Nova Southeastern University College of Pharmacy

Nova Southeastern University President and Chief Executive Officer George Hanbury II, Ph.D., appointed Michelle A. Clark, Ph.D., the new dean of the College of Pharmacy. Dean Clark’s vision for the College of Pharmacy for 2020 and beyond is infused with student-centered innovative education, grounded on academic excellence and research-driven success. Our faculty and staff members and administrators are central to execution of this vision. These integral stakeholders will drive programs/opportunities for our students that will ignite their passion for the profession of pharmacy and/or other selected career pathways.

NSU College of Pharmacy students, faculty and staff members hosted and participated in an array of events ranging from health fairs to traveling to conferences. The end of the year was also immersed with fun on-campus activities for students, faculty and staff members. We are especially proud of some of the professional accomplishments of Albert Wertheimer, Ph.D., Georgina Silva-Suarez, Ph.D., and the appointment of Ana Maria Castejon, Ph.D., as associate dean, graduate programs. We are particularly delighted that many of our students attended professional conferences. Most importantly, many showcased their research at conferences such as the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists Midyear Clinical Meeting and Exhibition, and the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy Annual Meeting.

Our alumni are a source of Shark Pride as they dominate in their chosen professions while volunteering, mentoring and becoming preceptors, making an impact in the lives of students and in the community. The onset of COVID-19 put on display the high-quality graduates produced by our programs as Richard Ashworth, Pharm.D. (’99), took the podium to speak in front of the White House as part of the response to the coronavirus as president of Walgreens. Additionally, our alumni are taking center stage as front-liners in the fight against the pandemic in hospitals and pharmacies around the country and around the globe. I encourage all alumni to send us updates at copalumni@nova.edu so that we may showcase your accomplishments. Meet the New Dean: Michelle A. Clark, Ph.D.

A member of the College of Pharmacy since 2001, Dean Clark has been an integral part of the college, serving in a variety of key leadership roles while continuing her research and service on external, university, and college committees. Appointed interim dean in August 2018, Dean Clark has served the college as executive associate dean, interim associate dean for research and graduate education and chair of the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Dean Clark has proven herself a visionary leader, finding innovative ways to enhance the college’s program offerings and student success. She was instrumental in the establishment of the college’s Ph.D. program in pharmaceutical sciences that matriculated its first students in 2010 and the development of the master’s of science in pharmaceutical sciences that graduated its first cohort in 2019. Dean Clark is passionate about creating innovative educational opportunities within the College of Pharmacy. As founding member and faculty advisor of the Student National Pharmaceutical Sciences Association, and a dissertation advisor for Ph.D. students, Dean Clark serves as a mentor to all NSU’s College of Pharmacy students.

As a proponent of promoting the pharmacist’s role in health care, Dean Clark focuses her research activities on pharmacy and health-related issues for underserved and underrepresented communities. She involves students in her research, providing opportunities that allow them to develop skills in leadership and scientific inquiry.

New Associate Dean of Graduate Programs Named This year, we welcomed Ana Maria Castejon, Ph.D., associate professor, to the newly created position, associate dean, graduate programs in the College of Pharmacy. As a pharmacy educator and researcher for over 20 years, Castejon mentored several undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral fellows during her years in academia. Castejon’s contribution to science ranges from basic to clinical research with numerous peer-reviewed publications; scientific meeting presentations; funded grants, contracts and a patent she developed; and coordinated and taught elective and core

courses in the professional and graduate programs. Castejon was instrumental in the design of both the Travel Study Program to Slovakia and the minor in pharmaceutical sciences offered through the Chemistry Department at NSU. She served as the vice-chair, pharmaceutical sciences, later becoming interim department chair over the past two years, providing valuable administrative experience prior to her appoint as associate dean earlier this year. Faculty Awarded Donald E. Francke Medal

Albert Wertheimer, Ph.D. and professor of sociobehavioral and administrative pharmacy was named the recipient of the Donald E. Francke Medal by the American Society of Health System Pharmacists. The Donald E. Franke Medal was established in 1971 to honor individuals who have made significant international contributions to advance pharmacy practice.

Of the honor, Wertheimer says, “It is a big honor for me and a source of confirmation that the many hours, days, years involved in international pharmacy activities by me must have had some impact on some others.” The award came as a surprise to Wertheimer, who was not even aware he was nominated. The award is decided by the board of directors of ASHP, the largest pharmacy organization in the world according to its website.

This accomplishment is a culmination of years of service to the pharmacy profession around the world. “I have been active in the International Pharmacy Federation as the president of two sections; social and administrative pharmacy, and the academic section,” he explained. “I was a vice president of the organization for the maximum of two terms (eight years) and a member of its governing council.” He adds, “I have directed about 100 Ph.D. students with about one-half from many other countries.” Wertheimer’s achievement is a source of pride for the College of Pharmacy and further proof of the caliber of faculty are students learn from.

Faculty Awarded Pharmacist of the Year by the Florida Health Systems Pharmacists

We continue to take pride in providing our students with access to high-quality pharmacy educators. Karen Sando, Pharm.D. was selected Pharmacist of the Year at the Florida Health Systems Pharmacists Conference in August 2019. Receiving the award was extra special for Sando as she was surprised by her family who were there to watch her receive it and without whom she says she would not be able to do

so much.

Dean Clark says of Sando’s selection as the recipient, “We are extremely proud of Dr. Sando’s accomplishment. She is an amazing leader and a great role model for our students.”

Sando has been an active member of FSHP since she was a student and credits her involvement as having helped her develop professionally while making useful and long-lasting professional contacts. Sando also stated that her association with FSHP has allowed her to be engaged in advocacy for the pharmacy profession.

“Earning Pharmacist of the Year for FSHP is one of the most rewarding recognitions of my career thus far,” Sando said. She continues, “I feel completely honored and humbled to receive such a high honor by representing health-system pharmacists through my various roles in FSHP.”

Silva-Suarez Leads Research in Puerto Rico

The accolades continue in Puerto Rico with Georgina Silva-Suarez, Ph.D., assistant professor of sociobehavioral and administrative pharmacy, who launched a new research project, “Optimizing antiretroviral adherence among a group of women living with HIV in Puerto Rico: A pilot study.”

The project aims to develop a pharmacist-led intervention targeted to improve adherence to antiretroviral therapy and to decrease viral load among a group of non-adherent women living with HIV in Puerto Rico.

“If our intervention proves to be effective in improving adherence to ART in our sample population, it can later be tested in other populations living with HIV,” said Silva.

Silva received a grant and support from Mentoring Re-

search Institute of HIV and Mental Health. The research, in which NSU College of Pharmacy student pharmacists have been integral, has received Institutional Review Board approval and is in the recruitment phase.

The NSU College of Pharmacy students have been integral to this project, working in the development of the intervention instruments, helping with the IRB submission process, and the students are now immersed in the patient recruitment and implementation phase.

“My goal is to provide students the most complete research experience they could have while studying at NSU,” Silva said.

Silva is also involved with other projects and provides NSU College of Pharmacy students opportunities to participate. She is working as a co-investigator in other federally funded research projects at the Maternal Infant Studies Center in Puerto Rico with several others at NSU.

Silva is a shining example of the diverse research opportunities NSU College of Pharmacy faculty members offer its students throughout their time at NSU.

NSU College of Pharmacy Palm Beach Pioneer New Program and Service

NSU College of Pharmacy Palm Beach Campus continues to create new ways to reach students. This year they hosted “A Day in the Life of a Pharmacist,” designed for high school students from Palm Beach County who have identified an interest in the pharmacy profession. The program provided participants with foundational knowledge and an understanding of the evolving profession of pharmacy. The day was comprised of lectures in pharmacy practice career pathways, an interactive activity focused on compounding medications, and a tour of a local pharmacy practice site to observe what pharmacists do daily. Students and teachers from multiple area schools across the county attended the event.

“We are excited to partner with the School District of Palm Beach County and bring local high school students to our campus to increase their knowledge about the many career opportunities for pharmacists, as well as the tremendous impact pharmacists can have on their patients’ lives,” said Rochelle Nappi, Ed.D., the assistant dean of the college in Palm Beach.

Breaking new ground in response to the coronavirus, they later hosted a virtual version of this event.

Later in the year, after many negotiations between NSU College of Pharmacy and the Florida Department of Health to establish a closed point of distribution, the NSU Palm Beach Campus conducted a full-scale exercise which simulated a response to a hypothetical biological terrorist.

A closed POD provides medical countermeasures in the event of a public health emergency, to NSU Palm Beach students, faculty, employees and their immediate family and extended family members. A closed POD is for a specified population, as opposed to an open POD which provides for the general public.

During the exercise NSU personnel and participants outside the NSU community coordinated the receipt and transportation of medical countermeasures. This culminated in the closed POD activation in order to distribute and dispense the medical countermeasures.

A future full-scale exercise had been scheduled for November 2020 that would bring the Federal Emergency Management Agency on campus to evaluate implementation of the closed POD, but at the present time this has been delayed due to COVID-19.

In Support of Our Veterans

NSU College of Pharmacy is proud to be part of the team who will care for our nation’s heroes, our veterans, at the new NSU Veterans Access Clinic. The clinic is designed to be a centralized hub to serve the needs of veterans and their immediate family members. Through funding received from the Florida Legislature and governor, NSU is well positioned to provide services through our dental, optometry, medical and psychology clinics as well as from our in-house pharmacy among others. Further, if the services needed by our vet-

erans and their immediate family members are not offered at NSU, they will be able to take advantage of a network of community providers which our staff will help identify and provide referrals. The goal is to allow veterans, whether or not they are NSU students, access to the care they need. This integrated approach will help facilitate a coordinated method to care for our veteran’s mental and physical well-being without them having to call multiple offices.

With more than 1,000 student veterans, NSU and the NSU College of Pharmacy are committed to honoring their sacrifice, giving them the tools to dominate long after they graduate.

Additional support was provided through the generosity of the Florida Department of Health. Further, partnering with the VA, United Way’s Mission United, and other organizations, we will provide help for veterans who don’t have access to health care.

NSU APPE/IPPE Dominates Amidst COVID-19

In March as the world was coming to a halt due to the COVID-19 pandemic, NSU’s 2020 APPE/IPPE team, Stacey Maravent, Pharm.D. (’02); Jennifer Steinberg, Pharm.D.; Julie Marin, Pharm.D. (’07); and Kimmi Stultz, Pharm.D. (’07); along with the administrative assistants, sprang into action. They worked with fourth-year students finalizing rotations so that they can graduate on time and keep our third-year students who were slated to start their rotations on track.

The early lockdown in Puerto Rico was a challenge that later other campuses would also encounter. In order to protect our students from exposure, it was decided by administration to minimize the number of students at practice sites. About 50 students scheduled for their last rotations were faced with learning that many of the hospital partners throughout the area, were not permitting students. In fact, of the more than 60 sites NSU College of Pharmacy works with, only one would permit students.

The experiential team mobilized to implement new Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education guidelines, developed competency tests and collaborated with preceptors to see that competency goals were met. Further, an elective Board Preparation APPE was developed by Robert McGory, Pharm.D., associate dean, professional programs and pharmacy practice.

The more than 150 third-year students also had to reschedule their May 2020 rotations. At NSU College of Pharmacy, students take seven APPE rotations over eight rotation blocks. This gave students the option to take off the first block without delaying graduation. The tireless efforts of the experiential team resulted in the successful move or change of original rotation schedules.

A different process altogether had to be established for IPPE. The way our curriculum is structured worked in our student’s favor because by the time closure began, our students had already met the hospital requirements. To ensure our students are properly prepared to dominate, the team created new sign-off sheets for preceptors.

However, to protect our students, tough decisions were made. This included canceling parts of the summer IPPEs for the class of 2022 as hospitals communicated their plans to not accept students until June or July. To mitigate this, the team onboarded about 10 new sites, many offering remote opportunities for students with structured objectives and outcomes.

The experiential team continues to develop new tools and strategies in this ever-changing environment while doing the necessary to keep students on track to meet rotation and graduation requirements. This collaborative effort led to the successful completion of rotations for our class of 2020 and set our class of 2021 for an on-time graduation next year. Teamwork is a core value at the NSU College of Pharmacy, and the concerted effort of the experiential team once again proved to be an asset for our students.

NSU Puerto Rico Responds After Earthquakes Rock the Country

In response to the January 2020 earthquakes in Puerto Rico, the College of Pharmacy Puerto Rico Regional Campus coordinated counseling sessions for its students with Henderson Student Counseling Services. Two sessions were programed for College of Pharmacy students to provide the necessary tools to overcome stress, anxiety, and panic attacks.

Keeping with our student-centered approach, of putting our students’ well-being at the forefront of everything we do, NSU College of Pharmacy provided students the opportunity to express their concerns. Many in attendance reported an increase in stress, anxiety and panic over the every day aftershocks that still moved the island. When the island lost power after the initial earthquakes, students, like most Puerto Ricans, had flashbacks to the days following Hurricane Maria.

The earthquake’s registered magnitude of 6.4, shook the entire island and caused cracks and landsides. The uncer-

tainty caused those living on the island to question the safety of the roofs over their heads. The greatest threat, however, was not knowing when another earthquake would strike. A hurricane can be predicted and expected to leave, however, this is not the case with an earthquake. As the ground continued with the aftershocks, people were left in a constant state of anxiety. In a message provided to the students, the faculty and staff members emphasized the importance of leaning on one another and that NSU Puerto Rico would be there for them as family. They encouraged students to support and rely on each other and highlighted how together, they would get past such uncertain times.

The counseling events were led by Mayra Ortiz Reimer who focused her presentation on “Disaster Response Processing and Recovering.” The presentation helped students find peace with the new reality and provided them tools such as yoga, exercise and meditation to better overcome anxiety. The sessions served to destress students and reminded them that the NSU College of Pharmacy personnel will be there to support them through difficult times.

Students a Source of Shark Pride Across Multiple Conferences

NSU College of Pharmacy is proud of the work our students do at our NSU campuses and the community to bring forward our mission to transform the profession of pharmacy and improve global health. As such, NSU College of Pharmacy students have represented us and our college with excellence by participating in conferences throughout the country. Twenty-nine of our students presented their posters at the 2019 ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting where more than 2,300 students from around the country participated. Presenting a poster at the ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting is a noteworthy accomplishment and we commend our students who were accepted to present.

Students also presented posters at the AMCP Nexus 2019 Conference along with Tricia Gangoo-Dookhan, Pharm.D. (’00), on transitions of care. Future pharmacists Balsam Elajouz and Akilah Fuller represented NSU with lots of SharkPride! “The experience was very educational, and allowed me to use the knowledge gained about pharmacy led medication therapy management services,” Fuller said. “It was a won

derful networking experience, and showed me the many avenues and up and coming topics within the field of managed care.”

Milestone Celebrations Continue Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

The NSU College of Pharmacy did not allow the COVID-19 quarantine to stop the celebration of student milestones. The administration, faculty and staff members banded together to create virtual celebrations including an Awards Pinning Ceremony for each of our three campuses for third-year students and a virtual Senior Awards and Recognition Celebration for our class of 2020.

During the event NSU leaders, alumni, faculty and staff shared words of wisdom to attendees which also included family and friends. At the Awards and Pinning Ceremonies, students earned recognition for their achievements throughout the first three years at the NSU College of Pharmacy as well as awards such as Academic Excellence and Dean’s Ambassador of Distinction among others.

At the virtual Senior Awards and Recognition Celebration the class of 2020 was also recognized for their achievements in completing their time at the NSU College of Pharmacy and transitioning into their new role as doctors of pharmacy. Chancellor of the NSU Health Professions Division, Frederick Lippman, R.Ph., Ed.D., took part in the celebration sharing his thoughts on their achievement. A highlight of the event was a speech by one of their favorite professors, David Gazze, Ph.D., who dubbed them the WiFi class, which stands for W.armth I.ntelligence F.ortitude I.ntegrity and received a rousing applause.

Our class of 2020 is an extraordinary example of the diversity of our students. Many of our 229 Pharm.Ds, two MSPS and five Ph.Ds reaching the momentous milestone, hailed from around the world representing countries such as Bermuda, India, South Africa, Taiwan, Venezuela, Saudia Arabia and Vietnam.

The class of 2020 has overcome hurricanes, earthquakes and even a pandemic, but through all of it, they exhibited the resilience and tenacity of a true Shark. The class of 2020 is truly a force of nature that is now prepared to dominate.