A tradition of excellence, a legacy of caring
The College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences At A Glance ;
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T he #3-ranked private pharmacy school and among the nation’s top public and private pharmacy schools by U.S. News & World Report P h.D. students from Mercer’s Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences had more American Foundation for Pharmaceutical Education (AFPE) Awards than any private school in the nation and more than any public or private school in the Southeast P hysician assistant and physical therapy programs that build on a tradition of excellence extending more than 100 years utstanding faculty conduct research resulting in new knowledge O generation and groundbreaking discoveries
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Nationally recognized student organizations that promote leadership development
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I nternational pharmacy practice experiences, medical missions and enduring camaraderie
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Vibrant Atlanta location rich with professional and recreational opportunities Mercer University 3
Welcome It was one of those first-sight occurrences. Aimee knew she wanted to come here—and nowhere else—during her initial visit to Mercer. This brochure will help explain why—and why so many others feel the same way. The pages won’t be the same as experiencing Mercer in person, but they will give you an insight into what makes our school unique and inviting. So welcome to the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences—where you can interact with great and caring minds, enjoy activities that shape you as a person, and prepare for a successful future.
“Attending Mercer has opened doors and provided opportunities that I never would have experienced at other pharmacy schools.” Aimee Reinhard Doctor of Pharmacy Class of 2010
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The College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences of Mercer University seeks to prepare its students to effectively contribute to and improve healthcare through excellence in patient-centered care and research. COPHS Mission Statement
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Profound Opportunities, Honored Heritage At Mercer you’ll benefit from a long-standing tradition of excellence. Since our founding in 1903, the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (COPHS) has made notable contributions to the fields of pharmacy and health sciences. Mercer is ranked as the #3 private pharmacy school in the U.S. and among the top 32 private and public pharmacy schools. Our newest offerings, the physician assistant and physical therapy programs, are building on this heritage. No matter which path you take to graduation, you’ll benefit from our interdisciplinary approach to learning—in classes with low faculty/student ratios, and in innovative research labs where important strides are made. Some of the country’s most distinguished instructors will guide you, enlighten you and expand your potential for making significant contributions to your chosen field. 6 The College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
“I think experiences working with organizations such as the Indian Health Service, FDA, industry and other pharmacy settings really open doors for us as students and future pharmacists in terms of networking and gaining a knowledge base that will benefit us down the road.� Sara Anne Dunn Doctor of Pharmacy Class of 2011
Mercer is respected as a leading university. Our students and faculty are outstanding leaders in the healthcare profession, and our programs offer a broad range of degrees: ;
Master of Medical Science (Physician Assistant)
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Doctor of Pharmacy
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Doctor of Philosophy
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Doctor of Pharmacy/Doctor of Philosophy
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Doctor of Pharmacy/Master of Business Administration
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Doctor of Physical Therapy
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The Student Experience High academic standards are important. So are camaraderie and lifelong friendships. You’ll treasure them all at Mercer, in an atmosphere you can truly enjoy. Connecting is as simple as saying hi—to fellow classmates, social activities, organizations, volunteerism… The list goes on and on. And not just on campus. Education at COPHS can take you around the world. Whether you’re involved in a five-week international pharmacy practice experience in Japan, take part in a Global Mission to Kenya, or working with the Indian Health Services in Arizona, you’ll have ample opportunity to explore different cultures and expand your thinking. This kind of openness, together with the school’s reputation, prompts people from across the globe and nation to study here. They join an impressive student body. Mercerians are frequently recognized with prestigious fellowships and scholarships. Our school actively supports students’ participation and prominence in professional 8 The College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
“Encouragement from fellow students, faculty and staff enabled me to continue the Mercer tradition of students holding national leadership positions. My service as National President of the Student National Pharmaceutical Association prepared me to be a leader in the pharmacy profession.” Bobby Price, Pharm.D. Class of 2010 Pharmacy Manager, Walmart Pharmacy Vice President, Atlanta Chapter and National Planning Committee Liaison, National Pharmaceutical Association
organizations, and our student chapters are among some of the top collegiate chapters in the country. At Mercer, you can be a leader, you can be a member, but most of all, you can be extremely content with where you are. It’s that kind of place.
National Recognition of Mercer Students and Student Organizations ;A merican Pharmacists Association – Academy of Student Pharmacists Chapter
won the National Division A Chapter Achievement Award at the recent APhA Annual Meeting in 2010. ;K appa Psi Pharmacy Fraternity Gamma Psi Chapter awarded Chapter of the Year
Award in 2009 and 2010 (#1 chapter internationally). ;R obert Harshbarger, Pharmacy Class of 2011, appointed to Region 5 NCPA SEC
Student Regional Council. ;S oranarom Kumsaitong, Pharmacy Class of 2012, awarded the ASHP 2010
Student Leadership Award. ; J uan Lopez, Pharmacy Class of 2012, elected to serve as the National Vice President
of the Student National Pharmaceutical Association (SNPhA) for 2010-2011. ;P h.D. students Rebecca Neal, Delaram Moshkelani, and David Turner were awarded
American Foundation for Pharmaceutical Education Pre-Doctoral Fellowships. ;A nnise Williams-Nairn, Physician Assistant Class of 2011, elected to serve as
Director of Diversity in the Student Academy of the American Academy of Physician Assistants.
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Research Opportunities Mercer University is committed to being one of America’s most distinguished institutions of higher learning. Our college’s focus on research is aligned with that goal, and exposes students to the generation of new knowledge and groundbreaking discoveries across a broad range of interconnected disciplines. As a result, Mercer graduates are sought after by leading companies and universities.
“Mercer has always focused on real-world research and collaboration, which is the best way for discoveries to occur. What characterizes this College is the can-do attitude of its faculty and students.” Assistant Professor John Bauer, Pharm.D., Ph.D. 2007 Mercer graduate whose scientific paper presentation took first place at the 25th Annual Southeastern Pharmacology Society conference
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Mercer boasts scholars known internationally as experts in their respective fields. The outstanding work performed at COPHS leads to dramatic increases in the number and range of grants it attracts each year. These new endeavors add to cutting-edge developments already being conducted by the following centers: ;
Center for Clinical Outcomes Research and Education— Dedicated to improving medication use and healthcare outcomes through research and education
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Center for Clinical Research—Conducting Phase I–IV clinical trials for medications, including those focused on Alzheimer’s Disease
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Center for Drug Delivery Research—Instrumental in bringing microneedle transdermal delivery technology to commercial reality
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Center for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning— Promoting effective and innovative teaching that enhances learning at COPHS
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The Atlanta Difference What happens when big-city energy meets a mild seasonal climate and friendly, down-home hospitality? In a word, Atlanta. When you’re not enjoying the serene campus atmosphere at COPHS, you can step into a kaleidoscope of cultural and recreational possibilities. The Southeast’s most vibrant and pivotal city, Atlanta gives you immediate access to entertainment, sports and cultural attractions—and puts you just a few hours away from ocean beaches and mountain getaways. Businesses like this location, too, making Atlanta a corporate linchpin and international travel hub. In an environment ripe with possibility, you can take advantage of the internships, clinical experiences and professional service opportunities that these organizations provide.
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“I fell in love with the location of Mercer, nestled in a beautiful campus that is just minutes away from the excitement of downtown Atlanta.� Neha Nageshrao Doctor of Pharmacy/Master of Business Administration Class of 2011
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Programs Overview We believe that the best way to promote patient-centered healthcare is to champion student-centered education. Our professors are caring and accessible. They value the individual in every student, and are dedicated to helping you learn to make a difference—through effective problem solving, creative thinking and reaching your true potential. Minds and personalities thrive in this environment. They also make remarkable achievements. Mercer students are awarded some of the most prestigious and competitive fellowships, honors and scholarships in the country. The following degree programs serve as their springboards to excellence.
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“Of all the schools I applied to, Mercer was the only one that offered a study abroad program for experiential sites… being here has allowed me to be more than I thought I could be, do more than I thought I could do.” Katherine Rakestraw Doctor of Pharmacy Class of 2013
The College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences bases its educational program and position in the health care community upon certain core values. The core values of the College are excellence, integrity, caring, innovation, learning, professionalism, and commitment.
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Doctor of Pharmacy COPHS was the first pharmacy school in the Southeast, and the fifth in the country to offer the Pharm.D. degree as its sole professional degree. Emphasizing pharmaceutical care and clinical acumen—not just a productoriented practice—this degree is designed to provide the scholastic expertise necessary for the highest levels of professionalism in a variety of settings. Fourth year pharmacy students can consider participating in four unique advanced pharmacy practice experience programs: Advanced Clinical Track, Indian Health Service, International, and Global Missions, as well as practice experiences in Atlanta, the Southeast and other states ranging from Maryland to Texas and Alaska.
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“During your education at Mercer, you will be taught the foundations of pharmacy all the way to the most complicated clinical scenarios by accomplished and renowned clinical and research professors.” Robert Witcher Doctor of Pharmacy Class of 2012
Pharmacy Residencies A limited number of post-doctoral residencies are available to qualified Pharm.D. graduates each year. While not required for all practice settings, these residencies help graduates increase their expertise in patient-centered care, teaching and research. Numerous Mercer graduates have been selected for residencies and fellowships throughout the U.S., including: ;
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
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Duke University Hospital
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Emory University Hospital
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Indian Health Service
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Johns Hopkins
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Mayo Clinic
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Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceuticals
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Vanderbilt University Medical Center
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Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmaceutical Sciences
“I am in my fourth year of Mercer’s
Research grants from the American Diabetes Association provided the first critical funding for Ph.D. students in 1988. The Pharmaceutical Sciences Department has grown significantly since then, preparing future leaders for teaching and research careers in academia, the pharmaceutical industry, and other health-related agencies.
Mercer was the best choice for my
The highly individualized graduate program is tailored to each student and includes 35 hours of dissertation research. Areas of specialization include pharmacology, pharmaceutics, toxicology, and medicinal chemistry.
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Pharm.D./Ph.D. program and am pleased to say that coming to
professional career. I have enjoyed the practical experiences I have gained from both a pharmacy and research standpoint, as well as the guidance and mentoring I have received from faculty members who continue to expose me to new avenues of thought and opportunity.” Rebecca Neal Burns Pharm.D./Ph.D. Student Awarded Pre-Doctoral Fellowship by the American Foundation for Pharmaceutical Education
Doctor of Pharmacy/ Doctor of Philosophy For those interested in an academic/research career in the pharmaceutical sciences, this program enables highly qualified students to obtain both Pharm.D. and Ph.D. degrees in a shortened period of time. Completion time will depend on your individual qualifications and interests. The program’s built-in flexibility is designed to accommodate individuals with varied educational backgrounds and interests. After the third year, the research component offers you an impressive array of opportunities for collaboration and discovery. Students in the program may pursue a Clinical Scientist track or specialization in medicinal chemistry, pharmaceutics, pharmacology, or toxicology.
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Doctor of Pharmacy/ Master of Business Administration Complementing the Pharm.D. degree, Mercer’s MBA degree broadens the occupational and professional opportunities available to graduates. It’s designed for students interested in the management of human, material, and/or financial resources in business, government, or non-profit institutions.
“As a Floridian, it was an
The advanced business degree is earned through the Stetson School of Business and Economics (SSBE). The Princeton Review named Stetson one of the Best 301 Business Schools, and the School’s Atlanta MBA program was ranked No. 1 in the category of “Greatest Opportunity for Women.” This degree allows students to take MBA classes at their own pace.
one-of-a-kind education
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easy choice for me to leave the Sunshine State in order to receive the
that I am receiving from Mercer.” Alan Tucker Doctor of Pharmacy/Master of Business Administration Class of 2013
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Master of Medical Science (Physician Assistant Program) The mission of the Physician Assistant Program is to educate patient-centered medical providers of the highest quality who are leaders, life-long learners, possess an appreciation of ethical values and human diversity, and are provided a foundation to practice in every discipline of allopathic medicine. The Physician Assistant Program emphasizes evidence-based medicine, informatics, critical decision making, interdisciplinary teamwork, and continuous quality improvement. Students are led by a faculty of PAs, physicians, and other healthcare professionals in a stimulating learning environment of integrated didactic courses and a variety of clinical rotations under the guidance of a student-centered faculty.
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“Mercer’s Physician Assistant Program has given me the tools necessary to not only become a PA, but to become an excellent one. I am honored and humbled to have been chosen for the inaugural class of PAs at Mercer because my presence in this program has not only instilled in me the knowledge to be a great healthcare provider, but also the passion, compassion, and generosity necessary to make a difference for my patients, and my career.� Lindsay Watters, PA-C, Class of 2010 Inaugural PA class member who was selected for one of five Postgraduate Surgical Residencies for Physician Assistants at Johns Hopkins Hospital
Clinical phase rotation sites include private practice offices, multispecialty clinics, teaching hospitals, major healthcare systems, Veterans Affairs facilities, and Georgia Area Health Education Centers (AHEC). Clinical rotations throughout the Georgia AHECs provide students an opportunity to render care to underserved communities (e.g., homeless, non-Englishspeaking, immigrant, refugee, or those with cultural or financial barriers to health-care access) in rural or urban settings. Students engage in case-based studies and/ or research as part of their Capstone project.
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Physician Assistant Program, continued Mercer PA students are also actively involved outside the classroom. The Godsey-Matthews Student Society (a recognized student society of the American Academy of Physician Assistants) provides a multitude of opportunities for students to be involved in community outreach and leadership development activities.
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“As a Mercer PA Student and GodseyMatthews Society President, I have been able to enrich my education through service in the community via health fairs and clinics, educate the youth about the PA profession, and through participation in interdisciplinary health projects,
Inaugural Class Begins Practice Our inaugural class of Physician Assistant students graduated in May 2010. They are already making a difference in patients’ lives in a variety of practice settings, which include: ;
Bariatric Surgery
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Cardiovascular Medicine
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Emergency Medicine
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Infectious Diseases
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Internal Medicine
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Interventional Radiology
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Orthopaedics
uniqueness of the Mercer PA program.”
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Plastic Surgery
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Rheumatology
Tim Wombacher Physician Assistant Class of 2012
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Spinal Surgery
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Vascular Surgery
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Women’s Health
broaden my knowledge of other health care professions. It is through these opportunities and my own experiences that I have seen, first-hand, the strength and
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Doctor of Physical Therapy
Participation in Mercer’s Residency in
Two factors drive the Doctor of Physical Therapy program: a distinguished faculty with a national reputation, and the College’s vision to become nationally recognized as a leader in physical therapy practice, education, and research. Our mission is to prepare doctors of physical therapy who will be advocates for the health promotion of individuals and society, dedicated to patient/client-centered clinical excellence, life-long professional development, and scholarly activities.
and accelerated my growth into an
Students engage in close collaboration with faculty, as well as coordination and consultation with other healthcare professionals, government agencies, and educational systems. Active research programs are focused on myofascial pain and trigger points, anatomical studies, mobility methods of children with cerebral palsy, and community–based initiatives to reduce falls in older adults.
Orthopaedic Physical Therapy has fostered
excellent, clinical reasoning therapist. With a strong focus on professional advocacy, evidence-based practice, social responsibility, and life-long learning, I have been able to more efficiently and effectively treat my patients resulting in better clinical outcomes. It is an honor and a pleasure to be a part of Mercer’s Physical Therapy program and the first university-based Orthopaedic residency program in Georgia.
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Adrianna Nebedum, PT, DPT 2010 Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Resident
Physical Therapy Residency The College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences now offers a residency in orthopaedic physical therapy. This residency program enables the physical therapist to accelerate their expertise in evaluation, examination, diagnosis, prognosis, intervention, and management of patients with orthopaedic dysfunction.
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Financial Assistance The Princeton Review has named Mercer University a “Best Value” for its excellent academics and “relatively low costs of attendance.” U.S. News & World Report has put Mercer on list of “Great Schools, Great Prices.” There’s a reason for these rankings: Mercer relies heavily on its own resources, donations and endowments to furnish each student with a superior education. The University makes significant contributions to the funding of scholarships, and has secured institutional scholarship support for exemplary students. Typically 85 percent of our students receive financial aid, usually in some combination of scholarships, loans, grants and part-time employment. Mercer’s Student Financial Planning Office will help you with the financial aid process, providing both information and assistance. For more information, please visit http://atlanta.merceraid.com.
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“A college education represents one of the most precious opportunities in our society. Mercer University is committed to helping reduce the cost of higher education, thus lightening the financial burdens on our students and their families.” William D. Underwood President, Mercer University
Closing Thoughts Thank you for your interest in the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences at Mercer University. For more than a century, our school has been committed to providing the best education possible in a setting where every student matters and every person counts. Now that you’ve had a brief glimpse of COPHS, I’d like to extend a personal invitation for you to visit Mercer and learn more. I can promise you a friendly welcome, as well as an in-depth look into the factors that steadily attract talented students and world-acclaimed faculty to our campus. In the meantime, I encourage you to visit our website at http://cophs.mercer.edu for more information about the programs, people and excellence that have built our reputation—and generated an outstanding body of graduates. We look forward to seeing you, and to making the next step in your educational growth a highly rewarding experience.
Sincerely, Hewitt W. “Ted” Matthews, Ph.D. Dean of the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences and Vice President for the Health Sciences Mercer University 29
We welcome your inquiries. To learn more about our programs and admissions requirements, please visit our website at http://cophs.mercer.edu. We welcome your inquiries and interest, and look forward to talking and visiting with you. If you’d like to arrange a campus tour or attend an Information Session, please call (678) 547-6232, or email: Doctor of Pharmacy: pharmd@mercer.edu
Doctor of Philosophy: pharmsciphd@mercer.edu
Doctor of Physical Therapy: physicaltherapy@mercer.edu
Master of Medical Science (Physician Assistant): paprogram@mercer.edu 30 The College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
3001 Mercer University Drive, Suite PAC-121 Atlanta, Georgia 30341-4415 (678) 547-6232 http://cophs.mercer.edu