In this issue Interdisciplinary Research 1 Dr. Paul Abramowitz 2 Exploring Pharmacy 3 Upcoming Events 4
FACULTY NOTES Dr. Katherine Wall and Dr. Steve Sucheck
Researchers integrate disciplines to develop cancer vaccines BY CYNTHIA NOWAK An interdisciplinary cancer research project headed by two UT professors is customizing vaccines to battle the elusive disease. Dr. Katherine Wall, professor and vice chair of medicinal and biological chemistry, and Honors College director for pharmacy, and Dr. Steve Sucheck, associate professor of chemistry, are co-principal investigators on a threeyear grant from the National Institutes of Health titled “Synthesis of Glycopeptide-Based Cancer Antigen Vaccines.” The synthetic vaccines under development are not intended to prevent cancer, explained Sucheck, but to bolster the response of the body’s immune system—since from a treatment standpoint, one of cancer’s most frustrating characteristics is its ability to become resistant to that first line of defense. Read more
Dr. Youssef Sari’s research was recently published in Alcohol and Alcoholism. His research findings demonstrate that ceftriaxone, an antibiotic, might be used for the treatment of alcohol dependence. This antibiotic seems to decrease alcoholand drug-seeking behavior in rats and might be effective in humans as well.
Dr. Sharrel Pinto, assistant professor of pharmacy health care administration, is mentioned in the April 2011 issue of Pharmacy Today for her contributions to the Emerging Issues Task Force, which focuses on medication therapy management.
Alumni Focus PAUL W. ABRAMOWITZ, PHARMD, FASHP Dr. Paul W. Abramowitz, ’77, has been selected as the executive vice president and CEO-designate of the American Society of H e a lt h - S y s t e m Pharmacists. Dr. Abramowitz is currently the associate hospital director for professional services and chief pharmacy officer at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. He also holds appointments as assistant dean and professor at the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy. Abramowitz received his doctor of pharmacy degree from the University of Michigan and Bachelor of Science degree in pharmacy from the University of Toledo. He completed his residency training at the University of Michigan Hospitals and Clinics. Abramowitz has a distinguished career of leadership having held director of pharmacy and faculty
positions at the University of Minnesota and Virginia Commonwealth University. In addition to his contributions to pharmacy practice, he has served the profession in several capacities including chair of the Iowa Board of Pharmacy, and chair of the Board of the Iowa Statewide Poison Control Center. Abramowitz served as president of ASHP from 1993 to 1994 and as treasurer of ASHP and the ASHP Research and Education Foundation from 2007 to 2010. He has received many honors including the Harvey A. K. Whitney Lecture Award in 2009, health-system pharmacy's highest honor. Dr. Abramowitz will join ASHP as executive vice president and CEOdesignate in September, assuming full responsibility on January 1, 2012. The ASHP Board of Directors has complete confidence that Dr. Abramowitz is extremely well equipped to lead this vibrant and strong organization into the future.
STUDENT FEATURES Student Poster Award Alaina Schnapp, a P2 BSPS student, was recently recognized for her research at the Midwest Graduate Research Symposium. Her poster, which earned second place in the undergraduate poster category, was entitled “The Effects of Thimerosal on Zebrafish (Danio rerio).” Alaina Schnapp conducted her research under the mentorship of Dr. Fred Williams, associate professor of pharmacology.
Schnapp (center) with her mentor, Dr. Williams (left) and GSA president Michael P. Bechill (right)
A Budding Researcher
We want to hear from you! Email your news to us at utpharmacyreply@utoledo.edu. Your college and your classmates want to know what you’re busy accomplishing. Send news about births, new jobs, marriages, and achievements to the college for publication in the biannual printed newsletter, Extracts & Graduates. You can even send photos! Alumni can also keep up with UT news and progress by joining the UT Alumni Association and its online community, www.toledoalumni.org.
When DNA is damaged by environmental agents, medications or through physiological conditions of the cell, its structure changes. India Turner, a senior at Central Catholic High School, investigated the effects of these changes on small DNA strands. Read more
Exploring Pharmacy HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS LEARN THROUGH EXPERIENCE AT UTCPPS Dr. Anita Stonehill-Ridner, Clinical Assistant Professor for the Department of Pharmacy Practice, has plenty of experience reaching out to the community. In her role at the college, she is responsible for coordinating both Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience (IPPE) and Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) students at The University of Toledo Medical Center (UTMC). Dr. Stonehill-Ridner ensures that her students get a well-rounded experience while at UTMC, and she orients students to the pharmacy department and hospital prior to the start of their experiences. She also precepts APPE students during an 8week General Hospital and Advanced Inpatient Rotation. APPE students are involved in a variety of patient care activities at UTMC, which has led to an increased number of rotations available at the medical center. Dr. Stonehill-Ridner’s position includes serving as a liaison between the College and the UTMC Pharmacy Department, in regards to coordinating students’ experiential activities. In addition to her regular duties, Dr. Stonehill-Ridner has helped to guide high schools students as they explore career options in pharmacy. Many local high schools require that students complete a senior project in which they immerse themselves in the career field of their choice. Over the past few years, a number of local students have chosen pharmacy for
their senior experiences, spending time in the College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences and the University of Toledo Medical Center (UTMC). Dr. Stonehill-Ridner custom designs each student experience, focusing on the interests and talents of the students. Students are exposed to a variety of pharmacy practice settings. They will typically see the operations of both hospital and community pharmacies, and they will have the opportunity to shadow a clinical pharmacist on rounds. They may shadow Dr. Vince Mauro in cardiology, Dr. Martin Ohlinger in surgical ICU, Dr. Mariann Churchwell in nephrology, or Dr. Todd Gundrum in internal medicine. Some students have had the opportunity to observe the decentralized pharmacist model at UTMC, shadowing the pharmacist and learning about hospital pharmacy operations. Other students have shown a great interest in basic and clinical research, and they have had opportunities to work with UTCPPS faculty like Dr. Diane Cappelletty, who specializes in infectious diseases. These high school students spend anywhere from a few days to a few weeks with faculty and APPE students, often following them on rotations. For students with extended senior project experiences like the threeweek project required by Maumee Valley Country Day School, Dr. Stonehill-Ridner creates more extensive learning opportunities.
Students might shadow ambulatory care clinics like the diabetes clinic with Dr. Megan Kaun, the HIV clinic with Dr. Eric Sahloff or the neurology clinic with Dr. Gayle Kamm; they might even work behind the scenes in the hospital’s infectious disease lab. Students have also shadowed pharmacists at the Student Medical Center, the Neighborhood Health Association, and UTMC. Their assignments include tasks like looking up drug information and basic calculations. Students also get a chance to see the inner workings of local retail pharmacies. During their senior projects, high school students have a full schedule and set of learning objectives. Dr. Stonehill-Ridner also requires that they keep a journal of their experiences and generate questions for the pharmacists and faculty members they encounter. In addition to gaining valuable clinical experience and knowledge about the various career paths in pharmacy, students learn about college life, which has attracted a good portion of them to UT and to pharmacy in particular. The students who have worked with Dr. Stonehill-Ridner have been focused, driven and intensely interested in learning about careers in pharmacy.
On Our Website General College Information www.utoledo.edu/pharmacy UT Alumni Association www.toledoalumni.org
Upcoming Events Professional Advancement Conferences Friday, August 18-19
Students entering the professional division in both the BSPS and PharmD programs will attend professionalism conferences to prepare them for their
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new roles as researchers and practitioners. Students can find more information about their conferences on the myUT Pharmacy portal tab.
Professional Advancement Ceremony Friday, August 19, 2011 in Nitschke Auditorium on Main Campus
The Professional Advancement Ceremony welcomes incoming P1 BSPS and PharmD students into the professional division. Students receive white coats or portfolios according to their majors.
The Pillbox Pharmacy Tailgate Tent, sponsored by Giant Eagle Thursday, September 1, 2011 at 5pm, The Flats outside the Glass Bowl
Tailgate (free) with CPPS students, faculty and alumni before the Rockets vs. New Hampshire kickoff
Homecoming 2011: DATE CHANGED October 21-23, 2011
The College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Alumni Affiliate will host an event at which outstanding alumni will be honored. The awards event and parade on Saturday and the free CE on Sunday are excellent opportunities to gather with old friends and classmates. More details
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