The
Pulse
News from Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
February 2010
Monkeying Around 5
Welcome to IPS Workshops Help Facilitate The Pulse Peer-Led Learning and Teamwork
Welcome to the inaugural edition of “The Pulse.” The Pulse, which is published by the Office of Institutional Advancement, is the successor to the electronic campus newsletter.
Beginning with this issue and appearing twice each semester, The Pulse will offer news, photos, extended features and profiles of the people, offices and departments that make up the College community. The Pulse will be available via newspaper racks placed in the atrium of the Student Center and the rear entrance to the O’Brien Building. Community members who do not wish to keep The Pulse are kindly asked to return the newspapers to the racks or take steps to ensure they are properly recycled. As was the case with the campus newsletter, The Pulse is intended to reflect all aspects of the College community, so readers are strongly encouraged to contact editor Patrick Rathbun (ext. 131) with news and story ideas. We look forward to hearing from you and welcome your feedback on the publication. Gil Chorbajian Executive Director of Marketing and Communications
Currently, the workshops exist for second- and third-year students in PTP&M, economics, pathophysiology, biochemistry, immunology, pharmaceutics, molecular biology and self care. The workshops include more than 400 students and IPS Workshops ten professors. began at ACPHS in 2007 as a pilot proStudents from the gram and were aforementioned modeled after the courses meet IPS Workshops promote new learning techniques. successful Peer-Led weekly with peer Team Training (PLTL) program used in Univerleaders (comprising a total of more than 40 groups) for hour-and-a-half sessions. sity of Rochester science classrooms. The workshops, which thrust students – not faculty – into discussion facilitating roles, promote active learn- Dara Becker ’12 serves as a workshop leader, and she believes that the workshops benefit all stuing that includes debating, problem solving and dents involved by helping improve communicateamwork. tion and critical thinking skills. “What I think is special about the workshops is “The workshops are a great tool for students to the relaxed learning atmosphere with peers,” Pharmaceutical Sciences Associate Professor Gail apply their knowledge from their courses to the weekly workshop assignments,” Becker said. “I Goodman-Snitkoff said. “This is a best case scenario for active engagement.” IPS Continued on page 5 At the right time of day, the BRB sounds like a college residence hall. Usually teachers discourage chatting and snacking, but during Integrated Problem Solving (IPS) Workshops, these activities are encouraged.
New Construction Projects Will Enhance Campus Life There are a number of exciting changes coming to ACPHS for next year that are sure to enrich the College community. As you read this story, the College is gathering information from architects and soliciting input from faculty, staff and students on plans to renovate the first floor of the Classroom Building to accommodate a new library. The plan being considered would double the amount of space available in the current library, in addition to creating more small study space for students. Pending a final cost analysis and Board of Trustees approval, the new library
Professor Will 2 Retiring Continue Relationship with ACPHS
could be in place by the start of the fall 2010 semester. The library renovation project would not impact the location of the Fitness Center, which would remain on the ground floor; the Teaching and Learning Commons, Office of Student Affairs and the Registrar would maintain its space on the second floor; and the third floor would be converted to study space. The Dept. of Arts and Sciences, Dept. of Pharmacy Practice and the Collins Boardroom, all currently housed on the
the New Director 3 Meet of Campus Life
first floor of the Classroom Building, would move to the O’Brien Building. The remaining classrooms impacted by the new library would be relocated to 84 Holland Avenue. Enhancements are also forthcoming with dining services. Chartwells Food Service will replace Sodexo as the new dining services manager for the Albany campus at the conclusion of the spring semester (all current non-management employees of Sodexo will have the opportunity to be em-
Construction Continued on page 5 Outlook for 3 Career Health and Medical Professionals
2 The Pulse
February 2010
ACPHS Legend Tackles New Role For more than 50 years, Rinaldo DeNuzzo ’52 has been a member of the ACPHS faculty. His tenure as a faculty member will end with his retirement this spring, but he will remain part of the college community as a member of the Office of Institutional Advancement. In addition to his teaching responsibilities, DeNuzzo has served in many capacities at the College over the past six decades – director of public relations, placement director, coordinator of alumni affairs, editor of Alumni News, to name a
Dr. DeNuzzo’s senior yearbook picture
few – so he will no doubt transition easily to his new role. Outside of ACPHS, DeNuzzo also served in many roles, including as a soldier during World War II, consultant for the New York State Department of Health, coordinator of pharmaceutical services for the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, member of the U.S. Congressional Review Panel on Prescription Drug Payments and president of the East Greenbush School Board for almost 20 years. “I am pleasantly surprised at all the accolades being afforded me,” said DeNuzzo, who joined the faculty of the College following his graduation from the school. “I look on my years at ACPHS with a lot of pride.”
DeNuzzo was twice named “Man of the Year” by former ACPHS Dean Francis J. O’Brien, and he has been listed in “Who’s Who in America” and “Who’s Who in the World” for many years. DeNuzzo will join the Office of Institutional Advancement and participate in a series of alumni events. “I have no doubt that our alumni will be thrilled to see ‘Prof’ and his wife Lucy at our events,” says Vicki DiLorenzo, Vice President of Institutional Advancement. “He has impacted the lives of so many students, it will be a great opportunity for both the alumni and Prof to reconnect and share memories of their time on campus.” ACPHS President James J. Gozzo, Ph.D. said he is excited about
Financial Aid: What You Should Know Financial Aid. It’s a phrase familiar to both students and parents who are preparing for college and considering the various options available to ease the costs of higher education. But how many students really understand what financial aid is? And once understood, how many have an idea of how it can help, how it can be applied for, and what will it all mean at the end of the day? Kathleen Montague, Director of Financial Aid at ACPHS, explains the role of the Office of Financial Aid as follows: “to help students understand the process of applying for aid, their eligibility for financial aid programs, explaining the types of programs available, and finally, processing the applications.” The Office is staffed by three assistant directors in addition to Kathleen, each handling a comprehensive oversight of students according to alphabetical grouping by last name. Michelle Sprague works with students whose last name begin with A – G, and in addition, is responsible for student employment coordination on campus, Perkins Loans, and HPSLs (Health Professions Student Loans). Phylle Lentz handles students H – O, and oversees all federal and private loans, and all federal grant programs including Pell. Allison Knotts, often the first voice you’ll hear on the phone when you call the office, works with students P – Z, coordinates all state grant programs and oversees mail and correspondence. This is the office to contact if students are looking for work-study positions on campus, if they are thinking about loans, if they’re filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and have questions, or if they really just need some advice on what to do. This is the office that can explain what offerings are available and how to qualify and apply for them. The office can also tell students just how much money they have out already, and project what they may need for the future in the way of loans.
Nearly 90% of the students at ACPHS receive financial aid in the form of scholarships, loans or grants. Scholarships (based on merit and academic achievement in high school, and awarded through the Office of Admissions) are for freshmen and renewable each year with specific criteria such as a GPA requirement. Grants are based on the results of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the cost of attendance, and federal and state guidelines. As Kathleen points out, if students are facing a financial hardship due to a change in family situation, they should meet with a financial aid counselor to discuss “professional judgment.” Professional judgment allows ACPHS to look at the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and compare it to the “real” situation for any possible free federal money. Although the College does not participate in a designated loan program for students, Financial Aid helps to identify other sources and opportunities. It’s important to note that the Office of Financial Aid does not directly handle any money. The Office of Student Accounts (Bursar) deals with tuition, billing, refunds, collection of payments and distribution of payroll checks. Check out the web pages for the Bursar and Financial Aid – they outline their specialties and save you time! One new initiative rolling out soon is “Net Partner,” an online tool to help students view outstanding documentation and accept or reduce financial aid awards (such as grants/scholarships) – all helpful in planning and projecting for the future. A Facebook page is also in development that will provide additional resources and activities. Kathleen and her staff all agree that working with Financial Aid will be a smooth experience if students take the time to prepare: consult with them, “take responsibility,” and get involved!
Dr. Rinaldo and Lucy DeNuzzo
DeNuzzo’s continuing role with ACPHS. “We know that the College will benefit greatly from Dr. DeNuzzo’s continued association, and we look forward to seeing him on campus and to working together with him in the years ahead,” Gozzo said.
Types of Financial Aid Federal Grants Pell Grants, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, Academic Competitiveness Grants, SMART Grants, Veterans Administration Educational Benefits and Bureau of Indian Affairs Scholarships. State Aid Available from most states. Information should be available on the web page of your home state. Institutional Scholarships and Grants Awards are based upon full-time enrollment each semester, unless otherwise indicated. Need-based scholarships require the student to file the FAFSA each year by the published priority deadlines. A list of institutional scholarships and grants is available at www.acphs.edu. Federal Loan Programs Stafford Loans (subsidized or unsubsidized), Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students (PLUS), Health Professions Student Loans (HPSL), and Perkins Loans. A complete list of federal loans is available at www.acphs.edu. Work Study Work study positions are available on campus and at approved off-campus sites. Students are paid hourly and typically work three to six hours per week during the academic year.
February 2010
The Pulse 3
Meet the New Director of Campus Life This year marks his tenth year in residence life, and Diodato said he has always taken a studentcentered approach to his work. “There are hard decisions to make, and not everyone is always happy, but good or bad, students must be the focus,” he said. Diodato sees student satisfaction and providing a refuge for students outside of the classroom as his highest priorities. He says these goals can be achieved if the campus community brings their personal skills to bear on campus life. Mark Diodato is here to listen. Diodato, ACPHS’s new director of campus life, joined the College on January 4 and has already attended a lot of meetings and plans to attend a lot more. Soon you might see him in the dining hall, hopping from table to table, talking to students about their experiences at the College.
“We all need to find ways to make it happen,” he said. “I’ve got to make myself known.”
Successful campus/residence life administrators must be detail-oriented, easygoing, willing to have fun, easy to talk to, good listeners and have senses of humor, Diodato said. He learned many of these skills while working in residence “I want to build more collaborative relationships life at Rochester Institute of Technology, where he was an undergraduate student in professional between academic and campus life,” Diodato and technical communications. said.
“These figures reinforce the expanding number and variety of career options that will continue to be available to ACPHS graduates, regardless of their areas of concentration. It is very positive news, particularly in this economic climate.”
According to the BLS, employment growth in the industry is expected to be driven by technological advances in patient care, which permit a greater number of health problems to be treated, and by an increasing emphasis on preventive care. Seventeen of the 30 most rapidly growing occupations cited in the report are related to health care or medical research.
The Career Services Office is helping to support current students via a new comprehensive online career services management program, the ACPHS Career Zone. This web-based tool offers students the opportunity to search positions specifically posted with ACPHS as well as an option to search for career opportunities nationally and internationally.
Another encouraging sign is that industry employment has even grown during the current recession – health care has added 559,000 jobs since the beginning of the recession in December 2007.
The box at the right is a snapshot of some of the employment growth projections through 2018 in careers often pursued by ACPHS students. The BLS defines the “average growth rate” for all positions as between 7-13%. According to that definition, all of the elected occupations will grow at a rate faster than the average.
Kristen Felthousen, Career Services Coordinator and Advisor, remarked,
“I think students who are too consumed with studying risk missing something of the college experience,” he said. Packy McGraw, Associate Vice President at the College, said Diodato’s communications skills and desire to sit down with all college constituents impressed him. “We are very excited to have Mark at the College and in the Office of Student Services,” McGraw said. “We’re looking forward to some innovative and creative ideas that he can bring to ACPHS.”
By the Numbers
17 of the 30 fastest growing occupations are related to health care or medical research.
15
In many health related fields, industry growth is expected at more than percent for the next decade.
Healthcare will generate (3 million) new wage and salary jobs through 2018, more than any other industry.
3,000,000
Percentage Growth Rate by Profession (2008-2018)
Percentage
The Bureau of Labor Statistics recently released their projections of industry and occupational employment for the period from 20082018, and the results demonstrate continued strong growth for the health industry, and by extension, good news for ACPHS students.
Diodato believes it’s important for students to balance their lives inside and outside of class.
50 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0
40
39
22
21 14
14
18
17
7-13% - average growth rate for all positions
Bi Cl Scolo in ie gic ic nt al al Te La ist ch bo no ra Cy lo tor to gi y te st ch no lo He gi st al th Ed uc M ed at ic or al Sc ie nt is t Ph ar m ac is t Ph Ph ys ys ic ic ia ia n n’ s As si st an t
Future Looks Bright for Health Professionals
He “got sucked into residence life” there and went on to get his master’s degree at the University of Georgia for College Student Affairs Administration. Diodato then worked at St. Mary’s College of Maryland as an area coordinator for housing operations and RPI as assistant dean of residence life for the last five plus years.
4 The Pulse
February 2010
How Do You Spell Success? TLC
Pharm.D. Progression Requirements Revised Some new progression requirements were announced at the end of the 2009 fall semester that will go into effect beginning with the current first year class of Pharm.D. students. The College approved the concept of an “Expected GPA” and a “Minimum GPA with Candidate Review” for progression into the first professional year as described below: 1. Expected GPA = 3.0 – All students who meet their respective progression requirements will progress into P1 (first professional year). 2. Minimum GPA = 2.5 – Minimum GPA that would be considered for review for admission. 3. Window=2.5-2.95 – Students would be reviewed by the Pharmacy Admissions and Academic Standards Committee for possible admission into P1. This review would be conducted in the spring of the student’s second year.
To help ensure student success inside and outside the classroom, the Office of Student Affairs, along with the Department of Arts and Sciences, founded the Teaching and Learning Center (TLC). Housed on the second floor of the Classroom Building, the TLC offers a variety of services for students’ academic, professional and personal growth. Through small-group and individual tutoring sessions, the Peer Tutoring Program offers personalized learning. Peer tutors, who became certified last year by the College Reading and Learning Association, help students with core and professional science and math courses at ACPHS. The relationships between tutor and tutee also play an important role in student development. The Center for Instructional Communication (CIC) seeks to improve students’ comfort with writing, speaking and using technology
across subjects. In the center, faculty, course coordinators and CIC staff members help students to improve scientific and professional communication at the College. For math and science academic services, students can visit the Science Assistance Center. The center’s objective is to provide recitation sessions and one-on-one tutoring for students taking Department of Arts and Sciences’ courses. Instructional Technology develops, promotes and implements the use of technology in the classroom. The group offers tutoring, workshops, trainings and seminars throughout the school year to all members of the ACPHS community. TLC also offers test-taking accommodations and advising services. Visit the TLC (CL 207) for more information.
Athletics Unveils New Logo ACPHS community members came together in January to witness the unveiling of a new panther logo and recognize the 2009-10 athletics teams. The previous athletics logo had been in existence since 1998, and Athletics Coordinator Ryan Venter thought it was time for a change.
Men’s soccer team honored as 2009 HVMAC champions.
T-shirts were distributed to everyone who attended the event.
“After the College changed its name, we felt it would be a good time to look at redesigning and updating the athletics logo,” Venter said. “The new logo has a more modern look that makes it really stand out when displayed.” A team of student athletes, coaches, staff, administrators and alumni helped in the design and selection process. Prior to the unveiling, members of the ACPHS soccer and cross country teams were honored at the event for their accomplishments on the field this past fall.
Coach Goes Barefoot for Charity Did you see the barefoot guy on the sidelines during the ACPHS men’s basketball game against Pratt Institute? There is a story behind it. Craig Tynan, ACPHS’s head coach for the men’s basketball team, was asked by the Basketball Coaches Association of New York to consider going barefoot for the charity Samaritan’s Feet. And he was inspired by the founder’s story. “I felt this was a great way to offer a dream for children,” Tynan said. According to the Samaritan’s Feet website, a stranger from Wisconsin befriended the charity’s founder, Emmanuel Ohonme, as a young boy. Ohonme, like so many other children in Africa and around the world, had never known the comfort and security of owning a pair of tennis shoes. The stranger gave him a pair of shoes, and
Ohonme never forgot. The Samaritan’s Feet founder eventually came to America to play college basketball and now is seeking to duplicate this act of goodwill. Ohonme actually wants to do it ten million times over. Samaritan’s Feet aims to “put ten million pairs of shoes on the feet of ten million orphans and impoverished children in this country and around the world.” The “Barefoot for Barefeet” initiative started in 2007, when a college coach went barefoot to raise awareness about the plight of barefoot children. On January 22, 2010, more than 1,000 coaches across the country went barefoot to raise money for one million pairs of shoes. Visit www.smaritansfeet.org to donate or learn more about the organization.
Coach Tynan
February 2010
The Pulse 5
Outdoors Club Hikes, Rafts, Surfs Central America For each of the past three years, Mike Raley, Associate Professor and Director of the Pharmaceutical Sciences program, has taken a group of students from the Outdoors Club to Central America during winter break. This year, Raley, who also serves as the club’s faculty advisor, and 15 ACPHS students ventured to Panama and Costa Rica. The group arrived in Panama City, and the trip began with a visit to the Panama Canal. Then club members explored a Panamanian beach (Santa Clara) and mountain (Boquete). Following the last site in Panama (Bocas Del Toro), the trip moved south to Costa Rica and its Caribbean coast. The Costa Rican destinations were Talamanco and San Jose. During the trip, participants enjoyed several outdoor activities, including hiking, snorkeling, swimming, rafting, surfing and playing with tree-dwelling animals. Raley began these trips in 2007. The experience is meant to give students a taste of the outdoors, along with providing them exposure to foreign cultures. “It is my personal hope that students will see that foreign travel is easily within their reach and that developing countries are wonderful travel destinations with a great deal to offer in areas of cultural and geographical diversity,” he said. Previous trips have included visits to Honduras, Guatemala and Nicaragua.
FAQ: What is the process for informing my hometown newspaper about making the Dean’s List? A: Once all the grades have been tabulated for a semester, the Office of Student Affairs distributes an e-mail to Dean’s List students (GPA 3.2 and above) notifying them of their accomplishments. The e-mail includes a link to a form on Blackboard where students must enter their hometown and up to three newspapers whom they would like to have contacted. Approximately two weeks after the Dean’s List email is distributed, the Office of Institutional Advancement downloads the information provided by students and sends out announcements to the respective newspapers. While most newspapers will print Dean’s List honorees, it is not possible to know if and/or when these announcements will appear.
Construction from page 1 ployed by Chartwells and remain a part of our campus community). Chartwells will begin providing food service starting in the summer. The change in food service providers will be accompanied by a newly redesigned and configured cafeteria that is scheduled to be completed by August 1. Plans have also been developed for the creation of a new multi-purpose Health Sciences Lab in the ground floor of the O’Brien Building (in the space where the physics lab used to be). Construction on that project is scheduled to be completed by this summer.
The Vermont Campus will also be experiencing some renovations. The second floor of the campus building will be developed into an expanded library and study space. The campus will also add two new classrooms as it prepares for its second class of students in the fall. In most instances, construction will begin at the end of the spring semester, in order to minimize disruptions. The exception will be those locations (e.g., 84 Holland Avenue) where space is already vacant, allowing work to begin sooner.
IPS from page 1 also believe it is a great asset towards my professional education. Reapplying this material to students helps me remember the information that I had once learned.”
about disease states, drugs and side effects is critically important.”
Goodman-Snitkoff became interested in the workshops after her son, a former University of Brian Spoelhoef ’11 also attests to Rochester student, showed excitethe workshops’ effectiveness. ment for the learning experience. She decided to reach out to faculty “The students that have taken an ac- members at the university for help tive interest and contacted me for in creating a similar program at additional study groups and meetACPHS. She eventually made a ings seem to really be doing well,” visit to the campus, and the workhe said. “I remember when I took shop founders reciprocated by givworkshop. We grew very close as a ing a seminar at the College. group and even continued an unofficial workshop for the following “I started thinking about what we year because it was such a good ex- could do here,” she said, adding perience.” that the ACPHS Curriculum Committee and ACPE Accreditation and Arts and Sciences Assistant Profes- Guidelines placed importance on sor Jim Anderson, who designed a small group settings, integrating moral debate unit for the workcourse material, active learning, shops, believes the interactivity of problem solving, new learning techthe program offers dynamism. niques and offering student opportunities for participation in the “The IPS Workshop allows for the education of others. kind of interactive learning that I believe teaches our students how to Goodman-Snitkoff noted that sevthink ‘on their feet,’” he said. “This eral additional professors have visis the kind of thinking that a liited the workshops and expressed censed pharmacist has to do, for ex- interest in introducing them to other ample, when they are faced with a disciplines. moral dilemma. The development of moral reasoning while learning
6 The Pulse
February 2010
Checking The Pulse New Joint Degree Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences The five-year combined Bachelor of Science (BS) and Master of Science (MS) in Pharmaceutical Sciences degree program was recently approved by the New York State Department of Education. Students enrolled in the program will receive a B.S. degree at the end of the fourth year at ACPHS and an M.S. at the end of the fifth year of study. The combined B.S./M.S. will provide students with the training necessary to pursue graduate studies toward a Ph.D. or to pursue job opportunities in pharmaceutical or biomedical research in either academia or private industry. Dr. Millington Pharmaceutical Sciences Chair Bill Millington said the combined program will provide fast-paced learning and a depth of research that will aid faculty productivity. “The option to finish in five years instead of six is attractive,” Millington said. “And it will also provide students with continuity in their research.” The program will also enhance the College’s ability to recruit and retain talented B.S. students and further ACPHS’s reputation as a premier teaching and research institution, Millington said. ACPHS-Vermont Inks Agreement with St. Michael’s College A new articulation agreement between St. Michael’s College (Colchester, VT) and Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Vermont Campus provides for a dual degree program between the schools. Upon successful completion of the program, students will earn a bachelor's degree in biology (or related field) from Saint Michael's and a doctor of pharmacy degree from ACPHS. Students will be able to complete the joint degree program in seven years. Beauty is Skin Deep Results of a recent study by pharmaceutical sciences students and faculty appeared in an unusual place – the website Cosmetics Design. The study suggests a new approach for increasing the penetration of lycopene in topical solutions. Lycopene is a phytochemical found in tomatoes and other red fruits; it possesses strong anti-oxidant properties. The full study will be published in the March 2010 issue of the Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. ACPHS faculty members Luciana Lopes, Martha Hass, Mark Levendusky and Andy Zheng were among the study’s authors.
The Pulse - Editorial Staff Editor Patrick Rathbun Contributors Gwen Bondi Gil Chorbajian Donna Reichel Designer Debbie Reutter
Send questions, comments or submissions to patrick.rathbun@acphs.edu or call 518-694-7131.
ACPHS student authors included Jaclyn Hosmer, Hsin Li, Vijay Venugopal and Hillary VanDeWall. Grape News for Men Associate Professor Bob Levin published an article recently on the benefits of grapes in helping protect men against urinary Dr. Levin dysfunction. Levin’s article appeared in the January 2010 edition of Phytotherapy Research. In an interview with the health care blog Kneeling Causes, Dr. Levin said, “Eating grapes every day might significantly reduce the progression of bladder dysfunction resulting from an enlarged prostate. The sooner men begin this regimen the more effective it would be.” PostScript Receives Top Honors The summer 2009 issue of the ACPHS magazine, PostScript, won a 2010 Accolades Award from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE). The award recognizes the best magazine among all independent schools in CASE’s District II, which includes New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Washington D.C., Delaware, West Virginia and Ontario. This is the first time PostScript has received the award. Students Publish Findings in National Research Journals Two ACPHS students published studies based on their rotation experiences at the Pharmaceutical Research Institute. Khanh Tran and Ahntung Duong conducted research related to bladder dysfunction and Hepatitis B respectively. Tran served as a co-author on “Behavioral Intervention versus Pharmacotherapy or Their Combinations in the Management of Overactive Bladder Dysfunction,” which appeared in the 2009 issue of Advances in Urology. Duong co-authored the article “Current Status of Nucelocide in Chronic Hepatitis B,” and it will appear in the October 2010 Drugs of Today.
Calendar of Events March Tuesday, March 2 SGA Meeting Tuesday, March 9 M.S. Programs Open House Monday-Friday, March 15-19 Spring Recess – No Classes Monday, March 22 Classes Resume Saturday, March 27 NYC Bus Trip Tuesday, March 30 SGA Meeting
April Tuesday, April 13 Legislative Day Friday, April 16 Relay for Life Sunday, April 18 ACPHS Hall of Fame and Atheletics Banquet Friday, April 23 Springfest Friday, April 30 Classes End
May Monday-Friday, May 3-7 Final Examinations Friday, May 7 Hooding and Awards Ceremony Saturday, May 8 Commencement