Pharmacy Newsletter

Summer 2010 Issue

Volume 1, Issue 1

Xavier University of Louisiana College of Pharmacy Newsletter

College of Pharmacy

Among Top 20 in NIH Research What a difference a year can make!

Xavier University of Louisiana’s College of Pharmacy ranks 20th among the nation‘s colleges of pharmacy in research funding by NIH, the National Institutes of Health, according to the latest American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy report on such funding. The new ranking reflects a substantial jump from Xavier‘s previous ranking at #58 out of 109 total schools included in the annual NIH rankings.

The new Qatar Pharmacy Pavilion takes shape.

Qatar Pharmacy Pavilion Work on the Qatar Pharmacy Pavilion – which began in May 2008 after the Middle Eastern nation of Qatar provided Xavier with an unexpected post-Katrina windfall grant of $17.5 million – is rapidly drawing to completion.

Ready for partial occupancy this fall, the fivestory, 60,000-square foot addition will allow the COP to sustain its increased enrollment growth while drastically improving the overall quality of the academic programs and research endeavors.

Each year more than 1,000 students apply

for admission to the College of Pharmacy, yet only 165 (15 percent) are admitted due to space and staffing constraints. The addition will give the College the capacity to support and maintain its strategic enrollment target of 650 students – an impressive 34 percent increase since 2002. Most of the College’s new high-tech teaching and research laboratories will be housed in the expansion, while existing lab space in the original building will be remodeled to provide additional classrooms, conference rooms, and faculty and staff offices. Two large auditorium-style follow the article on page 2

Dr. Kathleen Kennedy, Dean of the College, credits expanded outreach and cultivation of research resources over the past decade with the rise in the rankings. In 2002, the College of Pharmacy established a Center for Minority Health and Health Disparities Research and Education (CMHDRE).

Since that time the CMHDRE has received endowment funds from NIH in consecutive funding cycles of three years each. These funds support faculty salaries, provide educational training opportunities to faculty and staff and supplement the research-related infrastructure of the College. The CMHDRE is also dedicated to providing services and education to community members on health topics such as diabetes, heart disease, nutrition, men’s and women’s health, and cancer. In 2007, the College established a Center for Nanomedicine and Drug Delivery where the goal is to enhance the scientific and technological competitiveness of Louisiana in the field of nanomedicine and drug delivery.

During the last few years, the center received over $6 million from state and federal granting agencies to develop numerous novel pharmaceutical formulations.

This year, the COP, in collaboration with the College of Arts and Sciences received follow the article on page 2

2 NIH Research (cont.)

Message from the Dean It is with great enthusiasm and humility that I assume the role of Dean of the College of Pharmacy. I am also happy that Dr. Ann Barbre has agreed to serve as Associate Dean as we continue to provide leadership for the College.

One of my goals is to increase communication among all of our stakeholders – faculty, students, staff, alumni, preceptors, donors, supporters, and friends. This newsletter includes exciting information about the completion of the new Qatar Pavilion as well as outstanding accomplishments of our faculty, students and residents.

In May we graduated our largest class of 169 graduates with 15 of them being accepted in to post-graduate training programs. The research efforts of the faculty have not gone unnoticed. Noteworthy is the improved ranking of the College among all colleges of pharmacy based on research funding by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The College is excited to celebrate the selection of the first faculty member as a Fulbright Scholar. The Director of the Center for Minority Health and Health Disparities Research and Education is the editor of a new book about diabetes among Black Americans.

The post-graduate year-one residency program was expanded this year to include five residents all of whom presented their research at regional residency conferences.

The Xavier chapter of the Student National Pharmaceutical Association successfully hosted the Region V conference this year.

Finally, faculty recruitment has been quite successful this year as we look forward to welcoming eleven new faculty to the College family in August. As we begin this new chapter in the history of the College we welcome your input and look forward to keeping you informed of new and exciting developments.

a 5-year, $10-million award from NIH/ National Center for Research Resources to help establish a Center for Cancer Research.

This project provides funds to increase the number and quality of cancer researchers at Xavier, to support selected pilot projects to assist junior investigators in becoming fully competitive in cancer research, to provide seed funding for developmental projects, and to develop three core laboratories to support cancer research activities in the university. The increased NIH funding not only promotes excellent research, but also helps the university better prepare its students by involving them in faculty research projects. In addition, it greatly contributes to economic development in the City, particularly through Xavier’s partnership with the Greater New Orleans Biosciences Economic Development District.

Qatar Pavilion (cont.) lecture halls – each capable of seating as many as 200 students – will be located in the expansion.

The addition will feature enhanced learning stations, satellite technology, large screen projection capability, enhanced audio, and research laboratories equipped with the latest technological equipment and software.

Dr. Kathleen Kennedy

Xavier University of Louisiana - College of Pharmacy 1 Drexel Drive, New Orleans LA 70125 Phone: 504-520-7500 | Fax: 504-520-7930 www.xula.edu/cop

“A well-equipped pharmacy facility not only supports student development and faculty research interests, but also allows the College to build important relationships with the pharmaceutical industry, other health care providers and the general population who depend on the educational seminars and clinical services that we provide,” said Dean Kathleen Kennedy.

“Providing our faculty and students with the latest research equipment and facilities to help address major issues and proper drug delivery is critical if we are to continue to maintain our important healthcare leadership role.”

Volume 1, Issue 1 | Summer 2010 Issue

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Diabetes In Black America

Public Health & Clinical Solutions to a National Crisis XU’s own Dr. Leonard Jack, Jr., further solidifies his national reputation as a scholar in the area of diabetes management – especially among African Americans – with the recent release of a major work, Diabetes in Black America.

nearly twice as many black men and women (compared to whites) are living with this serious, chronic disease. African American patients are especially vulnerable to diabetes complications such as blindness, kidney failure, and lower extremity amputations.

In the publication, Jack brings together more than 75 medical and community health experts to answer such questions as: “Why is the rate of diabetes alarmingly high for African Americans?” and “What can be done about it?”

Shedding light on the relationships among key risk factors for diabetes and prevailing beliefs and norms in the black community, DIABETES IN BLACK AMERICA also explores the strong link between obesity and diabetes, the negative impact of cultural notions of masculinity, risk factors specific to African American women (with special attention to the prevalence of diabetes during pregnancy) the disturbing implications of racism for black Americans’ diabetes management, the increasing problem of lack of health insurance coverage among black Americans and the widespread lack of access to diabetes screening and care facilities.

This unique resource illuminates the spectrum of causes – genetic, cultural, social, and economic – and approaches the challenge of improving prevention and control from multiple perspectives. While each of the 29 chapters focuses on a specific aspect of the diabetes problem for black Americans, the result is a groundbreaking collaborative effort to find solutions.

Diabetes remains a major public health concern for all Americans. For African Americans, however, diabetes is a crisis.

Over the past three decades, the prevalence of diabetes among black Americans has more than doubled, based on figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In the United States today,

The book also explores the vital role of local business, civic, and spiritual leaders, along with healthcare and social workers, in raising awareness of the role of diet and exercise in diabetes and overcoming diabetes-related misperceptions, fears, and stigmas in black communities. It also looks at innovative

In The Spotlight

Dr. Leonard Jack, Jr. initiatives to reduce this particularly heavy burden for black Americans – from afterschool fitness programs to nutrition education classes and healthy cook-offs sponsored by local churches as well as self-management strategies to improve the long-term health of black diabetic women and their children.

Jack, who serves as associate dean for research, director of the Center for Minority Health & Health Disparities Research and Education, endowed chair of Minority Health Disparities, and professor in the Division of Clinical and Administrative Sciences, has more than 14 years of public health experience with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia.

He has published numerous book chapters, served as a guest editor for Diabetes Spectrum and Diabetes Educator, among other journals, and is currently Editor-in-Chief of the peerreviewed journal Health Promotion Practice.

Faculty Research Lecture Series The College of Pharmacy’s new Faculty Research Lecture Series was initiated to facilitate a culture of research within the college and a supportive environment where faculty members at varying stages of their research development and or projects can present their work and obtain feedback from their peers. The goal of the Faculty Research Lecture Series is to encourage collaboration and conversations centered on research.

Lectures presented during the spring and summer included:

• Dr. Vimal Kishore, professor of

pharmacy and chair, Division of Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences, presented his research on “Development of an oral formulation of amifostine, a chemo- and radio protective agent.”

• Dr. Justina E. Ogbuokiri, associate professor in the Division of Clinical and Administrative Sciences presented research on “Optimizing HAART in elderly patients with co-morbidities common among minority populations with HIV infection.”

• Dr. Christopher Williams, assistant professor in the Division of Basic

Pharmaceutical Sciences presented his research on “Novel Models of Nuclear Receptor Signaling Breast Cancer.”

• Dr. Kristi Isaac, assistant professor in the Division of Clinical and Administrative Sciences presented “Pharmacists as Asthma Interventionalists: A Transdisciplinary Public Health Services Model to Reduce Asthma Health Disparities.”

• Dr. Robert Blake, professor in the Division of Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences presented “Basic Studies on Protein Function.”

Faculty & Staff News

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in education, early detection, screening, research and surveillance.

• Dr. Kristi Isaac, Dr. Vida Henderson, and Dr. Joseph LaRochelle presented their research, “Use of Peer Evaluation to Enhance Student Confidence, Attitude, and Quality of SOAP Notes,” at the 2010 AACP Annual Meeting and Seminars in Seattle WA. • Dr. Christopher Williams published an article in BMC Biochemistry entitled “Identification of four novel phosphorylation sites in estrogen receptor alpha: impact on receptor-dependent gene expression and phosphorylation by protein kinase CK2.”

Drs. Raymond Strong, Sarah Amering, Heather Olivier, Sharmia Thomas, Kristi Isaac and Launchland Roberts presented at the Alcade Southwest Leadership Conference in Galveston TX. • Dr. Joseph M. LaRochelle was appointed clinical assistant professor of pediatrics at Louisiana State University Health Science Center School of Medicine.

He also published an article in the Journal of Pediatric Pharmacology and Therapeutics entitled “Retrospective analysis of the initiation of antibiotic therapy in severe sepsis in pediatric patients”.

• The XUCOP PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency Program residents presented research projects at the Alcade Southwest Leadership Conference in Galveston: Dr. Sharmia Thomas, “Pharmacy Student’s Knowledge of Drug-Induced Long QT and Brugada Syndrome - Design, Implementation, and Evaluation of Patient Simulation Teaching Module”; Dr. Sarah Amering, “Evaluation of Indigent Care Clinic Patients’ Perception of Access to Healthy Food”; Dr. Heather Olivier, “Evaluating the Use of The Simplified Treatment Intervention to Control Hypertension (STITCH) Algorithm in a Pharmacist-Run Hypertension Clinic”; and Dr. Lauchland Roberts, “Retrospective Study on the Overuse of

Empiric Antibiotics at a Major Academic Medical Center”.

• Dr. Janel Bailey Wheeler and Dr. Kisha Gant were one of 65 student/faculty pairs nationwide selected for the 2010 WalMart Scholars Program.

• Dr. Kisha Gant also presented a poster, at the APHA Conference in Washington DC entitled “Assessing Patients’ Awareness of the Complications Associated with Uncontrolled Hypertension”.

• Dr. Conchetta White Fulton served as keynote speaker for the Founders’ Day Observance of the Tau Iota Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. The theme was “Positive Role Models Encourage Positive Relationships.”

• Dr. Leonard Jack has been appointed to the Louisiana Cancer and Lung Trust Board by Governor Bobby Jindal. The Board serves to reduce the risk, incidence, morbidity, mortality and economic impact of cancer on citizens of the state by planning and monitoring statewide efforts

• Lakeisha George Williams, XUCOP 2010-2011 resident, published “Cultural Competence: Evaluating Free Online Courses for Pharmacy Students” in the May issue of XULAneXUS. Dr. Echeverri served as her mentor.

• Dr. Linda Mihm was promoted to clinical associate professor in the Division of Clinical and Administrative Sciences.

Mihm and Dr. Camtu Ho were both appointed as clinical assistant professors in the School of Medicine at Tulane University.

• Dr. Ariane Conrad is currently serving as President of the Southeast Chapter of the Louisiana Society of Healthysystem Pharmacists.

• Dr. Yashoda Pramar was awarded The Lawrence Ferring Faculty Award.

• Dr. Iman Borghol was promoted to clinical associate professor and also published her article “Memantine for the treatment of Migraine” in the May 2010 issue of US Pharmacist.

• Preceptor of the Year Award Recipients voted by the Class of 2010: (Ambulatory Care) Dr. Lovie Lewis, (Internal Medicine) Dr. Jenny Puchot, (Community) Dana Buggage, (Elective) Dr. Martha Harris, and (Institutional) George Imseis.

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Volume 1, Issue 1 | Summer 2010 Issue

Student Activities HOPA Annual Meeting: The Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association annual meeting was held in March in New Orleans.

XU’s College of pharmacy was well represented with several students volunteering to staff various meetings and helping with the Rays of Hope Charity 5K run/ walk.

Rho Chi Banquet: Thirty-five students were initiated into the Gamma Epsilon Chapter of Rho Chi Society in April. CVS sponsored the event.

SNPHA Regional Meeting: The XU chapter of the Student National Pharmaceutical Association hosted the group’s 2010 Regions III, IV and V meeting in April. The theme for the conference this year was “Rebirth, Renew, Revive: Rebuilding New Orleans and Its Health Care System for the 21st Century.” Presenters focused on key areas in health disparities such as asthma, HIV/AIDS, cancer, diabetes and heart failure. Faculty presenters included Drs. Leonard Jack, Kristi Isaac, Justina Ogbuokiri, KiTani Parker-Johnson, Keturah Robinson and Cori Brock.

COP students Marina Ghaly, April Green, Ifeanyi Onor, and Michael Lievers participated in the poster sessions.

At the HOPA meeting (from left) John Andry, Naa-Darkua Wellington, Nicole Gonzales and Nicole Hery

COP Hosts TARGET Case Study Competition Teams of students had the unique opportunity in April to present their own ideas for how the Target Corporation might implement newly proposed REMS for opioids to company executives as part of the Target Case Study Competition.

Tammara Taylor and Cherell Dancy at SNPHA Meeting

The competition was part of the Pharmacy Law and Practice Management class. The winning team, consisting of third-year pharmacy students Liliana Cosenza, Ifeanyi Onor, Elizabeth Barthelemy and Tammara Taylor, received $4,000 in scholarships to split among the group.

Target executives said they were impressed by the creativity exhibited by each of the groups. Lien Nguyen, a Target executive, said the work of the students had a direct relation to Target’s business strategy to be innovative.

Target supports programs and activities that educate students through experience in their fields of study. The Case Study Competition helps students apply classroom learning to real life business challenges and explore retail as a career option.

Target competition winners (from left) Ifeanyi Inor, Tammara Taylor, Elizabeth Barthelemy and Liliana Consenza

Student Honors and Awards • COP Award for Excellence John C Andry ’10 and Hong-Anh Hoang ‘10

Excellence in Pharmacy Award Alona Williams ‘10 • The Merck and Company Award - John C Andry ’10, Haley Lee ’10 and Renee Watts Freeman ‘10

• The Academy of Students of Pharmacy (ASP) Service Award Andrea Toles ‘10 • Kappa Epsilon Pharmacy Fraternity for Women Alpha Nu Chapter Achievement Award Dominique Tomlinson ‘10

• The Lilly Achievement Award Tenesha Waits ‘10 • The COP Award for Excellence in Research - Michael Lievers ‘10

• Kappa Psi Pharmaceutical Fraternity Delta Eta Chapter Service Award - Lorraine S. Massey ‘10 and Dirk Gillam ‘12 • Phi Lambda Sigma Leadership Society Alpha Delta Chapter Leadership Award - Sabrina J. Fenceroy ‘11 • Mary Munson Runge Activity Award - David Collins ‘12 • Special Pharmacy Faculty Award - Andrea Toles ‘10 • Student National Pharmaceutical Association (SNPhA) Award Xavier University Chapter - Tammara Taylor ‘11

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John Andry

Hong-Anh Hoang

• Teva Pharmaceuticals USA John Andry ‘10

Award of Excellence in Clinical Communication – Nicole Hery ‘10

• American Society of HealthSystem Pharmacists and the Pharmacy Student Forum (ASHP/ SSHP) Award - Geoffrey Gros ’10 and Maxwell Haslauer ‘12

• Rho Chi Recognition Certificate - Breannie Charles, Queenet Ibekweh, Duy Nguyen, Jennifer Pellittieri, Janae Thompson, Deann Vessel and Demetria White

• Albert P. Lauve Hospital Pharmacy Award - Geoffrey Gros ‘10

• The Sister Beatrice Jeffries Student Life Leadership and Service Award - Megan Minor ‘10

• Glaxo SmithKline Patient Care Award - Megan McSweeney ‘10

• Highest Scholastics Standing in Pharmacy Practice an Ethical Conduct – Nicole Gonsalez ‘10

• Facts and Comparisns

• Mylan Pharmaceuticals

• The National Knights of Peter Claver Award (The Alphonse Pierre Auguste Award) - Andrea Toles ‘10

2010-2011 Residency Candidates Congratulations to our 2010 graduates who were offered residency positions for the 2010-2011 academic school year.

• Genee Bailey, University of Texas/HEM, Austin TX • Dominique Bramwell and Arneka Tillman, Louisiana State Health Sciences Center, Alexandria LA • Erica Chavis ’08, Laquisha Thomas and Megan McSweeney, Ochsner Medical Center, New Orleans LA • Lakeisha George-Williams and Patrice Woods-Sanchez, Xavier

University of Louisiana, New Orleans LA • Sherrie Lathon, Barnes-Jewish Medical Center, St. Louis MO • Michael Lievers, XUCOP/ LSUHSC, New Orleans LA • Meagan Minor, The University of Mississippi, Jackson MS • Alexis Omari, St. Luke’s/ Roosevelt Hospital, New York City NY • Alona Williams, Parkland Hospital, Dallas TX • Bionca Williams, Atlanta Medical Center, Atlanta GA

Graduates completing community residency programs (from left): Dr. Kisha Gant, Xavier University Community Residency Program; Dr. Brittany Cochran, Mercer University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Community Residency Program; and Sherita Horne, University of Georgia College of Pharmacy Community Residency Program

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Volume 1, Issue 1 | Summer 2010 Issue

XU COP at The White House It was a rainy Saturday afternoon in mid-March at the nation’s capitol, but that hardly mattered to a group of more than fifty Xavier P2 and P3 students from the College of Pharmacy plus a few faculty and staff who had traveled to Washington, DC to attend the American Pharmacists Association 2010 Annual Meeting and Exposition.

This group braved the stormy weather for a very special private tour of The White House – home of the President of the United States – conducted by Rear Admiral Stephen Rochon (XU Class of ’84) whose formal title at The White House is “Director of the Executive Residence and Chief Usher.” Rochon learned that the group from his HBCU alma mater was interested in a White House tour, so he decided to conduct a private tour for the fairly large group and he allowed them to bring personal cameras inside.

Admiral Rochon shared his own personal story of becoming the first African American to ever hold his position, having been hired during the previous administration of President George Bush to oversee more than 100 White House employees. He also shared stories of welcoming the Obama family members into their new home and making adjustments to accommodate their desires and needs, while

XU faculty, staff and students at The White House

showing his tour guests many of the famous White House rooms where so much history has been made.

Needless to say, the private White House tour resulted in very personal and special memories for the Xavierites who were fortunate enough to attend.

“Admiral Rochon will forever be in the story line of my life. He is a distinct reminder of what an XU alum should be and can be.

It definitely made me proud to be a Xavierite. Being inside the White House with my colleagues/friends, professors, and dean was an overwhelming feeling that I hope I never lose touch of.” - Mia Incaprera (P2) “It was absolutely amazing. Almost an indescribable feeling to actually set foot inside the White House and be part of history. A memory that will be part of my life forever.” - Chuong Van (P4) “This meant the WORLD to me! I truly felt at home & welcomed… it was an honor and privilege…if I never see the White House again, I will NEVER forget the experience… an emotional moment.” Michelyn “Missy” Patton (P2)

Fullbright Reflections As a member of the first post-Katrina graduating class, I was struck by the extraordinary generosity of the State of Qatar in awarding Xavier a $17.5 million grant to support student scholarships and fund construction of the new College of Pharmacy expansion. Personally, I was intrigued by how two interests of mine, pharmacy and global health, seem to intertwine as a result of the August 2005 event. My family and I have long been involved in medical relief missions in the Middle East, Asia, North Africa and Eastern Europe. After being involved in several non-profit organizations, and having worked as a teacher, I decided to return to pharmacy school to pursue a degree which would translate into hands-on skills that can be used in critical situations.

A family friend and former Fulbright scholar informed me of a unique opportunity which would combine my interests in academia,

health care and global health issues. It was the Fulbright Program, which offers scholars from all over the globe the chance to pursue study and research in a host nation.

Dr. Sara Al-Dahir ‘06 Having a command of basic conversational Arabic, I contacted Qatar University – which had just opened their first College of Pharmacy – about hosting a relatively recent pharmacy graduate. I had learned they were targeting female students and I was determined to be a part of this opportunity.

Xavier University of Louisiana 1 Drexel Drive, New Orleans LA 70125

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Being of Arab descent on my father’s side, I understand the critical importance of education and empowering women in the Middle East. Receiving a Fulbright award is a very competitive endeavor, as thousands of very qualified academicians apply yearly for international grants. But the unique circumstances involving the relationship of Qatar and Xavier, and my previous experience as a teacher and as a relief worker, tilted the odds in my favor.

I will spend the next year teaching topics across their integrated curriculum with a focus on Nutrition Support. I hope to be able to share my experiences upon my return with my colleagues and students, and possibly encourage others to walk beyond the wards of hospitals and clinics and the enclaves of retail pharmacy into the larger global pharmacist community to help promote higher standards for health care worldwide.

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