PostScript Spring 2007 by Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

SPRING 2007 VOLUME 18 NUMBER 1

PostScript N E W S

O F

A L B A N Y

C O L L E G E

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P H A R M A C Y

A Suite Addition Former NYS Department of Transportation building on Holland Avenue will expand on-campus housing

PostScript FEATURES_________________________________________

Cover Story: How Suite it is! New facility to include suite-style living

A Writer’s Life Lynne Cotich Cote ’69 publishes first book

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

On the Cover: The former NYS Department of Transportation building on Holland Avenue will be home to apartment-style living for 175 students next fall through the creation of ACP Holland Suites.

1 2 3

On Campus New associate deans appointed Graduate Council Upstate research network Healthy living Bridging cultures Making great strides They’ve got the beat New trustees added Fitness center gets fit

4 4 5 5 6 6 7 30 30

Student News Students in the news Colleges Against Cancer Who’s Who I, Robot Oswego hospital rotation Seeing quadruple

8 9 9 10 11 12

Faculty News Faculty awards and achievements On the cutting edge Conference in Armenia

14 15 15

Advancement Calendar of events On the road again President’s Gala 2006 Planned giving 2006-2007 scholarship recipients

20 21 22 23 24

Alumni Affairs Bringing grace, info to area TV On the air with ACP Calling all alumni Share your memories Piecuch ’03 benefit

26 27 28 28 29

Class Notes Weddings, births, retirements & much more

In Memoriam

Focus on … Corey Duteau ’97

President’s

Ledger

James J. Gozzo, Ph.D.

Our Growth Continues! As we near the end of the 2006-07 academic year, ACP has reached another milestone in our 126-year history with the campus expanding from its original 1929 O’Brien Building to nine buildings and a total of 45 acres. We’ve even crossed the Hudson River with the addition of our new Center for NanoPharmaceuticals at the University of Albany’s East Campus Geonomic Center in East Greenbush. From the very beginning, this has been a year of firsts. In September we unveiled the new ACP Student Center at the heart of our expanding campus. Also in the fall came the expansion of our academic structure, setting the framework for significant progress in our programmatic diversification. As I write this, we once again are pleased to report the latest developments in the progress of the “new ACP.” In recent news, the University Heights Association, of which ACP is a member, reached a settlement in March in its financial dispute with the Silverman Foundation, paving the way for ACP to acquire a critical part of our campus. This includes the Classroom Building, Albert M. White Gymnasium, Student Center and the surrounding parking and green space. It also allows us to move forward with our strategic plan for the future in a more focused manner.

Marty Silverman’s vision for the UHA campus encouraged ACP to expand beyond the O’Brien Building for the first time and we will remain forever grateful to him for that. His vision has been fulfilled far beyond what we could have imagined and is reflected in the progress ACP has made this decade and in a vibrant academic commons of benefit to all of the UHA members and the surrounding community. In the latest development this spring, our cover story concerns the addition of yet another new facility, the former New York State Department of Transportation building adjacent to the campus at 84 Holland Ave., which we closed on in early April. With more than 150,000 square feet and an ideal location, 84 Holland presents outstanding opportunities for the College. Our first project in the building, well underway, is to renovate one entire wing, approximately 50,000 square feet, to create ACP Holland Suites. This apartment-style residence facility for upperclass students will be available for the fall semester and will feature two-, four- and five-bedroom suites. With three on-campus residential facilities, plus the UHA-owned College Suites, ACP will have housing options for students in years one through six for the first time in our history. Moreover, the flexibility we have to develop the remaining 100,000 square

feet at 84 Holland, as well as the addition of seven acres and 300 parking spaces to our campus, make this acquisition a major component of our strategic plan. The campus is growing in other ways as well. Freshman applications for all academic programs once again have climbed, with the Office of Admissions reporting a 20 percent increase for fall 2007, and interest in our B.S. programs in Pharmaceutical Sciences and Biomedical Technology as well as the six-year Doctor of Pharmacy program. Institutional aid also has increased, in part due to the generosity of the many alumni and corporations who have given toward scholarships. Although only a partial listing of all scholarships awarded for 2006-07 is included in this issue, more than $2 million in aid assisted nearly 600 students, helping to make it possible for all of our students to receive an ACP education. We hope you will enjoy catching up with the latest news from the ACP community, both at your alma mater and with your friends and former classmates. As always, we welcome your feedback.

Spring 2007

F ROM THE

Dean’s Desk Mehdi Boroujerdi, Pharm.D., Ph.D.

Focusing on the Future The confluence of several significant events in ACP’s life with the timing of the accreditation processes, both regionally and professionally, makes this an opportune time to further define ACP’s distinctive role in pharmacy and heath sciences education. The College has completed its organizational restructuring: new academic leaders have been appointed, new graduate and undergraduate programs are proposed, the campus has expanded significantly since the start of the decade and enrollment has reached the limit of the current infrastructure. This stability affords the opportunity for the College to consider what direction to take for the next five years and beyond. Rather than take a reactive approach to the demands of expansion, we have initiated a proactive and bottom-up strategic plan for the future. Three facets of our character reflect what we started out to be, as well as what we have become, during the last decade – excellence in teaching, cutting-edge research and scholarly activities, and service to our community. The strategic planning has afforded us an opportunity to step back and reflect on these facets, not in isolation, but as an integrated system so that we may plan and capitalize on the synergies among them.

Spring 2007

These three major facets have been equal parts of our mission. Each draws strength from the others; we cannot promote one at the others’ expense. The many members of the ACP community who serve on the Steering Committee for the strategic plan and various departmental committees have agreed that the overriding theme of the strategic plan for the next five years should be strengthening the links of intellectual, cultural and communal partnership across all boundaries in pursuit of growth and excellence. The achievement of the ambitious goals of our new strategic plan, which will be submitted to the president and Board of Trustees in late April, will require the cooperation and collaboration of faculty, students, staff, administration and, most importantly, the support of our alumni. In the complex, highly competitive and, to some extent, confused world of higher education, particularly in private institutions, the future belongs to those institutions with their faculty, alumni and administrators who command it, not to those who wait passively for it to happen or remain negative for some insignificant ancient incident. This is a time of great ferment in pharmacy and health sciences education. The students we educate today are the pharmacy and health sciences

leaders of tomorrow. Their knowledge about the professions they choose will determine the basis for future support of those professions and education. With a clear sense of our mission, an abiding commitment to academic excellence and deep appreciation of the past, present and future of ACP, we boldly will lead the College into the next decade. I call on alumni and colleagues to join with us to help achieve the dream of our strategic plan.

SPRING 2007 VOLUME 18 NUMBER 1

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

Letters to the Editor

Editor

Ron Lesko Managing Editor

Christine Shields 2006-07 Editorial Board

James J. Gozzo, Ph.D., President Mehdi Boroujerdi, Pharm.D., 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 of Student Services Contributing Writers

James J. Gozzo, Ph.D. Mehdi Boroujerdi, Pharm.D., Ph.D. Marion Ciciarelli, Oswego Health Angelo Izzi ’12 Ron Lesko Christine Shields Cathy Woodruff, Times Union Contributing Photographers

Nancie Battaglia Marion Ciciarelli, Oswego Health Christine Chandler for Don Elliott Photography Nicole Dott ’08 Ron Lesko Kris Qua Christine Shields David Zdunczyk

Dear Editor:

I just read the January 24 issue of the news from ACP (the biweekly electronic newsletter Campus News and Notes). It was an especially good one. Congratulations, again. It may be that I just relate to a number of the reports, but it’s great to have this e-mail contact. Please keep it coming! I am spending the winter in Barbados till May 1. Anyone coming this way is welcome to check in with us. Always glad to see ACPers!

I read with sadness of the passing of Dean White. When I attended ACP from 1954 to 1958, Al White was the Panthers’ coach. I was the “team photographer.” I have only the fondest memories of Al White. When I called the school more than 20 years after graduation to get a copy of my transcript for a graduate school application, Dean White answered the phone and greeted me by my first name. I was amazed that he remembered me among thousands of students, but that’s the kind of person he was. I went on to get my Master’s degree in Public Administration from NYU and retired from New York University Medical Center as director of pharmacy services in 2001. I was pleased to read in Postscript of the significant strides that ACP appears to be making. It is clearly a different institution from the quaint little college that I entered in 1954, but has served me well during my career in pharmacy.

Bruce Martin Class of 1955 (and proud of it)

Editor’s note: To receive an electronic version of ACP’s Campus News and Notes every two weeks, e-mail Lynne DellaRocca in the Office of Institutional Advancement at dellarol@acp.edu.

Respectfully, Barry Goldstein ’58

Office of Institutional Advancement

Vicki A. DiLorenzo, Vice President of Institutional Advancement David Zdunczyk, Director of Development Shelly Calabrese, Director of Annual Programs Lynne DellaRocca, Systems Administrator Deanna Ennello-Butler, Associate Director of Advancement Research Deborah Reutter, Coordinator of Institutional Advancement Ron Lesko, Executive Director of Marketing and Communications Christine Shields, Associate Director of Marketing and Communications 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

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.

Spring 2007

On Campus

ACP Advances Academic Expansion with Appointment of New Associate Deans

Dr. Bailie

Dr. Dominelli

George R. Bailie, Pharm.D., Ph.D., and Angela C. Dominelli ’78, Ph.D., have been named associate deans as ACP continues to expand its academic and research programs. Dr. Bailie is serving as associate dean of research and graduate education, and Dr. Dominelli is serving as associate dean of academic and professional affairs. “The leadership of Dr. Bailie and Dr. Dominelli is invaluable as we raise the profile of the institution by advancing undergraduate and graduate education, post-graduate training programs and research in pharmacy, pharmaceutical sciences and health sciences,” said Dean Mehdi Boroujerdi, Pharm.D., Ph.D. ACP expanded from three academic departments to four last summer and, with these current promotions, from

two associate deans to three (John Denio is associate dean of students). The broader administrative structure will support new academic programming under development as ACP prepares its 2007-12 Comprehensive Strategic Plan. A professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice, Dr. Bailie joined the ACP faculty in 1988. His research interests include examination of medication prescription patterns and assessment of associated outcomes in chronic kidney disease. He has participated in the development of evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for several authoritative bodies, such as the National Kidney Foundation’s Kidney Diseases Outcomes Quality Initiative and the International Society of Peritoneal Dialysis. A founding member of the College’s Albany Nephrology Pharmacy Group (ANephRx), Dr. Bailie has supervised numerous funded projects and published extensively in medical and pharmacy literature, predominantly in nephrology. He serves on the editorial board for many pharmacy and nephrology journals, and was the first pharmacist granted fellowship in the American Society of Nephrology. Dr. Bailie also is a fellow of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy

and The Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain. Dr. Dominelli has been a member of the ACP faculty since 2000. An associate professor of pharmacy administration in the Department of Pharmacy Practice, her research and teaching interests include pharmacy administration, total quality management in health care, institutional pharmacy administration and the social aspects associated with health care delivery. She serves on the board of directors for the Business and Healthcare Association. Prior to joining ACP, Dr. Dominelli held various positions in health care administration. Most recently, she served as director of product development at Novalis Corp. in Albany. For 10 years previously, she held a number of positions of increasing responsibility within EDS Corp., including deputy project manager responsible for monitoring all operations related to the New York State Elderly Pharmaceutical Coverage (EPIC) program. She also served as the manager of the prescription drug program for Empire Blue Cross and Blue Shields, and has worked for both MVP Health Plan and CVS Pharmacy.

CONGRATULATIONS! Three new members of ACP’s Board of Trustees were added to the roster at the board’s October meeting. Welcome to Melvin S. Friedland ’58, Jeannette Sturgess Lamb ’57 and Richard Daffner ’63, who has served previously as a trustee and is returning for another term.

Spring 2007

Dr. Cosler coordinates ACP’s involvement with the Upstate New York Translational Research Network.

ACP has joined the University of Rochester and eight other upstate New York academic and biomedical research institutions on a groundbreaking National Institutes of Health initiative to expand clinical and translational research. The Upstate New York Translational Research Network will serve as a national model for regional collaboration and create a regional emphasis to expand biomedical research and training. The University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry is the project leader and recipient of a fiveyear, $40 million NIH grant to create the Clinical and Translational Science Institute, which will develop the

ACP Partners in Groundbreaking Upstate Research Network upstate network. The university was selected by the NIH as one of 12 institutions nationally to foster clinical and translational research by producing innovative technology and methods that more efficiently and more quickly advance treatments to patients. “We are pleased to join the University of Rochester and its distinguished group of academic and research partners in this vital new effort to develop upstate New York as a national and international leader in clinical and translational research,” said ACP President James J. Gozzo, Ph.D. “Collaboration among individual investigators and institutions is a critical focus area in the advancement of

research in the United States. The Upstate New York Translational Research Network will allow ACP to contribute our emerging expertise in nanopharmaceutical R&D and health outcomes research, as well as our well-established capabilities as a national leader in clinical pharmacy research.” Department of Pharmacy Practice faculty member Leon Cosler ’82, Ph.D., leads ACP’s role with the group. Dr. Cosler is director of ACP’s Research Institute for Health Outcomes; his research is focused on pharmacoeconomics and health outcomes.

HEALTHY LIVING The second annual ACP Health Fair in October offered services and information on a wide range of health- and wellness-related topics, including cancer, diabetes, heartburn, heart disease, immunizations, kidney disease, organ donation, osteoporosis, reflexology, sexually transmitted diseases and smoking cessation. A highlight of the event was a flu shot clinic for the ACP community. The National Kidney Foundation also provided free blood pressure screenings and urinalysis. The event was organized by the ACP chapter of the American Pharmacists Association Academy of Student Pharmacists. Brooks/Eckerd Pharmacy was the primary sponsor, with additional support provided by Walgreens.

Spring 2007

On Campus

Bridging Cultures ACP welcomes Japanese researchers Dr. Mousa with President Gozzo, Dr. Yano and Dr. Nakanishi-Ueda.

As part of a joint academic and research venture between ACP and Showa University in Japan, Pharmaceutical Research Institute Executive Vice President and Chairman Shaker Mousa, Ph.D., welcomed two visiting scholars from the university in February. Assistant Professor Takako Nakanishi-Ueda, Ph.D., and her advisee, Ph.D. candidate Satoshi Yano, M.D., engaged in research at ACP’s new Center for NanoPharmaceuticals

in East Greenbush, N.Y. They also met with President James J. Gozzo, Ph.D., and discussed their work and future opportunities for collaboration. The exchange program, initiated by PRI Eminent Scholar Donald Armstrong, Ed.D., Ph.D., D.Sc., will foster the exchange of ideas between the two institutions.

MAKING GREAT STRIDES!

ACP had a terrific turnout October 15 for the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk in Washington Park, with more than 50 participants. ACP’s team raised nearly $1,300. The effort was led by Department of Pharmacy Practice faculty members Sarah Scarpace, Pharm.D., BCOP, and Nicole Stack ’02, Pharm.D., as well as Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences Coordinator Jenn Yaghy. Fifth-year Pharm.D. student Sal Bottiglieri did an outstanding job organizing Kappa Epsilon’s participation in the event.

Spring 2007

They’ve Got the Beat Drum circle provides health benefits Over the sounds of basketballs bouncing against the floor in the Albert M. White Gymnasium comes the insistent beat of 12 drums pounding in rhythm from behind the closed curtains of the stage. It’s drum circle night at ACP and students eagerly are warming up on their drum of choice before their formal session with Bernie Schallehn, director of counseling services at the College. A longtime musician who has been keeping the beat for 40 years now, Schallehn first became intrigued by the health benefits of drumming after participating in a drum circle himself during a summer workshop. With an eye toward starting something similar for ACP students, he trained last year with Barry Bittman, M.D., a neurologist and originator of Health Rhythms Drum Circles, to become a “facilitator.” Schallehn currently is conducting his third session at ACP after the success of his initial circle last spring. “Dr. Bittman has done the research and his studies regarding the health benefits of drumming – stress reduction, exercise, camaraderie, support and fun – are solid,” says Schallehn. At ACP, the drum circle meets for almost an hour each Monday night for six weeks during the spring semester. About 12 students from all years and degree programs are involved, most who have had no prior drumming (or even musical!) experience. You’d never know it to hear them. From the warm-up exercises with a Tibetan singing bowl to the thunderous freestyle riff that finished the session,

Schallehn, far left, puts the members of ACP’s student drum circle through their paces.

the group was spot on – filled with rhythms unique to each participant that melded together to make what was most definitely music. Schallehn offers participants the opportunity to choose from an array of drums from around the globe: Cuban/ Caribbean drums such as the conga and tumba, African drums like the djembe, Turkish drums including the darbouka and doumbek, and the unusual Peruvian cajon, a wooden box fitted with guitar strings inside. And, of course, there are the more familiar bongos, hand drums and tambourines as well. Each student has one that they gravitate to – some students even come early to make sure they snag their drum of choice. “There’s no wrong way to do this,”

Schallehn says often, and the students take his words to heart. Once the circle gets going, the rhythms are punctuated by frequent laughter and shows of support. Everyone is having fun – even the newcomer attending for the first time halfway into the semester. Perhaps for the first time all day, the rigors of their studies are the farthest thing from their minds. Megan LaBaff ’12, a student in her first year of the Doctor of Pharmacy program, sums it up nicely as she packs away her conga. “It’s one of my outlets and great stress relief,” she says. “It’s nice to do something you’re not getting graded on.”

Spring 2007

Student News

Students in the News Representatives from the Phi Delta Chi Professional Pharmacy Fraternity and the Rho Chi Society participated in Albany Law School’s annual Senior Law Day event in October. ACP students provided seniors with information about the Medicare Part D plans as well as Vial of Life information materials. During November, members of the ACP chapter of the American Pharmacists Association Academy of Student Pharmacists (APhA-ASP) provided materials and recommendations about heartburn, diabetes and immunizations at two sites in the Capital Region – Crossgates Mall and Price Chopper in Slingerlands. In March, members of the group’s Operation Diabetes committee shared information on diabetes with third-graders at Boght Hills Elementary School in North Colonie. ACP students performed in a skit, played quiz games with the children and introduced them to diabetes-related items such as glucose meters and pumps. The ACP Craft and Quilt Club raised $500 through two fund-raisers last semester to benefit lung cancer research. In November, student Tiffany Dennis ’08 organized a sale of triangle bandages to students enrolled in the College’s First Aid class. With the assistance of fellow students Chris Arbach ’08, Elena Chidlowsky ’08, Victoria Matos ’08, Kelli Rothenberger ’08 (club president) and Elisa Winterbottom ’09, and faculty members Andy Flynn ’87 and Lee Anna Obos ’91, more than 70 bandages were cut, packaged, labeled and sold. The annual Holiday Craft Sale in December raised additional funds.

Spring 2007

Congratulations to Rebecca Meli ’08, the winner in this year’s ACP Patient Counseling Competition, sponsored by the American Pharmacists Association Academy of Student Pharmacists (APhA-ASP). The runner-up was Sonia Patel ’08, while Courtney Warner ’08 took third place. Other finalists were Michael Nashat ’08, Lindsay Conlan ’08, Dan Malone ’08, Nicole Gordon ’09, Leslie Riddle ’09, Jared Burridge ’09 and Whitney Caron ’09. Rebecca advanced to the National Patient Counseling Competition at the APhA-ASP Annual Meeting in Atlanta in March. The members of ACP’s chapter of Lambda Kappa Sigma, the international professional pharmacy fraternity, held a 24-hour teeter-totter marathon November 30-December 1 to raise money and awareness in conjunction with World AIDS Day. They also held a bake sale, 50-50 raffle and ribbon sale. The funds raised benefited a Capital Region family affected by the AIDS virus. Pharm.D. student Sal M. Bottiglieri ’08 is the first male recipient of the Zada M. Cooper Scholarship awarded by the Kappa Epsilon Professional Pharmacy Fraternity. The award, established in 1955 in honor of the fraternity’s founder, is presented nationally to six members each year in recognition of academic standing as well as contributions to their Kappa Epsilon chapter and college. Albany College of Pharmacy fifthyear Doctor of Pharmacy student John Adamchick received the Scholar Athlete Award from the Northern Independence Conference following the men’s basketball championship in Feb-

ruary. John led the Panthers to their first conference title in 20 years while compiling a 3.0 GPA. Albany College of Pharmacy thirdyear Doctor of Pharmacy student Mariette Sourial received the Mara Oakes Scholarship from the University Heights Association in Albany. The $1,000 scholarship is presented annually to a student at ACP, Albany Medical College, Albany Law School or The Sage Colleges who has demonstrated exceptional ability to bring diverse individuals or groups together for a common purpose. The recipient must be a person of exceptional energy and enthusiasm who has worked tirelessly to bring people together to support their college, other organization or the community. Mariette is secretary-treasurer for the ACP Class of 2010, a peer tutoring coordinator, involved in a variety of committee activities including the College’s planning for Middle States Commission on Higher Education accreditation review, and a forward on the women’s basketball team that captured its fourth consecutive Northern Independence Conference championship in February. Stephen Esker ’08 participated in a national gathering of students, faculty and administrators at the University of Colorado in Boulder in October for a roundtable discussion on academic integrity. Stephen was quoted extensively in an October 23 article about the gathering published in the University’s student newspaper, the Colorado Daily. The Times Union in Albany also published a letter to the editor from Stephen in February on the topic of honor codes at area colleges and universities.

WHO’S WHO

Colleges Against Cancer ACP’s newest organization takes on deadly disease One of ACP’s newest organizations, the campus chapter of the American Cancer Society’s Colleges Against Cancer, debuted at the start of the spring semester and quickly has become active in its mission to help fight this deadly disease. “Cancer is a disease that affects every student at ACP in one way, shape or form,” said Maria Berkhin ’08, the chapter’s president. “Whether it’s a family member, a friend, a fellow student, a faculty member or even oneself, this disease holds a special place in our lives. “The CAC program allows college students, faculty and staff to work together to bring American Cancer Society programs and services to college communities nationwide.” Colleges Against Cancer focuses on activities in four areas: grassroots advocacy, prevention and early detection education, the Relay for Life race

and activities honoring cancer survivors. The organization also provides a great opportunity to become an active member of the community and network with students from other Capital Region colleges; Siena, St. Rose, Union, RPI and the University at Albany all have chapters. Department of Pharmacy Practice faculty member Sarah Scarpace, Pharm.D., BCOP, is the group’s advisor. Student officers are: President: Maria Berkhin ’08 President-elect: Sarah Whittenburg ’09 Secretary: Cortney Komenda ’08 Treasurer: Sal Ferro ’09 Advocacy Chair: Alexes Herrick ’08 Cancer Education Chair: Bryan Trombley ’09 Relay for Life Chair: David Aboelezz ’08 Survivorship Chair: Krista Kelly ’08

Congratulations to the following students who joined the ranks of Who’s Who Among Students during 2006-07. One of the oldest and most highly regarded honors programs in the nation, Who’s Who recognizes the outstanding campus leaders of the year, chosen by faculty and peers (all are Doctor of Pharmacy students and members of the Class of 2007 unless otherwise noted). Tanvi Bale Amy Becker Carolyn Chapman Amy Davis Samantha Davis Melanie DeFusco Chris de Graffenried Lauren DeRitter Staci DuFrene Bridget DuMont Jason Erwin Ramez Fares Joseph Farrell Maria Fatiga Katie Fealey Diane Ficarro Beth Filkins Amanda Forward Derek Hirning Jessica Knowles Sarah Kokosa Adam LaFrance (B.S. Biomedical Technology) Abby LaHart Laura Locmajian Amanda McFee Meredith McLean Brian Myer (B.S. Pharmaceutical Sciences) Nardine Nakhla Theresa Passetti Kim Phillips Susan Ronsvalle Derek Valentine Laura Ventiquattro Adam Zalewski

Members of Colleges Against Cancer are planning activities to educate the public about the disease.

Spring 2007

Student News

I, Robot Psychology students create a new “class” Computer guru and Microsoft founder Bill Gates, writing in the January 2007 issue of Scientific American, presents some mind-boggling statistics. Two million personal robots were in use throughout the world in 2004, with another seven million to be installed by 2008. The Japanese Robot Association predicts that by 2025, the personal robot industry will be worth upwards of a staggering $50 billion a year worldwide! Gates goes on to theorize that robots or robotic devices will play an important role in addition to their use in the industrial sector – providing physical assistance for the elderly, helping people with disabilities get around, extending the strength and endurance of medical professionals and enabling health care workers to diagnose and treat patients who may be thousands of miles away. From “I, Robot” to “Star Trek” to “The Terminator,” robots long have enthralled the public. Trading on this fascination with humanoids, androids and technology among college-age moviegoers and science fiction readers, Jim Anderson, an assistant professor in the Department of Arts and Sciences, came up with a novel approach to teaching the concepts covered in his Introduction to Psychology class last year. The assignment, first given to all second-year Pharm.D. students enrolled in the course during the spring 2006 semester, was to “build” a robot – first on paper, with words and drawings, and then on a computer using graphics, sound and animation. Students wrote “biographies” of their

Spring 2007

inventions before creating “A Day in the Life of an Android” using PowerPoint and other technological tools. In January, several of the top student creations were presented during a “Robots on Parade” event in the ACP Student Center to help inspire students enrolled in this spring’s course. “The PowerPoint presentations are a representation of the written and pencil-drawn androids, embodying a complex set of fundamental features of human nature and behavior,” explains Anderson. In other words, students created fictional, yet believable, robots that replicate psychologically rich human beings. Take, for example, Bert (short for ROBert), created by Stephanie Button and teammates. Bert’s escape from the lab and into the outside world initially overwhelms his sensors, but, programmed with knowledge of “implicit social norms,” he soon fits in and learns

“Bert,” far left, with the ACP students who created him.

to behave in a way that is acceptable. Or a humanoid emergency room nurse, Martha, dreamed up by Kimberly Houser and her collaborators. Her very human empathy, combined with an ability to translate languages instantly, an X-ray machine in her arm and a full serology lab concealed in her torso, make her the ideal medical professional. One of the most fascinating and believable robots was Tom Giovinazzo’s LASI (Learning Analytic Synthetic Intelligence), whose monologues on the relationship of humans and androids were so captivating that Anderson and his teaching assistant, Erin Applegarth, nearly forgot they were grading an assignment! “I’m amazed by the creativity of my students,” says Anderson. “They turned dry concepts and principles of psychology into almost living – and definitely unforgettable – robots.”

Students Gain Experience at Oswego Hospital Rotation By Marion Ciciarelli, Public Relations Manager for Oswego Health

Learning alongside Oswego (N.Y.) Hospital pharmacists and clinical staff members last winter were two sixthyear Doctor of Pharmacy students from ACP. Maria Fatiga of Oswego and Lauren DeRitter of Fulton were at the hospital as part of their professional experience program. During the final year of the Pharm.D. program, students complete eight rotations at different settings to gain knowledge of a variety of practice settings and learn about the wide range of career opportunities available to them. While Maria and Lauren had experience in retail pharmacy, they said the Oswego Hospital internship provided them with additional knowledge and skills. “Perhaps the biggest difference from retail pharmacy is that we don’t have a lot of patient interaction, but we are doing more problem solving,” Maria said. Much of that problem solving involves monitoring patient medications to ensure there are no reactions. “Here we are seeing different medications, such as the higher-strength antibiotics, that we haven’t seen in retail,” Lauren said. “In the community we don’t see lab results, either.” The students are also out on the patient floors talking to physicians, nurses and other clinical staff. “It’s been great to see how the pharmacy interacts with all the other

hospital departments,” Lauren said. “The pharmacy has Two sixth-year Doctor of Pharmacy students learned about hospital pharmacy during an a hand in every internship at the Oswego Hospital under the supervision of two ACP alumni. From left are clinical department pharmacist Michael Collins ’78, students Lauren DeRitter ’07 and Maria Fatiga ’07, and and this has been Director of Pharmacy Brian Richardson ’79. great exposure to learn its role.” Lauren also worked in a Fulton drug Oswego Health’s Director of Pharstore during her last two years of high macy Brian Richardson ’79 said the school and said the experience was students learned not only about the the deciding factor that led her to clinical areas, but also toured other pharmacy school. hospital departments to gain a full In addition to fulfilling rotations at understanding of working in a hospiOswego Hospital, the students comtal setting. pleted professional experiences in “There is quite a difference between hospital and retail pharmacy,” other settings during their sixth year in 2006-07. For Maria, that included a Brian explained. “That is the whole trip to Switzerland and the Poison idea of these clinical rotations in their Control Center in Syracuse. Lauren (sixth) year, to expose the students to has worked at a major grocery store many career possibilities.” drug store chain in the Oswego area Brian, along with pharmacist (and and at a behavioral health clinic. fellow ACP alum) Michael Collins ’78, mentored the students during their five-week experience at the hospital. Maria said that the pharmacy’s staff made the rotation an enjoyable learning experience. However, this wasn’t her first learning experience at Oswego Hospital. She was an Oswego BOCES New Vision student at the hospital six years ago and said a rotation in the department was what made her decide on a career in pharmacy. “That rotation set me in the right direction,” she said. To add to this experience, Maria also has worked in area drugs stores.

Spring 2007

Student News

Seeing Quadruple Basketball championships give ACP first-ever sweep of NIC titles Pills are not the only thing being counted at ACP this year. Athletic championships are being tallied as well, and the Panthers have amassed quite a collection. The men’s and women’s basketball teams both captured conference titles in February, making ACP the first school in the history of the Northern Independence Conference to hold the title in all four conference sports in the same academic year (the ACP men’s and women’s soccer teams both won championships in the fall). “It was a great year to be a Panther,” said Coordinator of Athletics Ryan Venter. “The players and coaches deserve all the credit for the success of our teams.” Despite the same result, both basketball teams took radically opposite paths on their way to glory.

For the women’s team, it was business as usual as they dominated conference competition, beating NIC foes by an average of 47 points, including a 51-point drubbing of Clinton Community College in the conference final. That was ACP’s 18th consecutive win over a conference opponent dating to January 2004. The Panthers’ final 15-3 record included the second-fewest losses in the history of the program, despite the loss of Randi Maurer ’07, the program’s career scoring leader. While Randi was completing clerkship rotations in the final year of the sixyear Doctor of Pharmacy program, and with half of the 12-woman roster consisting of freshmen, the Panthers looked more dominant and balanced than in previous seasons, with four players averaging double digits in points.

Team MVP Leonardi cuts down the net after the Panthers’ victory over Clinton Community College in the NIC final.

“Our success has always been a complete team effort, so we know that when we lose one person, especially someone like Randi, we all have to step up our game,” said third-year forward Pam Leonardi, the team’s leading scorer. “With the outcome of the season, it is evident that we did.” Coach Rich Jones has compiled an impressive 80-25 record over the past five seasons. “I think what set this team apart from the previous teams was the depth we had,” Jones says. “Every person was so productive and they all meshed. They were a team from player one to player 12.” Instead of being content at the top of the NIC, the Panthers have bigger plans, Jones says. “Next season will be the most difficult schedule any team in the history of ACP has ever played,” he said. The Panthers are scheduled to play

The four-time NIC champions. First row, left to right, Amber Jillson, Pam Leonardi, Richa Mehta, Chrissy Aiossa, Ashley Smith. Second row, left to right, assistant coach Rick Randall, Kelly VanValkenburgh, Stefanie Alger, Sarah Gruber, Karrah Madden, Kim Ray, Cassie White, Mariette Sourial and coach Rich Jones.

Spring 2007

“It was a great year to be a Panther ...” —Coordinator of Athletics Ryan Venter

Adamchick not only led the Panthers to their first title in 20 years, he also won the NIC Scholar Athlete Award.

a host of highly regarded NCAA Division III teams in 2007-08, including a home game against Cortland State, a team annually ranked in the national polls, and a trip to the Messiah College Tip-off Tournament; Messiah was ranked No. 1 nationally for several weeks in 2006-07. Tough Division III opponents also will include Clarkson, St. Lawrence and Hartwick. “This was the first team of a new era,” Jones says with the pride of father. “I love these girls and I’m excited to see how far we can go.” The men’s team played the role of Cinderella this season, and as the old adage goes, if the shoe fits, wear it. The Panthers were 2-9 following two losses at the Bahama House Classic in Daytona Beach, Fla., on January 2-3. They responded by winning an incredible 13 of their final 14 games on their way to ACP’s first men’s basketball title in 20 years.

Coach Craig Tynan’s team finished 15-10 and also made history, beating Keuka College 79-78 on the road thanks to a buzzer-beating 3-pointer by star guard Bryan Jones ’11 for the first victory against a Division III team in the program’s history. A key addition at midseason was 6-foot-7 freshman Zach Bratek, who along with 6-6 forward John Adamchick ’08, the team’s leading scorer, and 6-4 forward Ramy Ramzy ’09, gave the Panthers a potent frontcourt combination. “I was just another big body who was able to get some rebounds and help set the tone on the defensive end with my size,” Zach says. “They are so deserving of all the admiration and respect that comes their way because of this, and, as I told them, it is something that, no matter what happens, no one ever can take

away from them,” Tynan says in retrospect of the team’s late-season tear, which also gave the men their first winning season since 1995-96. With most of the roster returning, the Panthers do not plan on giving up their seat on the NIC throne anytime soon. “If we play our game I don’t think there is a team on our schedule, let alone conference, that can beat us,” says forward Chris Tomaino ’12. For recaps of every game for both teams, to check out all of this year’s results or to download the new ACP Athletics Newsletter, visit the Athletics section of our Web site at www.acp.edu/student_athletics.html. Congratulations to all ACP student-athletes, and best of luck hanging even more championship banners in the Albert M. White Gymnasium!

Celebrating after the championship win! Front row, left to right, Chris Tomaino, Bryan Jones, Vartan Balian, Frank Zimar and Dennis Samuel. Second row, left to right, assistant coach Akili-Abdul Duncan, Mike Reddick, Coordinator of Athletics Ryan Venter, Ramy Mehany, Graig Reed, Ramy Ramzy, John Adamchick, Zach Bratek, Adam Zalewski, Bob Greene and coach Craig Tynan.

Spring 2007

Faculty News

Faculty Awards and Achievements Shaker Mousa, Ph.D., executive vice president and chairman of the Pharmaceutical Research Institute at Albany College of Pharmacy, was invited by the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute to deliver a presentation at the Angiogenesis 2007 meeting in Key Biscayne, Fla., in February. Dr. Mousa’s presentation covered “Anti-Angiogenesis Efficacy and Mechanism of OT-674/OT-551: A Novel Inhibitor of Angiogenesis.” His work demonstrated the potential for OT-551s in combination with either Lucentin or Avastin, the current standards of care for the wet form of agerelated macular degeneration. Dr. Mousa also was among the featured speakers at the Tech Valley Leadership Forum held at Albany Medical College in January. The day-long program titled “Asking the Tough Questions: Bioethics and Health Care” featured a panel discussion about cutting-edge research in Tech Valley. In November, Dr. Mousa was a guest speaker at the International Saudi Symposium on Hemostasis and Thrombosis, hosted by King Abdul Aziz University in Jiddah, Saudi Arabia. Indra Balachandran, Ph.D., SCT, CFIAC, director of the Cytotechnology program and a faculty member in the Department of Health Sciences, was an

Spring 2007

invited presenter at the 54th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Society of Cytopathology in Toronto in November. Her presentation was entitled “Entering the Real World: Job Outlook and Employer Expectations.” Martha Hass, Ph.D., delivered a presentation at the Northeast Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society in Binghamton, N.Y., last fall. The presentation was titled “Antioxidants for Treating Progressive Urinary Bladder Disease.” Dr. Hass has joint appointments in the departments of Arts and Sciences and Pharmaceutical Sciences. Department of Pharmacy Practice faculty member Macary Marciniak, Pharm.D., BCPS, participated in the ninth annual Nonprescription Medicines Academy Conference in November. Dr. Marciniak was among 44 faculty attendees from colleges and schools of pharmacy throughout North America. The conference, designed exclusively for faculty who provide instruction on nonprescription medicines and medical devices, aims to advance education and research in the area of nonprescription therapy. Department of Arts and Sciences faculty member Andreas Karatsolis, Ph.D., has been elected treasurer of the Consortium for Research and Evaluation of Writing (CREW), an effort spearheaded by MIT with the support of Microsoft. Dr. Karatsolis is ACP’s director of instructional communication.

Department of Pharmacy Practice faculty member John Polimeni, Ph.D., has been named to the editorial board of the Romanian Journal for Economic Forecasting. Department of Arts and Sciences faculty member Marion Jacobson, Ph.D., has been invited to serve as guest editor of the scholarly journal World of Music. Her issue will feature the unique role of the accordion in various musical cultures. Aimee Strang ’95, Pharm.D., and Anne Myrka ’92, CGP, both members of the Department of Pharmacy Practice, recently earned the designation of Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist (BCPS) from the Board of Pharmaceutical Specialties. The credential is pharmacy’s highest in the practice of pharmacotherapy and was granted to just 564 pharmacists nationwide in February. In total, 14 members of the ACP faculty have earned board certification. Department of Pharmacy Practice faculty member Kara Shirley, Pharm.D., BCPP, BCPS, has been named a member of the internet hotline advisory board for the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN). Dr. Shirley also has been accepted as an online hotline volunteer for RAINN.

On the Cutting Edge Mousa receives $406,400 to study new form of breast cancer treatment Dr. Mousa in PRI’s hematology lab.

Shaker A. Mousa, Ph.D., executive vice president and chairman of the Pharmaceutical Research Institute at Albany College of Pharmacy, has been awarded $406,400 from the U.S. Department of Defense to study new compounds that could improve the effectiveness of chemotherapy for breast cancer patients. Dr. Mousa and his research team have developed new non-anticoagulant heparin (NACH) compounds that he believes can have a significant

impact on blood clotting, one of the most deadly side effects of chemotherapy, as well as direct effects on tumor progression. The project also will test the effectiveness of novel nanopharmaceutical technology in site-directed tumor treatment. The two-year grant is funded through the Department of Defense Breast Cancer Research Program of the Office of the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs, which has noted “that the project will

add significantly to the understanding of breast cancer” and contribute to future therapies. “We anticipate that the novel NACH we propose to study will have potent anti-tumor activity without the bleeding problems seen with other LMWH currently used in the clinic,” Dr. Mousa said. “This information may provide support for the use of NACH in clinical trials in the foreseeable future.”

GURDJIEFF GOES GLOBAL ACP supports conference in Armenia The third annual Armenia-Gurdjieff Conference, coordinated by Department of Arts and Sciences faculty member Michael Pittman, Ph.D., was held last June in Yerevan and Gyumri, Armenia. The conference, supported by funding from ACP, was dedicated to the work of G.I. Gurdjieff, an important figure in early 20th century philosophical and religious thought whose influence in a variety of disciplines, including philosophy, religion, ecology and literature, continues to grow throughout A view of Mt. Ararat from Armenia. the world. The Armenia-Gurdjieff Conference took place over three days and included presentations and a film on the Greek-Armenian spiritual teacher’s life and work, a concert featuring his compositions and visits to Gyumri, Gurdjieff’s birthplace and hometown. A concluding banquet was held in the Armenian-Caucasian tradition at the one-time home, now a museum, of Gurdjieff’s boyhood friend, the famous Soviet-era sculptor Sergei Mercourov. This year’s conference was an overwhelming success with more than a hundred local and foreign guests in attendance at the musical performance and other events.

Spring 2007

How Suite it is! Newest facility will include apartment-style living on campus

he growing ACP campus expanded by seven acres this spring with the acquisition of the former Department of Transportation building contiguous to the campus at 84 Holland Ave. The building features three wings with more than 150,000 square feet of space, as well as 300 parking spaces. The first priority has been transforming one wing into an apartment-style living facility that will be home to approximately 175 students when it opens in the fall. ACP Holland Suites is the College’s third on-campus residence facility, following Notre Dame Residence Hall (2000) and South Hall (2004). In addition to the privately owned and operated University Heights College Suites, the College will offer on-campus living for more than 900 of its approximately 1,300 students in the 2007-08 academic year. The building is the ninth building on the ACP campus, which has grown from two to 45 acres since 2000. The College also has added the Center for NanoPharmaceuticals across the Hudson River in East Greenbush. “Building a residential campus for our students has been one of our major goals at ACP,” said President James J. Gozzo, Ph.D. “We made great strides earlier this decade through the addition of Notre Dame and South Hall and the availability of University Heights College Suites within easy walking distance of our classroom buildings and the new ACP Student Center. “The acquisition of 84 Holland Ave. continues our progress.” Holland Suites will offer students the freedom and luxury of an apartment combined with the convenience of oncampus living.

Spring 2007

Located next to Notre Dame, Holland Suites will feature fully furnished two-, four- and five-bedroom options with all the amenities, including Internet access, cable television and air conditioning. There also will be access to laundry facilities, vending machines and a study/lounge area on each floor. The new dorm will accommodate students in years two through six. The facility was full within a month of the announcement that it would be available in the fall. South Hall and Notre Dame will continue to house students in the first and second years, respectively, providing

A typical four-bedroom suite

the option of on-campus living throughout the entire ACP experience. “Holland Suites will be a tremendous addition to the College as we strive to meet the housing needs of our students and enhance student life,” said Assistant Vice President of Student Services Packy McGraw. “This first phase of renovation will pave the way for unlimited opportunities for ACP at 84 Holland Ave.” Future plans for the other two wings of the building, about 100,000 square feet of space, are yet to be determined.

Spring 2007

A Writer’s Life Typically, a pharmacist’s main concern with writing is whether or not prescriptions are legible. But for Lynne Cotich Cote ’69, it’s so much more. Writing has been the culmination of a long, successful career and a dream that she finally has time to pursue. Her first book, The Long Road, recently was published by Xlibris, a strategic partner of Random House.

Spring 2007

“I feel the paths of my career gave me a strong empathy for those struggling emotionally in both ordinary and extraordinary circumstances,” explains Lynne. “I wanted to get some of that down on paper.” Her collection sets 13 short stories in “a world too often less than kind,” where, somehow, hope mostly triumphs. That world includes places Lynne has lived and worked. Albany, complete with Ralph’s Tavern, shows up in “Four Sons,” while a hospice is the setting for her story “One-Eye.” Even diverse places she has traveled – Montana and Yugoslavia – make an appearance. Though snippets of her experiences have ended up as fodder for the collection, Lynne says most of her writing comes from her own observations, what she reads in the newspapers and “pure unexplainable imagination.” Lynne’s early schooling took place in Australia, where her mother was born. She spent most of her growing-up years in Colonie, N.Y. Eventually she landed at ACP, where she received her degree and met her future husband, John Cote ’70. Though she began her pharmacy career in a traditional hospital setting, Lynne’s path soon veered into a new area when she became the first pharmacist at The Connecticut Hospice, Inc., the entity credited with starting the hospice movement in the United States. In 1983, that position led her to take on the job of chief operating officer for both the inpatient facility and home-care programs, an important career-broadening experience. Meanwhile, John had started TPN Lifeline, Inc., the first home infusion company based in Connecticut, and was busy providing high-tech home care with services including intra-

venous therapies and nutrition. With the company expanding by leaps and bounds, Lynne joined him at TPN in 1986, becoming vice president of operations. After 10 years of growing their business, the Cotes sold it to a national company in 1992, though they remained onboard for a year to ease the transition. With semi-retirement came a whole new world. “After years of working closely with patients and their families, I admit I felt at loose ends,” says Lynne, who subsequently took on special projects for The Hospice, and still serves as a volunteer consultant. For three years she was a pharmacist surveyor for the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations and also did consulting for organizations preparing for accreditation. Today, both she and John keep their hands in pharmacy by serving on the President’s Advisory Board at ACP. In 2000, Lynne stepped back her activities a bit to pursue a long-held dream, vowing to dedicate a year to writing a novel. “My mother is a published author and I had always written fiction for my own amusement,” she explains. “I wanted to see where that interest might take me. I understood there is more to writing than telling a good tale.” One year stretched into five and Lynne kept plugging away, continuing to write short stories in between chapters. With the publication of her collection in 2006, she has plunged back into another set of revisions on the novel, tentatively titled Strawberry Pie, an expanded version of her story “Four Sons.” Looks like Lynne might be coming to the end of another “long road.”

Book mark For Lynne, writing is more than self-fulfillment. It’s also a way to give back to the community. “Through three book signings, I have raised money for The Connecticut Hospice and the Guilford Food Bank, where I also volunteer. Now, for the benefit of ACP, I’d like to do the same.” Although The Long Road can be ordered online and wherever books are sold, if members of the ACP family order the book directly from Lynne’s Web site at www.lynnekcote.com, all of the proceeds will be donated to the College. Signed copies of the book also will be available for sale at the ACP Student Center bookstore during Reunion Weekend, June 1-3. Preorders will be accepted at (518) 694-7378.

Spring 2007

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

MAY Saturday, May 5 Continuing Education Program: Natural Products and Dietary Supplements. For more info, visit Continuing Education at www.acp.edu or call Lori Kline at (518) 694-7231. Sunday, May 6 127th Commencement. Nelson A. Rockefeller Empire State Plaza Convention Center, Albany, 2:00 p.m. Commencement speaker will be Mary F. Sammons, president and CEO of Rite Aid Corp. Saturday, May 12 Memorial Service for Matthew Verderame, Ph.D. 1:00 p.m. Reception to follow. For more information, visit Alumni Relations at www.acp.edu. Friday, May 18 Continuing Education Program: Current Status and Future Direction in the Management of Diabetes. Albany Marriott Hotel and Conference Center. For more info, visit Continuing Education at www.acp.edu or call Lori Kline at (518) 694-7231.

JUNE Friday-Sunday, June 1-3 ACP Reunion Weekend. For more information on any of the scheduled events, contact Director of Annual Programs Shelly Calabrese at (518) 694-7304 or calabres@acp.edu. A block of rooms at a special ACP rate has been reserved at The Desmond Hotel and Conference Center in Albany.

Spring 2007

Friday, June 1 ACP Alumni Golf Tournament. Hiland Park Country Club, Queensbury, N.Y. Shotgun start at 9:00 a.m., followed by lunch at the club. ACP campus tours. 1:00-3:00 p.m. on the hour, departing from the ACP Student Center. Anniversary Dinner for the 55th, 50th and 45th Reunion classes (by invitation only). The Desmond Hotel and Conference Center, Albany, 6:00-9:00 p.m.

Outcomes Monitoring in the Busy Community Pharmacy Practice. O’Brien Building, Room 110. For more info, visit Continuing Education at www.acp.edu or call Lori Kline at (518) 694-7231. Wednesday, June 16 Continuing Education Program: Medical Reconciliation. For more info, visit Continuing Education at www.acp.edu or call Lori Kline at (518) 694-7231.

JULY Saturday, June 2 Continental Breakfast. ACP Student Center, 8:30-11:00 a.m. ACP campus tours. 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. on the hour, departing from the ACP Student Center. Throop Museum Dedication to Gary Hall ’57. O’Brien Bldg., 3:00-4:00 p.m. Cocktail Reception. 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. Barbecue, Alumni Awards and Dancing. 6:30-10:30 p.m. Continuing Education Program: Leadership Lessons Learned. With David Kvancz ’79, FASHP, Chief Pharmacy Officer, Cleveland Clinic. ACP Student Center, 1:00-2:00 p.m. For more info, visit Continuing Education at www.acp.edu or call Lori Kline at (518) 694-7231. Sunday, June 3 Farewell Brunch. ACP Student Center, 9:00-11:30 a.m.

Sunday, July 15 Baseball in Boston: Red Sox vs. Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park. Game begins at 2:05 p.m. Tickets are $80 per person and include roundtrip bus fare from Albany (bus departs from the parking lot behind the ACP O’Brien Building at 9:00 a.m.) Tickets excluding bus fare can be purchased for $50. For more information, contact Director of Annual Programs Shelly Calabrese at (518) 694-7304 or calabres@acp.edu. Saturday, July 28 Saratoga Day at the Races. At the Rail Pavilion, Saratoga Race Track. Tickets are $65 per person and include lunch buffet at noon. Rail time at 1:00 p.m. There are 55 non-refundable tickets available. For more information, contact Director of Annual Programs Shelly Calabrese at (518) 694-7304 or calabres@acp.edu.

SEPTEMBER Wednesday, June 13 Continuing Education Program: How to Fit

Sunday, September 16 Continuing Education Program: Cardiology

On the Road Again! Update. For more info, visit Continuing Education at www.acp. edu or call Lori Kline at (518) 694-7231. Wednesday, September 26 Continuing Education Program: Geriatric Care Symposium. For more info, visit Continuing Education at www.acp.edu or call Lori Kline at (518) 694-7231. Friday-Sunday, September 28-30 ACP Family Weekend 2007. Stay tuned for details! Friday, September 28 White Coat Ceremony. Albert M. White Gymnasium, 4:00 p.m. The traditional ceremony making the start of the professional curriculum for third-year Doctor of Pharmacy students at ACP. Stay tuned for details!

ACP staff and students travel the nation to visit alumni President James J. Gozzo, Ph.D., Dean Mehdi Boroujerdi, Pharm.D., Ph.D., Vice President of Institutional Advancement Vicki DiLorenzo, Director of Development David Zdunczyk and Director of Annual Programs Shelly Calabrese have had a busy few months criss-crossing the country to visit ACP alumni far and wide. Many, many thanks go out to the loyal ACP supporters who graciously have welcomed us and fellow alums in their area! Elliott Cohen ’58 and his wife Adrienne welcomed us in Henderson, Nev. In Florida we enjoyed the hospitality of Dick ’52 and Ellen Robison in Bonita Springs, Bert ’58

and Bea Rapowitz in Longboat Key, and Andrew and Laurie Sweeney ’88 in Tampa. If you are interested in hosting an event in your area, please contact Debbie Reutter in the Office of Institutional Advancement at (888) 203-8010 and select option 2, or e-mail her at reutterd@acp.edu. For a complete listing of upcoming alumni events, see the Calendar of Events, opposite.

Sunday, September 30 ACP Alumni Soccer Games. Soccer Field, women at noon, men at 2:00 p.m.

OCTOBER Wednesday, October 3 Continuing Education Program: Pain Management Update. For more info, visit Continuing Education at www.acp.edu or call Lori Kline at (518) 694-7231. Sunday, October 21 Continuing Education Program: Nephrology Symposium. For more info, visit Continuing Education at www.acp.edu or call Lori Kline at (518) 694-7231. Saturday, October 27 ACP Alumni Basketball Games. Albert M. White Gymnasium, women at noon, men at 1:30 p.m.

Otsego County area alumni gathered at the Otesaga Hotel in Cooperstown, N.Y., in January for a talk by Associate Dean of Academic and Professional Affairs Angela Dominelli ’78, Ph.D, fourth from right, and ACP Student Government Association President Ryan Madison ’08, center. Leigh Briscoe-Dwyer ’87, Pharm.D., BCPS, fifth from left, director of pharmacy at Bassett Healthcare in Cooperstown, hosted the event.

Spring 2007

Advancement

President’s Gala 2006 The second annual President’s Gala was held in the new ACP Student Center on September 9, 2006, with nearly 150 alumni, donors and friends in attendance. The black-and-white-themed ball featured a talk by President James J. Gozzo, Ph.D., on the highlights of ACP’s 125-year history as well as an exciting announcement about the successful completion of the College’s first-ever Capital Campaign. Four members of the student body joined Dr. Gozzo to share the news that ACP surpassed its ambitious campaign goal to raise a total of $18.1 million.

ACP students, left to right, Jeffrey Graves ’08, fifth-year secretary treasurer; Mina Tadrous ’08, Student Government Association programming chair; Susan D’Ambrosio ’12, first-year class president; and Michael Nashat ’08, SGA treasurer, were on hand to help President Gozzo announce the completion of the Capital Campaign.

J. Michael Darbyshire ’99 and Nicole Edwards Darbyshire ’03 take a spin on the dance floor along with Ann Parillo ’57 and Gregg Millett. Both Michael and Ann are members of ACP’s Alumni Council and Ann also serves on the President’s Advisory Board.

Board of Trustees and Capital Campaign Chair Kandyce Daley ’74 welcomes guests to the President’s Gala.

Spring 2007

Planned Giving Chester Koblantz Chester Koblantz never attended Albany College of Pharmacy but he’s been connected to the College for his entire life. As a child, Chester heard the stories of his father, Nathan Koblantz ’26, who owned the City Line Pharmacy in North Albany for 35 years and was the president of the local Nathan Koblantz ’26 chapter of the American Pharmaceutical Association. When his mother assumed the presidency of the association’s Women’s Auxiliary, Chester’s parents were fondly referred to in an article in the local newspaper as “Mr. And Mrs. Pharmacy.” When Chester went to work at the New York State Department of Health, he made his own connection with the College when he met and married an ACP graduate who worked on the next floor. His late wife, Susan Greenspan Koblantz ’65, was a chemist for DOH for 32 years until her 1999 retirement. With wide research interests, Susan co-authored a study on a refuse-derived fuel system for downtown Albany while Chester wrote on the use of high-performance liquid chromatography to analyze human plasma. Retirement brought a happy period of world travel for Chester and Susan and more time to devote to their musical interests. Both accomplished organists, the couple had many friends at Musicland in Colonie. When Susan passed away last summer, Chester hit upon the perfect way to honor the memory of both his wife and his father by making a gift to the alma mater they loved. “I have a close emotional bond with ACP because of my dad and later my wife,” says Chester. “Susan and I discussed it and both thought it would be wonderful to establish a scholarship in our names, and in honor of my parents, to provide opportunities for students with high academic standing and financial need.” By setting up a bequest to ACP in his will, Chester supports ACP’s long-term future and financial viability and ensures that both Susan and Nathan’s commitment to the College lives on. Chester Koblantz in New Zealand.

Susan Greenspan Koblantz ’65 on a trip to Easter Island.

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 Vice President of Institutional Advancement Vicki A. DiLorenzo at (518) 694-7331 or dilorenv@acp.edu.

Spring 2007

Advancement

2006-07 Scholarship Recipients Congratulations to ACP’s 2006-07 scholarship recipients and many thanks to the donors and corporations who gave so generously toward these awards. The achievements of our outstanding students are made possible by your continued support. We couldn’t have done it without you! Adirondack Pharmacy Scholarship Hillary V. Dessureault Allan Barnum ’24 Alumni Scholarship Joseph Carreno Alpha Theta Chapter of Phi Delta Chi Award Stephen Esker Matthew Grassi Paul Plucinik Nathan Rossi The Jacob G. Baurle ’31 Memorial Scholarship Joseph Carreno Oren O. Bigelow Alumni Scholarship Amy Becker The Ellen Widenmann Boyian Scholarship Craig J. Adams Job C. Edwards Joshua D. Vinson Debra Bramer ’87 Memorial Scholarship Robert Close Jessica Deay The Bristol-Myers Squibb Scholarship Aimee B. Moses Brooks/Eckerd Pharmacy Scholarship Peter M. Avery Jennifer E. Glod Raymond E. Iannone Steven C. Leggett Igor Murilo Roy L. Root The Capital Area Pharmaceutical Society Scholarship David K. Burchett

Spring 2007

The Alfred J. Collins Jr. ’53/WarnerLambert/JC Penney Scholarship Amy Becker Xiaodong Feng Katherine Joubert Phyllis Cristo-Pomeroy Scholarship Elizabeth Defreitas CVS Scholarship Sarah Bouchard Elizabeth Defreitas Stephanie Kohan Amy M. Lahart Thomas M. Lawton Daniel Malone Dana N. Viggiano Dean’s Endowment for Excellence Scholarship Kathryn E. Fealey Douglas Maleh Emily R. Napper Kristin Whitaker Demers Family Scholarship Anonymous The H. Russell Denegar ’43 Scholarship Fund Aimee B. Moses Rinaldo V. DeNuzzo ’52 Alumni Scholarship Anonymous Anonymous Harland R. Eckler ’20 Alumni Scholarship Jessica Blanchard Robin Carville Katherine Joubert John E. Flynn Scholarship Rachel Goodwin Sarah Kokosa The General Scholarship Fund Danielle M. Scolaro

The Haggerty Memorial Scholarship Michael P. Daprano Danielle M. Scolaro Katrina B. Van der Kloet Hannaford Brothers Company Scholarship Lindsay M. Conlan Kathryn E. Fealey Phillip M. Lubanski Dana N. Viggiano The Henning Scholarship Anonymous Michael P. Daprano Kenneth G. Hunter ’25 Scholarship Jaclyn M. Hosmer Paul Jablon Fund Amy Becker Matthew Smollin The Kirkpatrick Scholarship Sarah A. Kokosa Danielle M. Scolaro The E. Charles Leighton ’59 Memorial Scholarship Joseph Carreno Igor Murilo The Rita E. Leighton ’86 Scholarship Fund Randi D. Maurer George C. Lewis ’28 Alumni Scholarship Nicole Griffiths Brian Matthews The Eli Lilly Scholarship Nicholas E. DiPirro Edward Malkonian ’34 Endowed Scholarship Robert Close Nicole M. Montanaro

A Message to the Class of ’57 President James J. Gozzo, Ph.D., congratulates Joshua Vinson ’09, recipient of the Ellen Widenmann Boyian, Ellis H. Robison, Walgreens Drug and Rite Aid scholarships.

The Donald McAndrew ’62 Memorial Scholarship Nicholas E. DiPirro Brittany L. Higgins James McGuiness ’71 Alumni Scholarship Fund Samantha Davis Diane Ficarro Krista Kelly John Osterhoudt Chantelle Spiak Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy Scholarship Candice Y. Carr Samantha A. Davis Dianne M. Ficarro John J. Osterhoudt Chantelle A. Spiak The Dr. Kenneth W. Miller Scholarship Xiaodong Feng Raymond E. Iannone The James J. Morrissey Jr. ’65 Scholarship Eric J. Bushnell The National Association of Chain Drug Stores Scholarship Jessica Blanchard Greg Holmes Anna Vasyukhnevich Francis J. O’Brien ’20 Alumni Scholarship Fund Meghan Brost Nicole Griffiths Danielle Scolaro Laura Ventiquattro Henry A. Panasci Jr. Pharmacy Scholarship Fund Amy Becker

Rite Aid Scholarship Joshua Vinson Ellis H. Robison Alumni Scholarship Joshua Vinson Carol Lee Sowek ’74 Memorial Scholarship Amanda Sanders Walgreens Drug Company Whitney P. Caron Christopher L. Carter Stephen S. Caruana Lauren C. DeRitter Hillary V. Dessureault Aislinn C. Early Stephen R. Esker Penny L. Gross Thomas R. Lawton Alan M. Serbonich Terri L. Underhill Katrina Van der Kloet Joshua D. Vinson Courtney K. Warner Women’s Club Fund of Columbia University College of Pharmaceutical Sciences Robin A. Carville Rachel M. Goodwin The Michael P. and Elsie K. Yuda Scholarship Anonymous Peter M. Avery Christopher A. Collins Sheri A. D’Angelo Laura E. Fox Steven C. Leggett Nicole M. Montanaro Danielle M. Scolaro Amanda J. Siddon

from the 50th Anniversary Reunion Committee The Class of 1957’s 50th Class Reunion on June 1-3 is approaching quickly. As part of the celebration of this anniversary milestone, we would like to pay tribute to our alma mater by making a collective class gift.We ask that you consider making a contribution to this effort in recognition of ACP, which helped to shape us and led us down the path to rewarding careers and fulfilled lives. A member of the Reunion Committee will be contacting you in the coming weeks to discuss Reunion Weekend and the class gift.We hope you will participate in both! For more information, call Shelly Calabrese, director of annual programs, at (518) 694-7304.

Spring 2007

Alumni Affairs

Bringing Grace, Info to Area TV Ann Parillo ’57 helps others improve community by publicizing good works

By Cathy Woodruff Used by permission of the Times Union Ann Parillo is sitting on a cushy brown sofa, cuddling a soft white kitten and chatting comfortably with her two guests, who are filling her in on pets available from the Animal Protective Foundation. She laughs as they discuss the foundation’s recent Fireplug 500 fundraiser and her role judging a lighthearted pet pageant called “Mr. Neuter-verse and Miss Spay America.” If you’re watching at home, it seems like you could be joining Parillo in her own living room. Actually, this is just a regular Wednesday morning at the SACC-TV studio on North Broadway in Schenectady, N.Y., and Parillo is getting rolling with her weekly live broadcast of “Schenectady Today.” Later in the program, she’ll turn to more serious topics, discussing treatment of sexual assault victims with a doctor and registered nurse from the Sexual Assault Forensic Examiners program at St. Clare’s Hospital, and the Schenectady City School District’s Junior ROTC program. She’ll also check in with Proctor’s Theatre CEO Philip Morris, who will take a seat and share the latest goingson at the downtown arts venue. “Schenectady Today” airs three times each weekday on local public access cable Channel 16. Wednesday is Parillo’s day. In addition to the 10 a.m. live broadcast, two later taped presen-

Spring 2007

Ann, left, on the set of “Schenectady Today” with Department of Pharmacy Practice faculty member Marcary Marciniak, Pharm.D., BCPS, and Doctor of Pharmacy student Stephen Esker ’08.

tations of the day’s show will air at 6 p.m. and midnight. Of several regular hosts, Parillo’s tenure is the longest. She was on the air during the show’s first week in September 1998, and she’s rarely missed a week since. “I’m going to do it until I drop dead, I think,” Parillo, 70, said of her volunteer gig, “or until my guests decide they don’t want to see me.” A retired pharmacist and grandmother, Parillo first got involved with Channel 16 hosting a program called “Singles Talk,” which was produced by her partner, Gregg Millett. She liked

the work so much that she jumped into the “Schenectady Today” lineup as soon as the show began. She draws guests from a mix of regular sources, which include the city school district, St. Clare’s Hospital and an assortment of local service and nonprofit organizations, and chance conversations and encounters. “You have to remain open, because you never know where the next guest is coming from,” she said. Parillo is responsible for assembling her all-volunteer production crew, as well. Her usual group includes Millett, who is her technical

director, and Dick Paterek, a retired GE lathe operator who tends the camera and microphones. Retired English teacher and librarian Nina Rindenello, whose other community activities include work with the Schenectady Light Opera, is Parillo’s cordial floor manager. She greets guests, helps them feel comfortable in the green room and shepherds them to the studio for their segments. As with the other volunteers, Rindenello’s job description is flexible. “I do whatever needs to be done to help Ann,” she said. Paterek, who lives in Amsterdam, used to do the show after leaving his job on GE’s third shift at 7 a.m. He enjoys it so much that he stayed with “Schenectady Today” after retirement, driving in from Amsterdam each week to help Parillo put the show together. “I just find it interesting because you meet different people every week,” he said, crediting Parillo’s wide interests and intelligence with keeping

the program fresh. “She’s quite talented. She can talk on just about anything, really, every week.” Parillo grew up in Schenectady and Scotia and graduated from Albany College of Pharmacy. Her career included running a pharmacy in Kansas before moving back to the region to work at Sterling-Winthrop Drug Co. Later, she taught at Albany College of Pharmacy and worked for New York state, where her responsibilities included Medicaid fraud investigations and overseeing issues related to pharmacist registration and practice. She now serves on the state Board of Physical Therapy and the Schenectady Cable Commission board. While hosting “Schenectady Today” has imbued Parillo with some modest status as a local celebrity – “People have no trouble walking up to me and saying ‘I watch your show all the time,’” she notes – that’s not what she says drives her enthusiasm for the program.

“Schenectady has so much to offer,” she said. “There are so many organizations that are trying to do good things. It gets this information out to benefit the community and to benefit the organizations that are trying to do good things.” In order to boost the program’s reach, Parillo and Millett also have set up a Web site, www.annparillo.com. It features her weekly newsletters, information on her selected nonprofit of the month and other information about her show. Public access television, she says, is one of just a few good ways to spread the word to people who need to hear it. “I’m a firm believer in public access television,” she said. “This is the only soapbox that’s left.”

cist’s role in heart health. In March, Department of Pharmacy Practice Chair Margaret Malone, Ph.D., FCCP, discussed healthy eating and diet in conjunction with National Nutrition Month. April’s guest was Department of Health Sciences Chair M. Elyse Wheeler, Ph.D., MT(ASCP), in conjunction with National Medical Laboratory Professionals Week. “Schenectady Today” reaches 45,000 households in and around Schenectady County. ACP is grateful to Ann for allowing representatives of the College to have a regular appearance on her program to share important public health information. The program is live at 10:00 a.m. each Wednesday and replayed

again at 6:00 p.m. and midnight. Visit http://www.sacctv.org/index.html for more information.

ON THE AIR WITH ACP! President James J. Gozzo, Ph.D., kicked off a new role for ACP in January when he was the College’s first guest on the “Schenectady Today” program hosted by Ann Parillo ’57 on Schenectady County’s cable-access television station, channel 16. Dr. Gozzo discussed ACP’s recent academic and research growth, as well as the College’s plans for the future. It was the first in what will be a monthly ACP appearance on Ann’s long-running program. Department of Pharmacy Practice faculty member Macary Marciniak, Pharm.D., BCPS, and Doctor of Pharmacy student Stephen Esker ’08 were Ann’s guests in February discussing a pharma-

UPCOMING ACP GUESTS ON “SCHENECTADY TODAY” May 9 – Department of Pharmacy Practice faculty member Jennifer Cerulli ’93, Pharm.D., BCPS, in conjunction with National Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month. June 13 – Pharmaceutical Research Institute Executive Vice President and Chairman Shaker Mousa, Ph.D., in conjunction with Vision Research Month.

Spring 2007

Alumni Affairs

Calling All Alumni! Reunion Weekend 2007 Alumni Arts and Achievements Reception As part of this year’s Reunion Weekend activities June 1-3, ACP will feature an Alumni Arts and Achievements Reception and we invite all alumni to participate. This is an opportunity to showcase any special talents or accomplishments of which you are proud, whether it be photography, paintings, a book or short story, etc. We welcome you to participate and demonstrate the many talents ACP alumni possess.

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 give us 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 email alumni@acp.edu.

Fraternity prank? Chicken barbecue? Let us know what’s happening in this 1966 snapshot!

Spring 2007

The reception will be held Saturday, June 2 from 6:00-7:00 p.m. in the ACP Student Center atrium. Please forward your submissions to: Albany College of Pharmacy Office of Institutional Advancement 106 New Scotland Avenue Albany, NY 12208 ATTN: Debbie Reutter The deadline for submissions is Friday, May 25.

For questions or more information please contact Debbie Reutter, coordinator of institutional advancement, at (518) 694-7393 or reutterd@acp.edu.

JOB JAMBOREE

Piecuch ’03 Benefit ACP alumni and staff come through Assistant Vice President of Student Services Packy McGraw and Assistant Registrar/Men’s Basketball Coach Craig Tynan represented ACP earlier this year at a benefit event in Elmira, N.Y., for Michael Piecuch ’03, who has been fighting leukemia for more than a year. Bill Cronin, former vice president of finance and business affairs and a former assistant basketball coach at ACP, also attended. The event, organized by Mark Edgerly ’91, raised nearly $40,000, including contributions from the College and numerous members of the campus community.

ACP’s annual Career Fair in November was a huge success, with more than 50 companies attending, from the major chains to community hospitals to government agencies, and sharing information with students. Pictured is Michael Zeolla ’01, critical care pharmacist/clinical coordinator at Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie, N.Y.

It’s Time to Nominate One of Your Fellow Alumni for Service! We are collecting nominations for the annual alumni awards, to be presented at an Alumni BBQ and awards ceremony on Saturday, June 2. Please fill out this form and attach any supporting documents and return to Shelly Calabrese, Director of Annual Programs, Office of Institutional Advancement, 106 New Scotland Ave., Albany, NY 12208, or e-mail your nomination, including nominee and category, your name, class year and contact information, to calabres@acp.edu. Your name_________________________________________________________

Class Year__________________________

Address__________________________________________________________________________________________________ The Outstanding Service to the Profession of Pharmacy Award honors an alumnus or alumna who has made an exceptional contribution to the profession.

__________________________________

The Outstanding Service to the Profession of Biomedical Technology Award is presented to an individual who has made significant contributions to the profession of biomedical technology.

__________________________________

The Outstanding Service to the Albany College of Pharmacy Alumni Body Award is given to an alumnus or alumna who has made an exceptional contribution to the alumni body. __________________________________ The Outstanding Service to the Community Award is given to an alumnus or alumna who has made an exemplary contribution to the needs of the community.

__________________________________

Spring 2007

On Campus

Fitness Center Gets Fit! Students returning from winter break were welcomed back to a newly renovated ACP Fitness Center that was tripled in size following the fall semester. The facility, located on the lower level of the Classroom Building, now has a more open environment with plenty of room for new equipment and facilities. New to the fitness center are eight pieces of cardiovascular equipment and a variety of weight equipment that includes a squat rack, flat bench, rowing machine and a dumbbell rack. There is new rubberized flooring throughout the weight and strength training sections as well as an expanded area for stretching and core-ball exercising. New televisions and a check-in counter staffed by attendants are also part of the renovation. Future plans include rooms for aerobics, dance, stretching and exercise.

Graduate Council to Aid Academic Expansion As part of ACPâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s efforts to further define its distinctive role in higher education for the next five years and beyond, Dean Mehdi Boroujerdi, Pharm.D., Ph.D, has established a Graduate Council to facilitate the launch of graduate and post-graduate academic programs. The council will be working on developing bylaws, policies and procedures as they relate to admissions, academic standards and development and approval of new courses and degree programs.

Spring 2007

The council is composed of nine voting members, including elected faculty representatives and directors/coordinators of graduate programs. Dr. Bourojerdi and Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Education George Bailie, Pharm.D., Ph.D., are members of the council ex officio. The inaugural council also includes Indra Balachandran, Ph.D., director of the cytotechnology program; Machaon Bonafede, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice; M. Elyse Wheeler, Ph.D., chair of the

Department of Health Sciences; and elected members Leon Cosler â&#x20AC;&#x2122;82, Ph.D., Carlos Feleder, Ph.D., Robert Levin, Ph.D., Tom Lodise, Pharm.D., Dudley Moon, Ph.D. and Erika Muse, Ph.D.

Class Notes 1950s

1970s

1980s

‘51

‘75

‘81

William B. Fizette wrote to say that he had a great time at his 55th Reunion in May 2006. After graduating from ACP, Bill received his Ph.D. from The Ohio State University in 1957.

Kimro’s Medicine Place Pharmacy in Ogdensburg, N.Y. has always been a family affair. Owned by pharmacist Kim Demers and wife Rose Mary Cross Demers, a certified pharmacy technician and medical laboratory technologist, the business is entering its 23rd year. Owning the business has been especially rewarding for the couple, who work with daughter Shannon, a certified pharmacy technician, and son Jason Demers ’01, who earned his Pharm.D. at ACP. Jason and wife Terri have three sons.

Peter Gage has opened the Village Apothecary in Saugerties, N.Y., with coowner Neal Smoller ’04. Pete previously worked at Beadle’s Pharmacy, which became Eckerd’s in 1999. Neal began his own career at Beadle’s while still in high school and followed in Pete’s footsteps when he headed for ACP to specialize in hospital and clinical pharmacy. Special services at the Village Apothecary include medication flavoring, compounding, veterinary services and durable medical equipment. The duo is especially excited about their plans to promote healthy living by offering educational clinics on topics such as high blood pressure and diabetes. Pete is married to Susan, the director of special education for Saugerties Central Schools.

‘57 John Finnegan has received the Fourth Degree of the Knights of Columbus. He recently celebrated his 50th year in the order.

1960s ‘79 ‘66 Marie Berry Windover was honored for 45 years of service to Kinney Drugs in March 2006. She still works full-time and sends greetings to all her former classmates.

David Kvancz has been chief pharmacy officer in the Department of Pharmacy at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation in Ohio for the past eight years. His article “A Distinctive Competency” was published in the May 2006 issue of the American Journal of Health-system Pharmacists in conjunction with his appointment as the 21st John W. Webb Visiting Professor at the School of Pharmacy in the Bouvé College of Health Sciences at Northeastern University in Boston.

‘83 Geno Germano Jr. has been named president-U.S. and general manager of Wyeth Pharmaceuticals. Geno joined Wyeth in 1984 as a sales rep and has held positions of increasing Geno Germano Jr. responsibility in sales, marketing, business development and general management. Most recently, he served as executive vice president of the Pharmaceutical Business Unit. Geno and his wife, Theresa Bouchard Germano ’86, have four children and reside in Collegeville, Pa.

‘85 Karen Gabel Miller works at the Gowanda Pharmacy in her New York state hometown. She began working at the store while still in high school and has been a retail pharmacist for 21 years. The pharmacy recently received the Spirit of Gowanda Award from the Gowanda Area Chamber of Commerce. Karen lives in the town with her husband and two children.

Spring 2007

‘86 Richard A. Marasco was selected as the first-ever Senior Care Pharmacist of the Year for 2006 by the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists. Rich is the president and consulting pharmacist at seniorpharm. com, an organization that provides medical and pharmaceutical education, advisory and organizational services that focus on the older patient in a variety of settings. He lives in Valdosta, Ga.

1990s ‘92 Lisa Charbonneau LaLoggia and husband Michael have a new addition to their family. Anthony Joseph, better known as A.J., was born October 11, 2006. Big brother Justin is 7. Lisa is a pharmacist at Strong Memorial Hospital Outpatient Pharmacy in Rochester, N.Y. Friends can contact her at laloggia@rochester.rr.com.

‘93

‘88 Larry R. Bailey is the new owner of The Pharmacy in Union, N.Y. He purchased the business from David Warren ’62 last year. Larry joined the staff of The Pharmacy in 2000 after working for 12 years as a pharmacist at CVS. When David decided to retire, Larry stepped in and recently moved the business to a new location from its original site in Johnson City. Currently, the shop employs one other full-time pharmacist and two parttimers, plus eight full- and part-time pharmacy technicians. A resident of Vestal, N.Y., Larry and wife Sherri have four children.

David Dingman has been named manager of the new Medicine Place pharmacy in Phoenix, N.Y. The 1,900square-foot pharmacy, located in the heart of the village, opened in January. David is not the only one in his family associated with the company. Wife Tracy Nettles Dingman is a pharmacist at The Medicine Shoppe in Fulton, N.Y. The couple and their children, Kayla, 8, Nicholas, 6, and Jonathan, 2, reside in Fulton.

‘95

‘96

Tricia Quinn McNally and husband, Billy, welcomed their first child, Kristin, on July 5, 2006. Tricia works

Heather Houck Pasquale has been appointed as one of nine members of the Ohio State Board of Pharmacy by Governor Bob Taft and will serve through 2010. Heather is district manager for CVS in Columbus and has been employed by the company for 10 years. Friends may contact her at HLPasquale@cvs.com.

Kristin McNally

‘97

part-time as a project manager at Pfizer’s New York headquarters. Billy is a NYC firefighter as well as owner of Red Sky (www.redsky nyc.com) in Manhattan. The family resides in Brooklyn. … Richard Sweeney and Jacqueline Ciccone were married September 30, 2006. A clinical pharmacist at Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, N.Y., the bridegroom has a Pharm.D. from Shenandoah University. His wife is a system developer/ analyst for Globalquest Solutions. The couple resides in Amherst, N.Y. … Tracey Jansen Toner and her husband welcomed their fourth child, Sean Patrick, on April 27, 2006. He joins sisters Emily, Grace and Elizabeth.

Jeff Papo, co-owner of Tuminaro Pharmacy in Hopewell Junction, N.Y., has been selected by the Greater Southern Dutchess Chamber of Commerce as a recipient of their “Forty Under 40” award. The award recognizes young professionals “shaping the Hudson River Valley.” Recipients, chosen from more than a hundred nominees, were honored at a February event at the MidHudson Civic Center.

The Toner children

Spring 2007

‘98 Eric Jordan is the new part-owner of Fillmore and Fisher Pharmacies, Inc., a trio of locally owned pharmacies in New York’s Allegany County. Eric has eight years of experience in the field and spent a year working at Fisher Pharmacy in Wellsville. The company also has two sister stores, Cuba Pharmacy and Fillmore Pharmacy. Brian Loucks ’80 has been a part owner of the company since 1989. … Jennifer Olcott is the new managing

pharmacist of the Willsboro Pharmacy in Willsboro, N.Y. The independent pharmacy was recently acquired from Kinney Drugs by Adirondack Apothecary LCC and reopened in March. The pharmacy will continue to provide pharmacy services for the small town and will work closely with community health-care providers.

‘99 Carrie A. Corbett married Benjamen E. Manning in June 2006. Alicia Mancini ’02, Joseph Mashaw ’02, Jamin Mashaw ’02 and Rob Meyer ’02 were all members of the wedding party. After a trip to Montego Bay, Jamaica, the couple returned home to Baldwinsville, N.Y. Carrie is employed by Kinney Drugs in Liverpool, while her husband works for United Radio in Syracuse. … Michael Dufort married Mary E. Suite on December 4, 2006. The couple resides in North Hoosick, N.Y. Michael, who works at The Pharmacy, Inc. in Bennington, Vt., was elected as a fellow of the American College of Apothecaries in 2006.

2000s ‘02 Sarah Jane Carroll and Colin W. Price were married on Whiteface Mountain in June 2006. Michael Raley, director of the Pharmaceutical Sciences program at ACP, served as best man. For their honeymoon, the couple took a 14-week trip around the world, traveling to Croatia, Turkey, India, Nepal, Thailand, Australia and New Zealand. Both are employed as pharmacists at the Rite Aid in Sandy, Utah. … Lisa K. Hourigan and Patrick D. Otts Jr. also wed in June. Rachel Richards and Tara Vincent were among the bridesmaids and the couple’s son, Patrick Joseph Otts, served as ringbearer. Lisa is a pharmacist at University Hospital in Syracuse. … Tammie Horth Ruzycki works at the Gowanda Pharmacy, which recently received the Spirit of Gowanda Award from the Gowanda Area Chamber of Commerce. Tammie started there as a pharmacy clerk while still in high school and returned to the store after graduation from ACP. She lives in Springville, N.Y., with her husband Kirk.

‘03 Nicole Weatherly and David Mastrangelo were married September 16, 2006. Jeannette Smajda and Stacey Richards ’04 acted as bridesmaids. Following a honeymoon in Costa Rica, the couple returned home to Atlanta, Ga., where Nicole is employed by Publix.

‘04 Neal Smoller has opened the Village Apothecary in Saugerties, N.Y., with coowner Peter Gage ’81 (see full entry in 1981 Notes) and also teaches pharmacology at Schenectady Community College. Neal’s wife, the former Erin Maloy, lends a hand at the Apothecary as well … Alana McDonald married Emmanuel Palermo ’00 on August 20, 2006. Alana is a staff pharmacist for Stop and Shop Pharmacy in Mount Vernon, N.Y., and Emmanuel is assistant pharmacy director at Lawrence Hospital in Bronxville, N.Y. Friends can contact the her at Angelicalana@hotmail. com.

… Julie Deck and Brian Decker were married November 4, 2006, and honeymooned in Hawaii. Julie is a pharmacist for Price Chopper in Bethlehem, N.Y., while Brian serves as pharmacy manager for Walmart in Glenmont, N.Y. … Marco David Mennucci and Ariana Munari were married August 4, 2006. Matthew Tarranto served as best man. Marco is a pharmacist at Wegmans in Rochester, N.Y., where the couple resides.

‘05 Amber Bouchard married Stephen Finkle in June 2006. The wedding party included Nicole Alexander ’06 as maid of honor and Jennifer Stamp as bridesmaid. Amber is employed as a pharmacy manager with Price Chopper. Her husband, a graduate of RPI, works for Interstate Commodities. The couple resides in Burlington, Vt. … Jennifer Stamp wed Charles V. Lapp on September 23, 2006, and followed up with a honeymoon in Hawaii. ACP friends Amber Bouchard Finkle and Allison Sammis were members of the bridal party. Both pharmacists, Jennifer and her husband live in Liverpool, N.Y.

Alana and Emmanuel Palermo

Spring 2007

In Memoriam

Former ACP Board of Trustees Member Harry Mikhitarian ’54

Harry in his 1954 yearbook.

Harry, center, returned to campus in the fall for a reception with former trustees. Left to right: Ron McLean ’51, Pamela Boice Veeder ’63, Gary Veeder ’63, Rocco Giruzzi ’58, Harry, President James J. Gozzo, Ph.D., Ann Marie Giruzzi, Kenneth Colloton and Al Collins ’53.

Spring 2007

Harry Mikhitarian ’54, ace basketball player and a former ACP trustee, passed away December 5, 2006. He was 74. A veteran of the Korean War, Harry joined the throngs of former soldiers working toward their B.S. in Pharmacy at ACP during the 1950s. A member of the basketball team for all four years at ACP, Harry shone after the arrival of coach Albert M. White in the fall of 1952. With “Mik” as captain during the 1953-54 season, the team had a 13-2 record, with Harry scoring at a record-breaking pace of 22.1 points per game. He also broke the records for individual scoring in one game, with 35 points, and individual scoring for one year, with 331 points. He was inducted into the ACP Sports Hall of Fame in 1974. A good student and an active participant in the life of the school, Harry

also was involved in the American Pharmacists Association and the Varsity Club while at ACP. After graduation, Harry was a practicing pharmacist and the proud owner of the Latham Pharmacy from 1967 until his retirement in 1999. Besides serving on the ACP board, Harry was involved in fundraising for the Albert M. White Gymnasium, dedicated in 2005. He was most recently on campus in November to attend a reception of former board members in the new ACP Student Center. A lifelong athlete and an avid golfer, Harry also was active in the United Armenian Calvary Congregational Church in Troy and the Latham Kiwanis Club, and he was a charter member of the Latham Area Chamber of Commerce. He is survived by Dorothy, his loving wife of 45 years, four daughters and eight grandchildren.

Former ACP Faculty Member Matthew Verderame, Ph.D. Matthew Verderame, Ph.D., a professor of medicinal chemistry at ACP who taught at the College for 37 years, passed away in October at age 81. Dr. Verderame served in the U.S. Army Signal Corps during World War II. He later earned his Ph.D. and a Master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin and was a popular professor in the Department of Physical Sciences at ACP until his retirement in 1991. “Matt touched the lives of some 4,000 young persons in a positive way,” said Professor Rinaldo DeNuzzo ’52 in a 1992 yearbook dedication. “His love of chemistry, caring rapport with students, kindness, understanding and patience while demanding academic excellence served as a role model for many who are currently active in the profession, academia and industry.”

But that only scratched the surface of Dr. Verderame. “As a teacher, writer, gardener dancer, athlete, singer, bridge player and avid Red Sox fan, he modeled for all a zest for life, learning and love of all that is important,” said his family. Dr. Verderame is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Fran; his daughters, Diane and Paula, and sons, Matthew and Thomas, and their families, including grandsons Nicky and A.J.; and many, many friends in Florida, Delaware and Albany.

Dr. Verderame taught for many years in the Department of Physical Science.

A memorial service for Dr. Verderame will be held in the ACP Student Center on Saturday, May 12 at 1:00 p.m. A reception will follow. For more information, contact Debbie Reutter in the Office of Institutional Advancement at (518) 694-7393 or toll free at (888) 203-8010, or via e-mail at reutterd@acp.edu.

Dr. Verderame in his lab.

Spring 2007

In Memoriam ‘37 Leroy Tesiero January 14, 2007

’61

Vincent Drake January 3, 2007

Robert D. Elgie January 25, 2007

‘51

‘39 Arthur “Larry” Consalvo December 28, 2006 Anthony W. Mastriani December 17, 2006

‘45 Mary Davidge September 26, 2006

‘62

Gordon Meagley January 29, 2007

Stanley Fox July 7, 2006

‘53 Alfred F. Lamparelli January 1, 2007 Richard Weinstein December 29, 2006

Richard J. Manfred November 16, 2006

‘54

‘47 Wesley P. Erb December 7, 2006

Symon J. Mushkat November 2, 2006

Harry Mikhitarian December 4, 2006

‘65

‘55

‘49 Orel E. Briceland Dec. 19, 2006

‘50 Benjamin E. Cane April 4, 2006

Elizabeth Drabic Keenan January 2, 2007

Daniel Frodyma December 27, 2006

‘57

Judith Allen Ruth November 13, 2006

Eugene Carmody Dec. 26, 2006

‘73

‘58

Peter Del Santo January 17, 2007

G. Winston Dobbins January 10, 2007

Frederick J. DeWitt April 16, 2006

Leslie Richard (Dick) Wilson November 27, 2006

what’s new …

‘63 Geoffrey H. Kimber October 30, 2006

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.

Victor Ross November 11, 2006

‘94 Alexine F. Racette August 24, 2006

tell us your news …

NAME CLASS OF ADDRESS

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YOUR TITLE

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EMPLOYER’S NAME, ADDRESS

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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

Spring 2007

FOCUS ON … Corey Duteau ’97 Why I support ACP financially and what I would say to encourage other ACP graduates to support the College. My father, Real Duteau, graduated in ’69, and my oldest brother, Michael Duteau, graduated in ’92. I have a special place in my heart for ACP and the opportunities it has given to all of us. There were, and still are, many students who receive financial support for their education. I know that I did. My parents couldn’t afford all of their kids in school at once and ACP was there to help. I support ACP financially to help give others the same opportunity that I had. I think the most common thing I hear is “Why should you give back when you already gave the school a lot of money?” There are so many ways to answer this question, but simply put, I give to make a difference and help someone else out.

Corey and fiancée Kelly visited Jamaica last fall.

Where am I now? I started a pharmacist staffing company, RPh Floaters, PC, five years ago and have loved every minute of it. RPh Floaters is a full-service staffing agency that provides pharmacies with professional and qualified pharmacists to cover days off, vacations, regularly scheduled days, permanent placement, recruiting or whatever. RPh Floaters not only strives to provide our customers with the best possible service, we also focus on our employees, providing them an opportunity to take control of their lives and careers by giving them the flexibility to work when they want. We currently employ two full-time pharmacists, Michelle Norcross ’01 and myself, as well as numerous per-diem pharmacists who want to work an extra few days a month. We also have a full-time office manager, Kelly Glennie, so that when our customers call, we are there to help them out. Visit us at www.rphfloaters.com for more information.

How my ACP education benefited me most? My ACP education has given me the opportunity to work in almost any type of environment and to live anywhere I choose. To be honest with you, I would never have imagined I would be doing what I have been doing when I was in school. I just knew that when I graduated, the possibilities were endless. With all the advancements in the profession, and the education that ACP students are receiving, they will have even more possibilities. What I remember most about my ACP years. The people I met and the times we had. It’s hard to believe that this year is our 10-YEAR reunion! It seems like yesterday that all of us were gathered in the old cafeteria complaining about the exam we had just taken.

What I hope ACP will be like in the future. Though I have not been back to the school in years, I work with ACP students who keep me updated on all the changes. It’s hard to believe how different the College is now from how it was 10 years ago. It’s exciting to know that ACP is leading the way in providing its students with the best possible education as it has always done. I hope that ACP continues its commitment to its students and that they find the same enjoyment in the profession as I do. Who knows, maybe a third generation of Duteaus will follow in my father’s footsteps, so get ready ACP!

Spring 2007

Snow Day! ACP students had a snowy surprise on Valentineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day when nearly 2 feet of snow forced the cancellation of classes. On-campus residents took full advantage of the day off for some impromptu winter activities.

ACP

Sciences forLife

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