SOP Spring 2024 Newsletter

SOP NEWSLETTER SPRING 2024

THE W HITE COAT CEREMONY

Members of the class of 2027 received their White Coats during a ceremony that marks the start of the pharmacy school journey, symbolizing their commitment to the pharmacy profession. This special event includes taking an oath to maintain ethical standards, prioritize patient care, respect all individuals, and engage in lifelong learning. It highlights the significance of professionalism, empathy, and ethical conduct in pharmacy practice Receiving their white coats, students pledge to uphold the profession's ethical and professional standards, signifying the ceremony's importance as a milestone in their professional development and the start of their path as future pharmacists.

WHITE COAT CEREMONY

CJ Onyeali (P2) with his brother Michael (P1) and their mom

Students reciting the oath of a pharmacist

Father Quinn anointing the hands of Madi Reiman

Dr. Katie Tuck coating Christina Uphoff.

Syndey Howley with her faculty advisor, Dr Leticia Shea

MESSAGE FROM THE DEAN

Dear students, alumni, friends and colleagues,

April is a very special month at the School as we celebrate and honor student and faculty excellence at the awards and scholarship ceremony and at other induction ceremonies such as Rho Chi and Phi Lambda Sigma This year the students have truly been on a roll On page 5 of the newsletter, you will find a list of some prestigious external awards and scholarships our students received The P3 students matched into some very competitive APPEs including the FDA, CDC, PQA (Pharmacy Quality Alliance) and USP Quality Assurance. The P4 students had a 90% combined Phase 1and Phase 2 residency match rate, again significantly higher than the national average There remains a simple secret to these strong outcomes and it is the passion and commitment of our amazing faculty and staff to student success! Congratulations to the faculty and staff who received the Teacher of the Year and the Faculty and Staff Colleague of the Year awards as receiving these awards at an Institution where every faculty member cares so deeply about the students and each other is truly special.

I am thrilled to share that the School received a $500,000 gift that has allowed us to create a new Director of Business Development position in the School Geoff Metcalf joined the School in this role in April He has an MBA from Harvard Business School and comes with extensive experience in senior roles in marketing, business development and strategy Finally, I am pleased to share an update on the accelerated (3-year) PharmD pathway We launch the first summer semester for the accelerated pathway this year and we are excited to start this journey with the 16 students who will be in the inaugural accelerated PharmD cohort. Wishing everyone a happy summer!

Samit Shah, PhD, MBA, RPh Dean, Regis University School of Pharmacy

AWARDS AND SCHOLARSHIP CEREMONY

Regis University School of Pharmacy celebrated students who demonstrated excellence in academia, leadership, clinical practice, service, and/or research

Dean Shah kicked off the ceremony congratulating the students who receive awards, scholarships and recognitions, and all of our extraordinary students and nominees. Dean Shah also thanked scholarship sponsors: Karen and Don Hill from JP Opioid Interaction Awareness Alliance, Dr Dori Duncan from Walgreens for the Diversity and Spanish speaking scholarships, Kaiser Permanente for the Kent Nelson scholarships, Dr. Kathryn Starbuck, Dr Jessica Parker Wu, and Dr Ryan Kano and CVS pharmacy, and Dr Joe Leyba, Dr Casey Petterson, and Dr Melissa Rodgers from Safeway for their continued support of our program

RECOGNITIONS

ACCP Clinical Pharmacy Challenge

In the fall, teams of three students each competed in the ACCP Clinical Pharmacy Challenge Teams were asked clinical questions using jeopardy and case-based questions This team of three students won the local chapter competition and represented Regis University during the national competition Award winners Leyken Bomba, Caden Robertson and Jeremiah Cleveland with Dr Hanna

APhA Pat ient Counseling Compet it ion

The APhA Patient Counseling Competition is a contest designed to enhance the communication skills of pharmacy students It encourages students to become better patient educators and reflects the evolving nature of pharmacy practice Award winner Allyssa Herrod with Dr. Behrmann.

ASHP Clinical Skills Compet it ion

In the fall, teams of two students each competed in the ASHP Clinical Skills Competition. Teams were required to work up a complex patient case and present the case to clinical faculty for assessment. Award winners Karly Sandoval and Kaz Stone-Meyers with Dr Martell

St udent Ambassadors

Members of the school of pharmacy served as ambassadors representing the school at the various events Pictured from left to right, front row: Kenny Tran (P1), Justin Vi (P1), Carla Anders (P2), Vincent Tavalez (P2), Denise Avila (P3), Stephanie Calliste (P3); back row: Kaz Stone-Myers (P2), Alyssa Herrod (P2), Madjid Abdoulmoumine (P3), Ross Colburn (P3), Dr Allana Sucher Not pictured: Mercedees Banavidez (P1), Juliet Milione (P1), Grecia Anaya (P2), Wesley Elford (P2), Jana Compesi (P3), Emily Nelson (P3), Miranda Olivares (P3), and Tariq Pulskamp (P3).

Milestone Exam Top Performers

Members of the graduating class of 2025 completed a comprehensive exam to ensure readiness for APPEs (advanced pharmacy practice experiences) Congratulations to the top performers - Kyle Clark, Beth Grisinger, and Tariq Pulskamp, not pictured

OUTSIDE SCHOLARSHIPS AND AWARDS

Excellence in Public Healt h Pharmacy Award

Presented by Alex Brorby, PharmD, BCPS, NCPS, Lieutenant, U S Public Health Service, Chief Pharmacist, FCC Florence, this award recognizes pharmacy students who have made significant contributions to public health. This includes promoting wellness and healthy communities and advancing the objectives of Healthy People 2030 and the Surgeon General's priorities within the field of pharmacy. Dr. Broby with award winner, Marc Catbagan

The Academy for Emerging Leaders in Patient Safety (AELPS), originally established in 2005, is a program dedicated to the redesign of medical education with a strong focus on patient safety The academy's approach includes immersive workshops that last for four days Congratulations, Amelia May Academy for Emerging Leaders in Pat ient Safet y (AELPS)

Great Plains Academ y of Managed Care Pharm acy (AMCP) Affiliat e

Congratulations to Daniella Salawu.

Indian Healt h Service Healt h Professions Scholarship

Full tuition, with 2-yrs work in the IHS, congratulations to Alyssa Herrod

Nat ional Communit y Oncology Dispensing Associat ion (NCODA)

Congratulations to Stephanie Calliste

Nat ional Communit y Pharmacist Associat ion Foundat ion President ial Scholarship

Congratulations to Daniella Salawu

Pharmacy Qualit y Alliance Diversit y in Qualit y Scholarship

Congratulations to Daniella Salawu SCHOLARSHIPS

CVS Foundat ion Scholarship and t he CVS Foundat ion Spanish Scholarship

Presented by: Drs Kathryn Starbuck (in the light blue), Jessica Parker Wu (in the dark blue), Ryan Kano of CVS. The CVS Foundation provides an scholarship for dual language speakers and another scholarship for Spanish speaking The scholarships require that the student speaks another language or Spanish and has evidence of using this bilingual skill to support patients in the community pharmacy setting Congratulations to Madjid Abdoulmoumine for winning the Foundation Scholarship and Carla Anders for the Spanish Scholarship

Safeway Scholarships

Presented by: Drs. Joe Leyba, Casey Patterson (in orange), Melissa Rodgers, Safeway provides scholarships for students passionate about community pharmacy practice and serving their patients Congratulations to Baileigh Baker and Liz Schaner

Walgreens Mult ilingual Scholarship

The Walgreens multilingual scholarship is awarded to the applicant that provides the strongest evidence of their efforts towards community outreach and their role in serving patients that do not speak English Award winner Hamad Alam with Dr Dori Duncan

Walgreens Diversit y and Inclusion Excellence Scholarship

Presented to the applicant that provides the most evidence in efforts towards community outreach and their role in raising awareness or educating others about the importance of diversity and cultural competency in the field of pharmacy Award winner Haemin Park with Dr Dori Duncan

JP Opioid Interact ion Alliance Scholarship

Award winners receive a scholarship and donates 20 hours per year to the JP Prescription Drug Awareness Foundation Congratulations Marina MacDonald Pictured to the right with Mrs Karen Hill, Drs Brooks, and Dr Malarkey

About the JP Opioid Interaction Awareness Alliance

By Karen Hill, Executive Director

On September 25th 2012, our loving son, brother and friend passed away in his sleep because of the mixture of prescribed medications he was taking The dosage of both individual medications was not lethal What was lethal was the combination of opiates and benzodiazepines. It was an accident; but, more importantly it was pointless and very avoidable We are a family that has lost one of their own and now wants to do something about it We want to help other families avoid what we have gone through We want to help our community, city, state and nation become more aware and responsible about prescription drugs. Some basic education and awareness about the mixture of certain prescription drugs could have prevented this death For this reason, we want to create educational programs and awareness campaigns to help reduce and even eliminate accidental deaths from prescription drugs We also want to help improve the requirements and legislation that govern the prescription drug process We believe that doctors should be required to disclose all possible dangers of mixing prescription drugs before prescribing them We believe doctors should be better educated in this matter and be held more accountable. Our alliance will work to help influence political and legislative decisions regarding the rigor around the prescription drug process Lastly, we would like to assist in the research of potentially finding safer prescription drugs that will not interact with other drugs in such a dangerous manner This alliance has been established in JP's name because he will constantly personify our cause He is our driving force to make the world a safer place This foundation is exclusively for charitable and educational purposes.

Kaiser Permanente, Kent M. Nelson Scholarships

The Kent M Nelson Clinical Pharmacy Scholarship is funded by Kaiser Permanente and awarded to current P2 students, who demonstrate an interest in clinical pharmacy practice, have strong communication skills, and who plan to complete a post-PharmD residency and pursue a career in clinical pharmacy. Congratulations to Caden Robertson, Karly Sandoval, and Baileigh Baker, pictured with Dr Hanna

P3 Principled Scholarship

The nominated student is one above all who is aware of their own and others?emotions and responds to them appropriately; accountable to, responsible to, and respectful of others; committed to continuous professional and personal development; empathetic towards others; trustworthy; prepared for leadership roles in the profession and in the community; ethical and socially responsible; culturally aware when interacting with others; sensitive to issues of social justice; and willing to accept the crucial role that pharmacists play in achieving a common good within society. Congratulations to Kyle Clark, not pictured.

STUDENT ORGANIZATION AWARDS

American Associat ion of Psychiat ric Pharmacist s Award

For leadership within the AAPP, Beth Grisinger, not pictured

American Pharmacist s Associat ion Leadership Award

Winner Madjid Abdoulmoumine with Dr Behrmann

Indust ry Pharmacy Organizat ion Award

Winner Nathan Whiting-Wagner with Dr Brooks

Kappa Psi Pharmaceut ical Fraternit y Brot her of t he Year Award

Winner Anastasia Mustoe with Dr Malarkey

Nat ional Communit y Pharmacist s Associat ion Member of t he Year

Winner Haley Murphy with Dr Shea

Phi Delt a Chi Dist inguished Brot her of t he Year Award

Winner Malia Dustin with Dr Clapp

Phi Delt a Chi Servant Leader Award

Winner Sophia Uriostigue with Dr Clapp

Rho Chi Leadership Award

Winner Kendra Swanson, not pictured

Phi Lambda Sigma, Delt a Chi Chapter Excellence in Leadership Award

Winner Stephanie Calliste with Dr Hanna

St udent College of Clinical Pharmacy Award

Winner Tyler Petrini with Dr Hanna

St udent Nat ional Pharmaceut ical Associat ion Award

Winner Stephanie Calliste with Dr Malarkey

St udent Societ y of Healt h-System Pharmacy Leadership Award

Dr Lalama with winners James Kortus and Andrew Namkoong (not pictured)

TEACHER OF THE YEAR AWARDS

Dr.

Dr.

P3

Pete Cogan with Syndey Howley and Haemin Park

P1 Teacher of t he Year

Karen Smith with Alyssa Herrod, Kaz Stone-Myers, and Vincent Tavalez

P2 Teacher of t he Year

Dr. Cassandra Hanna with Tyler Petrini, Hailey Murphy, and Amanda Mascarenas

Teacher of t he Year

STUDENT EXCELLENCE AWARDS

Excellence in Clinical Pract ice

The purpose of this award is to recognize a graduating pharmacy student who exemplifies excellence in clinical achievement consistent with the mission of Regis University and the School of Pharmacy; the nominated student is one who above all other classmates has shown exemplary clinical skills and attitude. The award goes to Kira Frederick, pictured with Dr Bandon Sucher

Excellence in Leadership

The purpose of this award is to recognize a graduating pharmacy student who exemplifies excellence in leadership consistent with the mission of Regis University and the School of Pharmacy The nominated student is one who above all other classmates has shown exemplary leadership skills through considerable involvement in student organizations, organization of events and community service, volunteered time in service of the school and is a well-respected leader among classmates This year?s excellence in Leadership Award goes to Charlie Huynh, pictured with Dr. Dan Berlau.

Excellence in Living t he Regis Mission

The nominated student is one who above all other classmates demonstrates magis in their studies, clinical practice, and personal life and practices integrity and respect for others, exemplifies service to others with compassion and caring, demonstrates cura personalis during experiential rotations and/or service learning interactions, is socially responsible and committed to advancing social justice and community engagement. This year's award goes to Nikki Kochmann, pictured with Dr Chris Malarkey

Excellence in Research

The nominated is one who completed a research project of high quality, which included a thorough understanding of research question, creative solution to the question, appropriate design, etc with emphasis on student?s ability to work independently who displayed quality writing skills in the proposal and manuscript phases of the project, and with quality presentation skills of research results This year?s award goes to Hannah Shult, pictured with Dr Shea

Excellence in Service

The nominated student is one who above all other classmates has shown exemplary dedication to volunteering, involvement with the community, promotion of the profession of pharmacy and leadership and collaboration with classmates This year?s award goes to Chau (Joe) Tran, not pictured

APPE St udent of t he Year

This student is being awarded for being an outstanding APPE practitioner This award is based on preceptor and faculty feedback, and was voted as the recipient by the majority of preceptors for APPE student of the year This year?s Outstanding APPE Award goes to James Young, pictured with Dr Hanna

Susan M. Paulsen Heart and Soul Award

The nominated student is one who above all other classmates brings out the best in others, demonstrates outstanding leadership, recognizes the good in all situations, practices reflection, balances responsibilities and roles well, is a good listener and above all else, is the heart and soul of the graduating class This year?s Susan M Paulsen Heart and Soul Award goes to Maila Dustin, pictured with Dr Allana Sucher

Viat ris Excellence in Pharmacy Award

Criteria for this award include a current P4 student, in the top 25%of the class, demonstrates high personal motivation with the intent to enter practice upon graduation and possess a unique ability to communicate drug information The winner receives a personalized lithograph This year?s award goes to Ryan Boyer, pictured with Dr Jeff Lalama

Wolters Kluwer Award of Excellence in Clinical Communicat ions

This award is presented to a graduating student in the top 25%of their class who has demonstrates superior verbal and written clinical communication skills The winner receives a one-year subscription to Lexicomp This year?s award goes to Hannah Williams, pictured with Dr. Michele Claiborne.

DEPARTMENTAL AWARDS

Depart ment of Pharmacy Pract ice

This student is in the top 25%of the class, received a 4 0 in all integrated lab courses, and demonstrated enthusiasm for pharmacy practice topics by engaging in class discussions, seeking out additional information, experiences, knowledge), and routinely asking thought-provoking, probing questions in the classroom Congratulations Ross Colburn, pictured with Dr Brooks

S. Dean Allison Depart ment of Pharmaceut ical Sciences Award

The nominated student is one who performed the highest of all classmates on quiz and exam questions about the pharmaceutical sciences This year?s award goes to Carla Anders, pictured with Dr Clapp

FACULTY AND STAFF COLLEAGUE OF THE YEAR

Faculty and staff voted for their colleague of the year

Congratulations to Dr Jeff Lalama (left), and to Ms Val Roby (right), both pictured with Dr Shea

STUDENT ACTIVITIES

APhA-ASP

The American Pharmacists AssociationAcademy of Student Pharmacists embarked on an influential partnership with Immunize Colorado (previously known as Alliance for HPV Free Colorado) as part of its Operation Reproductive Health initiative Under the leadership of Daniella Salawu, Chair of APhA?s reproductive health efforts, this collaboration introduced a grant-funded quality improvement program that included training student pharmacists in motivational interviewing techniques specifically tailored for vaccine-related conversations, with a particular focus on HPV vaccines Highlighting the program?s commitment to expert engagement, Sarah Waraniak, MPH, Program Director of Immunize Colorado, and Madelyn Wild, Public Health Associate, featured as guest speakers

Kappa Psi host s Meet ing

The Kappa Psi chapter hosted a successful province meeting in Broomfield, Colorado, attended by 60 pharmacists and students from across the United States, including Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Georgia, Montana, Illinois, Florida, Rhode Island, Utah, and Colorado

Phi Delt a Chi and Regis Healt h

Demonstrating the highest standards of Jesuit education, the chapter members managed the event professionally and stayed under budget. Notably, Regis students Marc Catbagan, Mitch Leroy, and Kenny Tran secured three of the nine Executive Committee positions within the province. The chapter is set to represent Regis at the National Convention and other province meetings in the upcoming academic year.

Phi Delta Chi collaborated with the Regis Health and Counseling Center to promote the "Get Yourself Tested" (GYT) initiative. This partnership aims to enhance awareness and encourage participation in health screenings among students, fostering a campus environment committed to proactive health management

Students CJOnyeali and Jeremiah Cleveland

Students Kellan Covey, Baileigh Baker, and Nathan Whiting-Wagner

Students Mikaela Chandanais, and Nathan Whiting-Wagner

STUDENT ACTIVITIES

Colorado Pharmacist s Societ y Day at t he Capit al

Members of the Regis University SOP participated in the CPS day at the capital. Students from the School of Pharmacy recently had the opportunity to participate in a Capitol Day event organized by the Colorado Pharmacists Society (CPS) Held at the state capitol, this event allowed pharmacy students to engage with state legislators and advocate for healthcare policies that impact their profession. Pictured to the right, participating members of the CPS.

Caden Robertson, Madjid Abdoulmoumine, Marc Catbagan, Hailey Murphy, Vincent Tavalez, and Dr Marta Brooks

Karaoke for Cancer

The National Community Oncology Dispensing Association (NCODA) successfully hosted its annual Karaoke for Cancer event, raising over $1400 to support cancer research and patient care initiatives The event, sponsored by NCODA, brought together members of the community and healthcare professionals for an evening of music and fun, all aimed at fighting cancer Participants showcased their vocal talents in a spirited karaoke competition, contributing to the fundraiser's success through entry fees and donations

APhA Annual Gala

The Student Chapter of the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) held their annual Gala fund raiser and Wings over the Rockies Funds raised will be invested in patient care projects, support student professional development , and facilitate the creation of innovative programs These initiatives are designed to actively engage our student pharmacists in the broader pharmacy profession, enriching their educational experience and professional growth Pictured are president, Madjid Abdoulmoumine and faculty advisor, Dr Leah Behrmann

Vincent Tavalez and Senator Sonya Jaquez Lewis

Healt hcare Olympics

Michael Minang and Catheline Colon, first year pharmacy students initiated Healthcare Olympics, in which members of the healthcare professions at Regis University participate in sporting events. Below are two photos one from volleyball and the other, the cornhole toss For volleyball, physical therapy won gold and pharmacy silver, while for the cornhole toss, the Physical Therapy, won gold and silver, and pharmacy bronze

in center, Michael

standing

Logan Everette

Cienna Baka

Ana Gallegos

Kristen Thompson

Joyce Lim (pharmacy); back row: Sammy Vrkljan (PT), Allison Smith (PT), Tyler Cannella (PT), Michael Onyeali (pharmacy), CJ Onyeali (pharmacy), Abigail Wolverton (pharmacy), Liz Schaner (pharmacy), Dr. Chris Malarkey (pharmacy)

Sitting

Minang (pharmacy), Left to right,

front row:

(PT),

(PT),

(PT),

(pharmacy),

Left to right, Bronze: Brett Peterson, and Jacob Feldker; Gold: Dylan Green and Chris Gonzaba; Silver: Brayden Kovick and Josh Smith

Encuent ro Project Trip

By Dr Jeff Lalama and Dr Chris Malarkey

School of Pharmacy professors Chris Malarkey and Jeff Lalama participated in a mission trip known as The Encuentro Project in El Paso USA/Ciudad Juarez Mexico border from Jan 5-11, 2024. They were joined by Jenna Farley Executive Director Community of Community Relations, Jessica Menjivar from Admissions, Dan Justin, Assistant Director of Mission, and Sue Wilcinski, Instructor of Nursing On the snowy morning of Jan 5th, six Regis University employees piled into a Regis University van and started our journey south to the USA/ Mexico border The mission of The Encuentro Project is to provide individuals with an immersion experience with migrants seeking asylum in the United States. The Encuentro project provides education on Catholic Social Teaching, learning opportunities on border/migrant realities, and evening reflection The Encuentro Project is a collaboration between Jesuits, the Marist Brothers, Sisters of St Francis of the Holy Family, the Hope Border Institute, and lay persons Among the highlights of the trip, we were able to cook and eat a meal with migrants at a shelter in El Paso on two occasions.

For Dr Malarkey, this was the most impactful part of the trip He talked with one single father from Colombia who had just crossed the border with his 5-year-old daughter and 7-year-old son in which he told harrowing stories of crossing the Darien Gap on the Colombia/ Panama border, and riding on top of a freight train with his small children on his journey north through Mexico Another woman had fresh cuts on her arms from razor wire placed in the Rio Grande River Many were well educated and included doctors and lawyers Visiting Juarez one afternoon we spoke with people at a church waiting for the turn to request asylum via the Customs and Border Patrol One app Meeting with border patrol agents and hearing their perspectives proved to be informative. Reflecting on the journey, it was hard to imagine the desperation that would drive someone to take their children on a 3,000-mile journey, much of it on foot, in search of a better life It was hoped that, under such difficult circumstances, compassion would be extended to those undertaking such arduous journeys with their families

During the mission trip, participants gained significant insights into the history of U S immigration policy and its current state, which was an eye-opening experience Dr Lalama found the complexity and challenges of the asylum-seeking and immigration processes to be the most impactful aspects of the trip Before delving into these processes, the group explored the typical migration patterns of those under duress. Typically, individuals first attempt to relocate within their own country. If that proves untenable, they often move to neighboring countries Seeking refuge in more distant countries, often due to connections or better economic opportunities, is generally considered a last resort It is noteworthy that, per capita, the United States does not receive the highest number of migrants seeking asylum compared to other countries

This section details the process of seeking asylum within the US Under international and federal law, persons fleeing persecution have the right to apply for asylum The eligibility criteria are stringent; applicants must be within US borders and able to demonstrate they have been persecuted? or fear persecution? due to their race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion.

The asylum process begins with a credible threat interview conducted by a Customs and Border Patrol agent. If the agent determines there is a credible threat to the applicant if they were to return to their home country, a court date is scheduled where the applicant can plead their case for asylum They are allowed to remain in the U S until the court date Due to a significant backlog, this court date can be delayed by at least a year

Approximately 25% of applicants are granted asylum, a rate influenced by the specific court's location and the stringent eligibility criteria required It is crucial for applicants to attend their scheduled court date; missing it can lead to a deportation order

The asylum application process remains the same, regardless of how an individual enters the country However, the primary legal method for crossing the border to apply for asylum? through the Customs and Border Patrol One app? is fraught with challenges that inadvertently encourages illegal crossings The app, which is geofenced to function only near the Mexican border, supports a limited number of languages, is incompatible with phones manufactured in China, and often has lengthy wait times

In cities like Juarez, on the Mexican side of the border, the presence of drug cartels poses additional risks as they frequently target and extort refugees attempting to enter the U S One of the significant differences between entering the U S legally versus illegally is that legal entrants receive a work permit immediately, whereas those who cross illegally face at least a 90-day wait for a work permit.

Many individuals aspire to immigrate to the U S in search of better economic opportunities but may not meet the criteria necessary to qualify for asylum. The legal process for immigrating to the U.S. and obtaining permanent resident status is often lengthy and typically requires applicants to be skilled or to have family members already residing in the U S as citizens or permanent residents The number of visas available to low-skilled individuals is notably limited

During discussions with Customs and Border Patrol agents, Dr Lalama was struck by a suggestion that many border issues could be alleviated by creating a low-skilled worker visa program Such programs have been implemented in the U S in the past with success Instituting a program of this nature could provide employment opportunities for roles that are less appealing to current residents, potentially reducing the incentive for illegal border crossings.

This mission trip has fostered deep empathy for migrants coming to the U S , coupled with significant frustration with the immigration system. Asylum seekers endure an arduous journey, particularly those traversing the perilous Darien Gap from South America Upon arrival in the U S , they face a less-than-welcoming environment The legal entry process is fraught with complications and misinformation, which often confuses the migrants Many do not realize the critical importance of their assigned asylum court date Additionally, logistical issues may arise, such as not being in the city where their court appointment is scheduled. These appointments can be rescheduled or relocated, but often asylum seekers are unaware of how to navigate these changes, leading to missed court dates and subsequent deportations

There are several potential improvements that could streamline the immigration process, such as allocating more resources to asylum courts to reduce backlogs and introducing more legal avenues for applying for asylum before entering the country Unfortunately, these solutions are often overlooked as most politicians hesitate to fully engage with the complexities of border management, preferring instead to leverage the broken system for political gain

Front row: Sue Wilcinski, Jessica Menjivar, Jeff Lalama; back row: Brother Hector, Chris Malarkey, Jenna Farley, Dan Justin

Chris Malarkey, Dan Justin, Jeff Lalama, Sue Wilcinski, Jenna Farley, Jessica Menjivar

APPE SPOTLIGHT

UnBelizeable Advent ures: A Pharmacy St udent 's Journey in Internat ional Healt hcare

by Sam Namkoong, Class of 2024

During the final year at pharmacy school, students are presented with an array of Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (APPEs) at diverse locations, both domestically and internationally Among the global options available, Belize stood out, and it quickly became my destination of choice for a unique 6-week long clinical rotation

Accompanied by fellow P4 student Nick, we ventured to Punta Gorda, Belize, to serve at Hillside Healthcare International? a small, free healthcare clinic that offers a range of services Nestled in a remote area, Hillside provides crucial healthcare from daily home visits and routine check-ups to family planning and mobile clinics in distant villages This rotation was not only about dispensing medicine but also about integrated healthcare delivery, where we worked alongside volunteers from various medical disciplines including physician assistants, physical therapists, and medical doctors

One of the most enriching aspects of this experience was the opportunity to collaborate in a setting with limited resources Often, we found ourselves improvising treatments as the ideal medications or equipment were unavailable This environment significantly tested our knowledge and adaptability, making each day a profound learning experience

We also encountered unique disease states not commonly seen in the U S , such as scabies and dengue fever Each case presented its own set of challenges, particularly with patient compliance Factors such as limited resources, varying levels of health literacy, and cultural beliefs frequently influenced patients' acceptance and adherence to treatment protocols.

Another logistical challenge was planning for the mobile clinics Anticipating the required medications and supplies was critical, as we could only carry limited quantities. This often meant that neighbors and families had to share the available medications, adding another layer of complexity to our mission

Beyond the clinical experiences, the rotation was deeply humbling and culturally enriching. Living in Belize exposed us to a lifestyle starkly different from that in the United States, highlighting the luxuries we often take for granted The adventure extended beyond the clinic, too Our group had the opportunity to explore Belize's rich cultural heritage, including spelunking in sacred Mayan caves and visiting ancient temples at Tikal The local cuisine was a delight to explore, with dishes like fried breadfruit and barracuda becoming personal favorites

Reflecting on this experience, it was nothing short of "unBelizeable " It offered an unparalleled opportunity to learn, serve, and immerse in a different culture, leaving us with memories and lessons that will last a lifetime For any student seeking a blend of adventure and invaluable practical experience in global health, such an opportunity is truly transformative.

Sam Namkoong front center in yellow, Nick Johnson back center with other healthcare students.

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

By Ryan Leyland, PharmD ? Regis University Class of 2014

After four memorable years, I graduated from Regis University School of Pharmacy in 2014 I continued my education by completing a PGY1residency with Kaiser Permanente in Denver. Upon completion, I packed up and moved across the state to the western slope where I managed my first community pharmacy with City Market in Grand Junction Soon after, I was promoted to be the City Market Clinical Coordinator In this role I had the privilege of leading many progressive and pioneering changes while expanding the roles of our pharmacists After a handful of company restructures, I was back in Denver working as a King Soopers Pharmacy Practice Coordinator. Eventually I moved back into the pharmacy to manage once again and to oversee the PGY1Community Residency Program.

During this time, I was nominated for the community pharmacy seat on the Colorado State Board of Pharmacy. After completing a series of interviews, I was appointed to serve on the Board. Soon after my appointment, another opportunity arose to pivot my career A unique position with UCHealth was brought to my attention and I am currently a clinical pharmacist with UCHealth I work with an amazing multidisciplinary team of pharmacists, nurses, and technicians We help manage and approve refill requests on behalf of our providers and are consistently expanding our services In addition, I returned to King Soopers as a PRN pharmacist and I continue to serve on the state board of pharmacy.

Through all my role changes and moves, I continue to build on the knowledge and experiences I received from my education with Regis University. The team-oriented learning methods set me up for success and introduced me to many mentors that I continue to learn from If I were to share one thing that I have learned over my career thus far, it would be to remember why you work Pharmacy has afforded me many great opportunities in both my career and my life I have traveled across the state of Colorado many times over and have gained experiences I only dreamed about in school My amazing wife and I are blessed to raise our three infinitely energetic boys with the mountains seemingly right in our backyard I have a work life balance like none other and am grateful for the opportunities I continue to have while making a difference in the lives of my patients

Dr Leyland with his beautiful family

FACULTY ACTIVITIES

Ramadan Awareness

RHCHPLeadership and the Community for Belonging Committee proudly supported the organization of a Ramadan Awareness Table Traditional Muslim treats, including dates, tea, and candy, were thoughtfully packaged into take-home bags and distributed to attendees Additionally, informational flyers were provided to healthcare workers, offering valuable insights into caring for patients observing Ramadan. Drs. Leah Behrmann and Katie Carnett are pictured.

FACULTY ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Dr. Allana Sucher, Assistant Dean of Student Affairs

Dr. Allana Sucher is now serving as the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs as Dr. Megan Leeds, the former Dean of Student Affairs left to join her family in Tennessee

Dr. Stephanie James Receives 2024 AAI Laboratory Travel Grant

Dr Stephanie James was selected as a recipient of a 2024 American Association of Immunologist Laboratory Travel Grant to defray expenses associated with attending the AAI Annual Meeting

Dr. Stephanie James Appointed President of Immunize Colorado

Dr. James was was appointed as the president for Immunize Colorado, an organization dedicated to keeping Colorado communities healthy by building awareness for vaccines, educating health care providers, and advocating for policies that protect children with the goal of increasing childhood vaccination rates

Faculty Promotions

- Dr Cassandra Hanna prompted to Associate Professor

- Dr Chris Malarkey promoted to Full Professor

- Dr Leticia Shea prompted to Full Professor

FACULTY PUBLICATIONS

Chahine EB, Sucher AJ HIV response in low- and middle-income countries In: Dodds Ashley E, Gross A, eds Infectious Diseases Self- Assessment Program, 2023 Book 2 Global Public Health Issues Lenexa, KS: American College of Clinical Pharmacy, 2023:135-161

Johnson ST, Goldw ire MA, Abdalla M, et al From education to practice ? 2024 update: An opinion paper of the Drug Information Practice and Research Network of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy J Am Coll Clin Pharm 2024; 1-13 doi:10 1002/ jac5 1945

Medina MS, Alvarez NA, Sucher BJ Getting started writing a personal diversity statement Am J Health Syst Pharm 2024 Apr 5:zxae098 doi: 10 1093/ajhp/zxae098 Online ahead of print

Sucher AJ, Chahine EB Clostridioides difficile infection In: Irons BK, Meredith AH, eds Ambulatory Care Self-Assessment Program, 2023 Book 3 Gastrointestinal and Nutrition Care Lenexa, KS: American College of Clinical Pharmacy, 2023:137-159

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CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 20 24 FOR YOUR OUTSTANDING RESIDENCY PLACEMENTS!

Blount Memorial Hospital, Maryville, TN

Centura St Anthony Hospital, Lakewood, CO (2 students)

Denver Health Medical Center, Denver, CO

Indian Health Services (2 students)

Intermountain Hlth Colorado-Good Samaritan Med Ctr, Lafayette, CO (2 students)

Maine Medical Center, Portland, ME

Presbyterian Healthcare Services, Albuquerque, NM

Providence Northwest Washington, Monroe, WA

Providence Regional Medical Center - Everett, Everett, WA

Safeway Pharmacy/ Regis University, Centennial, CO

Sentara RMH Medical Center, Harrisonburg, VA

Stormont-Vail Health, Topeka, KS

Swedish Medical Center, Englewood, CO

The Medical Center of Aurora, Aurora, CO (2 students)

University of Utah Health, Salt Lake City, UT

VA-Aurora, CO-VA Eastern Colorado HCS-Rocky Mtn, Aurora, CO

VA-Pittsburgh, PA-VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, PA

UPCOMING EVENTS

May 6, Summer classes begin for accelerated students

June 8, 10-year alumni celebration, 6 pm Walker's Pub

August 26, Fall classes begin

Executive Editor: Samit Shah, PhD, RPh

Dean, School of Pharmacy

Regis University

303-625-1300

Editor: Miki Goldwire, PharmD, MS, MA, BCPS

Professor, Director of Drug Information Regis University, School of Pharmacy mgoldwir@regis.edu