Pharma
Personalis Regis University School of Pharmacy Newsletter
Fall 2014
The Fearless Pharmacy Rangers I continue to be pleased and very proud of our program whenever I hear from preceptors and employers that our students or graduates have impressed them with their willingness, eagerness and skill to talk with patients, tackle a new assignment, present to colleagues and other health professionals, or solve the unexpected problem. These stories talk of students who show no hesitation or fear to jump into the fray – sometimes with a very short window of preparation time. I like to think of them as Regis’ Fearless Pharmacy Rangers. You may know that the Regis University mascot is Roamin’ the Ranger, named after the individuals who, in the formative years of the Rocky Mountain West, were fearless in working to establish a new order in which the new residents of the territories could live, work and find happiness. We strive to – and hopefully some of this evidence shows we’re starting to succeed in – instill this fearless, pioneering spirit in our students. The changing health care environment will need pioneers to show how to provide service in volatile reimbursement environments; to take the lead on sometimes risky projects when the potential benefits can be great but the risks are definitely there; and to be adamant about the need to keep the patients at the center of our efforts – to work in the service of others. First-year pharmacy students, Class of 2018
I want to challenge our students and graduates to carry the banner forward; to draw upon the communication, problem solving, and teamwork skills they learned from our team-based learning curriculum to continue to be fearless in their quest to improve their patients’ health and be leaders in establishing the norms of the ever changing health care environment.
Rodney A. Carter, Pharm.D. Dean, Regis University School of Pharmacy
Executive Editor: Rodney A. Carter, Pharm.D. Dean, School of Pharmacy Regis University 303-625-1300
Editor: Miki Goldwire, PharmD, MSc, BS, BCPS Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacy Practice Regis University, School of Pharmacy mgoldwir@regis.edu
Welcome Class of 2018! In August, the School of Pharmacy welcomed members of the Class of 2018. Regis University School of Pharmacy employs team-based learning (TBL) which has a widespread history of proven success in medical and business schools. Unlike traditional teaching methods in which information is learned through a lecture format, TBL enables students to learn the discipline of pharmacy through a working group approach. Students are divided into teams of five to seven members who work together for an extended period of time to learn subject matter. Prior to class, study material is assigned to students for independent review. During class, they apply their gained knowledge to relevant activities with their teammates. Most courses are taught using TBL as the main instructional strategy. Our unique team-based learning approach allows students to learn valuable interpersonal and communication skills enhancing their ability to function as an effective member of a health care team. You also receive personalized attention from devoted faculty and develop close connections with your peers and future colleagues, helping you become a leader within health care. To learn more about TBL, see our informational video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jw8rRs-65XQ.
Mass of the Holy Spirit The Regis University community commemorated the beginning of the academic year by celebrating the annual Mass of the Holy Spirit in the St. John Francis Regis Chapel. The Mass of the Holy Spirit is a centuries old tradition in Jesuit education, dating back to the 16th century. “The Mass of the Holy Spirit is a wonderful tradition inviting the Holy Spirit’s wisdom and influence on the entire Regis community and our collective academic endeavor,” said University Ministry Director Kristi Gonsalves-Mccabe. “University Ministry wants everyone at Regis, regardless of faith affiliation, to join in the celebration of this wonderful tradition.” Many Catholic universities and high schools offer a Mass to the Holy Spirit at the beginning of each academic year. Members of the School of Pharmacy participated in the Mass.
Carl Buhay plays his violin during the Mass of the Holy Spirit.
Student Activities Student National Pharmaceutical Association SNPhA is an educational association of pharmacy students who are dedicated to serving the underserved within the community. The organization has been involved in many activities since the conclusion of our previous year, including blood pressure screening at the Five Points Jazz Festival, helping raise funds by participating in the Delta Sigma Theta 5K, raising awareness for the National Stroke Association, providing immunizations for community members at Jefferson County Mental Health, and networking with national and various state chapters at the SNPhA National Conference in Washington, D.C. Regis University’s SNPhA 2014-15 chapter aims to make great strides this year (watch out for more)!
Dr. Freitas presents HIV/AIDS information to Regis Pharmacy students. John Le prepares to hand out Gatorade at the Delta Sigma Theta 5K.
Marie Claire -Desrosiers administers a flu vaccine to a member of our Denver community.
Current students Andrea Nguyen and Lovelace Twumasi-Ankrah stand in the back at the alumni event with University of Colorado and the Rocky Mountain Pharmaceutical Association.
Andrea Nguyen, Marie Claire -Desrosiers and Sydney Han pose for a photo while providing immunizations at the Jefferson County Mental Health.
Members of the 2014 SNPhA executive committee are pictured left to right: Linda Truong, Sydney Han, Abhi Dhruva, John Le, Andrea Nguyen and Lovelace Twumasi-Ankrah.
Kappa Psi Pharmaceutical Fraternity Installs First Colorado Chapter at Regis The Zeta Eta Chapter of Kappa Psi Pharmaceutical Fraternity was installed at Regis University School of Pharmacy on Sept. 6, 2014 by Grand Historian Christy Askew. The new chapter is Kappa Psi’s first chapter in Colorado, and joins the fraternity’s Southwest Province. The new initiates of the chapter are Kristen Rowe (P2), Brandon Kondo (P2), Jeanette Bouchard (P2), Matt Sherlock (P3), Branden Thompson (P2), Cassandra Holt (P2), and Marie-Claire Desrosiers (P2) under the supervision and guidance of faculty advisor and Kappa Psi Brother Dr. James D. Nash, associate dean of Rueckert-Hartman College for Health Professions. The ceremonies of initiation and installation took place at Peter Claver Hall on the Regis campus, and were attended by several notable brothers from across the country, including Grand Counselor Robert Mancini, Grand Historian Christy Askew, Satrap of the Southwest Province Amy Michelle, and Vice Satrap C.J. Duru. The event was hosted by Rod Carter, dean of the School of Pharmacy and Kappa Psi brother. The historic event was a great success, thanks in no small part to the support and effort of Dr. Carter, Dr. Nash and Brother Michael Greiner, Class of 2017. Kappa Psi Pharmaceutical Fraternity was founded in 1879 and is the oldest and largest professional pharmacy fraternity in the world. Zeta Eta Chapter joins its 95 collegiate chapters and 71 graduate chapters.
Kappa Psi members pose for a picture (right to left): Dr. Rod Carter, Michael Greiner, Marie-Claire Desrosiers, Matt Sherlock, Kristen Rowe, Branden Thompson, Dr. James Nash, and Cassandra Holt.
Regis University Student Society of Health System Pharmacists Clinical Skills Competition The Clinical Skills Competition sponsored by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) provides pharmacy students the opportunity to highlight their clinical and collaborative skills. This competition is an interactive, team-based analysis of clinical scenarios meant to challenge students in clinical skills and collaborative practice with physicians while providing direct patient care. Local competitions are held each fall on college campuses around the nation. The national competition takes place at the ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting in December. Regis University School of Pharmacy held the local competition in mid-October. Eight teams of two students participated of which Class of 2014 (P4) students comprised seven teams and Class of 2015 (P3) students comprised one team. The outcome was very close and the top teams were:
First Place: Jane Han and Lauren Hammond Second Place: Amy Paul and Tony Martinez Third Place: Josephine Giang and Amelia Nelson Jane and Lauren will represent Regis University in the national semi-final competition at the ASHP midyear meeting in December.
Regis University Student College of Clinical Pharmacy Clinical Pharmacy Challenge The annual ACCP Clinical Pharmacy Challenge provides an opportunity for teams of three pharmacy students to compete against teams from other schools and colleges of pharmacy in a quiz bowl–type format. The winners of the 2014 ACCP Clinical Pharmacy Challenge for Regis University competition are:
First Place: April Oi and Diana Kebo Second Place: Amelia Nelson, Carl Buhay, and John Le Third Place (tie): Amber Kabrick, Corinne Feehan, and Jane Han and Amy Paul, Toni Martinez, and Jordon Thomas April, Diana and Amelia will be representing Regis by competing in the online national rounds. Please wish them luck.
Congratulations to all participants and winners!
Phi Delta Chi Pajama Run Members of Phi Delta Chi participated in the Sleep Tight Colorado 5K Pajama Jog to raise money for sleeping bags for the homeless. They wore their best pair of pajamas.
Dr. Brandon Sucher, Daran Thach, Tylor Heilman, John Le, and Dr. Peter Clapp prepare for the pajama run.
Kent M. Nelson Clinical Pharmacy Award Dinner Recipients of this scholarship demonstrate interest in clinical pharmacy practice and plan to pursue a career in this field. Individuals also are involved in the community and active in student and professional organizations. Award winners from Regis University and the University of Colorado enjoyed dinner with pharmacists who worked for Kaiser and knew Mr. Nelson personally.
Back row, left to right: Matthew Gutzmer, Alfredo Guzman, Tylor Heilman, Dr. David Clarke, Phu Trinh, Peter Nguyen; Front row left to right: Amelia Nelson, Theresa Simpson, Andrea Nguyen, Stefanie Gann, and Sara Eichner
College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists Students from College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists (CPNP) participated in several events over the summer and into the fall, including raising more than $800 in donations for the National Alliance on Mental Illness Denver Chapter’s charity walk. Eight students also participated in the walk. Members raised money and participated in the Out of the Darkness Walk put on by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Several members also had the opportunity to gain intimate insight into mental illness, when Janssen Pharmaceutical’s Mindstorm Virtual Hallucination Machine visited Regis. This virtual reality device gives the user an approximation of the auditory and visual hallucinations that people with schizophrenia experience. Finally, as part of the chapter’s longitudinal community service, members have been serving meals at the Denver Rescue Mission on a monthly basis.
With the help of the Mindstorm Virtual Hallucination Machine, Kenny Bonser experiences briefly what it is like to have schizophrenia.
Katie West, Jordan Lo, Megan Willis, Andrea Reinig, Melanie Sherlock, Kelly Stone, Kenny Bonser, Paul Cornelison, Lisa Calliham and Marie-Claire Desrosiers at the Out of the Darkness Walk put on by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and participating local law enforcement coordinated a nationwide drug “take-back” day on Sept. 27. This one-day event offered residents an opportunity to safely dispose of their unwanted and expired medications anonymously and for free. Several pharmacy students participated.
Megan Willis (in purple dress), Brittney Ketelsen, Amelia Nelson, Dr. Leticia Shea, Johnathan Kuntz, Jasmin Adibi and Carl Buhay
Sara Eichner, Jasmine Abidi, Brittney Ketelsen, John Kuntz, Megan Willis, Carl Buhay and Amelia Nelson preparing to take back prescription medications.
Blessing of the Beasties A pack of not-so-wild animals descended upon Regis University on Oct. 7 for the Fourth Annual Blessing of the Beasties held in celebration of St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals. Faculty, staff and students from Regis as well as family and local community members attended the celebration and blessing held adjacent to the Field House on Regis’ North Denver (Lowell) Campus. In addition to the blessing, Regis officials collected food, supplies and money donations for local animal shelters. Dean Carter’s black lab, Sampson and Class of 2017 Jeanette Bouchard’s Doberman/Rottweiler mix, Delilah enjoy the afternoon.
What Would the Monks Brew? Regis University has concocted a hands-on program that will equip students with the skills to become master brewers and certified beer judges, or simply improve their home or craft brewery skills. Students who complete the program earn a Certificate in Applied Craft Brewing. The Applied Craft Brewing certificate comprises 16 semester hours, with completion in about a 12-month period, and includes the following courses:
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Chemistry of Brewing
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Biology of Brewing
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Business of Craft Brewing
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Brewing Practicum
The 2014-15 academic year marks the inaugural year of the certificate program. On Oct. 1, Dan Daru from FOX31 News Denver interviewed Dr. Matt Fete, who teaches the Chemistry of Brewing course in the certificate program in a segment titled “What Would the Monks Brew?”. In the segment Dr. Fete spoke about titrating carbonate in source water, extracting hop acids and oils from hop leafs, and finished product beer. Check out the following link for the aired segment: http:// kdvr.com/2014/10/01/what-would-the-monks-brew/. The FOX news team interviews Dr. Matt Fete from the School of Pharmacy.
Health Care Summit Regis University hosted the second annual Summit for Health Care Professionals on Sept. 19 on the University’s Lowell Campus. Regis University alumni gathered from all over the country to listen to the highly regarded Dr. Ned Calogne speak on health care reform. The event was a great learning and networking experience for all in attendance and opened the floor for an in-depth discussion about a highly relevant topic. This year we welcome Sue Birch, the executive director of the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing as our speaker. Birch’s leadership at the state level has led to new grants, performance bonuses and the implementation of federal and state health care reform. Members of the School of Pharmacy participated by providing an educational session using team-based learning on an update on the treatment of cardiovascular disease.
Dr. Janet Houser, Academic Dean RHCHP, addresses the crowd.
Faculty Accomplishments Chahine E, Sucher A, Mantei K. Fidaxomicin: a novel macrolide antibiotic for Clostridium difficile infection. The Consultant Pharmacist. 2014;29:614-24. Clapp P, Calderon B, Sheridan L, Sucher B. Orientating nonpharmacist faculty members to pharmacy practice. Am J Pharm Educ. 2014;78(5):Article 106. Hemstreet B. Updates in therapeutics: gastrointestinal and hepatic disorders. American College of Clinical Pharmacy 2014 Summit on Clinical Pharmacy; September 2014; Manila, Philippines. Nekouei K*, Torabi F*, Fete M, Shea L. Quantitative analysis of caffeine content in popular energy drinks. Poster presented at: 2014 American College of Clinical Pharmacy Annual Meeting; Oct 14, 2014; Austin, TX. Lalama JT, Feeney ME*, Vandiver JW, Beavers KD, Walter LN, McClintic JR. Assessing an enoxaparin dosing protocol in morbidly obese patients. J Thromb Thrombolysis. 2014 [DOI# 10.1007/s11239-014-1117-y]. Le L*, Farinha T, Goldwire M. Understanding of off-label drug use among pharmacy students. Poster presented at: 2014 American College of Clinical Pharmacy Annual Meeting; Oct 13, 2014; Austin, TX. Martell C, Lalama J, Fete M, Goldwire M. Update in the drug treatment of cardiovascular disease. 2nd Annual Summit for Healthcare Professionals Regis University Rueckert-Hartman College for Health Professions; September 19, 2014; Denver, CO. Norwood R, Sucher B. Dyslipidemia: A Review of Evidence-Based Treatment Options and Strategies. Module component (10 continuing education credit hours) of a 12-week certification course in drug therapy management in lipid and hypertensive disorders titled “Guidelines for Managing Therapy for Patients with Lipid and Hypertensive Disorders” provided by the University of Florida College of Pharmacy. Available May 2014 to May 2017 at: http://cpe. pharmacy.ufl.edu/courses/certificate/lipid-and-hypertensive-disorders/ Shea L, Nash JD, McCollum M, Nuffer W, Carter R. Engaging community partners to improve health: an innovative collaboration across schools and communities. American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy 2014 Annual Meeting; July 24, 2014; Grapevine, TX. Shea L, Nash JD, McCollum M, Nuffer W, Carter R. Engaging Community Partners to Improve Health: An Innovative Collaboration across Schools and Communities. Area Health Education Center (AHEC) Engaging in Community Education and Research (ECER) Bi-annual Meeting; September 26, 2014; Vail, CO. Slejko JF, Ghushchyan VH, Sucher B, Globe DR, Lin SL, Globe G, Sullivan PW. Asthma control in the United States, 2008-2010: indicators of poor asthma control. J Allergy and Clinical Immunol. 2014;133:1579-87. Slejko JF, Sullivan PW, Anderson HD, Ho PM, Nair KV, Campbell JD. Dynamic medication adherence modeling in primary prevention of cardiovascular disease: a markov microsimulation methods application. Value Health. 2014 Sep;17(6):725-31. doi: 10.1016/j.jval.2014.06.010. Epub 2014 Jul 28. Sucher A, Guzman A. Prevention and management of respiratory viruses. U.S. Pharmacist. 2014;39(7):HS2-HS6. Sucher B, Sucher A. Hypertension: A Review of Evidence-Based Treatment Options and Strategies. Module component (10 continuing education credit hours) of a 12-week certification course in drug therapy management in lipid and hypertensive disorders titled “Guidelines for Managing Therapy for Patients with Lipid and Hypertensive Disorders” provided by the University of Florida College of Pharmacy. Available May 2014 to May 2017 at: http://cpe. pharmacy.ufl.edu/courses/certificate/lipid-and-hypertensive-disorders/ Sullivan PW, Slejko JF, Ghushchyan VH, Sucher B, Globe DR, Lin SL, Globe G. The relationship between asthma, asthma control and economic outcomes in the United States. J Asthma. 2014 Sep;51(7):769-78. doi: 10.3109/02770903.2014.906607. Epub 2014 Apr 7. Sullivan PW, Slejko JF, Ghushchyan VH, Sucher B, Globe DR, Lin SL, Globe G. The relationship between asthma, asthma control and economic outcomes in the United States. J Asthma. 2014;51(7):769-78. *School of Pharmacy student Dr. Rebecca Moote was elected President-Elect to the Colorado Pharmacists Society.
Meet Dr. Stephanie James Dr. Stephanie James earned her Ph.D. in biological education from the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley. She then moved to Denver to complete a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Colorado Health Science Center in the Neurology department. She recently joined the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Regis University School of Pharmacy in the summer of 2014. Dr. James’s teaching experience includes course work in cellular biology, immunology, microbiology, anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology as an adjunct faculty instructor in the biology department at Regis University, Metropolitan State University of Denver, Front Range community college and Cascadia Community College. She also mentored undergraduate researchers during her postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Colorado and is a graduate of the American Society of Microbiologists science teaching fellows program. Dr. James’s research interests include vaccine development and education. Her past studies have investigated the expression of immune cytokines in animal models of hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome while at the University of Northern Colorado, and T cell exhaustion during varicella zoster virus reactivation at the University of Colorado. Dr. James has numerous publications to her credit, including first authorship on articles printed in the Journal of Neurovirology and Viruses. She has presented her research findings nationally at meetings of the American Association of Immunologists, American Society of Tropical Medicine and internationally at the International Society of Neurovirology where she was awarded the Young Investigator of the Year award. She has also presented her research locally at the Rocky Mountain Virology Association and American Society of Microbiology conference. Additionally, Dr. James was a public policy fellow for the American Association of Immunologists and lobbied for increased funding to the National Institutes of Health. Dr. James was the recipient of a National Institutes of Health postdoctoral training grant at the University of Colorado Medical School to study T cell specificity during varicella zoster virus reactivation. She is a member of the American Association of Immunologists, American Society of Microbiology, American Society of Virology and the Colorado Children’s Immunization Coalition. Additionally, Dr. James sits on the executive advisory board for the Colorado Governor’s School, is a member of Great Education Colorado and is the current president of the Adams 12 Schools district improvement team.
Meet Dr. Christopher Malarkey Dr. Malarkey earned his B.S. in chemistry and Ph.D. in biochemistry from Loyola University. As an undergraduate, he majored in chemistry, minored in education and ran on the university cross country team as well as indoor and outdoor track teams. His research as an undergraduate focused on information theory where he probed how small organic molecules could interact with proteins. While at Loyola University Chicago, he had the opportunity to spend a semester at the university’s Rome Center in Rome, Italy. During this time, his studies focused on philosophy and theology in an effort to provide a humanities balance to his chemistry major. During his doctorate, he studied the mechanism of action of lithium in the treatment of bipolar disorder under the tutelage of Dr. Duarte Mota de Freitas. During graduate school, Chris earned an Arthur J. Schmidt Fellowship, and upon graduation was awarded the Dumbach Medal, which is given to the top graduating Ph.D. student in the department of chemistry at Loyola. Upon completion of his Ph.D., Dr. Malarkey moved to Denver where he started his postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, department of pharmacology, in the lab of Dr. Mair Churchill. During his postdoctoral fellowship Dr. Malarkey researched how malfunctioning mitochondria led to several different disease states including heart disease where he earned an American Heart Association postdoctoral fellowship to support his research. In both 2012 and 2013, Dr. Malarkey was given the outstanding postdoctoral fellow award from the department of pharmacology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. In August 2014, Dr. Malarkey joined the faculty in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Regis University. In his free time, Dr. Malarkey enjoys spending time with his wife, Katie, and their 3-year-old son Jackson and 2-year-old daughter Quinn. He also enjoys craft beer, running, and playing in a soccer league in Denver, in that order. He is an avid live music fan and attends several shows a year at the many live music venues in Denver and volunteers as a tutor in science to students living in the Sunnyside neighborhood.
Faculty Update The School of Pharmacy lost a gifted teacher, valued colleague and dear friend as Dr. Dean Allison passed away Oct. 31. Dr. Allison taught in our pharmacy skills laboratory and the integrated pharmacotherapy sequence. He had a compassionate heart and a deep loyalty to Regis and the School of Pharmacy. His easy-going demeanor, quick laugh and wry sense of humor were a gift to all that knew him; the ache of his loss will not easily be soothed. He died peacefully after the rapid deterioration of his ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. He will be sorely missed. Pharma Personalis will include a tribute and reflection on Dr. Allison’s contributions to the School and its people in our next issue. A memorial service will be held in the Regis Chapel on November 14th at 3:00 p.m. with a reception to follow in the Mt. View Room at 4:00 p.m. Dr. Dean Allison with Class of 2015 pharmacy students who participated in the ALS walk in spring of 2013.
From the Office of Experiential Education Preceptor of the Year The Office of Experiential Education recognized several Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) preceptors based upon student nominations submitted over the course of the year. Not pictured below are Carol Adam, acute care preceptor and Wendi Schmid, community preceptor of the year.
Ambulatory Care, Preceptor of the Year, Olivia Rapacchietta, pharmacist at Kaiser with Dr, Megan Schumacher, Director Experiental Education
Elective Preceptor of the Year, Terrie Sajbel, pharmacist at the Colorado Mental Health Institute at Pueblo
Institutional Preceptor of the Year, Dave Mortensen pictured with Marc Meyer; both are pharmacists at Southwest Memorial Hospital in Cortez, Colorado
Faculty Preceptor of the Year, Chad Martell
My Summer IPPE in South Dakota By Andrea Reinig, Class of 2016 For my second IPPE rotation, I wanted to gain both a cultural experience as well as an educational one. When I heard about Pine Ridge, South Dakota, I knew it was the perfect opportunity for me. For two weeks, I lived in a dorm room located directly on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. I worked at the local hospital with an incredible preceptor, Dr. Voinich. Every day I attended the morning meeting between physicians, nurses and pharmacists to discuss the patients in the hospital. After the meeting, I usually shadowed a doctor during morning rounds. It was entertaining to watch him make all of his patients laugh. One day I traveled with a nurse to patients’ homes. This was the most humbling and emotional day of the whole trip. Poverty is extremely prevalent in Pine Ridge and it was important for me to see that side of the United States. The patients were so appreciative and it was a privilege to help them. At the hospital, I counseled patients on their discharge medications and even got to counsel a patient on how to use an insulin pen. I practiced using the medication administration records (MARs) and I watched a couple of surgeries. After work, the surgeon taught me how to ride a Segway. Over the weekend, I had the chance to explore the rest of South Dakota including Mount Rushmore and Bear Country USA. I highly recommend this rotation to any student who is looking for a culture shock on top of a unique, academic experience.
Hospital in Pine Ridge, South Dakota
View of the water tower
Stout Street – An APPE to Remember By Andrew Gonzales, Class of 2015
The Jesuit tradition of reflection gives us an opportunity to grow, allows us to address areas for improvement, and most importantly it provides a platform for us to be thankful for the opportunities we have in our lives. As a fourth-year doctor of pharmacy candidate I am challenged on a daily basis to be best student and future pharmacist that I can be. As I reflect on my past rotations I am particularly thankful that I chose to have a rotation at the Stout Street Clinic and the West End Health Center. These two facilities are a division of the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless. At these sites, the practice of integrated health care is evident in everything that you do. On a daily basis I would interact with medical assistants, nurses, doctors, physician assistants and behavioral health specialists. The clinics are designed to treat the entire patient and utilize the expertise of each member of the healthcare team. The patient population consists of patients who are actively living on the streets, living in shelters and a few who have been provided housing assistance by the coalition. Patients have multiple health conditions including alcoholism, substance abuse and uncontrolled diabetes; additionally, it is not uncommon for the patients to have a history of severe mental, physical and even sexual abuse. It is without question that this six-week rotation was one of the most eye-opening experiences that I have ever had. There is not a learning objective, simulation or lecture that can prepare you for a patient encounter that transitions from doing medication reconciliation to a conversation about your patient having suicidal ideations and begging you not to have them locked up. Some of the biggest obstacles I faced were allowing my patients’ lives to affect me outside of work and I always felt like I wanted to do more. To overcome these challenges I engaged in conversations with the other providers on ways they handle the daily stresses of working with the homeless community. There was one particular day that impacted me the most. The Stout Street Clinic is about a five-minute walk from the home where I grew up. I was working in the pharmacy at Stout Street when I looked up to see a friend from high school standing in front of me as a patient. He was a shadow of the young vibrant teenager he used to be. Immediately my mind was flooded with memories as I recalled the blood and sweat that we shed playing football together. We attended the same classes, went to the same parties and raised the same type of mischief that teenagers do. I helped him and his mom move, and there were times that we would stay over at each other’s houses. At one time we were on the same path only to meet again years later in drastically different positions. We sat there and reminisced about the good days and spoke of good things to come. We ended our conversation with a hug and a “see you later”. I felt saddened by the situation my friend had found himself in; I knew that I would probably never see him again. I began to wonder if it wasn’t for the right circumstances could I have potentially been in that exact same situation.
I am truly lucky to be in the position that I am today. I am in place where I have access to family support and the resources to attain a quality education in a field that I am extremely passionate about. Yes a lot of hard work has goes into becoming a pharmacist, but there have definitely been situations where the decisions I made could have easily taken my life in a different direction. I can only hope to pay it forward and do my best embrace the Jesuit and Regis University value of magis. Although it literally is translated from Latin as “more” its meaning is more closely tied to striving for excellence. It is “the act of discerning the best choice in a given situation to better glorify or serve God.” Pharmacists do meaningful work and the members of this profession have the ability to make an impact on the lives of the patients we serve. Working at The Stout Street Clinic and West End Health Center was both challenging and rewarding. At this site I worked with complex patients. I practiced counseling, interviewing and educating patients who have less than normal health literacy; most importantly I expanded my comfort zone and acquired real-life experiences that will help me become a better pharmacist. I am grateful to all my preceptors, past, present and future for giving back to our profession and helping me accomplish my goals.
Office of Experiential Education Update As we approach the midpoint of our Class of 2015’s APPE year, we again wish to thank our network of preceptors for their commitment and generosity. Because of all of you, our P4 students are able to gain invaluable experience while attending many diverse APPE experiences during their final year of school. Our second- and third-year students are attending their IPPEs at your sites so they are also able to benefit from our preceptors’ expertise. It is motivating and inspiring when we hear stories from our students and get feedback on how their preceptors bring the classroom instruction and the realworld applications together. The Office of Experiential Education is always planning for the next year. We are currently in the process of soliciting sites for the upcoming 2015-16 APPE year. It is our hope that we can continue to grow our current relationships with preceptors and organizations while striving to add new partnerships as well. If you know of anyone who might be interested in becoming a preceptor, please feel free to pass along our contact information to them or send their information to us to contact them. As always, your feedback and recommendations are welcomed because they only can help us get better. The Office of Experiential Education is accepting applications for the position of assistant director of experiential education. Qualified individuals must have completed their Pharm.D. or Ph.D. degree and preferably have prior academic or clinical practice experience. Completion of a postgraduate residency and/or board certification is desired, but not required. Candidates must be licensed or eligible for licensure in the state of Colorado. Salary and appointment level will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. Applicants may submit their application, curriculum vitae, and letter of intent on the Regis University website at jobs.regis.edu.
Calendar of Events Nov. 26-30, Wednesday-Sunday
Jan. 10, Saturday
Thanksgiving Holiday
White Coat Ceremony, Class of 2018
Dec. 7-11, Sunday-Thursday
Jan. 12, Monday
ASHP Annual Clinical Midyear Meeting, Anaheim
Classes begin
Dec. 8-12, Monday-Friday
Jan. 11-14, Sunday-Wednesday
Final Exams
Annual CPS Meeting, Avon