Florida A&M University College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

The Florida A&M College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Institute of Public Health MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION

In recent years, new NAPLEX requirements changed the face of testing results for many colleges and schools of pharmacy nationally. Like others, the our program is bouncing back. The graph below depicts an upswing towards positive outcomes.

“The college is dedicated to providing learners with resources to assist in NAPLEX preparation. RxPrep coursebooks, online access and a three-day live review are the main resources given to learners during their fourth professional year. Additionally, learners must pass a comprehensive examination with 75 percent. Holding learners accountable for passing the examination helped increase our scores by 8 points last year,” said Dr. Jocelyn Spates, associate dean and professor of clinical affairs.

Dr. Gallop Franklin, assistant professor of pharmacy practice added, “We are continuously reviewing courses within the curriculum. We are analyzing performance data on comprehensive exams such as the PCOA, NAPLEX and exit exams to make data-driven decisions that help develop our learners’ academic strengths.”

Dr. Mandip Sachdeva Receives Consortium for Medical Marijuana Clinical Outcomes Research Grant Florida A&M University College of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Public Health Pharmaceutical Sciences Professor Mandip Sachdeva, Ph.D., was awarded funding for his grant proposal entitled “Hyaluronic acid-functionalized, Cannabidiol-loaded Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSC)-Derived Exosomes for Drug-Resistant Cancers” through the Consortium for Medical Marijuana Clinical Outcomes Research Dr. Mandip Sachdeva Grants Program. The Consortium for Medical Marijuana Clinical Outcomes Research, composed of public and private universities, is engaged in research on clinical outcomes of medical marijuana. The consortium will evaluate the safety and effectiveness of medical marijuana and consider dosing and routes of administration, including the study of the effects of smoking medical marijuana versus other methods of consumption.

Funding recommendations were made after thoughtful and careful consideration at the MMJ Clinical Outcomes Consortium Research Board meeting in fall 2019. Out of 41 proposal submissions by investigators from different consortium member institutions for the 2019 funding cycle, Dr. Sachdeva’s proposal was one of the 10 chosen. His proposal for $71,250 was approved for the period of Dec. 1 through July 31.

“We would like to applaud Dr. Sachdeva for his excellent grantsmanship and significant accomplishment in securing extramural funding,” said Associate Dean of Pharmaceutical Sciences Selina Darling-Reed, Ph.D. “His continued excellence is an inspiration to us all.”

FAMU COPPS, IPH CPE Program Reaccredited, Continues to Deliver Exceptional CPE Programs

The Florida A&M University College of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Public Health’s Office of Continuing Pharmacy Education has been reaccredited by

the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education through Jan. 31, 2025. The CPE program is led by Selika Stackhouse Sampson, Pharm.D., interim director of continuing pharmacy education.

The goal of the CPE program is to provide general and consultant continuing education for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians through a series of live programs to serve as a center of life-long learning. The CPE program aids the college with strengthening alumni affairs, provides networking opportunities for pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and student learners.

ACPE’s Continuing Education Provider Accreditation Program is designed to assure pharmacists, boards of pharmacy and other members of the pharmacy’s community of interests, of the quality of continuing pharmacy education programs. CPE providers must show compliance with the Standards and Policies outlined by ACPE. FAMU’s CoPPS CPE office had to demonstrate adherence to the standards and policies.

To achieve reaccreditation, the FAMU CoPPS CPE office formed a committee comprised of faculty, staff and learners from all divisions of the CoPPS, IPH. The committee members completed a self-assessment, which included CPE program data and samples of the college’s CPE programs. An interim report of their findings was submitted to ACPE.

“Dr. Selika Sampson and the CPE team are to be commended for their awesome work, dedication and commitment in submitting a well-organized interim report and for moving our CPE program to the next level. Job well done!” said Jocelyn D. Spates, Pharm.D., CoPPS associate dean of clinical affairs.

“We are pleased to have earned reaccreditation by ACPE and to share in our success with the college,” said Dr. Sampson. “Reaccreditation confirms and validates the work we do to ensure top-quality CPE programs for pharmacists and technicians.”

C. Perry Brown, Dr.P.H. Photo by Jamal Brown photography FAMU Professor Speaks on the Racial Disparities of COVID-19

C. Perry Brown, Dr.P.H., a professor with the FAMU Institute of Public Health recently interviewed with WCTV Eyewitness News, regarding the CDC reports that African-American communities are being “disproportionately affected” by the coronavirus. Dr. Brown shared that IPH has been closely monitoring this alarming trend. Moreover, he mentioned that African Americans are seeing a higher rate of hospitalizations and deaths, the factors such as geography, socioeconomics and personal health, are making the disease very dangerous for people of color.

Meanwhile, Dr. Anthony Fauci,leader of the White House coronavirus task force, echoed that sentiment in similar reports by saying that those factors could have dangerous consequences with people of color.

Additionally, news conglomerates such as CNN and others reached out to governors, mayors and local leaders across the nation. They reported that cities in New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Wisconsin, Louisiana and south Florida are uncovering why the coronavirus is disproportionately affecting African-American communities.

“I think that we can expect that we are going to be friends with COVID-19 for a long time,” said Brown.

Trividia Donates Glucose Monitors to Assist With Student Training and Health Fairs

Trividia Health Inc., an innovative company that specializes in the development of blood glucose monitors and other diagnostic devices, donated 125 glucose monitors and accompanying test strips to the Florida A&M University College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Public Health. These glucose monitors will contribute to learner training and support the free health fairs sponsored by the college.

To increase student understanding of how to effectively use glucose monitors, Gail Amato, Trividia national account manager, and Rhonda Lemmo, MBA, RN, CNOR, senior director of clinical marketing, will provide an in-service at the college in February for student pharmacists registered for the Pre-APPE Readiness course. Pre-APPE Readiness is an academic course in the third professional year, which examines the feasibility of student preparedness for advanced pharmacy practice experiences.

With more than 30 years of experience in the blood glucose monitoring market, Trividia is fully committed to effective diabetes management and improved patient adherence, awareness and compliance. Trividia’s blood glucose testing meters and strips, marketed under the TRUE ME

TRIX® brand, have preferred contracted access to monitor more than 45 million diabetics. Additionally, the company offers a full array of sharps, including lancets, insulin syringes and pen needles.

The college is elated about this new partnership with Trividia says, Marlon S. Honeywell, Pharm.D., CoPPS executive dean and professor. “Their vital donation and assistance with training will aid CoPPS learners with comprehension of and respect for the various complexities associated with diabetes monitoring and control.”

FAMU College of Pharmacy Alumnus Receives Surprise Visit From Oprah at His Charlotte Pharmacy

Florida A&M University College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences graduate Martez Prince, Pharm.D, is basking in the afterglow of Oprah’s seal of approval.

The media mogul paid a surprise visit to Prince’s Charlotte, North Carolina, pharmacy, Premier Pharmacy and Wellness Center, as part of her “2020 Vision Tour: Your Life in Focus,” which is presented in partnership with WW (formerly Weight Watchers).

“It’s definitely one of those moments,” said Prince, who grew up in Fort Pierce, Florida. The 2010 graduate of the COPPS Institute of Public Health said it has taken a week for the impact of his Oprah encounter to sink in. “It’s an amazing experience. To have that moment is surreal and very powerful.”

The occasion was Prince’s sixth Wellness Fair and Celebration. The pharmacy usually hosts the fair in September; however, Oprah’s attendance was a special occasion. The fair featured local dentists, chiropractors and more. The goal is to help the community establish the habit of regular checkups.

Prince’s work got Oprah’s attention because he is a minority-owned business that demonstrates a significant impact on the community in the area of health and wellness. Prince said Oprah’s visit confirms he is doing the right thing. He said the wellness fair attendees were excited and empowered.

“The fact that Oprah dropped in on the event and talked about health and wellness was a big deal,” Prince said. “She demonstrated wellness could be a celebration.”

Oprah said she was impressed by Prince’s courage and determination to leave a corporate pharmacy and open his own business to improve the health of his community.

“Premier Pharmacy is not just an advantage and a great offering for this community. It’s a model for the country,” Oprah said at the event.

Dean Johnnie Early, Ph.D., said Prince is a fine example of what FAMU alumni can accomplish.

“We are inspired to see one of ourCOPPS, IPH graduates showing vision and entrepreneurship in the area of health and wellness,” said Early. “In providing community focused pharmacy care, Dr. Prince has set a standard for others to follow. And to be highlighted by Oprah is a testament to what he has accomplished in just a decade since graduation.”

On Oct. 3, 2015, Prince established Premier Pharmacy and Wellness Center, which is solely focused on the holistic wellbeing of its community. He started the business to give people from underserved communities a deeper understanding of their medication and health care. Staffed by 10 employees, Premier also houses a walk-in clinic run by a family nurse practitioner who can provide health screenings, vaccines and acute care services like allergy treatments.

In the week since Oprah’s visit and the show aired, Prince has seen a flurry of media coverage, social media buzz and new business.

“We’ve gotten people who have transferred their prescriptions to us and using our services,” he said.

This article originally appeared on FAMUFORWARD Jan. 24.

FAMU College of Pharmacy Celebrates Founder’s Day and Opening Of New 54,000-Square-Foot Research Facility

The Florida A&M University College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Public Health celebrated its Founder’s Day along with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Pharmacy Building Phase II in September 2019.

In honor of COPPS’s founding in September 1951, the faculty, staff and students are hosting a college-wide cookout, along with other activities.

“The college has a rich history in educating practitioners who care for the community, making lives fuller and healthier and in training Ph.D. level researchers who strive to make new discoveries in the pharmaceutical sciences,” said COPPS Dean Johnnie Early, Ph.D.

The 54,000-square-foot facility will provide researchers with a state-of-the-art facility to conduct research in the areas of breast cancer, health disparities with a focus on prostate cancer, manganese and neurodegenerative disease, and other fields of study. Several faculty members were recognized by the university for their commitment to research excellence, including the 2019 Emerging Researcher award.

The first three floors of Phase II include 16 labs, one computer lab, two telepresence classrooms, one dark room, one training room and a facility dedicated to extensive research. Two floors will be added later.

COPPS has secured more than $200 million in contracts and grants, including a $14.8 million renewal grant from the National Institute of Health to perform and enhance health disparities research. The college has also been awarded more than 35 patents, which is ranked No.1 among HBCUs.

For more information about the FAMU College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Public Health, visit pharmacy.famu.edu.

This article originally appeaed on FAMUFORWARD on Sept. 19.

FAMU Holds Virtual Ceremonies for Class of 2020

Florida A&M University College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Public Health honored the Class of 2020 with a Virtual Oath and Awards Ceremony in place of its traditional ceremony because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The ceremony took place on a private Zoom channel for 56 pharmacy graduates that chose to participate on May 8.

Dr. Jonnie L. Early II, dean of CoPPS, IPH, gave the keynote address to the graduates. He acknowledged that this is an unprecedented time; however, in true Rattler sprit, there is “power in their purpose.”

CoPPS student leader Pharm.D. candidate Matthew Clowers provided words of encouragement and reflections to his classmates. In his speech, Clowers expresses that “we’ve all been blessed with different gifts and it’s up to us to use these gifts by going out into the world and exercising our skills to improve upon the lives of others.”

The virtual ceremony also included remarks from the president of the National Diamondback Pharmacy Alumni Council, Dr. Robert Thomas. Executive Director of the Florida Pharmacy Association Michael Jackson, administered the oath of a pharmacist to the graduates during the ceremony.

Several awards were presented, including the pharmacy achievement award. This award acknowledged 10 student pharmacists who were in the top 10 percent of the rigorous program.

Other awards included: The pharmacy alumni award, two former dean awards, the benefactor award, four pharmacist employer awards, pharmacy practice awards and three awards from the Institute of Public Health.

In addition to student pharmacists’ awards, awards were presented to faculty, preceptors and staff from the Tallahassee campus, the Peaden Center and the three pharmacy instructional sites throughout the state.

The college plans to hold a formal ceremony at a later time.