Reach Your Health Potential
Dean’s Message
Greetings, It is an honor to write my first Dean’s message as Interim Dean of the School of Pharmacy and Health Professions as we transition back to campus for in-person learning. I would like to congratulate Dr. Rondall Allen on his new appointment as Acting Vice President for Strategic Initiatives and thank him for his many contributions to our program. As a University of Maryland Eastern Shore alumnus and a founding faculty member at the School of Pharmacy, I have enjoyed working alongside you as we achieved the highest NAPLEX pass rates among HBCUs in the nation. Our success as a School was built by the hard work and leadership of our students, faculty, staff, community partners, and stakeholders. This semester, despite our COVID-19 challenges, we were able to welcome our newest pharmacy students, the Class of 2024, in our White Coat Ceremony. Our October Pharmacist Month kicked off with a visit from the renowned motivational speaker Dr. Jerrica Dodd. We also launched our Rural Health Disparities and Social Inequities Certificate program this semester with our first cohort. Our students, faculty, and staff have been active in the community practicing servant-leadership. We partnered with the Blood Bank of Delmarva to host a Blood Drive under the guidance of Dr. Rick Ward. Our students also volunteered at the National Folk Festival, fundraised for St. Jude’s Children Hospital, and participated in a Drug Disposal Day event with TidalHealth. Our faculty have been productive obtaining grants from local and state agencies. We are working with other HBCUs on a COVID-19 community health worker evaluation project. The American Colleges of Health Association’s (ACHA) Campus initiative and Worcester Health Department academic detailing programs led by Dr. Dang have allowed our students to educate the campus on COVID-19 risk mitigation strategies and prescribers on appropriate opioid prescribing, respectively. Our current students have been able apply their clinical and patient care knowledge in rotations all over the world including Johns Hopkins Hospital and Janssen Pharmaceuticals. This has led them to become outstanding alumni who have worked tirelessly to bring quality healthcare to the community. I am saddened by the untimely death of Bledar Demaku, our former student, who was taken from us too soon. My prayers go out to his friends and family. We have an exciting future as the new School of Pharmacy building opens its doors in the spring. I invite you to our New Pharmacy and Health Professions Building Grand Opening Celebration. I look forward to working with each of you as we continue to teach and train our students to “reach their health potential.” With warmest regards,
Dr. T. Sean Vasaitis Interim Dean of the School of Pharmacy and Health Professions
TABLE OF CONTENTS List of Administrators
2 UMES School of Pharmacy Tops Among HBCUs for First-Time NAPLEX Pass Rates
Dr. Heidi M. Anderson President
Dr. Nancy Niemi Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs
4 American Pharmacists Month Celebration Series: Dr. Jerrica Dodd
5 Assessment Tools of Older Adults: A Multidisciplinary Clinical Skills Workshop
6 The White Coat Ceremony for the Class of 2024
7 Rural Health Disparities and Social Inequities Certificate Program Launches This Fall
Dr. T. Sean Vasaitis Interim Dean, School of Pharmacy and Health Professions Dr. Timothy Gladwell Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Assessment Dr. Lana Sherr Assistant Dean for Professional Affairs Dr. Kawanda Williams Assistant Dean for Experiential Education Dr. Frederick Tejada Interim Assistant Dean of Student Affairs Dr. Victor Hsia Department Chair, Pharmaceutical Sciences Dr. Miriam Purnell Department Chair, Pharmacy Practice and Administration Communications Committee Dr. Yen Dang Ms. Kaylyn Sterling Dr. Frederick Tejada Alumni Affairs Co-Directors Dr. Patrice L. Jackson-Ayotunde Dr. Frederick Tejada Dr. Hoai-An Truong
This magazine is a publication of the School of Pharmacy. To update your mailing information, send an email to pldouglas@umes.edu or call 410-651-8327. For more information about the School, visit our website www.umes.edu/shp.
3 UMES School of Pharmacy Opens Its Doors Post-Pandemic to Incoming Students
8 SOP Volunteers in Our Community Blood is Life: The Sickle Cell Disease Blood Drive Event Pharmacy Students Volunteer at the National Folk Festival Phi Delta Chi’s Annual St. Jude Walk TidalHealth Goes Purple: Drug Disposal Day Event 10 Advance Pharmacy Practice Experiences... A Focus on Third-Year Student Rotations Janssen Pharmaceuticals Rotation Johns Hopkins Rotation 13 Advancing Pharmacy Practice Through Faculty-Funded Research Changing Opioid Prescribing through Academic Detailing A Student Ambassador Program to Improve COVID-19 Risk Mitigation Strategies on Campus HBCUs Partner with MHHD on a COVID-19 Initiative 15 New Faculty 16 Alumni Affairs 16 Alummi Spotlight
Disclaimer: Some pictures show people without facial coverings or not socially distancing. UMES School of Pharmacy is in strict compliance with the Centers for Disease Control, the State of Maryland, and the University of Maryland Systems guidelines on COVID-19. Testing and COVID-19 vaccinations have been required for all UMES individuals.
UMES RxTIMES > Fall 2021
1
UMES School of Pharmacy Tops Among HBCUs for First-Time NAPLEX Pass Rates
Pass Rates for First Time Attempts on the NAPLEX. Source: National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (Available at https://nabp.pharmacy/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/NAPLEX-Pass-Rates-2020.pdf. Accessed October 27, 2021.) For the third year in a row, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore School of Pharmacy (UMES-SOP) has claimed the top spot among Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) pharmacy programs for first-time pass rates on the North American Pharmacist Licensure Exam (NAPLEX)! The NAPLEX is a comprehensive exam designed to evaluate the general practice knowledge of pharmacy graduates. The exam results are used by individual Boards of Pharmacy to determine a graduate’s competency to become licensed as a
2 UMES RxTIMES > Fall 2021
Registered Pharmacist. The percentage of graduates who achieve a passing NAPLEX score on the first attempt is an objective and standardized metric that provides an “apples-to-apples” comparison of the quality of the education among different pharmacy schools. As a testament to its importance, the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) requires every US pharmacy school to post its most recent year’s NAPLEX results for first-time test takers on its website as one of three quality measures that must be disclosed publicly for accreditation purposes.
This ranking is a remarkable achievement considering the challenges our Class of 2020 graduates faced while completing their education during the COVID-19 pandemic. Once again, this demonstrates the dedication by all of the UMES SOP faculty, staff, and students to meeting our mission of “developing exemplary pharmacy professionals and scholars who are committed to patientcentered care, lifelong learning, discovery, and service for diverse communities of the Delmarva Peninsula, the State of Maryland, and around the world.”
UMES S chool
of
P harmacy
Opens Its Doors Post-Pandemic to Incoming Students Prospective students tour the new pharmacy building. On Nov. 6, 2021, the School of Pharmacy hosted its first in-person Open House since the pandemic started. Dr. Sean Vasaitis, Interim Dean, welcomed the prospective students and their families. They learned about pharmacy school preparation, the admissions process, and financial aid opportunities from Dr. Lynn Lang, Director of Assessment, and Dr. Rick Ward, Recruitment Coordinator. An overview of the curriculum was provided by Dr. Vasaitis followed by a Q & A session with student ambassadors Dana Adams (first-year pharmacy student), Zach Becouvarakis (second-year pharmacy student), and Rachel Thornton (second-year pharmacy student) for additional program information. The event concluded with a hard hat tour of the new School of Pharmacy building.
Potential student with Dr. Rick Ward, Recruitment Coordinator
UMES is one of the highest rated HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) pharmacy schools nationwide and the only program in Maryland where students can get their Doctor of Pharmacy Degree in 3 years. Here are the highlights of being a UMES pharmacy student: Our Curriculum: Advancing Knowledge, Transforming Lives • Students will have personalized learning with a low 6:1 student to faculty ratio. • We have renowned faculty and preceptors who will mentor students from the start of their education. • Students will gain leadership experiences through positions in our 10+ pharmacy student organizations. • Our students are involved in research activities that have led to conference presentations and publications. • We offer flexibility for students to complete rotations in pharmacies all around the world. • Many of our students have matched for post-graduate opportunities such as residencies and fellowships. Our Environment: Infinite Possibilities • Our small classes were designed to make students have an individualized learning experience. • Numerous scholarships are provided every year based on academics, cultural diversity, or financial need. • The University resides in a historical community with a lowcost of living and close to attractions such as Ocean City. • We are committed to diversity, with students from over 20 countries represented at the School of Pharmacy. UMES RxTIMES > Fall 2021
3
American Pharmacists Month Celebration Series:
Dr. Jerrica Dodd By Kaylyn Sterling, PharmD Candidate
As part of the American Pharmacist Month Celebration Series, Dr. Jerrica Dodd, keynote speaker, shared her love and passion for pharmacy and spoke about perseverance at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore School of Pharmacy. She is a pharmacist, entrepreneur, coach, and leader whose educational background is beyond notable including a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, a Master of Science in Pharmacy Administration from The Ohio State University, and a Master of Science with a focus in Applied Pharmacoeconomics from the University of Florida. To top it all off, she completed a residency at The Ohio State University Medical Center. Dr. Dodd has been a pharmacist for 23 years and transitioned into full-time entrepreneurship after a 17-year career in the pharmaceutical industry in multiple roles within Medical Affairs.
4 UMES RxTIMES > Fall 2021
Dr. Dodd has spoken on many stages across the country and is the proud Executive Editor of PharmaSis Magazine, Celebrating Women in Pharmacy. Despite her warm character and vibrant smile, what made Dr. Dodd even more relatable to the UMES students is that her preceptor for rotations was UMES School of Pharmacy Dean Rondall Allen. All pharmacy schools can be hard and stressful, and UMES Pharmacy’s three year curriculum with its fast paced environment is no different. Dr. Dodd’s main message was to “prioritize yourself. Make time for yourself because you are worth it. Although pharmacy school can be a lot of work, students, teachers, and pharmacists everywhere deserve to have time set aside to remind ourselves of our worth.”
Assessment Tools of Older Adults: A Multidisciplinary Clinical Skills Workshop
Multidisciplinary students from UMES and SU learn about assessment tools in geriatric populations. On October 22, 2021, 116 students representing Salisbury University and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) met at the Wicomico Youth and Civic Center in Salisbury, Maryland to attend a clinical skills workshop. The presenters included: The objective of the workshop was to develop and learn new clinical skills for treating older adults, and how to work as an interdisciplinary team to provide patient centered care techniques. The half-day workshop included students studying the disciplines of Nursing, Social Work, Physical Therapy, Physician Assistant, Dietetics/Nutrition and Pharmacy. The event featured concurrent workshops led by faculty from a variety of health profession programs at the two universities. Faculty shared their expertise and experiences with the students on a diverse set of topics such as “Assessment of Dementia,” “Death with Dignity:
Assessment Instruments for End-of-Life Care,” “Mental Health in Later Life: Validated Tools for Use with Older Adults”, “Older Adults and Medications,” and “Gait and Balance Assessment of Older Adults.” The day consisted of an introduction to a case study, various workshops, • Mary DiBartolo PhD, MBA, RN-BC, CNE, FGSA, FAAN, Associate and concluded with student Professor of Nursing at Salisbury University interdisciplinary team • Jennifer Schermerhorn LMSW, Director of Graduate Field Education discussions of an assigned case and a Cclinical Assistant Professor in the School of Social Work at Salisbury University study where they were tasked in developing a patient treatment • Diane Martin Ph.D., Associate Professor at the Graduate School, University of Maryland, Baltimore plan. The Eastern Shore Area • Nancy Rodriguez-Weller RPh., FASCP, Assistant Professor, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy Health Education Center and Health Profession (ESAHEC), located in Cambridge • Dennis Klima PT, MS, PhD, DPT, GCS, NCS, Associate Professor of Maryland, offered the free Physical Therapy at University of Maryland-Eastern Shore workshop utilizing funding from the University System of Maryland’s Geriatric and Gerontology Education and Research (GGEAR) program at University of MarylandBaltimore.
Medication adherence tools for older adults
UMES RxTIMES > Fall 2021
5
T H E W H I T E C O AT C E R E M O N Y
for the
From all across the United States to many different countries, the Class of 2024 all came together on July 9th, 2021 to form a “Pharmily” symbolized by the White Coat Ceremony. Being the first class in over a year to be back in the classroom, emotions were high as Princess Anne became the new home of many for the next few years. Every student in our class has chosen UMES Pharmacy for different reasons, but the one motive why we all chose pharmacy as a career is our desire to care for and help one another. Anyone can study and attend class, but the compassion that the Class of 2024 has is unteachable. A UMES School of Pharmacy white coat is a symbol of dedication, professionalism, and family. Not only can this white coat help us recognize each other on campus, it also helps us understand our commitment and love to
6 UMES RxTIMES > Fall 2021
Class of 2024 By Kaylyn Sterling, PharmD Candidate
Pharmacy students read the Pledge of Professionalism
pharmacy. Class of 2024 Pharmacy Student Kaylyn Sterling says, “I left my family in California to be the first Division 1 college athlete to play a sport in pharmacy school. Constantly dealing with stress and anxiety, I understand firsthand the need for a support system. For me, I found my comfort through my classmates, teachers, and coaches at UMES. When I was handed my white coat, I felt the pride that every UMES pharmacy student before me has felt. I knew that there would be ups and downs, but with my classmates behind me rooting me on, I knew I could do anything I put my mind to.” Our class may be small, but there is enough love and support to last us a lifetime. Congratulations and welcome to the profession, Class of 2024.
Rural Health Disparities and Social Inequities Certificate Program Launches This Fall
Offered by the UMES School of Pharmacy, the Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Program in Rural Health Disparities and Social Inequities is a fully online program that is ideal for those who desire a flexible schedule. It is designed to help students develop, implement, and evaluate services or programs that address rural health disparities. The goals of the certificate program are to: 1) Equip graduates with foundational knowledge about factors that contribute to rural health disparities and social inequities, including Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) and its impacts on key diseases in rural areas; 2) Prepare graduates to develop policies that advance rural health and health equity; and 3) Prepare graduates to develop, implement, and evaluate programs that address rural health disparities and social inequities based on needs assessment. The certificate program consists of four, 3-credit courses, and can be completed in one year. Each course is eight weeks in duration including: • RUHD 501: Foundations of Rural Health, Health Disparities, Social Inequities, and Health Behaviors (3 credits) – This course will explore the landscape of rural health in America, define key terms and topics related to rural health, explore critical issues in rural health disparities and social inequities, and introduce health behavior theories and models. It will also examine factors including cultural influences, racism, and health disparities that result in poor health outcomes within rural, medically underserved populations. (No prerequisite) • RUHD 502: Advancing and Advocating for Rural Health Policy and Program Development (3 credits) – This course will explore today’s major rural health policy issues in historical, economical, social, and political contexts within local, national, and international scenarios. It will equip students with tools to conduct needs assessments, analyze policy as well as plan, implement, and evaluate programs through an interdisciplinary approach. Students will gain the skills for engaging rural community stakeholders. (Prerequisite: RUHD 501)
• RUHD 503: Achieving Rural Health and Social Equity – Strategies for Addressing Social Determinants of Health, Contributing Factors, and Key Diseases (3 credits) – This course will examine rural health disparities, discuss the constructs and significance of social determinants of health (SDOH), assess the range of barriers and enablers that contribute to key disease states in rural areas, and explore the strategies for addressing the SDOH. (Prerequisite: RUHD 501) • RUHD 504: Rural Health and Health Equity Capstone Project (3 credits) – The course will provide students with real-world experience that applies the content areas from the program to develop, implement, and evaluate a program aimed at addressing social inequities and achieving rural health equity as part of the capstone project. It will integrate critical thinking skills, cultural competence training, research strategies, applications of public health functions and services, as well as health behavior theories and models in a final capstone project. (Prerequisites: RUHD 501, RUHD 502, RUHD 503) The Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Program in Rural Health Disparities and Social Inequities is led by program director Dr. Miriam Purnell with faculty members Dr. Rondall Allen, Yen Dang, Nkem Nonyel, and Hoai-An Truong. Its first cohort began in Fall 2021 and is designed to admit a maximum of 15 students for an individualized learning experience. The program is open to a broad range of professionals to include, but not limited to, health department personnel, legislative staff with responsibility for rural health disparities, and health care professionals. Graduate students, fellows, and faculty with an interest in health disparities and social inequities are also encouraged to apply at: https://gradapply.umes.edu/
UMES RxTIMES > Fall 2021
7
U M E S S O P Vo l u n t e e Pharmacy The Sickle Cell Disease Students Volunteer at Blood Drive Event the National Folk Festival Blood is Life By Kaylyn Sterling, PharmD Candidate
In honor of September’s National Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month, Dr. Ricky Ward, the Recruiting Coordinator for the School of Pharmacy and Health Professions at UMES, partnered with the Blood Bank of Delmarva to host a Blood Drive at UMES. Dr. Ward and his wife are both carriers of the sickle cell trait ultimately resulting in their two daughters Ahydia and Sokyra, a UMES student, to have sickle cell disease. Motivated by the principle “preach about health equity and bridge the gap Dr. Rick Ward of healthcare disparities in rural communities”, Dr. Ward felt as donates blood if hosting a blood drive would be a great opportunity to raise to save lives. awareness and to help save lives. Dr. Ward understands first-hand how his daughters’ diseases have taught him about being a caregiver and felt the calling to do more within the community. He and his wife formed the Maryland Eastern Shore Sickle Cell Association whose mission is to bring about community awareness and support to those who have sickle cell disease through advocacy, emotional and sometimes financial support. ”My wife and I wanted to help by bringing about community awareness and advocating for families with children who struggle with this unfortunate blood disorder”, Dr. Ward states. “We provide resources about new medical treatment, policy changes, and offer up a support group for those who suffer in silence on our college campuses and the surrounding communities of the Eastern Shore. We wanted to change the emotional experience and lessen the frustration for others who may be fighting this disorder.” The overall result? According to Mrs. Marie Forrestal, Director of Donor Recruitment for the Blood Bank of Delmarva, 16 donors were found. All 16 will be forwarded for further genomic testing based on these results. These red blood cell units are very rare and will all be used for sickle cell patients. (Top left) Sokyra Ward (UMES Biology Major student and patient sickle cell disease) and Shanda Ward (Maryland Eastern Shore Sickle Cell Association) volunteer at the event.
(Bottom left) Drs. Ward, Mrs. Ward, and Ms. Charlett Parsons (PA program) disseminate sickle cell disease literature and play trivia games with attendees to increase awareness.
8 UMES RxTIMES > Fall 2021
By Kaylyn Sterling, PharmD Candidate
On September 10th-12th, 2021, firstyear students volunteered at the National Folk Festival and provided medical assistance at the cultural event. A known staple to the Salisbury community of over 80 years, the National Folk Festival celebrates the many cultures, rituals, crafts, occupations, and foods present in Maryland. Many come from all over the nation to learn, enjoy, and help honor those who have made Maryland the amazing state it is. Luckily no legs were broken (although many “Break-A-Legs” were said) as the students helped work in the First Aid Station to apply what they learned in the classroom to a real-life situation. Other students also got the chance to work backstage and help make the Folk Festival the success it was. The Salisbury Folk Festival celebrated its 80th year in 2021 and pharmacy students performed volunteer work for thousands of attendees over a 3-day event.
rs in the Community Phi Delta Chi’s Annual St. Jude Walk The UMES Phi Delta Chi, Gamma Omicron Student Chapter recently participated in the St. Jude Walk/Run event to raise money for St. Jude and further their mission to end childhood cancer. With the money raised for St. Jude, it makes sure that no family is turned away based on financial stability and promises that no bill will ever be charged for treatment of childhood cancer. The St. Jude Walk is the main philanthropic event of the year for Phi Delta Chi (PDC). As a Chapter, the PDC brothers reached out to friends, family, and alumni to fundraise. PDC was able to raise $825.00 so far this year, bringing the total to more than $11,000 since 2014. Unfortunately, due to COVID restrictions still being in place, the Baltimore event was cancelled. That did not stop some, as many downloaded the app and chose to walk the 5K on their own time in spirit of the event. The Brothers of Phi Delta Chi organized a small event to walk the 5K together. The turnout was small due to many individuals needing to focus on studies, but for those who attended, the event was full of reflection and camaraderie.
TidalHealth Goes Purple: Drug Disposal Day Event By Alyssa Reese and Eustace Mua, PharmD Candidates
Jeremy Wirick and Blair Yesko distribute Deterra bags at TidalHealth Peninsula Regional in Salisbury.
Student pharmacists from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore were given the opportunity to volunteer for the TidalHealth Go Purple Drug Disposal Awareness Day at TidalHealth Nanticoke Hospital in Seaford, Delaware and Peninsula Regional in Salisbury, Maryland in October. The purpose of the event was to inform patients about safe, effective methods of drug disposal in order to prevent unused medications from falling into inappropriate hands. Through this, patients are able to protect themselves, their families, and their communities as well as reduce environmental contamination. The students’ primary roles were to offer patients Deterra bags, a carbon-based drug inactivation system where its convenience is only matched by its simplicity. To use, one must simply place the unwanted drug into the bag system and add water. Following deactivation, the bag can be tossed in a normal household garbage can. Before the Drug Disposal Day, patients and family members had to call local law enforcement or look up medication drop-off sites in order to dispose of prescriptions. During this event, students provided a simple, safe, and at-home pharmaceutical product disposal system. Student pharmacist Jeremy Wirick states, “Several people whom I spoke to described a recently deceased family member who left behind many unused medications. Upon receiving the Deterra bags they would express gratitude as we provided the solution for one of the many tasks they had to handle. By educating people on proper drug disposal and providing a means by which to do so, I feel that I helped to prevent future prescription drug misuse.” He and Blair Yesko were able to hand out 400 Deterra bags to the Salisbury community, HOPE (Help and Outreach Point of Entry) program, and hospital employees. Whether it be an unused opioid prescription that was filled for a wisdom tooth extraction or even expired over-the-counter drugs, Deterra is a safe and effective way to prevent accidental ingestion and drug diversion in the home. Alyssa Reese and Eustace Mua, both PharmD Candidates, distributed 50 Deterra bags along with a list of local medication drop-off locations at Nanticoke Hospital. Alyssa Reese shared, “One gentleman mentioned that he had medications in his home that are over 10 years old. He was thankful that now he has found a way to finally dispose of them properly with the Deterra bag. I was happy to have been able to assist him in keeping his home and his environment safe.” Eustace Mua hands out Deterra bags at Nanticoke Hospital. UMES RxTIMES > RxTIMES > Fall 2021 UMES
9
Advance Pharmacy Practice Experiences..
Johns H
Janssen Pharmaceuticals Rotation By Yunghon (Eric) Lee, PharmD Candidate
I had a virtual rotation at Janssen Pharmaceuticals in Global Pharmacovigilance due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This rotation was geared toward learning about the role a pharmacist plays in Global Pharmacovigilance within the pharmaceutical industry especially for the collection and processing of individual case safety reports for investigational clinical trials. A typical day in this rotation can vary, but usually it will consist of a meeting with your preceptor where they will go over industry-specific topics. I learned about the importance of writing Suspected Unexpected Serious Adverse Reaction (SUSAR) narrative cases and how they are completed, had meetings with current fellows in pharmacovigilance, and worked on assignments and presentations. This rotation is a great experience to learn about one of the many roles pharmacists can play in the pharmaceutical industry. It is a great opportunity to gain exposure to industry if you are interested in pursuing a post-graduate fellowship. If I had to give one tip for this rotation, it would be to NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK. Use your five weeks to learn as much as you can about as many functional pharmaceutical industry areas. Many of the fellows and employees are willing to meet with students for 30 minutes to discuss their role, their functional area, and give advice to students who are interested in this career path. These are great experiences to gain insight as well as create a network of colleagues that may help in the future. I am grateful for having this opportunity to rotate at Janssen Pharmaceuticals and I would highly recommend this rotation to any student that wants to see how a pharmacist can play an integral role in the pharmaceutical industry.
10 UMES RxTIMES > Fall 2021
Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (PCICU) Rotation By Edelquine Mandzo, PharmD Candidate
During my Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (PCICU) rotation at The Johns Hopkins Hospital, I saw patients between 1 hour old to 18 years of age. These patients were either born with a congenital heart defect or had developed heart failure due to infections or other risk factors. Most patients were in the hospital long-term connected to machines such as the Berlin Heart Machine and Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) that were lifesustaining until they could get a heart transplant. Some patients were often heavily sedated and on several medications that needed the expertise of a well-trained pharmacist to monitor the efficacy, drug interactions, contraindications, and possible side effects. With minimal studies on infants, many of our recommendations as pharmacists were inferred from adult patients based on the literature and evidence available. In addition, medications were prescribed at reduced doses with regards to the patient’s weight. Therefore, knowing every medication, their mechanism of action, recommended pediatric and adult doses, and the side effects were significant to treating these patients. A solid organ transplant is a medical miracle that restores life, and medications play a significant role in sustaining life. The role of the pharmacist is crucial in the field of transplantation as patients are always on several medications that need to be constantly monitored. This rotation taught me to be very thorough in my assessments because a patient’s life depends on my ability to make appropriate recommendations. Furthermore, my preceptor taught me always to ask ‘WHY” because it keeps me curious and proactive as a lifelong learner.
..A Focus on Third-Year Student Rotations
opkins Hospital Rotation Home Infusion Rotation By Mercedes Vilasoa, PharmD Candidate
The John G. Bartlett Specialty Practice home infusion clinic provided a wide variety of services that a patient with infectious diseases may need, including specialty care in HIV/ AIDS, endocrinology, gynecology, nutrition, hepatitis, and nephrology. The rotation gave me the opportunity to collaborate interprofessionally with other health care providers including infectious disease physicians, social workers, and pharmacists that specialize in home infusion, HIV/AIDS, and ambulatory care. I found it very beneficial to observe the responsibilities of social workers when they ensure patients receive coverage with medical assistance programs. I learned how home infusions are performed for patients receiving parenteral antimicrobial therapy in the comfort of their own home using eclipse ball infusions. Shadowing an ambulatory care pharmacist in the diabetes and HIV clinic showed me the barriers to adherence that some patients experience.
At the HIV clinic, I learned about useful HIV resources available for providers, including the University of Liverpool’s HIV Drug Interactions website, the NIH’s Clinical Info HIV Guidelines, and HIV-ASSIST. I was able to work with physicians that developed the HIV-ASSIST platform to ensure that the penalties assigned to certain antiretroviral therapy (ART) matched the interaction statuses provided by the University of Liverpool on their Drug Interactions website. Another major project I completed was updating the Pharmacy Refill Assist Program Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) with the new changes that had been implemented on the EnterpriseRX and EPIC electronic medical record. Because of this rotation, I am more confident in my ability to access clinical decision support tools to provide optimal individualized care for patients with HIV that I will encounter in the future.
Psychiatry Rotation By Michelle Yang, PharmD Candidate
My psychiatry rotation was primarily virtual with 1-2 on-site days every week. My day-to-day consisted of morning pharmacotherapy rounds with the attending, medical residents, and the social worker on Zoom. As a team, we would walk through each patient and discuss any new lab/imaging results, updates on the patient’s well-being, and adjust the patient’s therapy plans. Afterwards, I met up with my preceptor to discuss therapy adjustments and bring up any questions I may have had during rounds. Other activities throughout the rotation included topic discussions, drug information questions, designing a Medication Education Group session for the patients, and observing electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) sessions. Although there was one other student with me on rotation, majority of the work was completed independently. With the emergence of aducanumab, the new agent for management of mild Alzheimer’s disease, I was able to work on a presentation that showcases the new agent, review the clinical trials that support its approval, and address any drug controversies. During my rotation, I presented the information to mid-level practitioners and provided my insight into whether this medication should be added to the Johns Hopkins formulary or not. I am currently drafting a new drug article to be published in the MSHP Pharmascript newsletter on aducanumab. I highly recommend applying for this rotation if you are interested in mental health and being an integral member of a multidisciplinary team to optimize patient care. UMES RxTIMES > Fall 2021
11
Johns Hopkins Hospital Rotation Pain Management Rotation By Alyssa Reese, PharmD Candidate
The Johns Hopkins pain management rotation was devised into acute/postsurgical pain and palliative care. The first two weeks comprised of rounding with attending physicians and anesthesiologists to assist with postsurgical pain medication interventions. During this experience, I was able to assist the pain management team by obtaining thorough patient histories to identify contraindications or treatment failures, participate in physical exams to evaluate acute pain and function, assess current pain medication utilization through the electronic medical record and patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pumps, and demonstrate competency in my understanding of the pharmacology of pain management medications. We also worked in tandem with physical therapists, social workers, midlevel providers, and nurses to provide an interdisciplinary, multimodal approach to patient care. The palliative care focus during this rotation consisted of both outpatient telehealth appointments and inpatient visits. The purpose of palliative care is to focus on anticipating, preventing, diagnosing, and treating symptoms that patients with serious or life-threatening illnesses may experience. It also works to provide psychosocial support by building a network of care. For telehealth appointments, we met with patients over a secure server as part of an interprofessional healthcare team including pharmacists, physicians, and nurse practitioners to assess and treat their symptoms. For inpatient visits, our service was consulted by attending providers to assess patients’ needs and determine how we can provide interventions to alleviate the physical aspect of their total pain. This rotation allowed me to provide care to patients that were arguably in their most vulnerable state. As one can expect, patients displayed a wide range of emotions, and I was able to sharpen my communication skills as I provided empathy and rolled with resistance. Goals of care conversations can be very hard to initiate, but I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to assist in the care of the patients served.
Johns Hopkins Hospital Clinical Track By Blair Yesko, PharmD Candidate
I completed a clinical track at Johns Hopkins Hospital with four consecutive rotations there including pediatrics, internal medicine, bone marrow transplant, and critical care. On my first day in my pediatrics rotation, I was introduced to the pediatric pharmacy and pediatric gastrointestinal team and immediately felt welcome. I got to work interprofessionally with a variety of medical students, attendings, dieticians, nurses, and case workers. One thing I learned on my pediatric rotation was “don’t push the babies!”, meaning babies usually can only handle one change at a time. My second rotation was with the Janeway internal medicine team. I got the opportunity here to learn about managing warfarin in different coagulable states. On this rotation I learned to anticipate what the team will ask you ahead of time, so you can know the answer before they ask! On my third rotation, I got to experience bone marrow transplant. This was where oncology side effects, infectious disease, and anticoagulation knowledge all came in handy. I learned to pay attention to the patients when the attending is speaking with them—you may catch a medication side effect that the rest of the team does not see! Finally, on my fourth rotation in critical care surgery, I got to learn about the pharmacy verification process. I even toured the operating rooms to see where medications are stored and rounded with the oncology ICU team. Pharmacists in the critical care pharmacy see a variety of disease states, including patients on phenytoin or vancomycin. I learned to appreciate your pharmacy technicians— without them, the pharmacy would not be able to run!
12 UMES RxTIMES > Fall 2021
Advancing Pharmacy Practice Through Faculty-Funded Research
Student Eustace Mua with Kelcey Kangla, Coordinator of Special Programs at the Worcester County Health Department
Changing Opioid Prescribing through Academic Detailing The United States’ drug-related overdose and deaths continues to worsen during the pandemic. There have been increases in drug overdose mortality as high as 27% compared to the year prior as a result of COVID-19. The economic instability, social isolation, increased mental stress, and limited access to addiction support and medications were contributing factors that led to a rise of opioidrelated deaths. Inappropriate and excessive prescribing of opioids by prescribers is central to the opioid crisis in America. Recent efforts to limit the availability of opioids include monitoring medications on the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) and educational interventions to prescribers. An example of this is through academic detailing, a technique where healthcare professionals are educated about evidence-based information about opioid overdose to change
Alyssa Reese with Community Health Worker Elizabeth Justice at an academic detailing session at TidalHealth.
their prescribing behavior. Through a grant funded by the Worcester County Health Department, Dr. Yen Dang’s rotation students will be involved in an academic detailing program to reduce opioid overdose on the Eastern Shore. UMES third-year pharmacy students will be working with Worcester County Health Department community health workers and go to prescriber’s offices and pharmacies to educate them about opioid misuse. Educational visits may also occur online. Naloxone education, training, and prescribing will also be reviewed for patients who are at risk for overdose. Pharmacy students will also work with health department officials to deter providers from prescribing opioids for chronic pain and encourage the use of Maryland’s Prescription Drug Monitoring Program to monitor any suspicious refill activity. The program will occur until June 2022. UMES RxTIMES > Fall 2021
13
A Student Ambassador Program to Improve COVID-19 Risk Mitigation Strategies on Campus
efforts. The program, led by Drs. Yen Dang and Sean Vasaitis, will allow for pharmacy student ambassadors to create weekly videos featuring different topics to promote COVID-19 risk mitigation. Dr. Vasaitis says that “the pharmacy student ambassadors will help connect with a younger audience, promoting healthy COVID-19 behaviors among their peers”. These videos will be posted on Facebook and will focus on current campus COVID-19 policies (wearing masks and physical distancing), assessing personal COVID-19 risks and socializing safely, addressing misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines, making health The American Colleges of Health care decisions, and coping with mental Association’s (ACHA) Campus COVID-19 health challenges around COVID-19. The Vaccination and Mitigation (CoVAC) University of Maryland Eastern Shore Initiative is a unique opportunity for (UMES) School of Pharmacy is located campus leaders, including faculty, staff, in Somerset County, Maryland, a rural and students, to address challenges medically underserved county with the presented by the COVID-19 pandemic in lowest COVID-19 vaccination rates in support of healthy and thriving campus the State and rising COVID-19 cases with communities. The program aims to Drs. Dang and Vasaitis are the the delta variant. Dr. Dang states, “This support institutions in need of resources lead investigators for the ACHA initiative. program allows students to actively lead to develop, implement, and maintain and engage their fellow peers during effective and innovative COVID-19 a real-world pandemic that is disproportionately affecting their prevention and management strategies. This year, University of community to reduce COVID-19 transmission cases in Maryland’s Maryland Eastern Shore School of Pharmacy was one of twenty schools lowest vaccinated county.” across the nation to receive funding for COVID-19 risk mitigation
HBCUs Partner with MHHD on a COVID-19 Initiative Minority populations have had disproportionate morbidity and mortality rates with COVID-19 compared to other racial groups. While there has been some research in this area, more information is needed to understand the underlying causes of this disparity so that effective interventions can be implemented. The Maryland Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities (MHHD) is partnering with Historically Black Universities and Colleges (HBCUs) in Maryland on a project to understand minority perceptions of COVID-19 testing and vaccinations in order to debunk misinformation. Additionally, the project determines barriers to getting COVID-19 tested and vaccinated among minorities and identifies the needs of persons who test positive. The project will last for 18 months and provides $100,000 per program entity.
14 UMES RxTIMES > Fall 2021
UMES SOP’s Dr. Rondall Allen, Miriam Purnell, Yen Dang, and Nkem Nonyel are the lead investigators for Wicomico and Dorchester County. The initiative determines the effectiveness of deployed Community Health Workers (CHWs) in engaging with and delivering services to targeted communities impacted by COVID-19. Currently, UMES is working with other Maryland HBCUs including Morgan State University, Coppin State University, and Bowie State University, to create assessment, tracking, and evaluation tools to measure CHW performance. These tools will also analyze attitudes and behaviors of service recipients across the Eastern Shore including CHWs and their organizations, community partners, and patients. (Left to right) Drs. Yen Dang, Miriam Purnell, Nkem Nonyel, and Rondall Allen are the principal investigators of the project.
New Faculty Dr. Jocelyn Reader Assistant Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences Dr. Joceyln Reader completed her Bachelors of Biological Sciences Degree at Goucher College and received her Ph.D. in Human Genetics at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, School of Medicine. Under the mentorship of Dr. Amy Fulton, she worked as a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Maryland Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer. During her postdoctoral fellowship, Dr. Reader examined the role of inflammation on triple negative breast metastasis and breast cancer disparities. In 2015, Dr. Reader joined the Division of Gynecologic Oncology as a Research Associate in the Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Reproductive Sciences where she focused on basic and translational research projects in ovarian and other gynecologic malignancies. Currently, she studies the role of inflammation on the response of ovarian cancer to chemotherapeutic agents and the role of PGE2 EP receptors in breast cancer disparities. Her areas of interest include cancer health disparities, breast and gynecologic cancers, and molecular and cellular oncobiology.
Dr. Kawanda McCarthy Williams Assistant Dean for Experiential Education and Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice Dr. Kawanda McCarthy Williams is a proud graduate of Grambling State University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. Dr. Williams’ early career as a K-12 educator and community advocate is where she realized her true passion for ensuring all students have access to healthcare and quality education. This led her to the Xavier University of Louisiana where she earned a PharmD in 2005. Dr. Williams has specialized in pharmacy leadership throughout her pharmacy career beginning with her role as Community Pharmacy Manager, pharmacy owner, and Director of Pharmacy for a behavioral health hospital in Shreveport, LA. Under her leadership, these organizations successfully implemented pharmacy-driven clinical initiatives such as medication usage evaluations, and antibiotic and opioid stewardship programs. In 2017, she entered into academia as a founding faculty and the first Director of Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience at the University of Texas- Tyler, Ben and Maytee Fisch College of Pharmacy. After establishing a successful experiential program, Dr. Williams supported similar work at the American University of Health Science in Long Beach, CA. As faculty, her interest in global health has opened the opportunity for students and faculty to participate in medical missions serving children across Jamaica and Haiti.
UMES RxTIMES > Fall 2021
15
Alumni Affairs Second Annual Virtual Alumni Program Continuing Pharmacy Education & SocialNetworking Event The School of Pharmacy hosted the Second Annual Virtual Alumni Program – Continuing Pharmacy Education (CPE) and Social-Networking Event on March 2, 2021. The topic for the CPE activity was “COVID-19 Vaccines: Immunology, Anthropology, and Your Patients” which was moderated by Dr. Hoai-An Truong, Professor and Director of Public Health and featured globally renowned speaker Dr. John Grabenstein, President of Vaccine Dynamics SP; Associate Director for Scientific Communications, Immunization Action Coalition. The CPE was timely given ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and provided 1-hour of CPE for alumni and faculty. All UMES School of Pharmacy alumni from the Inaugural Class of 2013 to Class of 2020 as well as current and former faculty and staff participated in a virtual socialnetworking event. The social-networking was kicked-off with an alumni panel including Dr. Tricia Wiltshire (2013), Dr. Zack Sherr (2014), and Dr. Etchi Ayuk Nkem (2018) who shared their current position in pharmacy practice and most memorable thing about pharmacy school. The School of Pharmacy will host the Third Annual Virtual Alumni Program – Continuing Pharmacy Education (CPE) and Social-Networking Event in December 2021 or January 2022. The date will be confirmed and communicated via email and social media soon. Please stay tuned for more details. For more information about Alumni Affairs, including sharing ideas and providing feedback for future alumni programs, please contact Co-Directors Dr. Patrice JacksonAyotunde, Dr. Fred Tejada and Dr. Hoai-An Truong at via e-mail at umes-sop-alumni@ umes.edu. Please also visit the Alumni Affairs website at: https://www.umes.edu/Pharmacy/ Content/Alumni-Events/
16 UMES RxTIMES > Fall 2021
Alumn In Loving Memory of Dr. Bledar Demaku Class of 2015 By Dr. Eric Barbye Dr. Demaku, 31, of Salem, Virginia, passed away on Thursday, August 26, 2021. A memorial service was held on Saturday, September 11, 2021 at the John M. Oakey & Son Chapel in Salem, VA. Bledar earned his Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore School of Pharmacy in 2015. He was also an active Brother in the Phi Delta Chi Pharmacy Fraternity, where he served as the Worthy Keeper of Records and Seals (recording secretary) from 2013-2014. I read some of the memories shared by Bledar’s loved ones online. Everyone – family, friends, classmates, and even his elementary school teachers – remembers him as a model gentleman with a kind heart. “The most selfless man I have ever met and worked with,” reads one memory. Others described him as “a shining star” and one who “made quite an impact.” Ross Jones (PharmD ’15) recollects that “few others in this world [have] such passion for the philosophical and metaphysical, and its impact on the human experience.” Still others describe Bledar as “genuine”, with “a smile that would light up a room and he enjoyed making other people laugh.” Bledar was truly the epitome of what it means to be an excellent pharmacist. He developed relationships with his patients at CVS that were much deeper than just their medical conditions or acute ailments. He learned and appreciated who they were as fellow human beings. This is one of the many traits that set Bledar apart from his peers – his desire to help beyond what is required. Without a doubt, he brought joy to all with whom he crossed paths.
Dr. Sean-Luke Webster Class of 2020 Fellow in Rural Health and Health Equity, UMES School of Pharmacy Dr. Webster is a Fellow in Rural Health and Health Equity at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) School of Pharmacy and Health Professions. Dr. Webster is an alumnus of the UMES School of Pharmacy and earned his Doctor of Pharmacy in 2020. As part of his professional responsibilities, Dr. Webster’s area of expertise is centered around identifying the unique healthcare challenges of residents on the Eastern Shore and developing solutions that can potentially serve as a model for other rural communities in Maryland. Dr. Webster, as a local of Maryland’s Eastern Shore, has observed the challenges of rural patients through personal experience. Their challenges consist of a lack in health literacy, delaying outpatient and inpatient care, and sparsity of rural health care providers. As part of his fellowship training, Dr. Webster is passionate at improving the wellbeing of rural communities and ameliorate those healthcare challenges. Dr. Webster’s background includes practicing in community pharmacy and working as a Research Coordinator for a UMES research project centered towards nursing home residents. This telehealth project identified a problem of increased depression due to social isolation by COVID-19 in rural nursing residents. COVID-19 lockdown protocols in nursing homes forced residents to go without their friends and family for months at the height of the pandemic. The goal of the project was to assess the benefit of telehealth delivered depression education and music therapy to improve depression. Dr. Webster’s professional interests include academia, rural health and health equity research, and serving the local community through volunteer work and as a healthcare professional.
i SPOTLIGHT
Dr. Isis Amaye
Dr. Rodolfo Antonio Romero
Pharmaceutical Sciences Alumna Medicinal Chemist at Knopp Biosciences in Pittsburgh, PA
Class of 2019 Ambulatory Care Pharmacist at the Kaiser Permanente in Gaithersburg, MD
Dr. Amaye arrived in the United States as part of a scholarship program from Delta State, Nigeria, in January 2010 after receiving admission to University of Maryland Eastern Shore to study Biology. She graduated summa cum laude in December 2013 with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology. Isis has always had a passion for research and medicine, and a graduate degree was necessary to fulfill that passion. Instead of going into the medical field, she ventured into research. Pharmaceutical sciences is a broad field that satisfies various career desires and Isis found her passion in the branch of medicinal chemistry. She chose this branch because it combines being able to do research while also creating medicines for health improvement. Isis joined the UMES School of Pharmacy’s first cohort of students in the Pharmaceutical Sciences Graduate Program (PSGP) in 2015. Being part of the first cohort had both benefits and limitations to her graduate education. The responsibility to achieve success put more pressure on her than she was used to. However, with a good mentor and supportive faculty members, she was able to conduct a successful epilepsy drug development research, defend a noteworthy thesis, and graduated in 2020. Isis is currently employed as a Medicinal Chemist at Knopp Biosciences in Pittsburgh where she uses her training to design and synthesize drug molecules for both epilepsy and chronic pain management. In her current position, Isis enjoys the ability to be creative and think critically on her projects. For anyone contemplating graduate school with a research focus, Isis’ best advice is to “Control your expectations, don’t let them be too high or too low. If it’s too high you will burn out even before you get to the middle of your journey. If it’s too low, you will not reach your full potential. As for starting the career you want, make sure it’s what you want - academia, industry or government - and prepare yourself towards it while you are still in school so when the time is right, you are ready to go!”
Dr. Antonio Romero has worked in the pharmacy field since 2011. He started as a technician in retail and after a year moved to an ambulatory care setting. In this complex and fast-paced environment, he found his love for pharmacy. After many years of studying and working full time, Antonio started his professional training in 2016 at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore School of Pharmacy. Antonio graduated with a Doctor of Pharmacy in 2019 and has been working at Kaiser Permanente in Gaithersburg, MD as an Ambulatory Care pharmacist. This outpatient pharmacy is in one of the busiest centers in the MidAtlantic region with an average of 1,100 prescriptions being filled per day. This pharmacy also attends to the needs of more than 30 different medical specialties within the building, including pain management, advanced urgent care, and surgery. Antonio wishes to further his education by pursuing board certification in pharmacotherapy and certification as a diabetes educator by December 2022. In his free time, he enjoys making exquisite chocolate (from “bean to bar”), volunteering as a firefighter/EMT, and delivering meals with “Meals on Wheels.” Service to the community is a core value that defines Antonio as an individual and as a professional. In the fight for health equity, all contributors must do their part. As a bilingual healthcare professional, Antonio would like to advocate for the underserved by working with motivated and like-minded professionals to remove barriers and create opportunities for all those who seek it.
UMES RxTIMES > Fall 2021
17
SAVE THE DATE September 15, 2022
New Pharmacy and Health Professions Building Phase I
umes.edu Look for more information as the date draws near. Follow us on Facebook on the ‘University of Maryland Eastern Shore School of Pharmacy’ page at https://www.facebook.com/University-of-Maryland-Eastern-Shore-School-of-Pharmacy-100618791778420
