WINTER 2017 • Publishing Semiannually | VOLUME 1 • Issue 1 INSIDE: Discovery Drive PG. 6 The Career of the PharmD PG. 12 Week of Thanks(Giving) PG. 15
THANK YOU!
To all of the generous donors who helped support Roseman University's 18th Annual Scholarship Golf Tournament! Held on Monday, October 2 at Bear's Best Las Vegas, the tournament's golfers, sponsors, silent auction and raffle donors, and scholarship donors contributed more than $100,000 to provide scholarships for Roseman's nursing, pharmacy, MBA, and dental medicine students.
PUBLISHER Jason Roth
DESIGNER Eric Jones
EDITOR Rachael Wadley
PHOTOGRAPHERS Francia Garcia Chase Schmidt
GUEST CONTRIBUTORS Mark A. Penn, MD Vanessa Maniago Jason Roth Rachael Wadley
spectRUm is published two times per year by Roseman University of Health Sciences. 11 Sunset Way, Henderson, NV 89014 | roseman.edu | 702.968.1633 | Š 2017
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Letter from the PRESIDENT
Welcome to the first-ever printed version of spectRUm magazine. We will bring this digital publication to you twice a year in this format. If you haven’t yet, please sign up for our digital version at roseman.edu/spectrum. November is upon us and beautiful weather, changing leaves and snow in the mountains are a reality. We give thanks for our families, schools, workplaces, places of worship, friends and members of our communities at large. I hope that this Thanksgiving provides families comfort and peace as they gather around the dinner table, share old recipes, cook side by side, and remember their loved ones. As a country and a community, we continue to pick up the pieces from Mother Nature’s wrath in hurricanes, wildfires in the West, and violence in our city, Las Vegas. Stories of hope and strength continue to buoy us upward, as we reflect on the infinite goodwill, generosity and kindness that has been expressed. Our students, who have given back in spades in response to our community, are deeply entrenched in their studies, and perhaps looking forward to a small break in December when they can rest, reflect and recharge as they gear up for their next block of study. This month’s magazine has a number of interesting articles. I hope that you are able to read about the multiple paths of the PharmD, on page 12, which helps dimensionalize how this graduate level degree can be used. I think many people will be surprised to learn of the diverse application of this doctoral degree, and interested to learn how this field is continuing to evolve. On page 4, learn how our veterans play an important part in our campus community, as students, faculty and staff members. Our VBSN pathway continues to help transition returning veterans into the profession of nursing by offering additional support and recognition, and credit for experiences in the military. It has been almost two years since we started our Neighborhood Health Series, a speaker series on our Summerlin campus designed to bring the community in to learn more about important healthcare topics. Clark County Credit Union is our presenting sponsor, and we remain grateful for their support and partnership in helping us offer this free community event. If you’ve not yet joined us, these events are the third Thursday of every month, include roughly 50 or so guests and provide a light dinner and refreshments to guests while they learn. On November 16th, the topic is “Completing the Mission: A Veteran’s Pathway to Degree Completion,” during which members and students of our VBSN pathway will share the experience of returning veterans and how earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree assimilates vast in-the-field experience within the curriculum to help veterans earn their degree and transition into the nursing field. Afterwards, we are offering a complimentary wine tasting with OneHope Wines, of which a portion of the proceeds of the sale go to the Roseman scholarship fund and OneHope’s veterans initiatives. Learn more on page 5. Hear from the founding Dean of the College of Medicine on page 6. Learn more about the “Breakthrough In Medicine!” campaign and how it will help anchor the development of the Roseman University College of Medicine, the first private, not-for-profit, allopathic MD-granting school in Nevada. Roseman looks forward to celebrating its Week of Thanks(Giving), where we raise funds for scholarships and other Roseman community-based initiatives. Thank you to all of our past contributors. Your generosity goes miles in helping to fund important initiatives. Find out more on page 15. Lastly, a special thank you to the student organization Kappa Psi Pharmaceutical Fraternity, Zeta Omicron Chapter, on our South Jordan campus. They partnered with the Greater Houston Community Foundation to raise money for Hurricane Harvey relief, in order to aid displaced victims. We are grateful, that in times of tragedy and societal hardship, the brothers of Zeta Omicron showed their support. Thanks to all of our readers, community partners, friends, employees and students. We give thanks to all of you this season and always. Warmly, Renee
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By Rachael Wadley, MBA
November is a time to be grateful. Grateful to be alive, grateful for family, grateful for friends, and grateful for opportunities. Roseman University is especially grateful for their student and employee veterans.
“The willingness of America’s veterans to sacrifice for our country has earned them our lasting gratitude.” – Jeff Miller Roseman University is proud to announce that on our three campuses, we have 31 students and 22 employees who have identified as veterans. Roseman has representatives from all branches of the military - Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps and Navy. Our veterans include Roseman staff, and dental, pharmacy, nursing students and faculty. This year Roseman will be honoring our student and employee veterans the week of Veterans Day, which is Saturday, November 11. Veterans Day, originally known as Armistice Day, is a celebration to honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.
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Upcoming Neighborhood Health Series Events In addition to honoring our veterans the week of Veterans Day, Roseman honors and supports our veterans throughout the year. One way Roseman shows its appreciation for our veterans’ service and sacrifice is through the Roseman Veteran to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (VBSN) pathway. The Roseman VBSN pathway is designed for veterans of the United States military seeking to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree (BSN). Roseman offers an Accelerated BSN and an 18-month BSN program. The VBSN pathway provides an opportunity for veterans to earn credit in prerequisite areas of humanities and electives, as well as an opportunity to test out of pre-determined nursing coursework (blocks), given their real-life work in the field. This program is made possible through a three-year, operational grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to support military veterans’ transition into high-demand, professional nursing careers. Scott Rehm, part of the first cohort of VBSN graduates stated, “Roseman’s initiative to help veterans transition into careers in the healthcare industry has given me the opportunity to start school earlier than expected and I am forever grateful.” Rehm served in the Marine Corps as a machine gunner and combat marksmanship trainer from 2004 to 2014. To learn more about the VBSN pathway, attend a very special night dedicated to veterans, the Neighborhood Health Series “Completing the Mission: A Veteran’s Pathway to Degree Completion” on November 16 at the Roseman University Summerlin campus from 5:30 to 7pm. The presentation will be followed by a complimentary wine tasting by OneHope Wines, with a portion of the proceeds of the sale of wine benefitting Roseman University scholarships and empowerment projects that directly support veterans. The event is free and open to the public. For more information and to RSVP, please visit speakers.roseman.edu. Thank you to our Roseman veteran students and employees and all veterans who have sacrificed so much for the freedoms that we enjoy every day.
A CROSS-SECTIONAL SURVEY OF NORTH INDIA:
Tobacco & Oral Precancer December 7 5:30pm to 7pm HOW ARE MEDICINES FOUND, AND WHY DO THEY COST SO MUCH?
January 18 5:30pm to 7pm PLANTING THE SEED, TENDING THE GARDEN:
The Path of Starting a Private, Not-For-Profit University February 15 5:30pm to 7pm MARCH MADNESS:
Allergies on the Defensive March 15 5:30pm to 7pm For more information or to register visit speakers.roseman.edu
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Discovery Drive News from the Roseman University College of Medicine
Welcome to this edition of Discovery Drive. Many exciting things have transpired since the last edition. In this issue, we will focus on breakthroughs, specifically, our Breakthrough in Medicine! campaign. A breakthrough is defined as “a major achievement or success that permits further progress.” I believe this year and following years to be years of breakthroughs for our College of Medicine. Each “achievement or success” will continue to propel us forward on our journey to create a solid foundation upon which we can gain accreditation from our accrediting body, the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME). This solid foundation will provide a strong base upon which our College of Medicine will be successful and sustainable. Two exciting breakthroughs happened recently. First, the College of Medicine recently received a $10 million pledge gift, courtesy of the Engelstad Family Foundation, to help us with our start-up costs. It is worth noting that this is the largest philanthropic donation in Roseman University’s history to date. We are excited, encouraged, and humbled by the generous contribution from this well-recognized, committed, civic-minded organization. Second, we launched our Campaign for the College of Medicine. Inside this edition of Discovery Drive you will read about our Campaign Committee, chaired by Mr. Hugh Anderson of HighTower Las Vegas. This group will aid our efforts in making more connections in the community and garnering more needed philanthropic dollars. My heartfelt thanks go out to all who have contributed and continue to contribute monetarily. Importantly, all gifts, great and small, are regarded with great appreciation and respect. An extra measure of thanks goes to the College of Medicine team for their continued efforts to connect with the community, internalize the feedback, and transform it into action. Thank you,
Mark A. Penn, MD, MBA Founding Dean College of Medicine
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PATIENTS are at the center of our College of Medicine VALUES, and are the reason we strive for excellence in medical education, research, and patient care services. This month the focus is on COMMUNICATION. The Oxford Dictionary defines communication as “the imparting or exchange of information by speaking, writing, or using some other medium.” In 1981, J. A. Hall stated, “Medicine is an art whose magic and creative ability have long been recognized as residing in the interpersonal patient-physician relationship.” Dr. Hunter “Patch” Adams says, “You treat a disease, you win, you lose. You treat a person, I guarantee you, you’ll win, no matter what the outcome.” These words are as timeless as the principles they espouse. As a community, you have spoken and given us invaluable feedback. This past year at multiple events I had several people come up to me and tell me about their frustration with their doctor, about how little their physician communicated with them or their family. They asked that we, at our College, emphasize and teach our students to improve their communication skills. This is a skill that includes eye contact, active listening, as well as validating feedback about “what I heard you say was…” I am not implying that
all physicians don’t communicate well, but to an individual patient, an encounter at which communication is not well perceived is a crucial moment, and can impact many health outcomes. Each time, I was able to say that communication will be a critical part of our teaching. Importantly, we need to make sure our admissions criteria help us admit students into medical school who not only bring with them good communication skills, but who also have the humility and aptitude to learn how to improve those skills. They need to have a heart for serving and a willingness to make sure that the patient-physician interaction is one in which the patient is competently taken care of, and is one that is satisfying because of the warm, listening, thoughtful, and responsive communication skills. As a community partner, we are committed to cultivating students with the capacity to communicate effectively. I’ve left those conversations with confidence that we are headed in the right direction with our medical school curriculum to help the next generation of physicians communicate better with their patients, their patients’ families, their colleagues and their communities. – Mark A. Penn
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BREAKTHROUGH in MEDICINE!
Five Important Facts
1. WE’RE FOCUSING ON IMPACT Our community is facing a healthcare crisis. Nevada ranks 47th in the nation in the number of physicians per 100,000 residents. Today, Clark County needs approximately 2,300 new physicians in order to be average compared with the nation in the number of physicians per 100,000 residents. The state of Nevada needs approximately 2,900. This shortage of physicians includes primary care and all specialties. 2. OUR COMMITMENT IS GROUNDED BY OUR VALUES The College of Medicine is grounded in its Values, which evolved from a deep understanding that patients, within the context of their communities, are at the center of everything we do. Our eight values – competence, compassion, integrity, diversity, respect, communication, community and discovery – are of equal importance and together guide the College of Medicine on all fronts. 3. THE BREAKTHROUGH IN MEDICINE! CAMPAIGN IS FOR EVERYONE The College of Medicine will benefit every resident of Southern Nevada and the entire state by expanding healthcare access and enhancing the quality of healthcare. It will also benefit the state’s economy without an investment of tax dollars. 4. THE CAMPAIGN HAS MOMENTUM Many individuals, businesses, and organizations throughout southern Nevada have embraced the College of Medicine’s Values and have given to the campaign. Additional support is needed to help the “Breakthrough in Medicine!” campaign reach its goal. 5. WE CAN ALL HELP People can contribute at any level to help support the Breakthrough in Medicine! funding priorities: start-up operating expenses for hiring critical faculty and staff; establishing healthcare clinics to provide high-quality, patient-centered care throughout southern Nevada; start-up funding for research staff, equipment and supplies; build-out of facilities, including an anatomy lab, simulated patient care center, and classrooms; and student scholarships.
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BREAKTHROUGH in MEDICINE! By Jason Roth, MBA
For Roseman University College of Medicine Founding Dean Dr. Mark Penn, the 2017-2018 academic year is poised to be one of breakthroughs as he and his dedicated administrative team, faculty and staff continue to push towards establishing Nevada’s first, private, not-for-profit MD-granting medical school in Summerlin. Roseman University was born from bold, ambitious ideas. The concept of creating something from nothing is not new for an institution that brought Nevada its first pharmacy school just 13 years earlier. “Roseman University was created to respond to the healthcare needs in Nevada. It’s at the core of our mission,” said Dr. Renee Coffman, Roseman University president and co-founder. “With the creation of the College of Medicine, the University continues to respond to community needs and invest in new programs that have a real impact in improving healthcare access and delivery, and raising the quality of life in our communities.” Led by Dr. Penn, the College of Medicine is currently in its building phase, hiring critical faculty, planning its patient care services and building a solid foundation of biomedical research, as it works towards receiving accreditation by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) and its goal of enrolling an inaugural class of 64 medical students in summer 2019. “The College of Medicine, like other private, non-profit medical schools, is funded through investment by the University, as well as clinical and research revenue. However, philanthropy is also a major component of the funding formula for medical schools, both private and public,” said Penn. “Building a medical school requires careful planning and substantial investment. What the College of Medicine is doing now is essential for its sustainability, which is an important consideration for the LCME.”
To date, Roseman University has invested approximately $21 million into the College of Medicine with a total investment of approximately $60 million planned over a six-year period. The remaining start-up funding needed – $66 million – is being sought through philanthropy. To reach its $66 million goal, in concert with the announcement of a $10 million pledge gift from the Engelstad Family Foundation, in September the College of Medicine launched Breakthrough in Medicine! The Campaign for the College of Medicine, led by Campaign Chair Hugh Anderson, along with a committee of business and community leaders who support the College of Medicine’s mission, vision and values. “Roseman University was built from the ground up with an innovative, entrepreneurial culture, and now we are embarking on a new challenge,” said Anderson. “We all know the need for primary and specialty medical care in our community is great and Roseman’s College of Medicine will further enhance medical education opportunities in our region. We need more than 2,000 new doctors in Clark County and nearly 3,000 statewide right now just to be average when compared to the rest of the country. Roseman’s College of Medicine is part of the solution.”
The Breakthrough in Medicine! campaign supports the College of Medicine’s funding priorities, which include additional start-up operating expenses for hiring critical faculty and staff; establishing healthcare clinics to provide high-quality, patient-centered care throughout southern Nevada; start-up funding for research staff, equipment and supplies; build-out of facilities, including anatomy lab, simulated patient care center, and classrooms; and student scholarships. “Focusing on these funding priorities helps us build a solid foundation for delivering high-quality medical education. We are grateful to the Engelstad Family Foundation and the many individuals and businesses who have joined us in this important endeavor,” said Penn. “With their support I’m confident that our year of ‘breakthroughs’ will become a reality.”
To learn more about how you can join Breakthrough in Medicine! The Campaign for the College of Medicine, contact Steven Peralta at 702-802-2873 or speralta@roseman.edu.
The BREAKTHROUGH in MEDICINE! Campaign Committee Hugh Anderson, Campaign Chair Managing Director, Partner HighTower Las Vegas Mark A. Penn, MD, MBA, Vice Chair Founding Dean, College of Medicine Chancellor, Summerlin Campus Roseman University of Health Sciences Gordon Prouty Group Publisher Greenspun Media Group Joe Ferreira President and CEO Nevada Donor Network Rick Smith President RDS Properties Nadeem Tariq, MD, FACP Internal Medicine Pioneer Healthcare, Inc. Sonny Vinuya President Las Vegas Asian Chamber of Commerce Robert Massi Attorney Robert A. Massi & Associates Tisha Black Attorney Black & Lobello Attorneys at Law Todd Palumbo Marketplace Business Development Manager GEOTAB Annie Sliman President AMS Inc. Victoria VanMeetren Special Advisor to the Founding Dean for Community Engagement College of Medicine Roseman University of Health Sciences Jason Roth Vice President for Communications and Public Relations Roseman University of Health Sciences Steven Peralta Director of Philanthropy College of Medicine Roseman University of Health Sciences roseman.edu/spectrum | 9
Educational CHOICES By Vanessa Maniago
Some of the most vibrant communities in America offer unlimited choice and a rich array of options: variety of home styles, varied cuisines, a variety of open spaces, healthcare options, arts and cultural endeavors, and various professional and educational opportunities. These thriving communities embody the American ideal of choice and freedom, and within their complex infrastructures, inherently nurture the citizens that choose to live in them. Thriving communities typically offer prospective students a plethora of educational options. New York City’s preschools run the gamut of possibilities, offering their 3-year-old students not only different schedules and price points to fit the needs of parents, but the opportunity to align school choice with the personality, needs, and unique learning style of the child. Child-centered, Montessori, Play-based, Waldorf, Reggio Emilia, or Cognitive-based all represent different educational philosophies that underpin unique curricula and educational experiences. Adult learners, with a lifetime of cumulative learning and experiences, have considerably different learning styles from one another, let alone infinitely different interests, activities, strengths and aspirations. As such, thriving communities need to offer their adult learners a diverse array of educational options that allows them to find the path that best suits them, whether they seek vocational school, a large public university, a private university and anything and everything in between. 10 |
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Public institutions of higher education receive state funding, which offsets their expenses in faculty salaries, construction, building and land. With reduced expenses, they offer students lower tuition than perhaps a private university. These schools tend to be large, their funding tied to enrollment numbers, and with larger infrastructures offer a wide variety of educational pathways, degree offerings, athletics and extracurriculars. Classes can be large and lack intimacy and connectivity to faculty and other students. Penn State enrolled 99,133 students in 2016, and offered over 100 baccalaureate programs and 180 graduate programs. In contrast, private universities and colleges receive no state funding, relying on philanthropy, tuition and other revenue sources to generate funds needed to build new programs, buildings and compensate their faculty. They are traditionally smaller in size, have smaller class sizes, and are often more specialized, offering students a perhaps more intimate experience. Haverford College (also in Pennsylvania) enrolled 1,290 students in 2016 and offered 25 baccalaureate programs and seven master’s degree programs.
Now, scale the numbers by state. Consider the state of Massachusetts, which offers students over 85 private universities, among them Harvard and MIT, and 30 public institutions. Or, closer and perhaps more relatable, the state of Oregon, which offers its students 26 private universities, and 27 public universities. Educational choice for students breeds healthy competition among schools, along with the opportunity to collaborate amongst institutions for resource sharing, thought generation, and innovation. These different institutions are mounted on very different core values, learning environments, educational offerings and teaching styles. This choice, for the adult learner, is crucial, allowing them to align most closely with an institution of higher education that best suits their needs thereby increasing their chances for academic success. This choice offers communities and local economies infinite upside. A more complex and varied educational infrastructure creates a stronger workforce, higher GDP (Gross Domestic Product— a measure of the market value of all goods and services produced), and provided these schools are sustainable and offer students quality educational outcomes, a better community for all. Consider Nevada, home to four private not-for-profit institutions, and eight public institutions. Considering GDP per capita for the states previously mentioned with ample educational choices, Massachusetts ($65,545) and Oregon ($50,582) significantly outpace Nevada whose GDP sits at $43,820, considerably below the US per capita at $50, 577. Our state, for all of its incredible attributes, lacks a full higher education infrastructure that can offer our adult learners varied choices and pathways.
Roseman University is the largest, not-for-profit private university based in Nevada. Last year, we employed over 340 full-time employees across three campuses, graduated 591 students who have transitioned into well paid, secure healthcare positions and have cumulatively granted nearly 4,000 degrees since our inception in 1999. Our College of Medicine will continue to widen the universe of higher education offerings to our students. It will bring choice to those interested in pursuing a medical degree, while it will aim to train local students through local experiences with the hopes that they stay in our state and practice, bridging the enormous gap that exists in locally based primary and specialty care. It will add not only to our educational infrastructure, but to our healthcare infrastructure as well, adding jobs, energy and expertise to our local economy. Nevada’s economy, traditionally rooted in mining and entertainment, is evolving in a healthy way. There is new development in production, technology, e-commerce, and the arts. As we continue to evolve, we need to continue to add jobs requiring advanced educational degrees, providing additional shelter and insurance from the boom and bust cycles that inflict most economies that lack diversity. It seems unanimous that Nevada residents love our state. Those who moved here have adopted it as their home, and those that were born or grew up here are fiercely proud of that heritage. Our local pride does not mean that we do not want to see change, rather that we want to see Nevada continue to flourish and evolve as a relatively young state that is maturing with great possibility. Our development and evolution must be sustainable and continue to meet the needs of our community. We are a vibrant community with choice in many other facets. Let us continue to build and support our educational infrastructure to nurture young people who are finding their way, and seeking the best path to insure their future, and ours, of success. roseman.edu/spectrum | 11
THE CAREER
OF THE PHARMD Growth And Expertise Create New Paths Of Opportunity By Vanessa Maniago, Special Advisor to the President, Roseman University of Health Sciences Contributing Authors: Mark Decerbo, PharmD, Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice, Roseman College of Pharmacy; David Rawlins, PhD, Assistant Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Roseman College of Pharmacy; Catherine Leiana Oswald, PharmD, Assistant Professor and Introductory Experience Coordinator, Roseman College of Pharmacy
Today’s student earning a Doctor of Pharmacy degree (PharmD) has a multitude of career paths from which to choose. While many think only of PharmD’s as the pleasant person filling prescriptions and counseling patients at the local retail pharmacy, today’s PharmD is trained to perform many roles and to succeed in multiple and diverse settings. Roseman University started the first school of pharmacy in Nevada—in order to respond to a demand for more pharmacists—and today remains the only school of pharmacy in the state. Roseman has trained thousands of healthcare professionals as nurses, healthcare MBAs, dentists, and orthodontists and has cumulatively graduated over 2,400 pharmacists since its inception in 1999. Roseman’s PharmD program is accelerated, compressing a four-year doctoral program into three years. Within the curriculum is ample clinical exposure to a variety of settings, helping to prepare students to identify their career path upon graduation. Student pharmacists are exposed to various practice settings within the first month of the program, and in their final year of the program which consists of varied clinical experiences, each six weeks long. Today’s pharmacist has far more opportunity to specialize than in years past, and with this focused training comes unique work environments. With residency and fellowship training, PharmD’s function now in settings once held exclusively by other health professions or in patient settings that did not exist previously. Paths to pursue range from academia, ambulatory care, nuclear, oncology, pediatric, or long-term care pharmacists, industry positions such as drug discovery, drug development and regulatory affairs, owner, or telepharmacist. Choosing a path does not mean that it is the only path in a career. Many PharmD’s are continually learning and as such, desire to work in different settings to continue to round out their experience. According to Dr. Mark Decerbo, a high degree of specialization and training will continue to be the norm as the complexity of disease states, medications, and patient populations shift and grow. With that, there will be less opportunity to move into new areas without needing additional training. The following are some of the most common paths for PharmD graduates:
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THE RETAIL PHARMACIST A retail pharmacist transitions from their program of choice directly into the pharmacy once they have successfully passed both their national board examinations, the NAPLEX, as well as their respective state law exam. With market shifts, there are fewer positions today within the independent pharmacy, as conglomerates and big box retailers have taken ahold of the market. According to Dr. Leiana Oswald, the retail pharmacy environment is fast-moving, intense and requires the pharmacist to multi-task. The retail pharmacist may work an eight-hour shift, but they typically do additional tasks before and after their shift to insure the pharmacy runs smoothly. These include transcribing physician prescriptions, printing refills, doing inventory counts, completing daily reports, checking refrigerator temperatures, and taking out the trash. In one day’s work, they may counsel over 100 patients, answer on average eight physician calls, transfer medications, provide immunizations, counsel on OTC medications and oversee technician work. Among the most highly compensated in the profession of pharmacy ($120,000-$160,000), the work is physically demanding and at times, lacks flexibility in scheduling. This role is evolving as focus on “provider status” becomes more important. Pharmacists and pharmacists’ patient care services are not included in key sections of the Social Security Act (SSA), which determines eligibility for healthcare programs such as Medicare Part B. As such, the pharmacist role can be limited even though
studies and practice-based experience have shown that when pharmacists are involved as members of the healthcare team, patient outcomes improve, patients report higher rates of satisfaction, and overall healthcare costs are reduced. Without the proper “provider status” recognition and payment models in place, patients and healthcare providers are often blocked from accessing the benefits achievable through pharmacists’ services. According to Dr. Oswald, as provider status evolves and the role of the retail pharmacist grows, pharmacists may become more focused on counseling and less so on verifying prescriptions and paperwork. The person best suited to this role should have a strong desire to help the general public, work well with other staff members, possess strong communication skills, and function well under pressure.
THE CLINICAL PHARMACIST Specialization has driven the pharmacist into a variety of settings within various areas of the hospital or clinic. Graduates wishing to pursue this path will advance to a one- to two-year residency, depending upon their area of expertise. Areas of specialty include nuclear pharmacy, oncology, pediatrics, and infectious diseases, among many others. Despite this advanced training, in comparison, hospital pharmacists typically earn less than retail pharmacists. Record numbers of graduates now seek post-graduate residency training, and the number of residency positions is growing, but only six or seven of every 10 applicants is successful in securing a spot. In Nevada, Roseman graduates often need to go out-ofstate to secure a residency position, which can create challenges. While the number of pharmacists has grown significantly since the 1990’s due to the number of pharmacy programs, the challenge is preparing students to be preferentially sought in a high supply environment.
This is a notable trend however, and one that may come to impact licensure in the future. “The importance of residency training as a mechanism for further skills development will continue, perhaps even becoming a requirement for practice in the future,” says Dr. Decerbo, who also notes that pharmacists with MBAs offer a powerful skill set, allowing them into the C-Suite and upper level management positions, which is critical in today’s climate of corporate mergers. The pharmacist’s work day can vary, but will generally begin with updates on patient medications and clinical condition overnight. Patient profiles will be reviewed for drug interactions, lab results analyzed, and other tests reviewed before joining the medical team for rounds. On rounds, the pharmacist serves as the drug therapy expert to the physicians with whom they work, making recommendations, providing teaching and answering drug information questions in real time. In the afternoon, the pharmacist ensures medication orders are carried out, engages in clinical teaching of pharmacy residents, and works on other projects and protocols.
requires constant interaction with students, as well as physical endurance from standing and moving throughout the room, this can be the most rewarding time for faculty. “It is a wonderful feeling to be working with a student and see their eyes light up as they get a concept,” says Dr. Rawlins. Teaching faculty earn less than retail pharmacists, but the job is more flexible and requires less physical fortitude than the retail setting. Dr. Oswald agrees with Dr. Rawlins about the impact felt with working with students every day. “Working one-toone with students to help them achieve their dreams…is something very rewarding to me,” notes Dr. Oswald.
THE TEACHING PHARMACIST A faculty pharmacist’s work day mirrors that of students in the university setting. Days run, on average, from 8-5 with evening grading, communication and committee work several nights per week for several hours. “In a typical day, I will meet with two to six students, speak with one to three preceptors, prepare lectures, work on research and grants in-progress, attend college, university or national-level committee meetings, and work collegially with my peers, “ says Dr. Oswald. According to Dr. David Rawlins, ample preparation is necessary in order to successfully walk into the classroom. While the faculty day is long and
Even within this role, faculty may pursue different paths. Some may be drawn to administrative functions like directors, assistant deans, deans, or even presidents of their academic institutions. Additionally, gaps in teaching time offer faculty the opportunity to do research or clinical work. According to Dr. Rawlins, research involves the opportunity to work on one's own ideas in educational techniques, laboratory or community research and to ultimately involve students in research if they desire. Because of the teaching aspect, the approach to research in this setting is markedly different from that in a pharmaceutical company.
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CORPORATE PHARMA Employees working for a pharmaceutical company might work in drug discovery or in clinical development performing tasks such as basic research, designing new clinical trials, analyzing the data of a past trial, or recruiting physicians to participate in trials. In drug discovery, employees will spend the majority of their time in the research lab trying to find new agents that might be a pharmaceutical. When not in the lab, they attend team meetings where they present their results and discuss with the team other ways of approaching problems. They will also attend seminars and company meetings. Salaries in the pharmaceutical industry are generally higher than those either in academia, the hospital, clinic or pharmacy—sometimes twice as high—but that comes at a cost. Compared to academia, there isn’t as much freedom, and projects which may have required a great deal of time and investment may be eliminated at any time with very little explanation. Dr. Rawlins says, “You work on projects that are important to the company, and ultimately to the shareholders.” As a veteran pharmaceutical employee who has moved into academia, Dr. Rawlins explains that, “In academia, you are more in control of what you are working on, which requires you to be more self-motivated, however the resources for accomplishing research are more abundant in the industrial setting.” Those pursuing leadership positions within the industry might go on to earn a PhD, adds Dr. Rawlins. Most important is the ability to work in a team setting. “The ability to work for the good of the team is critical, and the ability to take criticism is valuable. In the industry, being flexible is important as you may be switched from project to project,” says Dr. Rawlins. And given the stress, it isn’t uncommon for someone in the industry to switch paths mid-career; this is a normal part of the journey of the PharmD.
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Winter 2017
ADDITIONAL TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES Post-graduate fellowship training is yet another path for the PharmD, and that can be achieved in either a traditional academic fellowship or an industry fellowship. An academic fellowship provided by a university are training programs focused on a specific clinical area such as oncology or infectious diseases. Typically two years in duration, this prepares the PharmD for independent research or as a clinical research scientist for faculty positions in academic settings or research in the private sector. The industry fellowship allows the fellow to gain experience in various departments within a pharmaceutical company in areas such as regulatory compliance, medical information, pharmacoeconomics, and pharmacovigilance. MORE ALIKE THAN DIFFERENT While the various training opportunities and career paths diverge, most agree that there are commonalities that exist among this profession. According to Dr. Decerbo, the importance and commitment to lifelong learning is a given. The pursuit of knowledge does not end the day a diploma is awarded. Reading and ongoing dedication to professional practice is part of a continuum of learning. Communication skills are paramount to success, as one needs to work alongside physicians, nurses and other healthcare professionals, work with patients, and communicate clearly, concisely, and compassionately. Understanding and knowledge of the other professions with which one is interacting allows for greater understanding and collegiality. Empathy and the ability to listen to the patient is crucial, and having the ability to deliver information in a way that empowers is important. Accuracy and attention to detail are paramount in reducing potential medical errors. Finally, being a natural advocate for patients is a must for any PharmD. The profession of pharmacy is widely diverse and rich with opportunity and change. The changes seen in the last 10 years of the profession will undoubtedly be eclipsed by new changes in the future. While there are many paths to pursue now--far more than most people understand--technology, advances in education, specialization and future healthcare shifts will undoubtedly lead to new career paths and environments suited to the PharmD.
On November 13-17, visit giving.roseman.edu/giving-week to make a gift online in support of the next generation of caring, competent, and passionate healthcare providers. Roseman’s Week of Thanks(Giving) raises funds to strengthen the academic experiences of all Roseman students. Double the power of your gift by helping us earn challenge gifts from our partners and benefactors! Choose your impact by selecting from the following projects to support – the challenge begins Monday, November 13! COLLEGE OF DENTAL MEDICINE Patient Assistance Fund Dental care is expensive and even with Roseman’s discounted rates, some of our patients cannot afford preventative and critical dental care they desperately need. Support the Patient Assistance Fund to cover the cost of dental procedures that treat infection, disease, cavities or replacement of missing teeth for those who cannot afford it. At the same time, your generosity will assist Roseman in training the next generation of dentists committed to caring for the most vulnerable members of our community.
the varied environments, allowing our students to practice in a controlled, yet realistic environment. This environment challenges students to practice with real-time feedback, allowing faculty to assess students and address areas of deficiency. These experiences offer invaluable opportunities to enrich and enhance learning, as well as increase student confidence.
COLLEGE OF PHARMACY Student Scholarships Pursuing a graduate level degree is expensive. Financial aid and scholarships are often the keys to unlock the door for students struggling to pay for their degrees. Your contribution towards the student scholarship fund can be a game-changer for our students, allowing talented and hard-working students the opportunity to pursue their dreams and focus on becoming the best healthcare providers they can be.
COLLEGE OF MEDICINE Anatomy Table As the College of Medicine gears up to welcome its first class of MD students, building out and equipping an anatomy lab is its overarching priority. First-year medical students gain their foundational knowledge of the human body by studying anatomy. Working with human bodies in an anatomy lab enables MD students to touch and experience firsthand the marvels of the human body and the many differences between real humans, as opposed to experiencing only a “standardized” virtual human through technological simulation. Your contribution will assist Roseman in purchasing one of 20 anatomy tables the University will need for its first class of MD students.
COLLEGE OF NURSING Active Learning Materials Roseman’s College of Nursing strives to provide students the opportunity to learn and practice in a realistic and risk-free environment. Your contribution will assist Roseman in purchasing a full set of wall banners, similar to those used in theatrical productions, for simulation labs at both campuses. These banners will help simulate
MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (MBA) Student Scholarships The business of healthcare is complex and evolving. We need leaders who have gained the knowledge and skills needed to create bold ideas and practical solutions to improve the efficiency and sustainability of healthcare delivery. MBA student scholarships help students become future healthcare business leaders. roseman.edu/spectrum | 15
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TO THE COMMUNITY
Our mission is multi-faceted. Educating the next generation of healthcare providers and advancing healthcare education through our innovative learning model is at the core, but impacting the health, education and wellness of the communities we serve is just as important. For 18 years, we have been responding to the needs of and serving our communities through medical missions abroad, in providing immunizations, health and dental screenings, helping communities in crises, removing dangerous prescription drugs from medicine cabinets, advocating on important legislative issues, and much more. Why? Because as a private, not-for-profit institution of learning, we believe it is our job to respond to and revitalize the communities we serve. And it has been an honor to do so. Challenge. Respond. Roseman. Learn more at roseman.edu
COLLEGE OF DENTAL MEDICINE COLLEGE OF NURSING
COLLEGE OF MEDICINE
COLLEGE OF PHARMACY
MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
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