates more than a hundred years in the history of pharmacy!

She may have retired from her job as director of pharmacy at a 200-bed nursing care facility in Lyons, N.Y., but Marilyn Shearer Green is far from a couch potato!! Since 2003 she has been director of Helping Hand Clinic, a free clinic in Sanford, N.C. North Carolina has the largest number of free clinics in the U.S. Supported primarily by grants and donations, the facilities provide a much-needed source of medical care to uninsured and low-income state residents. Marilyn’s new career began innocently enough when she began volunteering as a pharmacist at the clinic in 2001. Before too long, she was invited to serve as director and stepped into her new role with relish. Now she serves as an “ambassador” for the clinic, spreading the word to others who may be interested in helping as she does. With so many retirees heading to North Carolina these days, Marilyn figures there are bound to be

others like her who aren’t quite ready to call it quits for good! “If any pharmacist is interested in volunteering even for a short time, the need is there,” says Marilyn. “If anyone is thinking of retiring to North Carolina, they might consider locating where there is a free clinic operating.” Marilyn herself works about a hundred hours a month as director. “It gives me time to enjoy retirement but also allows me to be active in my profession and serve those in need.” She goes on to say that there are jobs that can be done in just a few hours a week, including a critical need for pharmacists, or assignments that can be completed in one fell swoop. “We have a medical team that goes to the Dominican Republic for a week every year. There are physicians, dentists, nurses, pharmacists and lay people,” she explains. “We divide into two teams – one goes to the hospital to

perform surgery while the other goes into the sugar cane villages to treat residents.” Pharmacists pay their own way to accompany the medical mission while the clinic supplies the drugs. All expenses are included in the $1,500 fee. Volunteers stay in a comfortable, though not luxurious, hotel with a pool and basic meals included. Last year, after reconnecting with Marilyn while serving on a planning committee for their 50th Reunion, fellow retired classmate J. Gordon Dailey ’57 was so impressed with the work that Marilyn and the medical mission were carrying out that he accompanied the group to the poverty-stricken country. “The poverty is extreme and the need great, but the rewards are also great,” says Marilyn. For more information, call Marilyn Green at the clinic at (919) 776-4359 or at home at (919) 776-1026.

DEAN’S CUP A WINNER ACP had an outstanding turnout for its 14th Annual Dean's Cup, which was held at Normanside Country Club in Delmar, N.Y. The weather cooperated and participants enjoyed a day of golf, sunshine, contests, great food and an awards presentation – all for a great cause, the Dean's Endowment for Excellence Scholarship Fund. Nearly $77,000 was raised for student scholarships. Nora Morgan, this year's Dean's Scholarship recipient, and her dad joined ACP President James J. Gozzo, Ph.D., left, and Dean Mehdi Boroujerdi, Ph.D., right, prior to the awards dinner for a congratulatory talk.

Fall 2007

Alumni Affairs

7 5 9 1 f o s s la C u o Y Thank

2007! ir 50th Reunion, June 1-3, the at ut n-o tur le ab ark rem o had a ers of the Class of 1957, wh d out personally to Congratulations to the memb ’s class agents, who reache ’57 of s ort eff the to s nk ss members attended tha rdon Dailey, Marilyn ylan, Thomas Byrnes, J. Go More than half of the 45 cla Bo k Jac to go s nk tha al . Speci their hard work. one calls, e-mails and notes and Henry Phillips for all of rillo Pa invite fellow alumni via ph n An er, lm Pa nry nell, Jr., He rdinated b McGaugh, George O’Con gh a fundraising appeal coo ou Thr y. wa l Green, Jeanette Lamb, Bo cia spe y ver a lestone in memorated its 50-year mi eaking class gift! The Class of 1957 also com e’s Annual Fund; a record-br lleg Co the for 00 0,0 $4 r raised ove by the agents, the ’57ers

tion! this a spectacular celebra g kin ma r fo d an t gif ir Class of 1957 for the Many thanks go out to the

Are you interested in becoming a class agent or helping to celebrate your Reunion year with a special gift? Please contact Shelly Calabrese, director of annual programs, at (518) 694-7304 or calabres@acp.edu.

Fall 2007

The annual Barbara DiLascia Lecture Series on Women’s Health, held on October 27, was created in honor of the late Barbara Golaski DiLascia ’55 by her husband Frank DiLascia ’54. This year, the presentations were followed by the dedication of the Barbara M. DiLascia Lecture Hall in the new Student Center. Attending with Frank were daughters Andrea DiLascia Busk and Paula DiLascia Wright ’86 and son Christopher DiLascia ’83 as well as many members of Barbara’s extended family. Speakers focused on women’s health issues including breast cancer, human papilloma virus vaccine and osteoporosis. Featured lecturers were faculty members Jennifer Cerulli ’93, Pharm D., BCPS, and Sarah Scarpace, Pharm.D. BCOP, as well as Michele Corriveau, Pharm.D., from Fletcher Allen Health Care in Vermont. President James J. Gozzo with Andrea, Frank, Paula and Christopher DiLascia

Attention Snowbirds!

Share Your Memories! Help us fill in the blanks in our history! Each issue of PostScript will feature a “vintage” photo from the archives. If you can supply any information on the activity, event or people pictured, we would love to hear from you! Contact PostScript Editor, Office of Institutional Advancement, Albany College of Pharmacy, 106 New Scotland Ave., Albany, N.Y. 12208 or e-mail alumni@acp.edu.

Annual DiLascia Lecture Features Dedication

In order that we may keep you up on all the latest news from Albany College of Pharmacy, please include in the form below contact information for any permanent seasonal homes and the dates that you will be in residence. Thanks for your help!

NAME CLASS OF SEASONAL ADDRESS CITY/STATE/ZIP SEASONAL PHONE DATES IN EFFECT

What’s Big Whompa????? Person? Basketball game? Party? What’s going on in the 1970s photo?

Send to: Lynne DellaRocca, Albany College of Pharmacy, 106 New Scotland Avenue, Albany, New York 12208 Or e-mail your information to: alumni@acp.edu

Fall 2007

Horse drawn carriage tours of the campus were a weekend highlight

VP of Institutional Advancement Vicki DiLorenzo with trustee Mel Friedland ’58, Harold Sokol, Chester Koblantz, President Gozzo, and Al Collins Jr. ’53

2007

REUNION WEEKEND

Mary Lapetina with Jim Bollinger ’58

Wayne Woodcock ’57, former faculty member Charlie Huppert, Tom Byrnes ’57 and Nick Anagnost ’57 at the Alumni Golf Tournament

David Kvancz ’79 speaks with an audience member at his Continuing Education session

Class of ’87 The Class of ’87 gets silly (more class photos on pages 30 and 31)

Ann Parillo ’57 with Board of Trustees chair Kandy Daley ’74

Penny and Frank Moreno ’57 at the 50th Reunion Dinner Rest for the weary in the Student Center Lucille Cerro and Frank Viviani ’58 greet the Lapetinas

Fall 2007

Class of ’67

Class of ’57

Class of ’62

what’s new …

Have you accepted a new position, published an article, had an addition to your family, recently married, received an award or have any other exciting news you want to share? Send in your news today. And please send a photo if you have one.

Class of ’72

Class of ’82

tell us your news … Class of ’97

NAME CLASS OF ADDRESS

May we publish your e-mail address in the next PostScript? Yes No CITY/STATE/ZIP PHONE (HOME)

YOUR TITLE

PHONE (WORK)

EMPLOYER’S NAME, ADDRESS

E-MAIL

Is this new address information?

Yes No

Send to: PostScript Editor, Albany College of Pharmacy, 106 New Scotland Avenue, Albany, New York 12208 Or e-mail your information to: alumni@acp.edu

Fall 2007

Class Notes 1940s ‘49 Mary J. Dooley, wife of Arthur F. Dooley, passed away on April 12, 2007. Mary and Arthur worked side by side in Dooley’s Drugs in Harrisville, N.Y. for 55 years until the business was sold in 2006. Surviving in addition to Arthur are their sons, David and Michael F. Dooley ’89, and daughters, Patricia Dooley and Margaret Drappo, and families.

1960s ‘61 Richard Baylis, CGP, FASCP, retired two years ago and moved from Maryland to Georgia where he lives on a houseboat on Lake Lanier, outside of Atlanta. He is still very active in association work and is executive director of the Georgia Chapter of ASCP and the Georgia Geriatrics Society. He also participates in many activities of the Georgia Pharmacy Association and the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists. His children and grandchildren are all grown and live in North Carolina. Richard is hoping to see some alumni at various pharmacy association meetings.

Fall 2007

‘67 Tom Breon gave us some information on the chicken photo on page 3 and let us know what he’s been up to for the past 40 years. After graduating from ACP, Tom attended the University of Rhode Island where he earned his master’s degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences. He served as a hospital pharmacist in the U.S. Army from 1969 until 1971 and then went on to get his Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences from URI. Over the years he worked at USV Pharmaceuticals in product development and at P&G Pharmaceuticals in product development and quality assurance. Tom retired in January of this year and is enjoying life in West Chester, Ohio. In his new found spare time he assists in constructing houses for Habitat for Humanity and is helping to build what just might be the world’s largest model railroad display.

‘69 Ronald B. Goodspeed has received the American College of Healthcare Executives Lifetime Achievement Award. After graduation from ACP, Ron earned a medical degree from Albany Medical College and a master’s degree from the University of Connecticut. He is president of Southcoast Hospitals Group and a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives.

1970s ‘70 John LeGrand wrote in to give us info on the photo on page 3 and also filled us in on his life since graduation. He and his wife left New York in 1978 to move to Florida. In February of 2005 they moved back to New York and almost immediately realized they had made a mistake. After returning to the Daytona Beach area in late 2006, John went to work at Halifax Medical Center in Daytona Beach. Recently he ran into former classmate Penny Pajak, who works for Wal-Mart in Palm Coast, Fla. He enjoyed seeing the Panthers play in the Bahama House Classic in Daytona Beach in January.

‘76 Daniel J. Villa has been appointed to serve on the Board of Trustees of Jefferson Community College. Daniel has been president of ProAct, Inc., the pharmacy benefits management division of Kinney Drugs, since 2005. He began his career with Kinney in 1978 as a staff pharmacist. In 2000 he was named vice president of store operations and in 2002 as vice president of corporate development.

‘78 Darcey Waz Klein wrote to catch us up on her life since graduation. After husband Mike’s tour in the Army, and many moves in between, they have been living in New Hampshire for the last 20 years. They have two sons, Brannon, who received his associate’s degree in engineering from UMass, and Rhyland, who graduated from Worcester Polytechnic Institute and works in Silicon Valley. Darcey has been employed by Brooks Pharmacy since 1997, with a short break while recovering from a serious automobile accident in 2005. She also is on the board of the New Hampshire Pharmacists Association. The group is very active in the practice of pharmacy and current pharmacy legislation in the state, and also organizes continuing education programs, scholarships for pharmacy students and Bowl of Hygeia Awards. Darcy and family recently returned from vacationing in Cancun and plan to travel west this fall. She would enjoy hearing from classmates and friends, and sends regards to all. Contact her at DarceyRPH@gmail.com.

1980s ‘84 Gabrielle Mardany Hope was elected partner in the Syracuse law firm Sovik Kendrick and Sugnet PC. She is a 1999 graduate of Syracuse University College of Law. Gabrielle has been with the firm since 2000 and concentrates in the field of employment litigation and appellate advocacy.

‘86 Kevin Behan has accepted a position as site director at Taconic’s new $20 million production facilities in Cambridge City, Ind. The company is an industry leader in providing research animals and laboratory services to medical researchers worldwide. Kevin joined Taconic in 2001, managing Monoclonal Antibody Production and Research Animal Services at Taconic Biotechnology, located at the East Campus of the University at Albany. Kevin and his wife of 21 years, Tara, reside in Richmond, Ind., with their daughters Ashley and Shannon, now attending Albany Law School and Indiana University, respectively. Classmates can contact Kevin at kevin.behan@ taconic.com.... Mark Simkins has been elected to the board of the Saranac Lake Voluntary Health Association. Mark is a pharmacist at Adirondack Medical Center.

‘88 Ellen Jones Cappellino has been named vice president/account services at Palio Communications, a full-spectrum advertising and communications agency headquartered in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. Before joining Palio, Ellen was marketing director at Pfizer Inc., where she launched Lyrica® capsules C-V in the U.S. market and led the global marketing strategy for Vfend®. She also served as a senior marketing manager responsible for the launch of Vfend in the U.S. hospital market. Prior to this, she held a variety of progressively responsible positions with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, working with major pharmaceutical companies in multiple marketing and sales capacities. Ellen is a resident of Ballston Lake, N.Y.

of expertise is pharmacology pain management and palliative care. He has published in several venues, including the American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education. He resides in Tonawanda, N.Y.

1990s ‘90 Leza Reed Hassett, MBA, has been named pharmacy director at Finger Lakes Health. She is an employee of McKesson Medication Management and previously worked at Rochester General Hospital where she had been director of pharmacy since 2001. Leza is president elect of the Rochester Association of Health System Pharmacists.

‘94 Richard Pinckney, owner of the Rx City Pharmacy in Auburn, N.Y., was featured in an April article in the city’s newspaper, The Citizen. Richard says the most rewarding part of his job is being able to take care of people and their families. In his spare time, Richard enjoys sports, the outdoors and playing with his children.

‘96 Virginia Talcott Arciolla, Marilyn Brown Adams, Steven Moshinkie, Debbie Fay Dempsey, Amy Barton Pai and Michelle Piatek Stevens gathered in Raleigh, N.C. in the fall of 2006 for Michelle’s baby shower. Her daughter, Erica Danielle Stevens, was born October 17, 2006. Michelle, Debbie and Marilyn are all

‘89 Jacquelyn Peters Mitchell and husband George welcomed daughter Julia Anne on October 28, 2005. A clinical pharmacist at Lincare in Utica, N.Y., Jacquelyn is currently working part-time. ACP friends can contact her at g_mitchell@roadrunner.com …. Robert Wahler, a clinical assistant professor of pharmacy at the University at Buffalo, has been named clinical practitioner of the year for 2007 by the New York State Chapter of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy. Robert’s field

Back row, left to right, 1996 classmates Virginia Talcott Arciolla, Marilyn Brown Adams, Steven Moshinkie, and front, left to right, Debbie Fay Dempsey, Amy Barton Pai and Michelle Piatek Stevens at Michelle’s baby shower.

Fall 2007

Raleigh residents…. Kevin Barnhart and wife Andrea welcomed new addition Kirsten Nicole Barnhart on March 6, 2007. Kirsten weighed 6lbs., 10oz. and measured 19 inches. She joins big sister Kendall who was born in November of 2005. Kevin is the district pharmacy supervisor for CVS for the Albany region.

Kirsten Nicole Barnhart

‘97 Judith Smith, Pharm.D., FCCP, BCOP, was married to Heath Alan Jehlik on August 18, 2007 in Houston, Texas. The bride is the daughter of Nancy and Arthur Smith ’66

Judith Smith ’97 and husband Heath Jehlik

Fall 2007

and granddaughter of the late Howard Smith ’28. In September, Judith was promoted to associate professor in the Department of Gynecologic Oncology at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, with a joint appointment in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Texas Health Sciences Center at Houston Medical School and adjunct appointment in the Department of Clinical Sciences and Administration at the University of Houston College of Pharmacy. She also is director of the Translational Research Fellowship program in the Division of Pharmacy. Heath is a project manager with D. E. Harvey Builders, Inc. in Houston, Texas. The couple resides in Cypress, Texas…. Rebecca Horn has been named recipient of The Quest for Excellence Award by Kinney Drugs. The award recognizes a pharma-

cist’s overall dedication to customers and the community, as well as financial performance and professional representation of Kinney Drugs. Rebecca is supervising pharmacist in Tully, N.Y. Kinney honored its leading pharmacists and stores at a recent Pharmacy Conference. “Becky practices pharmacy with passion, enthusiasm and professionalism,” said Michael Duteau ’92, Kinney’s director of pharmacy operations. “She inspires her coworkers and brings the concept of outstanding customer services to a new level.” Also on hand for the ceremony were Craig Painter, chairman and C.E.O, and Bridget-ann Murphy Hart ’80, president and CEO of Kinney.

‘98 Denise Whitaker Hornbeck and husband Jon welcomed their first child, Gabrielle Lynn, on May 4,

Michael Duteau ’92, Rebecca Horn ’97, Craig Painter and Bridget-ann Hart ’80, at Kinney’s Quest for Excellence Awards ceremony

2007. Denise is a staff pharmacist at Hannaford in Kingston, N.Y.

2000s ‘00

Gabrielle Lynn Hornbeck

‘99 Vincent Tam has been awarded a 3-year grant of $377,860 from The National Science Foundation for his research at the University of Houston College of Pharmacy. An assistant professor in the Department of Clinical Sciences and Administration, Vincent is co-investigator for the project entitled “Development and experimental testing of a new approach to modeling the effect of antimicrobial agents on heterogeneous microbial populations.”...Lisa Ann Westcott wed Michael James Lipp in May, with ACP friend Laurie Villanueva among her bridesmaids. After a honeymoon cruise to France, Italy, Greece and Croatia, the couple returned home to Branford, Conn. The bride is employed as a supervising pharmacist at Rite Aid while Michael, a graduate of RPI, is attending law school at Quinnipiac University.

Koth Cassavaugh has been director of pharmacy at A.L. Lee Memorial Hospital in Fulton, N.Y., for the past three years. This fall he supervised Darcy Clary, a sixth-year student at ACP, who is doing a rotation at Lee Memorial…. Christopher Tomchik and wife Nancy have opened Touch Therapies of Saratoga in the historic downtown area of the city. A few years into his pharmacy career, Christopher branched out and became a licensed massage therapist to be able to provide alternative therapies. He employs one other therapist at the facility and has others on call to provide services seven days a week.

‘02

‘03

Janice L. Kidney and Robert Vicaretti Jr. were married in January in Nassau, Bahamas, and celebrated their wedding with a voyage through the Mediterranean, visiting France, Italy, Monaco and Croatia. Janice is a supervising pharmacist at Hannaford Pharmacy in Wallkill, N.Y. The couple resides in Port Jervis. Friends can contact Janice at janicekidney@yahoo.com.... Jennifer Jones-Gordon married Larry Haley in 2005 and gave birth to Morgan Brianna Haley on October 23, 2006. The family recently relocated to Princeton, N.J. where Jennifer works at

Erin Cinelli and Joshua Dorval ’05 wed in August 2006 in Walworth, N.Y. ACP friend Jonathan Hess was among the ushers. The couple honeymooned on a private yacht in the British Virgin Islands. Joshua is director of pharmacy for Roy Lester Schneider Hospital in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. Erin is employed by Chelsea Drug Store in St. John, one of two owned by ACP alumni Timothy ’85 and Heidi Papathanasiou Coyle ’87 (see story on page 18).

‘06

‘01 Nadia Zalusky Hellenga wrote to say she has relocated to a new place in Newark, Del., where she is a clinical pharmacist in Renal Tranplant and Special Projects at Christiana Hospital…. Vito Diciolla was recently featured in a column in the The Citizen that spotlights health professionals from the Finger Lakes area. Vito is a pharmacist at the Rite Aid in Auburn, N.Y. In his spare time he enjoys motocross racing and metal fabrication.

‘04 Eric Frazier is the pharmacy manager and supervising pharmacist at Wegmans Pharmacy in Rochester.

Morgan Brianna Haley at 10 months

Princeton Health Care System and is in charge of the daily operation of home care pharmacy services. Friends can contact her at jhaley@princetonhcs.org or jjones_gordon@hotmail.com.

Julie O. Yontz was married on July 21, 2007 to Kevin R. Lauper. Julie is the supervising pharmacist at Weis Pharmacy while her husband is employed by Bouille Electric. The couple resides in Elmira, N.Y. Julie is the daughter of Lois Drabinski Yontz ’65 and the late Harry D. Yontz…. Stephanie Betts Young and husband Miller Young ’02 welcomed daughter Mya Lo into the world on September 1. Mya weighed 6 lbs. 8 oz. and measured 19 inches. The Youngs also have a new business; they

own Young’s Pharmacy and General Store in Averill Park, N.Y. In addition, Stephanie completed a post-graduate Pharmacy Practice residency at the Stratton V.A. Medical Center in Albany in June and is now a Pharmacy Practice instructor at ACP.

‘07 Mindy Lee Morris and Joseph Rory Horan were married in September 2006 and honeymooned in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. The couple resides in Binghamton where Mindy works as a pharmacist for CVS.… Wen Gao Huang and Amanda McFee have joined Bassett Healthcare in Cooperstown, N.Y. as resident physicians in pharmacy…. Sarah Kokosa will be doing a specialty residency in primary care with a focus on diabetes at the Wilson Community Health Center in Wilson, N.C.

Fall 2007

In Memoriam

Focus on…

Noah Sorensen ’97

Noah in his 1997 yearbook

MICHAEL ’99 AND NICOLE EDWARDS DARBYSHIRE ’03

Classmates Noah Sorenson and Mario Zeolla were the closest of friends. Inseparable as students, their bond remained strong as they began to build their careers. The loss of these two great friends on June 2, 2007 in a tragic car accident compounds our sadness at ACP many times over. Born in Vietnam, Noah was one of the “airlift babies” who was flown out aboard a U.S. helicopter when Saigon fell. He was adopted as a baby in 1975 and joined the family of Meredeth and Gary Sorenson ’68 in Brunswick, N.Y., along with four other adopted siblings. Noah attended Troy High School and went on to follow in his father’s footsteps when he decided to become a pharmacist. He joined ACP’s Class of

1997 and quickly became involved in life and friendships at the College. He was especially close to his Kappa Psi Pharmaceutical Fraternity brothers. He also was an avid golfer both during and after college. He had worked in the pharmacy field since his graduation, most recently in the benefit-management business. Formerly of Rexford, N.Y., Noah had recently bought a new home in Clifton Park, where he would have celebrated his 33rd birthday with his family on June 4. Noah is survived by his wife Michelle Ansari Sorensen, his parents, two brothers and two sisters and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his infant twin daughters, Layla and Eliana Sorensen.

‘28

‘51

‘69

George A. McConnon March 29, 2007

Donald E. Tesiero June 21, 2007

Diane Dillon Harrington August 25, 2007

‘34

‘54

‘70

Richard A. Michels July 19, 2006

Carlton A. Bigelow June 1, 2007

Richard M. Cotrupe July 1, 2007

‘43

‘57

‘82

Peter J. Savage Sept. 6, 2006

Ellsworth Matott March 27, 2007

Betty-Ellen McKnight August 22, 2007

‘44

Ralph J. Sharp Jr. March 14, 2007

Mary M. Andrews June 25, 2007

Fall 2007

Glen S. Harrington February 26, 2007

Niki: I was promoted to supervising pharmacist for Rite Aid in the Albany area within a couple of years of graduation. Not only has the company allowed me to advance professionally, it has also brought me together with my husband We are both very pleased with where our profession has led us thus far.

Noah A. Sorensen June 2, 2007

How has my ACP education benefited me the most? Michael: My education has given me more opportunities than I could ever imagine. Working in a store, I enjoyed the relationships I made with my customers. I was able to be there during their worst times by giving them a shoulder to cry on, yet just a few minutes later congratulating someone on the birth of their newborn or an “A” on a spelling test. In addition to the priceless education, I enjoy the pharmacy business itself, whether it’s analyzing a particular store’s profits or helping the many pharmacists I work for.

Mario M. Zeolla June 2, 2007

Niki: Albany College of Pharmacy was the beginning of all my successes thus far, and

‘97

‘58 Richard J. Foley June 28, 2007

Where Am I Now? Michael: When I graduated from ACP I took a job with Rite Aid in the Albany area. Shortly thereafter I moved to the Hudson Valley and became supervising pharmacist for a new store in the small town of Highland Falls. I tried to learn as much as possible about the retail business by doing lots of extra projects. A few years later, at a Rite Aid conference in California, I met my future wife, Niki, and moved back to Albany where she was working. A few months after we were married I was promoted to pharmacy district manager for Rite Aid and currently oversee 24 stores. We are very busy with our company’s most recent acquisition with the Brooks/Eckerd Pharmacies.

will continue to be the stem of all of my future successes. Preparing me for the world of pharmacy, ACP taught me about communication, responsibility and placing the needs of our patients above all else. I have the tools to assist patients with their health care needs, and to continue on my professional journey with Rite Aid. What I remember most about my ACP years? Michael: I was one of those “commuters” but wouldn’t accept the label. In addition to enjoying my ACP academic family, I was also an athlete for Union College. Juggling my studies and athletics was a difficult challenge but in the end, I graduated into the profession and also was an NCAA All-American. Niki: My ACP years were filled with many relationships. I will never forget the people that have touched my life in some way or another. I formed friendships that are still very strong today, and temporary friendships that taught me a great deal about who I am. Whether professional or social, the relationships that developed while at Albany College of Pharmacy are what piece my life together today. Why I support ACP financially and what I would say to encourage other ACP graduates to support the College? Michael: I am the first to graduate from pharmacy school in my family. I convinced my older sister to go back to pharmacy school. I easily could have chosen something else – if I had, I might still be looking for a “good” job. I was very fortunate that I didn’t have any student loans. I really feel for the kids who finance their entire education. Don’t get me wrong, it’s probably still the best investment they will ever make, but the numbers are staggering. I give to help some of these kids who,

in turn, will continue to return the favor down the road. Niki: Supporting ACP financially is one of the few ways I am able to give back to the facility that helped me to become the successful pharmacist I am today. Still paying back student loans myself, I relate to those students who need the financial assistance. With our donations, we are able to help yet another student advance through the pharmacy program and graduate into our profession. What I hope ACP will be like in the future? Michael: As the vice chairman of the Alumni Council, I think of the future and see our school continuing to be at the forefront of education and research. I also hope to see more alums involved in the students’ education by becoming more active in the Alumni Council. I’d love to see grads volunteering to be professional mentors to the students, which allows us to be more involved in the future of our profession and our institution. Niki: The future of ACP looks very bright from where I am standing. With continued support from our alumni, the College will be able to keep up with advancing technologies in the pharmacy world. I hope that the future pharmacists to come out of ACP will have a strong voice in the continually changing pharmacy practices. They have been given the tools to take pharmacy from “lick, stick and pour’ to “health and wellness” for our patients.

Fall 2007

Congratulations Class of 2007! ACP

Sciences forLife

ALBANY COLLEGE OF PHARMACY 106 New Scotland Avenue Albany, NY 12208-3492

NON-PROFIT U.S. Postage PAID Albany, NY Permit No. 349