DEAN’S UPDATE
MESSAGE FROM THE DEAN
We have entered a ‘golden age of medicine,’ where new discoveries, technology and artificial intelligence are creating opportunities and therapies unimaginable even a short time ago. “ ”
There is a wonderful Yiddish word, kvell, which translates as “to swell with pride.” Well, I am kvelling as I share with you this update on Touro College of Pharmacy (TCOP).
The short version is that it is a great time to be a pharmacist and a pharmacy student at TCOP.
The field of pharmacy is ever-expanding, reflecting growing trust in the quality of our education, expertise and accessibility. We have entered a “golden age of medicine,” where new discoveries, technology and artificial intelligence are creating opportunities and therapies unimaginable even a short time ago.
TCOP continues to rank among the top pharmacy schools, both nationally and locally. Our first-time pass rates on the NAPLEX ranks Touro College of Pharmacy first among pharmacy schools in New York City.
Students are also shining on the national stage with posters and presentations and in competitions at regional and national conferences. Employment statistics remain at record levels, with graduates landing prestigious fellowships, residencies and positions in community pharmacy, industry and research.
We are also getting comfortable in our new home following our recent move to Touro University’s main campus at the Crossroads of the World. Here, we have joined Touro’s law school and Graduate Schools of Business, Education, Jewish Studies, Social Work, Technology and School of Health Sciences, and are taking advantage of the unprecedented opportunities to collaborate and engage interprofessional education in our classrooms, state-of-the-art science and technology labs, model pharmacy, drug information center, sterile and non-sterile compounding laboratories, medication administration and physical
assessment suites, as well as our event spaces, offices, library, student lounges and cafés.
TCOP’s Center of Excellence continues to leverage pharmacists’ growing role by expanding access to culturally sensitive patient and family-centered care and improving patient outcomes in chronic diseases.
Our PharmD/MBA and PharmD/MPH collaborative degree programs continue to gather momentum.
The PharmD/MBA, with Touro University’s Graduate School of Business, focuses on healthcare management. The PharmD/MPH with Touro University-affiliated New York Medical College offers a generalized Master of Public Health program. With these programs, students enhance their PharmD credentials in less time and at less cost than needed to complete the degrees independently due to cross-recognition of credits between the participating schools.
We have attracted an outstanding faculty of dedicated educators, who are making their mark through scholarship, research, professional service and in practice—often on the leading edge of the profession. We are very proud of TCOP’s evolution and excited for what the future holds for our students, graduates and the profession. I invite you to learn more about the many reasons why, in this update.
Sincerely,
Henry Cohen, PharmD, MSc, FCCM Dean and Professor Touro College of Pharmacy
Empowering the Next Generation
Touro College of Pharmacy’s Commitment to Improve Community Health
A NEW CENTER OF EXCELLENCE IS PROVIDING SCHOLARSHIPS, MENTORSHIP AND TRAINING TO IMPROVE CARE IN THE PHARMACY PROFESSION
Touro College of Pharmacy P4 Rhonda Moton knew one day she would have a career in healthcare. A physician had saved her young cousin’s life, and handling her grandmother’s medications taught her a few things about pharmacy.
She enrolled in a one-year Master of Science program at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine with an eye towards medical school, but a pharmacology class at TouroCOM sparked her interest and TCOP won out.
Moton’s long-term goal was to help as many patients as possible to have a healthier lifestyle.
Expanding healthcare for underserved populations was paramount.
TCOP ADVANCES ITS MISSION
Her arrival at TCOP was in sync with the school advancing its mission to increase the number of pharmacists committed to improving health outcomes in underserved communities and to train students to address health issues and social determinants of health.
Armed with a new five-year $3 million grant from the federal Health Resources and Services Administration
(HRSA), in 2022 TCOP launched a “Center of Excellence for Pharmacy Education and Pharmacist Care Services” (COE) to provide training and opportunities to improve community health.
Moton became part of an inaugural group of COE “scholars”—students who would receive financial support from the grant to pursue their education, participate in educational activities and receive clinical training in community-based healthcare settings throughout the boroughs of NYC.
Now about halfway through the grant, the COE has impacted close to 60 scholars with scholarships and stipends and opportunities to participate in activities, such as a Faculty Speaker Series that brings pharmacists, including alumni, to campus to share how they have built successful careers in public health and other settings.
Additionally, the COE supports a teaching and learning specialist, peer tutoring and recruitment activities, such as a summer camp for college students and a one-day winter camp for high school students, designed to increase awareness of the profession and improve community health.
As they move through the curriculum, the scholars receive clinical training in community-based healthcare settings in NYC that address both healthcare access issues and social determinants of health.
P4 Scholar Monica Ramos’ parents immigrated to the U.S. from El Salvador before she was born. She attributes her love of science and interest in pharmacy in part to her mother, who worked for a pharmaceutical company and shared her experiences in drug development.
Ramos works part time as an intern at a CVS pharmacy, counseling and vaccinating patients, and also at Stony Brook University Hospital, which has been recognized for its efforts to help patients who encounter barriers to healthcare.
GUEST SPEAKERS PROVIDE INSPIRATION
Ramos aims to work in underserved communities and to give back to her community. “I want to help improve their care and bridge the gap that can exist,” she said, adding to that end, she has found the COE’s guest speakers to be inspirational.
She cited a talk, “90 Miles to Cuba,” by Touro University California College of Pharmacy faculty, Dr. Lourdes Planas, where Dr. Planas shared insights about her career as a community pharmacist and
its unexpected turns and meaningful connections. Among them was being able to use her bilingual skills to have an impact in the Hispanic community.
One of P4 scholar Ryan Fabian’s favorite COE-related activities was volunteering with children and teens at a health fair in West Harlem sponsored by Brotherhood Sister Sol, an organization that provides enrichment activities for children and teens.
“I talked to kids about their lifestyles, how things were going and answered all kinds of questions. We got to talk about a lot of different disease states,” said Fabian, a first-generation Dominican American and Bronx native, who is vice-president of the Touro chapter of the National Hispanic Pharmacists Association. “It’s important, because pharmacists are the first line—and we don’t charge!”
The Pharmacist Will See You Now
A Hospital Pharmacist Leads the Trend in Helping Busy Doctors by Treating Patients
ROMAN FAZYLOV IS NOT YOUR ORDINARY PHARMACIST.
He has a clinical practice site at Wyckoff Heights Medical Center and Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center in Brooklyn, where he sees up to 10 patients a day by appointment.
There, he conducts physical exams; orders tests, scans and lab work; determines what medications should be started or stopped; and—as needed—writes prescriptions for higher and lower doses and new medications. He also supervises pharmacy residents and students on rotation.
His wide-ranging responsibilities are evidence of a significant evolution taking place in the profession. “Pharmacy has been around since ancient times,” says Fazylov, 34. “But the most dramatic changes to the field have happened only in the last 30 years.”
Among those seismic changes, Fazylov points to a “collaborative drug therapy management agreement” he has with doctors at Kingsbrook and Wyckoff. “That means the doctors refer their patients to me,” says Fazylov. “The agreement provides me with the privilege of taking care of their patients. My role is to help patients understand their care and to know I’m there to make sure what they need gets done.”
An assistant professor at Touro College of Pharmacy, Fazylov feels fortunate to be a part of a school that “is on the cutting edge” in the field.
“COLLABORATIVE DRUG THERAPY”—A CURRENT TREND
“It’s a trend now, with quite a few pharmacists having these privileges nationally,” says Fazylov, who sees his patients monthly and treats patients with conditions
from diabetes to high blood pressure to chronic heart diseases.
“It’s been driven by the expertise of the pharmacists and their broad knowledge of disease states, in addition to being the experts in prescribing drug therapy,” he explains.
Dr. Fazylov’s career began 12 years ago with a post-graduate residency at Kingsbrook, where he is now the clinical pharmacist-ambulatory care specialist. In addition, he practices at Wyckoff three days a week. He created and runs their medical center’s pharmacy clinic, while serving as assistant professor at TCOP teaching students therapeutics.
Fazylov’s professional “North Star” is TCOP Dean Dr. Henry Cohen, a former professor who steered him to the clinical side of pharmacy. “Dean Cohen inspired me and still inspires me all these years later,” Fazylov says. “He’s always ahead of the curve, and that’s how he leads the pharmacy school.”
On a recent day, one of Fazylov’s patients brought in close to a dozen medications for him to decipher. “I took her off of several of her medications and replaced them with ones that do not have potentially serious side effects,” he explains. “They were making her confused and unstable and dizzy, which is dangerous due to her increased chances of falling.”
All in a day’s work for a pharmacist who loves each day’s work.
Dr. Raj Kumar
MEDICINE FROM THE HEART
To Honor his Late Mother, an Acclaimed Scientist Devotes his Life to Cutting-Edge Cancer Research
WHAT DR. RAJ KUMAR, PH.D., M.S., HAS ACCOMPLISHED, including being ranked among the world’s top two percent of scientists by Stanford University, is anything but a tale foretold.
Growing up in rural India, the youngest of seven children, he gained entrance to a university known for turning out successful government bureaucrats. For those not born into privilege, such positions were prestigious and rewarding.
Then a personal tragedy reordered his professional trajectory.
“My mother died of endometrial cancer while I was in college,” says Kumar, now 57. “That’s when I decided to become a researcher, to help find treatments and cures so others wouldn’t have to suffer and die. It became personal and has remained so.”
He qualified for a highly competitive national award for a research fellowship that allowed him to enter the field of biomedical research, never having set foot in a laboratory.
$3 MILLION GRANT FOR CANCER STUDY
Today, Kumar is professor and chair of the Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences at Touro College of Pharmacy, where his lab works on a cancer study and is one of three principal investigators (PIs) on a $3 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
“This project is related to the steroid hormone receptor (SHR) proteins and their roles in endocrine cancers,” he explains. “I’m focusing especially on breast and prostate cancers, but these SHRs are the most targeted proteins in medicine for a number of diseases, including endocrine cancers.”
Kumar explains that, in lay terms, the body relies on steroid hormones and their receptors to survive and grow. Disruptions in normal functions of SHRs lead to several types of malignancies, including breast cancer, prostate cancer and ovarian cancer. So he, along with two of his collaborators, are trying to figure out the three-dimensional shape of SHR proteins at the atomic level, knowledge that he says is essential to designing steroid/hormone-based drugs to treat these cancers.
Says Kumar, “It’s exciting because then we can develop much needed treatments to slow or stop it completely with minimal or no serious side effects.”
TOURO’S COMMITMENT TO TEACHING AND RESEARCH
Kumar has been at Touro since 2022, and notes he is struck daily by the school’s deep commitment to both teaching and research.
“I’m inspired by the caliber of the students, too,” he says. “Sometimes in class, they’ll pose a question we don’t yet have an answer to, and I’ll say, ‘Let’s take it back to the lab and work to discover an answer.’”
In many colleges and universities, such an esteemed scientist wouldn’t be asked to teach classes with beginning students. But Kumar wants to be in the classroom as much as in his lab.
“Research is my passion,” says the married father of three daughters. “But teaching is my love! The students will go on to contribute to society in so many different and important ways. I’m humbled and proud to play a part in their future careers.”
In addition to his research and teaching duties, Kumar has authored scores of articles in top scientific publications and won numerous grants for his cutting-edge research in everything from cancer to Alzheimer’s disease.
As for regrets, he says he has but one—that his mother, who died in her 40s, did not live long enough to share in his achievements.
“I came from a very humble background and yet she insisted that I was smart and had to find a way to go to college,” he says. “My mother is why I do this research, and she remains closest to my heart!”
Dr. Azhar Hussain, Class of 2026
EXPLORING INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS
Born in Pakistan and raised in Brooklyn, New York Earned a B.S. in Biological Sciences at Hunter College, CUNY; an MBA in Healthcare Management from Davenport University; and a D.H.A. in Healthcare Administration from Franklin University
WHAT TOPIC ARE YOU INVESTIGATING AT TCOP?
I’m currently focused on respiratory-related infections like RSV, driven by concerns around the quad-demic of influenza, RSV, COVID-19 and norovirus. My interests include infectious diseases, neurology, chronic diseases and telepharmacy. Through each project, I am able to explore different dimensions of pharmacy, which keeps me engaged and fuels my passion for making meaningful contributions.
HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED IN RESEARCH AT TCOP?
I had some research experience, but TCOP opened the door to a world of opportunities. The supportive environment provided an incredible platform to explore different topics, and I had amazing professors and mentors who encouraged me to push boundaries. I took on research aligned with my interests in clinical pharmacology and patient safety.
HOW DO YOU FIND YOUR TOPICS?
My topics often stem from clinical discussions, particularly about complex adverse drug reactions. This drives me to dig deeper and uncover insights that could make a difference in patient care. I’ve been fortunate to work with Drs. Sidhartha D. Ray, Tyler Maxwell, Michael Liu and Tamara Hernandez. They’ve shared their expertise and challenged me to think critically, evaluate evidence meticulously and approach investigations with a structured mindset.
CAN YOU DESCRIBE YOUR STUDIES? WHAT DID YOU DISCOVER, AND WHO WILL IT IMPACT?
My recent research, Pharmacists on the Digital Frontline: Improving Telepharmacy for Chronic Disease Management, which I presented at the 2024 ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting, highlights the potential of telepharmacy to enhance patient care. It explores how we can better utilize telepharmacy to improve communication, medication adherence and outcomes, especially for patients managing chronic conditions. Telepharmacy’s ability to address health disparities by incorporating social determinants of health is a game changer, particularly for underserved communities.
HAVE YOU PRESENTED AT CONFERENCES OR PUBLISHED?
Yes, at conferences and clinical meetings. These opportunities have been invaluable for highlighting my research, engaging with peers and receiving feedback from experts. I’ve also published research with faculty. My recent work on RSV was published in the CUREUS Journal of Medical Science. I collaborated with Drs. Sidhartha D. Ray and Tamara Hernandez, and our study was cited by leading pharmaceutical companies such as Pfizer and Sanofi.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE MOST VALUABLE RESEARCH SKILLS YOU ARE LEARNING?
I’ve gained a wealth of research skills that have shaped me academically and professionally. I’ve
learned to critically evaluate literature and conduct detailed data analyses and convey complex ideas clearly and meaningfully to diverse audiences.
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT FOR PHARMACY STUDENTS TO DO RESEARCH?
Research is a cornerstone of innovation in pharmacy and healthcare, and for students, it’s a transformative experience. It sharpens critical thinking skills, fosters curiosity and enhances the ability to evaluate evidence-based practices. You become immersed in real-world challenges and contribute to advancements that can improve patient care and outcomes. Research offers a hands-on opportunity to explore innovative solutions, tackle unmet medical needs, and understand the interplay of science, technology and patient care. Students can grow professionally and have a meaningful impact on the future of medicine.
WHAT IS YOUR ULTIMATE CAREER GOAL, AND HOW HAS TCOP HELPED PREPARE YOU?
My ultimate goal is to become a leader in industry and help drive the development of innovative medicines that address unmet needs and transform patient care. I’d like to bridge gaps in healthcare and make a lasting impact on global health. TCOP has been a pivotal part of this journey. Through exceptional mentorship, hands-on research projects and meaningful engagement with the scientific community, I’ve gained the skills, confidence and vision to pursue this path.
Summer Rotering, Class of 2026
MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN PATIENTS’ LIVES
From Beacon, New York
B.S. in Science from University of Oregon
WHAT TOPIC ARE YOU INVESTIGATING AT TCOP?
The effects of cannabinoids on Pseudomonas aeruginosa planktonic cells and biofilms.
DID YOU HAVE RESEARCH EXPERIENCE BEFORE TOURO? HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED IN RESEARCH AT TCOP?
Before Touro, I shadowed Dr. Daniel Peña at Mount Saint Mary College for a research project involving the epigenetics of roundworms. We researched various factors such as their environment, genes and cellular pathways, to slow the aging process and physical decline in order to extend their lifespan. At Touro, I became involved with research through Dean Dr. Zvi Loewy and his pharmacogenomics course. After learning more about the importance of genomics in pharmacy practice, I felt passionate about the topic and wanted to learn more about how to care for patients on an individual level. By reaching out to Dr. Loewy, I was able to get involved in research opportunities on campus that led to my current research experience.
HOW DID YOU FIND YOUR TOPIC? WHO AT TOURO HELPS YOU WITH IDEAS AND HOW?
After expressing my interest in genetics, precision medicine and my passion for personalized care, Dean Loewy informed me of a research opportunity to expand on his previous research on biofilms. I was excited for the opportunity to join such a thriving new area of research.
CAN YOU DESCRIBE YOUR STUDY? WHAT DID YOU DISCOVER AND WHO WILL IT IMPACT?
The study focused on the role of cannabinoids on the inhibition and eradication of biofilms formed by
Pseudomonas aeruginosa Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a virulent, biofilm-forming, gram-negative bacteria associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) acute exacerbations. Biofilm formation can worsen and prolong infections due to its antibiotic resistance, making it hard to treat in vulnerable populations. Our research explored using a natural way to break down or inhibit the growth of these biofilms through the use of cannabinoids, called cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabigerol (CBG). Both processes—the inhibition and eradication of Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms—were shown to be effective on multiple strains with both CBD and CBG. This exciting new area of research shows potential to prevent or treat Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections in COPD patients at risk for acute exacerbations.
HAVE YOU DELIVERED PRESENTATIONS AT CONFERENCES OR PUBLISHED?
I had the honor of presenting at the 2024 ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana, with co-author Adina Kagan and the support of Dr. Loewy on “The Role of Cannabinoids in the Inhibition and Eradication of Biofilms Formed by PA14, a Clinical Isolate of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.” Additionally, I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to work with Dr. Sidhartha Ray on the 2024 update of “Side Effects of Drugs Annual, Recent Clinical Studies on Metals and Metal Antagonists,” chapter publication.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE MOST VALUABLE RESEARCH SKILLS YOU ARE LEARNING AT TOURO?
The valuable research skills I’ve learned include critical thinking, adaptability, analysis and interpretation, collaboration, project management and self-reflection through hands-on practice and real-world experience.
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT FOR PHARMACY STUDENTS TO DO RESEARCH?
Participating in research as a pharmacy student is a great opportunity for personal and educational growth. There are many different areas of research students can immerse themselves in and finding the right one can be an excellent investment in your future. By participating in research, students can increase their clinical knowledge, real-world understanding, make advancements in their field and enhance their career opportunities.
WHAT IS YOUR ULTIMATE CAREER GOAL, AND HOW HAS TCOP HELPED PREPARE YOU?
My ultimate career goal is to help make a difference for my patients so they can feel comfortable and confident in their healthcare journeys. Touro has provided me with valuable opportunities to practice my skills through research and hands-on practice experiences, better preparing me for my pharmacy career.
EVAN SASSON PharmD, Class of 2014
FROM THE GROUND UP
Associate Director of Pharmacotherapy Services and Residency Program at Wyckoff Heights Medical Center Launches New Residency Program
EVAN SASSON JOKES THAT “DESPITE MY MOTHER’S wishes, I became a pharmacist instead of a doctor.”
Certainly, the disappointment has been eclipsed by pride for Mrs. Sasson in what her son has accomplished. Today, Sasson is the associate director of pharmacotherapy services and the residency program at Wyckoff Heights Medical Center in Bushwick, New York.
In fact, there was no such program at Wyckoff until Sasson played a key role in creating it.
Sasson worked at a drugstore chain during his time at TCOP and today has extensive clinical pharmacy experience in cardiology and ambulatory care services. “I realized early on I wanted more interaction and impact with patients beyond prescription fulfillment and patient counseling,” says Sasson. “I always preach to my residents what I learned at Touro, to explore all the options available through a pharmacy degree.”
TCOP is known for its curriculum steeped in real-world experience, something Sasson found appealing. Lots of time in the classroom doing the crucial academic learning, but more time perhaps, than at any other such school, working in hospitals, drugstores, clinics
and other healthcare agencies. “We spent a lot of our time practicing, experiencing and enhancing what we learned in school,” says Sasson.
He was drawn from the start to interacting with patients, helping them understand what medications worked best and how patients were affected. When, during student rotations, Sasson thought a patient needed a higher dose of antibiotics than prescribed, he spoke with the doctor, who agreed and increased the dose. “I still remember how gratifying it felt to know that the doctor listened, and that the patient would get better quicker,” he says.
Prior to Wyckoff, Sasson was at Brooklyn Hospital Center, where he served as a clinical pharmacist and director of the PGY-1 program. Under his leadership, the program thrived, creating top-notch pharmacy practitioners and enhancing patient care in numerous ways. In March 2022, he was tapped to create a residency program at Wyckoff.
“It was from the ground up and it was hard and rewarding and worth every minute of work,” he says. “The hospital had never had pharmacy residents. That’s the first stepping stone for a direct patient care role and important in many ways. Now, there is access to pharmacists right there as part of an in-house team.”
Sasson also took the lead in a collaborative drug therapy management agreement between the pharmacy and Wyckoff’s medical department. The agreement established pharmacist-run outpatient clinics and allows the pharmacist to prescribe medications and order laboratory tests. “All of this,” Sasson says, proudly, “was new to Wyckoff Heights Medical Center.”
Thanks in large part to his work, Wyckoff’s pharmacy program has been reviewed, accredited and expanded. He administers the program, but daily demands of getting it going have subsided and he’s back to practicing both his specialty and caring for patients with heart ailments. Sasson may not be a cardiologist, but he’s an invaluable part of a lifesaving team. What’s more, his mother has mellowed—a bit: “She’d probably still prefer I went to medical school,” he says, laughing, “but I know she’s proud of me.”
TATYANA BAZAROVA PharmD, Class of 2017
GRANDMOTHER KNOWS BEST
A Touro-Trained Pharmacist Learned What It Takes to Care for Patients and Run a Hospital Pharmacy
TATYANA BAZAROVA, PHARMD, WAS A TEENAGER WHEN her grandmother arrived from Russia. “She spoke no English, so she loved going to the pharmacy in our Brooklyn community,” Dr. Bazarova says. “It was Russian-owned. They spoke to her in her native language and explained everything about her medications. They made her feel cared for.”
So it followed, that when Bazarova was in college and torn between dentistry and pharmacy, the decision had already been made. She just hadn’t realized it until that moment.
In 2017, she graduated from Touro College of Pharmacy. Today, she is clinical/operations pharmacy manager at Mount Sinai-Union Square. “I chose correctly by going to Touro and studying pharmacology,” she says. “I learned about so many different career choices in the field and now I get to work in a really awesome area of pharmacy!”
Make those two really awesome areas of pharmacy. As clinical manager for dermatology, she sees patients with every imaginable disease affecting their skin—whether from eczema to psoriasis vulgaris to hidradenitis suppurativa—as well as other, lesser conditions that nonetheless carry physical and emotional pain.
FIRST LINE OF COUNSELING
“As a clinical pharmacist, I am the first line of counseling,” she says, adding that she explains medications, teaches patients to inject themselves if that’s what the dermatologist prescribes, and offers information and emotional support. “They are so grateful, but so am I,”
she says. “I get to build relationships and watch them improve, and with my help, their quality of life improves, sometimes dramatically. It’s an amazing honor for me.”
In her second role, as operations manager of Mount Sinai’s pharmacy, Bazarova oversees staffing, budgeting and new workflow implementation, among other duties. “I like the variety that comes with being in the clinic with patients one day, and the next in the pharmacy, managing and maintaining therapeutic infusion pharmacy operations,” she says.
Bazarova credits her professors and internships through Touro for preparing her to handle two very different, but complementary, roles. What’s more, her current place of employment began with a student internship five years ago.
“The professors taught me what I needed to know academically, and the program requires rotations, so you are in a hospital or a clinic and other situations,” she says. “The experiences open your eyes to the many roles a pharmacist can fill.”
A married mother of two little ones, Bazarova doesn’t have the same success managing time for herself. But when she can sneak away, she is hooked on cross stitching—“so relaxing and stress relieving”—and catching up with her grandmother. “I am happy to say she is well,” Bazarova reports, “and that her favorite pharmacy is still there.”
MARTIN PATRICK
PharmD, Class of 2023
AFTER HOURS
A Veteran-Turned-Pharmacist Melds Clinical and Public Health to Better Serve Patients
MARTIN PATRICK, PHARMD, loves working the nightshift as a pharmacist at the West Haven Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center in New Haven, Connecticut. More responsibility. More chances for face-to-face contact with patients whose lives rely, in part, on his expertise.
In addition to patients already admitted to the 216-bed hospital, the nightshift pharmacist handles all medications for the emergency room and inpatient floors.
“I like the pace, I like the variety, I like learning about new medications,” says Patrick, adding that the average number of prescriptions a patient in the VA system takes daily is 12. “I like the direct impact I can make caring for people and making sure they’re getting the right medication at the right dosage, while considering how the drugs can affect these acutely ill patients. I learn something new every single day.”
That’s saying a lot for Patrick, who began his healthcare career, at age 18, as a hospital corpsman in the United States Navy.
U.S. NAVY SERVICE
By the time he had graduated from Touro College of Pharmacy (TCOP) in 2023, Patrick was a 10-year U.S. Navy veteran, a hospital corpsman, who provided all manner of medical care. He pulled wisdom teeth, handled emergencies, performed x-ray screenings for tuberculosis and other diseases, administered vaccinations, and more. The Virginia Beach, Virginia, native
was deployed to eight countries on The USNS Mercy, the 1,000-bed hospital ship that provides medical care and humanitarian assistance to the Pacific Islands.
Patrick clicked with chemistry and pharmacology, so he chose TCOP for his advanced degree. It was his experience at Touro that convinced him to combine clinical work and public health.
“Touro requires you to get a lot of experience outside the classroom in different areas of pharmacology,” says Patrick, 39. “The most important thing they taught us was the existence of so many different fields within the career of a pharmacist and the many roles we can play in people’s lives.”
He saw that firsthand while working through pharmacy school as a medical support assistant in the emergency room at the Veterans Affairs Hospital during COVID-19.
“There was so much misinformation and fear about the vaccine,” he recalls. “Pharmacists were called upon to educate people, to help them understand what was true and what was not true. That was when I began to really understand what pharmacists can and should be used for—providing public health initiatives and health information to educate people in our communities.”
NEW CHALLENGES
Now Patrick has taken on a new challenge, this one outside the VA system. He works part time at the Yale New Haven Hospital, where he deals with a different clientele.
“I like to try new things professionally, and at the VA, I’ve never had the chance to work with children and female patients,” he says. “It’s mostly older male vets, though we’re beginning to see more women.”
Patrick was reared in a family that believes in service.
His father was a U.S. Navy sonar tech for 24 years and his sister was an electrician’s mate for eight years. Patrick entered the service as “just a kid,” and left as an adult who wanted to try his hand at civilian life.
The father of two daughters, Patrick hardly recognizes his younger self these days. Except for one teenage holdout.
“My sneaker collection,” he says, laughing about his 150-plus pairs (including Kobes and Jordans, among other rarities) piled high in his spare bedroom. “Can’t really explain it. But I wear them. Like my job, they keep me on my feet.”
APPOINTMENTS AWARDS AND
HUI LIN PharmD
DR. HUI LIN, a native of Atlanta, Georgia, joined the TCOP Department of Pharmacy Practice as an assistant professor in 2023. She earned her PharmD, magna cum laude, from the University of Georgia College of Pharmacy in Athens, where she was awarded a Presidential Scholarship and elected to membership in the Rho Chi Honor Society. She completed her PGY-1 residency at Augusta University (AU) Medical Center in Augusta, Georgia, and a PGY-2 residency in critical care pharmacy at Yale New Haven Hospital in New Haven, Connecticut. Her practical experience includes working as a staff pharmacist at AU Medical Center, Children’s Hospital of Georgia and at Yale New Haven Hospital. She has made presentations at local, state and national professional conferences and meetings, including the Society of Critical Care Medicine, the American College of Clinical Pharmacy and the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists Midyear. Her clinical practice site is at The Mount Sinai Hospital flagship in Manhattan, and her research interests include sepsis and septic shock, optimizing management of pain in critically ill patient populations, managing alcohol withdrawal, and the impact of mentorship on graduate professionals.
DR. FRAIDY N. MALTZ is the new assistant dean of student affairs and administration. Dr. Maltz has served with distinction for the past two years as director of student engagement, developmental portfolios and co-curricular learning. In her new position, she is TCOP’s chief student services officer, supervising student services, mental health counseling, disability services and serving as liaison to the library, registrar, bursar, facilities, security, food service and student insurance offices. She oversees administrative operations and functions at TCOP while continuing as associate professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice. Dr. Maltz earned a B.S. in Pharmacy, summa cum laude, and her PharmD from the Arnold and Marie Schwartz College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences of Long Island University, where she was selected for membership in the Rho Chi Honor Society and Phi Lambda Sigma Pharmacy Leadership Society. Prior to TCOP, she taught for 20 years at LIU Pharmacy. She has served as a clinical pharmacist and preceptor in the community pharmacy practice setting, running disease state management programs and managing medication therapy management. Recent research interests have focused on student learning. Dr. Maltz is a member of several professional pharmacy associations and is board-certified in ambulatory care.
FRAIDY N. MALTZ PharmD, BCACP
DR. SCOTT MIELE has joined the faculty as an assistant professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice. He comes to TCOP from Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York, where he recently completed his PGY-2 pharmacy residency in emergency medicine. He earned his PharmD from the University of Rhode Island, where he was elected to membership in the Rho Chi Honor Society, and did his PGY-1 residency at Saint Peter’s University Hospital in New Brunswick, New Jersey. His practice experience includes compounding pharmacy and medication therapy management. He also served for five years as a technologist coordinator at the Phoenix Center, a school for children with special needs in Nutley, New Jersey. He has a teaching certificate from the Rutgers University Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, and his certifications include Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support, Pediatric Advanced Life Support and Hazardous Materials Incident Response. His clinical practice site is St. Barnabas Hospital in the Bronx, where he will be specializing in emergency medicine.
LEAH MORADI
PharmD
DR. LEAH MORADI is the new director of co-curricular learning, developmental portfolios and career services. She has been at TCOP since 2021 as an assistant professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice, and has an impressive record of teaching, leadership, research, and community and professional service. In her new position, Dr. Moradi’s principal responsibility is managing TCOP’s co-curricular program. She also provides leadership for student involvement in campus activities and community events and advises students on co-curricular matters and career development. Dr. Moradi earned a B.S. in Biology, magna cum laude, from Touro University’s Lander College of Arts and Sciences; and a B.S. in Pharmaceutical Studies and a PharmD, both magna cum laude, from the Arnold and Marie Schwartz College of Pharmacy of Long Island University. She completed a PGY-1 pharmacy practice residency and a PGY-2 internal medicine pharmacy residency at Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center in Brooklyn and maintains a clinical practice at One Brooklyn Health-Brookdale University Hospital Medical Center. Dr. Moradi is a board-certified pharmacotherapy specialist (BCPS).
DR. AMANDA PHOENIX was appointed associate director of tutoring and academic support. She leads a coordinated effort to maximize the academic and professional success of TCOP students, with a focus on Center of Excellence (COE) Scholars. Dr. Phoenix is responsible for developing a comprehensive program of outside-the-classroom academic assistance. A board-certified ambulatory care pharmacist and certified diabetes care and education specialist, Dr. Phoenix previously maintained a clinical practice as an ambulatory care pharmacist and residency coordinator at BronxCare Health System. She joined TCOP in 2018 after serving as a clinical pharmacist with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. She earned her PharmD, cum laude, from the University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy, and completed her PGY-1 pharmacy practice residency at Stony Brook University Hospital, and her PGY-2 ambulatory care pharmacy residency at the James A. Haley Veterans Hospital and Clinics in Tampa, Florida.
AMANDA PHOENIX PharmD, BCACP, CDCES
SCOTT MIELE PharmD
BATOUL SENHAJI-TOMZA
PharmD, MPH
DR. BATOUL SENHAJI-TOMZA has been promoted to associate dean for curriculum. She joined TCOP in 2011 as an associate professor in the Department of Social, Behavioral and Administrative Sciences, and was later appointed assistant dean of curriculum. An indispensable member of the senior management team, her many achievements include leading the development, approval and implementation of a state-of-the-art curriculum; facilitating the creation of the College-Wide Strategic Plan for 2018-2023; making vital contributions to achieving full ACPE accreditation; and conceiving, developing and managing TCOP’s new PharmD/MPH Collaborative Program. A popular and effective teacher and productive scholar with articles in a wide range of publications, Dr. Senhaji-Tomza has also served as a superb ambassador to the profession, with posters and presentations at regional, national and international meetings and conferences. These include the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP), the Pharmacy Quality Alliance (PQA) and the American Public Health Association (APHA). Dr. Senhaji-Tomza earned a B.S. in Biology, cum laude, and PharmD from Temple University School of Pharmacy in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and an MPH with a concentration in Health Policy and Financing from The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore, Maryland.
DR. BUPENDRA SHAH has been promoted to associate dean of assessment in recognition of his extraordinary achievements since joining the TCOP family in 2018 as assistant dean of assessment and associate professor, Department of Social, Behavioral and Administrative Sciences. He developed and implemented TCOP’s comprehensive assessment program; led its successful effort to achieve full ACPE accreditation; represented the college superbly at the University level and to the profession; and was instrumental in securing a five-year $3 million federal grant to establish Touro College of Pharmacy’s Center of Excellence for Pharmacy Education and Pharmacist Care Services. In addition to serving as the director of the Center, responsible for its full-scale implementation and federal reporting, Dr. Shah continues to lead and manage all assessment activities, including the ongoing evaluation of the PharmD program; overseeing and coordinating the assessment of student learning and curricular effectiveness; and reviewing faculty teaching, scholarly activity, research and service. His lengthy publications include articles in the American Journal of Pharmacy Education, the Journal of Pharmacy Practice, the Journal of Emergency Medicine and the Journal of the American Pharmacists Association
Ph.D, M.S.
BUPENDRA SHAH
Ph.D., MBA
DR. ELIZABETH UNNI, associate professor and chair of the Department of Social, Behavioral and Administrative Sciences, and founder of our collaborative PharmD/MBA degree, won the 2024 Touro University Presidential Award for Faculty Excellence in Scholarship/Research. The award, one of the most prestigious honors conferred by the University, recognizes her extraordinary productivity since joining TCOP in 2019—including leading-edge research appearing in groundbreaking publications; presentations at regional, national and international conferences; and a growing leadership role in national and international research and scholarship. Dr. Unni’s contributions span more than 70 publications in peer-reviewed journals; presentations and symposia at national and international webinars and conferences; receipt of multiple grants; and leadership roles at peer-reviewed journals, including co-editorin-chief, Journal of Patient Reported Outcomes (JPRO); editorial board member, International Journal of Pharmacy Practice (IJPP); and the Journal of Pharmaceutical Health Services Research (JPHSR)
HARSHA VENNA has taken on the role of coordinator of alumni relations, in addition to her duties as director of Pharmacy Academic Services. Her additional focus is centered on developing, managing and evaluating programs and services to support TCOP’s expanding graduate community. This includes creating a comprehensive database, overseeing communications and organizing engagement initiatives for alumni, such as mentorship programs, reunions and various professional and social events. Since joining TCOP in 2019, Ms. Venna has been a key senior administrator dedicated to enhancing the academic success of pharmacy students. As director of Pharmacy Academic Services, she is instrumental in cultivating an inclusive, supportive and high-performing learning environment that fosters academic excellence while meeting the diverse needs of the student population. Ms. Venna works collaboratively with faculty, staff and students to refine academic policies, strengthen retention efforts and design customized support services. Previously, she worked at Touro University Graduate School of Education. Ms. Venna holds a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from Siddhartha Law College in Andhra Pradesh, India; an MBA in Human Resources Management from Acharya Nagarjuna University in Andhra Pradesh, India; and a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Intellectual Property from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law at Yeshiva University in New York City.
HARSHA VENNA LL.B., MBA, LL.M.
ELIZABETH J. UNNI
WELCOMES TCOP
NEW FELLOWS THREE
FOR
THE 2024-25 ACADEMIC YEAR
JAE HEE PARK
BSN, RN, PHARMD
DR. JAE HEE PARK has joined the TCOP family as the new Academic Fellow. Originally from South Korea, she received an ASN from the National Medical Center College of Nursing in Seoul, South Korea; a B.S. in Nursing from the State University of New York at Binghamton Decker School of Nursing; and her PharmD from the Long Island University Arnold and Marie Schwartz College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, where she was elected to the Rho Chi Pharmacy Honor Society. She completed a PGY-1 residency at Long Island Jewish Valley Stream, where she developed a strong interest in teaching and interdisciplinary education. The Academic Fellowship is a 12-month program designed to prepare pharmacy professionals interested in a career in academic pharmacy. The fellow works with administrators and faculty to gain experience in classroom teaching, precepting, curriculum design and assessment. Her research on PGY-1 residency was recently published in the Journal of Pharmacy Practice. Ongoing research focuses on evaluating students’ academic progression and NAPLEX success. She is currently completing a teaching certificate program through TCOP. Beyond her academic work, she has actively engaged in teaching outside the classroom, including leading virtual linguistic classes for students in South Africa and Morocco.
DR. JENNA GOINS, a native of Jacksonville, Florida, is the new Health Disparities and Community-Based Intervention Outcomes Fellow. A firstgeneration college student, she received a B.S. in Family and Child Sciences from Florida State University in Tallahassee, then pursued her passion for pharmacy at Florida A&M University (FAMU) College of Pharmacy in Tallahassee, earning her PharmD in May 2024. While at FAMU, she compiled an impressive record of leadership, school and community service, working as director of regulatory affairs and director of outreach for the student chapter of the Industry Pharmacists Organization (IPhO); as an admissions ambassador; and as an advocate for students with disabilities. In 2023, she was selected for a prestigious scholarship by AHEC (Area Health Education Centers), a national organization dedicated to health equity. An initiative of TCOP’s Center of Excellence (COE), The Health Disparities and Community-Based Intervention Outcomes Fellowship is a 12-month appointment designed to prepare a pharmacy professional to become a researcher and advocate for pharmacist-provided community-based interventions. The fellow participates in research on community-based pharmacist interventions; studies pharmacist-provided services and their impact on patient outcomes; and works with students and student organizations to create and evaluate community-based interventions.
DR. CONNOR ORLOWSKI is the new Drug Information Fellow. Born and raised in western Kentucky, he earned his PharmD in May 2024 at the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy in Lexington. His extensive practical experience includes community, research, hospital and compounding pharmacy, and as an extern at a national medical communications firm. While pursuing his PharmD, he volunteered at The Nathaniel Mission, a nonprofit that provides supportive services to those in need in urban Lexington, where he delivered presentations on blood pressure management, diet and self-care. The Drug Information Fellowship is a 12-month program for pharmacy professionals who are interested in careers in drug and medical information. Working at TCOP’s Drug Information Center, the fellow develops advanced skills in medical/drug information practice and gains experience in pharmacy education/academia through teaching and precepting.
CONNOR ORLOWSKI PHARMD
JENNA GOINS B.S., PHARMD
SPOTLIGHT ON TCOP
Mixing precision with passion—hands-on learning in the non-sterile compounding lab prepares our future pharmacists to make a real difference, one dose at a time.
From bench to breakthrough! Our award-winning pharmacy students dive into discovery in the research lab, where curiosity meets impact.
Where classroom meets counter! In the Model Pharmacy lab, our students gain real-world experience in a simulated setting— practicing counseling, dispensing, and professionalism before stepping into the field.
Touro Prepares you. Our students don’t just learn— they do. From compounding to clinical simulations, TCOP prepares students with the skills, confidence and experience to thrive as pharmacists.
Putting clinical skills to the test in the Physical Assessment Lab, our pharmacy students sharpen their communication and patient care skills—one scenario at a time.
Cross River Campus at 3 Times Square
202 West 43rd Street | New York, NY 10036
tcop.touro.edu
@WeAreTouro
TOURO UNIVERSITY
DR. ALAN KADISH, President
RABBI MOSHE D. KRUPKA, Executive Vice President
DR. PATRICIA E. SALKIN, Senior Vice President, Academic Affairs Provost, Graduate and Professional Divisions
HENRY COHEN, PharmD, MSc, FCCM, Dean and Professor
HEIDI FUCHS, Assistant Dean for Admissions and Enrollment Management
ELLIE SCHLAM, Executive Director Communications & Marketing
ESTHER GREENFIELD, Director of Publications
LAURIE KOHANCHI, Assistant Director of Publications
TCOP DEAN’S UPDATE
BARBARA FRANKLIN, Editor
CHRISTINA CHEAKALOS, Writer
Touro is an equal opportunity institution. For Touro’s complete Non-Discrimination Statement, please visit www.touro.edu. Any references to location, college experience and/or in-person opportunities herein are subject to change based on governmental or administrative directives.