Resident Expert Michael P. Kane, Pharm.D., FCCP, BCPS, BCACP, Professor
G
rowing up in New York’s Southern Tier,
The Endocrine Group, students also gain experience with
Michael Kane excelled at three things—
a host of other disorders including high blood pressure,
math, science, and baseball. Figuring
high cholesterol, cardiovascular issues, obesity, osteoar-
that the major leagues were a longshot,
thritis, and depression.
he followed the recommendation of his
“People with endocrine disorders tend to present with
11th grade guidance counselor who suggested he consider
an array of signs and symptoms, depending on the under-
a career in pharmacy.
lying disorder,” Dr. Kane says. “When you hear patients
It turned out to be excellent advice for this graduate
describe their symptoms or meet with them in person, you
of the ACPHS Class of 1984. Dr. Kane, who specializes in
never forget it. When you see them again a few weeks later,
endocrinology, with a focus on diabetes and osteoporosis,
after they have initiated therapy, you are able to witness
has taught at the College for 25 years. He also practices
firsthand the effectiveness of that therapy and how it
at The Endocrine Group in Albany, where he works with
helped them feel so much better. It provides an excellent
clinicians and precepts pharmacy students and postgradu-
learning opportunity.”
ate residents. In the classroom, Dr. Kane facilitates two integrated
Pharmacy graduates who have completed year-long residencies with Dr. Kane have embarked upon a wide
problem-solving workshops for Pharm.D. students that are
range of career paths. Some have taken academic positions
designed to develop skills related to critical thinking and
with colleges or universities; several have chosen positions
teamwork – “skills that students will take with them into
in hospitals or other clinically oriented environments; two
their fourth professional year rotations and then out in to
practice in community pharmacies; and one of the earliest
practice,” he notes.
graduates of the residency program now runs a Diabetes
The Endocrine Group includes 11 private practice endocrinologists and 12 nurse practitioners and physician
Center in a Northern New York pharmacy. Recently, Dr. Kane was awarded his 18th research grant
assistants, and treats approximately 1,200 patients a week.
since arriving at The Endocrine Group, a $45,000 grant
Pharmacy students and residents who train with Dr. Kane
from Bristol-Myers Squibb to study the effectiveness of
receive a total immersion experience in clinical practice.
the drug Bydureon (approved January 2012) for treating
“By completing a rotation or a residency at The Endo-
diabetes patients. He foresees opportunities for additional
crine Group, students and residents learn the complexities
investigations as a result of the continuing rise in Type 2
of endocrine management, especially diabetes. They also
diabetes. According to a 2012 study by the U.S. Centers
learn general internal medicine management and gain
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the incidence
a deeper understanding of the many therapies we have
of Type 2 diabetes in the United States has increased an
available,” he says.
average of 82% from 1995 to 2010.
Dr. Kane’s students are directly involved in helping
“Unfortunately, the need for new diabetes treatments
counsel patients considering various options for the man-
is not going away,” says Dr. Kane. “The 12th class of drug
agement of osteoporosis, diabetes, and other endocrine
for diabetes treatment was just approved this past spring,
and internal medicine disorders. Since Type 2 diabetes
and the research will not be slowing down any time soon.
keeps company with so many other disease states, and
There is still plenty of work to be done.”
because many patients’ primary care providers are at
16