Produced by the Campbell University College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences
Editor, Photographer & Writer: Meredith Blalock, ’00, CPHS Director of Communications & Marketing
Writers: Will Bratton, ’11; Christy McCormick, ’11; Gracee Samia (’25 MSPH Candidate)
Photographers: Will Bratton, ’11; Charissa English; Bennett Scarborough
Dear Alumni and Friends,
We had a fantastic turnout for Homecoming! All CPHS programs were represented on October 21 by approximately 100 alumni who attended the events in addition to current faculty, staff, students, friends, and family members. To top off a great day, the Fighting Camels claimed their first home Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) victory, beating the Maine Black Bears 34 to 28.
On the same day, the CPHS Office of Admissions and Student Affairs hosted the Fall Accepted Student Day, welcoming 150 guests, including 48 incoming students. The future camels spent time with representatives from their respective programs and interacted with each other as they took part in their first interprofessional activities at Campbell.
The Pharmacy, Physician Assistant Practice, and Public Health programs had accreditation site visits in October and November. Preliminary results are very positive, and we look forward to official notice from the accrediting bodies early in the new year.
On November 8, the University hosted its annual Giving Day. I am filled with gratitude and appreciation for our alumni and donors’ unwavering support. Your generosity is the bedrock upon which our institution stands, enabling us to empower minds, foster innovation, and create lasting impact. Your continued commitment to education and the betterment of our academic community resonates profoundly, shaping the future for generations to come.
Together, we are building a legacy of excellence and progress. Thank you for being the driving force behind our shared vision and for making a significant difference in the lives of our students and the broader community. Your support is not just a contribution; it is an investment in the transformative power of education. We are profoundly thankful for your partnership in this journey of knowledge, growth, and success.
With Campbell Pride,
On December 15, 2013, the College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences (CPHS) graduated its charter class of Physician Assistant (PA) students. The 34 members began the program in 2011 and set high standards for future classes that followed. CPHS is proud to remember the class that started it all.
Members of the charter class are working in Emergency Medicine, Family Medicine, Hem/Onc, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics/Women’s Health, and Urgent Care. For others, there’s nothing quite like fully embracing the program that trained you by becoming faculty and teaching the next generation of PAs.
JAMIE HARDING (’13
MPAP) initially heard about the PA program through her mom, a Campbell alumna. Upon visiting with the PA admissions team, she instantly felt a special connection to Campbell and recognized the strong sense of family and community. “From day one, it felt like we were all in this together, and our bond grew stronger each day. Our base of operations in Carrie Rich Hall on the main campus became more than just a building; it was our home,” Harding remarked. She received the call to return to Campbell as full-time faculty in January 2022. For Harding, the decision was simple: when your family calls you back home, you answer.
“I'm fortunate to be part of the didactic team, working alongside two other alumni, and collaborating with former professors who are now my colleagues. They say, ‘you will always come back home again one day,’ and being back at Campbell as a professor has made that saying a reality for me.”
— Jamie Harding
Utilizing the health professional scholarship program, Major JESSICA ROBBINS (’13 MPAP) entered the United States Air Force shortly after graduating from Campbell. She just completed her ninth year in the Air Force and is currently stationed at Hurlburt Field, Florida, where she is the Flight Commander of the Ambulatory Care Unit in an Air Force Special Operations Unit.
“I lead a multi-disciplinary team of 14 medical professionals that includes a doctor, operational psychologist, physical therapist, athletic trainer, dietitian, nurse, medical admin, three strength and conditioning coaches, two independent duty medical technicians, and two paramedics. I am a tactical combat casualty care (TCCC) and basic life support (BLS) instructor, and one of six Dive Medical Officers (DMO) in the Aire Force. As a DMO, I am the only female and PA,” Robbins remarked. This qualification allowed her to recently earn her Dive Master certification.
JONATHAN RAY (’13 MPAP) shared that attending PA school at Campbell was one of the best decisions he ever made. The PA program helped confirm his passion for helping others. Ray achieved a long-time goal of opening his own practice in 2022.
Pivotal Weight Loss is located in South Charlotte and provides a comprehensive medically-supervised weight management program. This includes access to a registered dietitian and weight loss medications like Semaglutide and Tirzepatide.
“Our mission is to meet our patients where they are and partner with them to help them transform their health long-term.”
— Jonathan RayCharter faculty member, associate program director and associate professor, LAURA GERSTNER, shared how different the program looks today than it did 12 years ago, with the exception of a few familiar faces. “We transitioned from 28 to 24 months, we are in a new building, and our curriculum structure has completely changed – all for the better. But the outcome of Campbell PA producing compassionate, competent, team-based PAs has not changed,” Gerstner elaborated.
Two charter alumni, JAMIE HARDING and ASHLEY NORDAN, returned to teach for Campbell’s PA program.
ASHLEY NORDAN
CHARMEEN MACK WILKES (’13 MPAP) works in Gynecologic Oncology for Atrium Health Levine Cancer Institute. She recalled how faculty instilled building blocks such as taking detailed histories, listening, and sympathizing with situations. Those building blocks carried her through the uncertainty that COVID brought. Holding patient’s hands when loved ones could not be present and humanizing their feelings was just as important as treating them.
“Betty Lynne Johnson always reminded our class to ‘Do no harm.’ If we put the patient first, the didactic would follow,” Wilkes shared.
The PA Class of 2023 graduated in May and received their long white coats on Friday, July 14 during a joyous celebration. Faculty, staff and loved ones gathered in Hobson Performance Center to mark the momentous milestone in the lives of the 55 students, who have now transitioned to the PA profession.
“We may have been the first class, but we were privy to a wealth of knowledge! Our faculty set us up to succeed, and I am forever grateful.”
— Charmeen Wilkes
While it was a new, program, the faculty all came from clinical backgrounds. Wilkes stated, “We got the best of both worlds. They had first-hand experience, and they chose to return to education to shape the next generation of PAs. We may have been the first class, but we were privy to a wealth of knowledge! Our faculty set us up to succeed, and I am forever grateful.”
Chair and director of the Physician Assistant Practice program, BETTY LYNNE WALLACE JOHNSON, lovingly referred to the charter class as “guinea pigs.” She recalled happy memories and tears as students took a chance on a brand-new program and persevered through the ups and downs of the rigorous coursework and clinicals. “With sheer grit and determination, and a bit of well-intended guidance from the original faculty (there were only four and a half of
us at that time), they managed to accomplish their dream – and ours! Together, we did it! How very, very proud we are of all they have accomplished! Their service to patients, their professional achievements, and their loyalty to Campbell PA continue to help make us what we are today,” Johnson extoled.
“Abundant blessings on our Campbell PA Class of 2013 – our firstborn. We love you dearly and always will.”
— Betty Lynne Wallace Johnson
Faculty and staff continuously look for ways to expand the curriculum and continue growing. Equipping students with an evidence-based curriculum and teaching them to remain patient-centered remains a priority.
Maddox Hall received a refresh this summer with new paint and furniture. A large sign with the CPHS logo was installed in the study area on the second floor along with two new screens to scroll student news and photos.
The Pharmaceutical & Clinical Sciences Department seized the opportunity to be a silver sponsor of the 2023 Bridging the Gap Conference held Oct. 24 – 25 hosted by the NC Association of Biomedical Research. The conference goal was to strengthen STEM education throughout North Carolina. Drs. Vanessa Ayer-Miller, assistant professor; Charles Carter, chair and professor; and Tim Marks, assistant professor; presented their visionary initiative Academy for Emerging Scholars: Extending STEM Education to Underserved High Schools in North Carolina to hundreds of educators from across the state.
Marks articulated the essence of their efforts, “The presentation outlined our outreach activities to Tier 1 and 2 high
schools in North Carolina through a Student STEM Enrichment Program funded through a grant from the Burroughs-Wellcome Fund.”
Ayer-Miller expanded, “We developed hands-on activities for use in high schools, on-campus workshops, and a five-day residential camp for underserved high school students, which was all grant funded. These activities in pharmaceutical sciences, clinical research, biotechnology, engineering, and nursing are designed to inspire and educate students about STEM careers.”
At the conference, components of their innovative activities were showcased, providing educators with a glimpse into the transformative power of hands-on learning tools.
In the spirit of true ambassadors, Dr. Carter encapsulated their mission, stating, “We are truly ‘Bridging the Gap’ to bring STEM education to lowerincome students through offering these free opportunities. In addition, we are ‘Bridging the Gap’ in knowledge and understanding of STEM careers.”
It was evident during the conference that the Pharmaceutical & Clinical Sciences Department was not just participating; they were pioneering a movement, bridging gaps and illuminating pathways towards a brighter, more inclusive future for STEM education.
The DAISY award recognizes, honors, and celebrates the skillful and compassionate care nurses provide to patients and their families. Nursing students, faculty, preceptors, and practicing nurses can be nominated for the award. Nursing alumnus, Mark Monroe, graduated in May 2022. Since then, he has received not one, but two DAISY awards from Vanderbilt University Adult Hospital.
Monroe chose a career in the medical field after his mom was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008. “Seeing how the nurses and medical staff cared for my mom and kept her motivated during the hardest time of her life made me want to be able to do that for someone else. Two of my mom’s sisters also worked in the medical field and inspired me to pursue a career in nursing,” he shared.
The DAISY award was established by Bonnie and Mark Barnes after their son Patrick lost his life to an auto-immune disease to say “thank you” to their son’s care team and to provide meaningful recognition to caring nurses.
Monroe received his first DAISY award in December 2022 and his second in April 2023. He admitted that receiving a DAISY award is the highest compliment he could receive. One patient described him as friendly, outgoing, and amazing. Another patient shared that he was caring and compassionate. “He is a real asset to VUMC [Vanderbilt University Medical Center]! He goes above and beyond, and I can’t thank him enough for his excellent care” the patient said.
“When I think that Mark graduated approximately a year and a half ago and has now received not one, but two DAISY awards, I am overwhelmed with pride and gratitude,” said Dr. Stacy Wise, chair and director of the Catherine W. Wood School of Nursing. “This accomplishment is a testament to Mark’s character, his gift for service, and his passion for giving his best to those he cares for.”
“I would like to thank all my professors in the Campbell Nursing Program for pushing me and believing in me even when I was having a hard time believing in myself. They allowed me to grow and be the nurse that I am today,” Monroe concluded.
Several of the programs in CPHS have national recognition celebrations in the month of October. Our faculty, staff and students celebrated the contributions these specialties bring to humanity.
INTERPROFESSIONAL EDUCATION
On October 18, the Office of Interprofessional Education held the IPE QUEST event on the back lawn of Smith Hall. Forty-eight interprofessional student teams, more than 350 students, traveled the eight interprofessional worlds to complete academic puzzles and physical obstacles. The event was facilitated by more than fifty faculty and staff from the College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences and the School of Osteopathic Medicine. The themes of the event focused on interprofessional communication and teamwork.
INTERPROFESSIONAL EDUCATION
EMPOWERU mentoring program, a collaborative effort between the Campbell Healer Collaborative (CHC) and the Office of Interprofessional Education, held its first meeting on September 19 in the Oscar N. Harris Student Union. The program consisted of more than 10 mentors from many of the College of Pharmacy & Health Science programs and the School of Medicine. Around 40 mentees participated in an evening of networking and learning about the various healthcare programs at Campbell.
A team of Public Health students along with Dr. David Tillman, chair and associate professor of Public Health, organized and held MedFest on November 3 at Overhills Elementary School in Harnett County, North Carolina. Campbell PA alumnae, a PA faculty member and a nursing faculty member, as well as nursing students and other undergraduate volunteers helped make the event possible. It was an impactful and successful event where students with intellectual disabilities from three public schools received sports physicals free of charge. Having a physical allows these students to participate in the Special Olympics spring games, an event hosted by Campbell University, and other Special Olympics programming.
Overhills Elementary, Middle and High School students participated in fun activities, learned about different aspects of health such as nutrition and received professional attention from a healthcare provider during their time at MedFest. More than thirty athletes received a physical. While the students were waiting to be seen by a provider, they were entertained with bowling, reading, basketball and much more.
— GRACEE SAMIA (’25 MSPH CANDIDATE)
DR. TARA BELL, associate professor of Pharmacy Practice, received the Duke University Hospital “High Five Award.”
DR. RILEY BOWERS, clinical associate professor of Pharmacy Practice, accepted an appointment to the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists’ Section of Pharmacy Educators Development of the Educational Workforce Advisory Group for the 2023-2024 term.
DR. TARA CABERWAL, assistant professor of Physical Therapy, has been elected the Vice Chair of the APTA Tactical Athlete Special Interest Group.
DR. XIN CHEN, assistant professor of Pharmaceutical & Clinical Sciences, was recognized as one of the three 2023 American Association of Colleges of Pharamcy (AACP) New Investigators for her research Development of Chemical Affinity Probe for Quantitative Proteomic Profiling of PI3Ks.
DR. KARLYN GREEN has been appointed to the Academy of Specialty Council Item Writers for the Board Certification Exam in Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy.
DR. DAVID TILLMAN was honored with the 2023 Special Olympics North Carolina (SONC) Golisano Health Leadership Award, the highest honor for health partners and individuals presented by SONC to recognize champions and their efforts toward fulfilling the mission of Special Olympics’ global health program.
DR. ALE TREPTE, assistant professor of Physical Therapy, has developed the Evidence Leverage Tool (E-Lev Tool) to assist students in assessing research evidence. This tool will be promoted for use by clinicians and students by the Duke Center for Excellence in Manual and Manipulative Therapy (CEMMT) and will be open to the public within the next six months for use on the CEMMT website.
IAN WARD, assistant professor of Physician Assistant Practice, was appointed as a member of the North Carolina Association of PAs Educational Development Panel.
Congratulations to OLIVIA HILL (’24 PHARMD CANDIDATE) and KAYSEY MANISTA (’24 PHARMD CANDIDATE) as they ranked in the top 10 in the nation out of 133 teams at the SSHP Clinical Skills Competition during ASHP’s Midyear Clinical Meeting after winning the local competition.
LINDSEY STEVER ASBURY (’17 PHARMD, ’13 BSCR) married Jesse Asbury on September 24, 2022. She is an inpatient medicine and ambulatory care clinical pharmacist at ECU Health.
JENNIFER SMITH COLLINS ('18 PHARMD), her husband Justin Collins ('13) and Big Brother Rhett welcomed baby Raelynn in April 2023.
HALLE KAHLENBERG (’23 BSCR CANDIDATE) will graduate in December with two peer reviewed, first author publications under her belt prior to completing her undergraduate degree. Along with two other co-authors and DR. MIKE JIROUTEK, Professor of Pharmaceutical & Clinical Sciences, their manuscript titled Vaccine Hesitancy for COVID19: What is the Role of Statistical Literacy? was published in Frontiers in Public Health. In a second, independent project, Kahlenberg and Jiroutek were joined by DR. SUSAN MISCIAGNO, assistant professor of Pharmaceutical & Clinical Sciences, in publishing Ethnic and Racial Disparities in the Association between Type II Diabetes Mellitus and Dementia in the Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities
DAVE DIXON (’06 PHARMD) received the ACCP Ambulatory Care PRN Achievement Award. He is the Chair of the Department of Pharmacotherapy & Outcomes Science and the Nancy L. and Ronald H. McFarlane Professor of Pharmacy at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Pharmacy.
JENNIFER JOHNSON HOLLEY (’18 MPAP, ’07, ’02) was awarded admittance by the North Carolina Medical Society into its Community Practitioner Program (CPP). Recipients go through an arduous application process and must work in primary care in underserved county of NC.
CHRISTINE PSALTIS
MATTHEWS, PHD (’14 MSCR, ’12) and her husband Jared Mattews welcomed a daughter, Iris, on July 16, 2021. Christine was promoted to Research Scientist in July 2021 and to Regulatory Scientist II at Rho, Inc. in Durham, NC in January 2023.
The trio of HANNAH MUNRO (’25 PHARMD/MSCR), LAURYN LEWIS (’25 PHARMD), and CARLY AVILA (’25 PHARMD) (left to right) pulled ahead of the other contestants to win the 2023 CPHS SCCP-ACCP Clinical Pharmacy Challenge.
RYAN ROTH-ROFFY (’21 MSPH), program manager for the Catherine W. Wood School of Nursing, will receive his MBA from Campbell University in December 2023.
EBONE’ STEVENS (’22 PHARMD/MBA) started a new job on September 18 as a staff pharmacist at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Health Specialty Pharmacy.
ASHELY PECK TEDESCO (’22 PHARMD, ’16) started a new job in November 2022 as an assistant pharmacy manager at Publix Pharmacy in Clayton, NC.
HANNA VEEDER (’22 PHARMD) started a new job on February 1 as a clinical pharmacist with Agape Health Services in Williamston, NC.
SERAPHINA WONG (’21 DPT) married Jerry Zhang on April 22, 2022 and began serving as an acute care physical therapist on July 5, 2022 at Lahey Hospital and Medical Center in Burlington, Massachusetts.
Three CPHS alumni are integral members of the new Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters (CHKD) Outpatient Pharmacy in Norfolk, Virginia, which opened November 13. LUKE HARRIS (’17 PHARMD) serves as an Outpatient Pharmacy Staff Pharmacist, and these two graduates are “double hump camels” having earned business degrees in addition to their Doctor of Pharmacy degrees – MICHAEL LACHER (’08 PHARMD, ’20) is an Ambulatory Pharmacy Project Coordinator, and NIK LAWSON (’17 PHARMD, ’16) is the Director of Pharmacy.
Homecoming at Campbell is one of my absolute favorite days of the year. I look forward to gathering in the fall with fellow Camels, some of whom I shared a classroom with and who also share a similar passion for our alma mater. This year was no different as thousands of Campbell alumni and fans made their way to Buies Creek for the Homecoming festivities. I love the busyness of Homecoming week… there seems to be something happening in every location across our campus. Where else can you catch an outdoor wrestling match while watching a parade that includes a live camel?
For the past two years the CPHS Alumni Association Board of Directors have met the morning of Homecoming to kick off the day before some of the other festivities begin. I am thankful for this group and their dedication to our alumni, students, and the College as a whole. Following the meeting, we make our way over to Alumni Village to enjoy live music, food trucks, and fellowship with other alumni. Every year it is refreshing to see alumni come back and connect with classmates, meet new friends, and enjoy being back on campus.
FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2024
FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 2024
KEITH HILLS GOLF CLUB
Look for details in your email and on CPHS social media in the new year.
We now have CPHS alumni who have children who are also CPHS alumni bringing their children who maybe one day will also be CPHS alumni. That’s very special. I know for me and my wife Sara (PharmD/MSCR alumna) it has become a special weekend that we look forward to bringing our children to…and not much makes them happier than cheering on the Camels!
I encourage you to come back and see us at Homecoming 2024 or one of the other events that will take place between now and then.
WILL BRATTON (’11 BA, MA) Director of Advancement