The Pulse Fall 2023

THE

PULSE

A Publication of the School of Pharmacy and Health Professions

FALL 2023

UNVEILING THE HEARTBEAT of the Health Professions

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Message from the Dean Dear Hawk Family, It is with great enthusiasm that I share the accomplishments and successes at the School of Pharmacy and Health Professions this semester that will undoubtedly shape the academic landscape of our institution in the coming months. In this issue, we embark on our journey to ‘Educate. Innovate. Serve,’ unveiling the pulsating heartbeat of the Health Professions.

Our faculty members continue to demonstrate excellence in their respective fields, serving as both educators and mentors to our ambitious students. Their commitment to fostering a dynamic learning environment is reflected not only in the classroom but also in the myriad of research and clinical initiatives that contribute to the advancement of healthcare knowledge. We celebrated the promotion and tenure of eight faculty members this year, the highest number than any other UMES School. Additionally, Dr. Maxwell, Dr. Moghaddam, and Dr. Nastvogel received accolades for their work in teaching and research from their respective fields.

Likewise, our students exemplify the spirit of dedication and passion for their chosen disciplines. From innovative research projects to hands-on clinical experiences, our students are at the forefront of transformative change in the healthcare landscape. We continue to foster interprofessional educational experiences among our health professions students including POD drills, mental health seminars, and the geriatric toolbox workshops. Our PA students won the Challenge Bowl championship for the second year at the MdAPA Conference to further demonstrate their clinical knowledge excellence.

The research and scholarly activity emanating from our School continue to push the boundaries of the health sciences.

Whether it be groundbreaking discoveries, published research, or participation in national conferences, our faculty members are actively contributing to the advancement of their fields. We received notable grants this semester including from the Maryland Department of Health for a social needs referral in obesity program as well as a $1.99 million NIH grant to develop artificial intelligence tools for health disparity research through AIM-AHEAD. Dr. Umeasiegbu received the Switzer Research Fellowship from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research.

Our commitment to community service remains a defining characteristic of our School. Our faculty and students understand the importance of giving back, and I am immensely proud of the various outreach programs, health fairs, and service initiatives that make a positive impact on the health of our communities. October was American Pharmacist Month where our students participated in immunization initiatives, including flu clinics, across the community. National PA Week also occurred in October where our PA students went to New York City and were aired on the Today Show.

Through these opportunities we demonstrate our ability to serve the community and advance the profession.

As the year ends, we wish you growth, achievement, and meaningful connections through education, innovation, and service.

With Hawk Pride,

Dr. T. Sean Vasaitis Dean of the School of Pharmacy and Health Professions

UMES The Pulse | Fall 2023

List of Administrators DR. HEIDI M. ANDERSON PRESIDENT DR. RONDALL E. ALLEN PROVOST AND VICE PRESIDENT OF ACADEMIC AFFAIRS DR. T. SEAN VASAITIS DEAN, SCHOOL OF PHARMACY AND HEALTH PROFESSIONS DR. TIMOTHY GLADWELL ASSOCIATE DEAN FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS AND ASSESSMENT DR. LANA SHERR ASSISTANT DEAN FOR PROFESSIONAL AFFAIRS DR. KAWANDA WILLIAMS ASSISTANT DEAN FOR EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION DR. FREDERICK TEJADA ACTING ASSISTANT DEAN OF STUDENT AFFAIRS DR. TIFFANY MAXWELL DEPARTMENT CHAIR, PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT DR. MIKE RABEL DEPARTMENT CHAIR, PHYSICAL THERAPY

Table of Contents 4

SCHOOL OF PHARMACY & HEALTH PROFESSIONS

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KINESIOLOGY

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PHARMACY PRACTICE & ADMINISTRATION

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PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES

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PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT

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PHYSICAL THERAPY

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REHABILITATION

DR. YEN DANG ACTING DEPARTMENT CHAIR, KINESIOLOGY DR. WILLIAM TALLEY DEPARTMENT CHAIR, REHABILITATION SERVICES DR. VICTOR HSIA DEPARTMENT CHAIR, PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES DR. MIRIAM PURNELL DEPARTMENT CHAIR, PHARMACY PRACTICE AND ADMINISTRATION This magazine is a publication of the School of Pharmacy. To update your mailing information, send an email to pldouglas@umes.edu or call 410-651-8327.

For more information about the School, visit our website www.umes.edu/shp.

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Exercise Science students perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first aid techniques.

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SCHOOL OF PHARMACY AND HEALTH PROFESSIO Congratulations on Promotion and Tenure!

PROFESSOR

DR. YEN DANG

Pharmacy Practice/Kinesiology

DR. PATRICE JACKSON-AYOTUNDE Pharmaceutical Sciences

DR. MIRIAM PURNELL Pharmacy Practice

DR. MARIE-THERESE OYALOWO Pharmacy Practice

DR. MICHAEL RABEL Physical Therapy

DR. THOMAS PELLINGER Physical Therapy

DR. SEAN VASAITIS

Pharmaceutical Sciences

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR

POST-TENURE REVIEW

DR. SUNGIAE HWANG

DR. LISA ZHENG

Kinesiology

Rehabilitation

SIONS

UMES The Pulse | Fall 2023

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UMES and GW receive $1.99 million NIH grant to develop AI tools for health disparity research A two-year, $1.99 million grant awarded to the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) and the George Washington University (GW) from the Artificial Intelligence/ Machine Learning Consortium to Advance Health Equity and Researcher Diversity (AIM-AHEAD) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) will enable researchers to develop AI tools to help frontline healthcare workers serving underresourced populations.

The “Trustworthy AI to Address Health Disparities in Under-resourced Communities” (AI-For-U) project will be led by T. Sean Vasaitis, PhD, dean and professor of the UMES School of Pharmacy and Health Professions, and Qing Zeng, PhD, professor at the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences (SMHS) and director of GW’s Biomedical Informatics Center and co-director of Data Science Outcomes Research at the Washington, D.C. Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

The project’s goal is to design a theory-based, participatory development approach for creating trustworthy AI tools for health disparities research and to implement AI/ML machine learning algorithms to enhance the fairness and explainability of risk prediction models. These resulting AI tools will then be evaluated through three clinical use cases in the areas of cardiometabolic disease, oncology and behavioral health as selected by community partners and their stakeholders.

The partnership brings together UMES’ expertise in health disparities and GW’s success in AI development to improve healthcare decision-making while building opportunities to advance AI education at both institutions.

Five UMES faculty members are working on the project with Vasaitis: Timothy Gladwell, PharmD, associate dean for academic affairs and assessment and associate professor; Yen Dang, PharmD, professor and director of Global Health; Miriam Purnell, PharmD, chair and professor, Department

of Pharmacy Practice and Administration, and program director, PBC Rural Health Disparities and Social Inequities; Omar Attarabeen, PhD, associate professor; and Jocelyn Reader, PhD, assistant professor.

In addition to Zeng, GW members of the project team include: LaQuandra Nesbitt, MD, MPH, senior associate dean for population health sciences and health equity, Bicentennial Endowed Professor of Medicine and Health Sciences and executive director of the Center for Population Health Sciences and Health Equity at SMHS; Melissa Goldstein, JD, teaching associate professor at the Milken Institute School of Public Health; Yijun Shao, PhD, associate director of data science of the SMHS Biomedical Informatics Center and associate research professor; Linda Zanin, EdD, director of strategic partnerships at SMHS; and Senait Tekle, PhD, postdoctoral research fellow.

The project team will work with seven community partners serving diverse populations from D.C., Maryland and Virginia including Black, Hispanic, LGBTQ+ people, people with lower socioeconomic status, and/or new immigrants in the region. The healthcare, educational and community organizations participating in the project include: Alexandria City Public Schools, Apple Discount Drugs, the Organization of Chinese Americans-DC, Saint Elizabeths Hospital, Unity Healthcare, Virginia State University and Whitman Walker Health. The community partners will participate in focus groups, interviews and community surveys. The partners’ patients, providers and administrators will provide input and feedback on the AI tools and how well they address health disparities.

The AIM-AHEAD coordinating center is supported by NIH under OT2OD032581 to Univ of North Texas Health Science Center.

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KINESIOLOGY

Improving Social Needs Access and Physical Activity: The SCALE DOWN Program

“Learn Anywhere, Lead Everywhere” The Online Bachelor of Sport Management Degree Launches

The SCALE-DOWN program allows for UMES participants to address their social determinants of health through identification of their social risks and connects them to local resources in Somerset County based on their needs. Additionally, participants can sign up for a holistic, evidence-based physical activity program with individualized exercise programs to reduce weight and improve fitness. The exercise programs include aerobic activity, tai chi, and strength conditioning classes on-campus. The program personnel consist of faculty from the Department of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation along with graduate students. The program is funded through the Maryland Department of Health Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities and runs through July 2024.

The Bachelor of Sport Management program aims to produce graduates who excel in the multifaceted landscape of the global sports industry. The goal of the Sport Management program is to prepare students to enter into the sport management industry as athletic administrators, coaches, scouts, and managers at the interscholastic, intercollegiate, and professional level for the state of Maryland and global agencies. By integrating the Olympic ideals with foundational sport and social business principles blended with specialized sports for good knowledge, the program endeavors to nurture professionals who can lead, innovate, and address the evolving challenges of sports management in the 21st century. The program received the Maryland Higher Education Commission to launch as a fully online program effective Spring 2024, with an in-person modality still offered.

DR. NASTVOGEL WINS ELKINS SOTL FELLOWSHIP The Elkins Fellowships for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) support the scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL). This is defined as the systematic investigation of student learning, instruction, and/or teaching innovations and the dissemination of findings so as to contribute to a broader knowledge community. Dr. Nastvogel received the fellowship with a $1,000 award to support her research.

UMES The Pulse | Fall 2023

Welcome New Faculty Dr. Alexis Lyras Associate Professor, Sport Management Dr. Alexis Lyras has a distinguished record in the emerging field of Olympism in Action (intersection of Olympism, Peacebuilding and Sustainable Development). This framework has served as a blueprint for his MA, PhD and Post-doctoral work, with scholarship received from the Olympic Solidarity, and awarded funding secured from the Research and Innovation Foundation, the United Nations and Generations for Peace.

Dr. Lyras started out his career in Sports Coaching where he was a celebrated basketball coach at local, national and international levels. Lyras has designed, secured funding, and implemented projects around the world where his primary interest was to drive measurable interventions to bring together communities through sport, education, and cultural enrichment programming. He is the author of the Olympism For Humanity (O4H) and Sport for Development Theories (SFDT), the first and most widely used interdisciplinary theories in this field. He is a passionate Olympic Heritage advocate and a proud member of the Olympic Movement, continuously seeking opportunities where he can optimize the impact of Olympism in Society.

Dr. Christopher Prosser Assistant Professor, Sport Management Dr. Prosser earned a Bachelor of Business Administration with a Concentration in Professional Golf Management from Campbell University. In 2007 he earned a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Entrepreneurship from Benedictine University. In 2018, he earned a Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership from UMES. His doctoral dissertation addressed the racial marginalization of African-American males in the Professional Golfers’ Association of America (PGA).

For the last 15 years he worked in the PGA Golf Management Program at UMES where over 75 of his students earned their Class “A” PGA Membership in the Professional Golfers Association of America. His former students are employed at some of the world’s greatest golf facilities including Pebble Beach Resort, Augusta National Golf Club, Kiawah Island Resort, Medina Country Club, Los Angeles Country Club and Cabot St. Lucia (Point Hardy GC).

His research created a Professional Development Program for the PGA that centers around increasing diversity and inclusion. His current research interests and other scholarly inquiries surround diversity and social justice with a focus on underrepresentation and issues of racism within sports organizations, specifically in the golf industry.

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PHARMACY PRACTICE & ADMINISTRATION

UMES Celebrates American Pharmacist Month

by Jackeline Chavez, Student Pharmacist Class of 2026 Celebrated in October each year, National Pharmacist Month is a time to recognize the significant contributions of pharmacists to the healthcare sector. The University of Maryland Eastern Shore-School of Pharmacy (UMES-SOP), known for its rich history and commitment to excellence, celebrates this month with an array of activities aimed at honoring the profession while fostering a sense of unity among its students, faculty, and alumni.

Pharmacists, often the first point of contact for patients, have numerous opportunities to contribute greatly to individual and public health through their expertise in medication therapies. UMES engages students in these opportunities through various initiatives that promote community outreach and learning.

First-year students began the month by receiving essential training in the APhA pharmacy-based immunization program, equipping them with the necessary skills to serve as immunizers. These newly acquired skills were put to practical use through collaborations with Apple Discount Drugs at the WBOC Shore Living Expo and a free flu clinic held at the UMES Student Service Center. Students also presented an informative poster highlighting the importance of the flu vaccine. These efforts aimed to promote public health by providing easy access to vaccinations, making a positive impact on the well-being of the Princess Anne area.

The UMES Chapter of the Christian Pharmacist Fellowship International (CPFI) also demonstrated the importance of community service by joining the Emmanuel Church in Salisbury. They went door-to-door in Salisbury neighborhoods, donating bags of food and engaging with the community, embodying the spirit of service inherent in the pharmacy profession.

Building camaraderie within the profession was highlighted this month when SOP staff and faculty hosted a breakfast for pharmacy students. It was a wonderful opportunity for students to interact with faculty and to be recognized. The Professionalism, Leadership, and Service (PLS) organization reciprocated this gesture by providing breakfast to the school’s pharmacy staff and faculty, strengthening the sense of unity within the school.

The American Pharmacists Association Academy of Student Pharmacists (APhA-ASP) hosted an enlightening Rezi Prep session by UMES alumna, Saley Traoré-Uwalaka, PharmD, BCPS. She shared insights into the residency application process and provided valuable networking resources to first and second-year pharmacy students.

National Pharmacist Month at UMES is not merely a celebration; it’s a testament to the school’s commitment to excellence in pharmaceutical education, community engagement, and fostering a supportive academic environment. The traditions cultivated at UMES during this special month reflect the school’s dedication to creating competent, compassionate professionals ready to improve patient health and wellbeing. As we look forward to more National Pharmacist Month celebrations, we remain committed to these values and the advancement of the pharmacy profession.

Photo at top: First year pharmacy students with SOP faculty, Dr. Balish, Dr. Truong and Dr. Williams on APhA Pharmacy-based Immunization Training day.

UMES The Pulse | Fall 2023

Seymour nts, Kurt student, e d tu s r a P First ye cond year UMES SO m Elbashir, and se le Discount Drugs p e and Tasne enstadler, with Ap o. p nz x e E P g e in c a iv r G hore L S C O B at the W

r e poste ormativ ring the Free f in n a g MES. esentin ccine du (SP1) pr e of the flu va ount Drug at U z e v a h isc eC anc Jackelin ing the import n with Apple D t io h t g a li r h abo hig ic in coll Flu Clin

CPFI group participates in Adopt-A-Block with Emmanuel Church in Salisbury.

Amar Yo u to UMES sef (SP2) adminis supervis students, faculty tering flu vaccin e io , Discoun n of Dr. Geoffre and staff under t Drug d t y he T wigg uring Fr ee Flu C from Apple linic at U MES.

American Pharmacists Association Academy of Student Pharmacists (APhA-ASP) hosted an enlightening Rezi Prep session by UMES alumna, Saley Traoré-Uwalaka, PharmD, BCPS.

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PHARMACY PRACTICE & ADMINISTRATION

Alumni Spotlight Dr. Lincy Abraham, Class of 2018 Dr. Lincy Abraham is Senior Manager of Federal and State Pharmacy Care at the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) in Arlington, VA. She works on the policy team, focusing on the expansion of pharmacy care services and scope of practice, including recent COVID-19 response efforts. Additionally, she oversees the NACDS Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) Program, which offers final year pharmacy students the opportunity to gain insight into the priorities and operations of a national pharmacy organization.

She also serves as the Manager of Programs for the NACDS Foundation, a nonprofit organization that aims to improve the health and wellness of people and advance public health through research and educational initiatives.

This includes overseeing the NACDS Foundation Executive Fellowship, a postgraduate pharmacy experience geared to support programming and initiatives that enhance patient care and health outcomes.

Dr. Abraham received her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the UMES School of Pharmacy in 2018 and completed a post-graduate Executive Fellowship in Association Management at NACDS Foundation. She is a licensed pharmacist in the state of Maryland and Virginia. She previously interned with Walgreens Pharmacy, and was previously a pharmacy technician at CVS Pharmacy.

Dr. Briana Carter, Class of 2020 Dr. Carter is a graduate of the Class of 2020 at the UMES School of Pharmacy.

Dr. Carter was the President of Phi Lambda Sigma and the Worthy Vice Counselor of Phi Delta Chi. After graduation, she obtained her first pharmacist role immunizing and providing clinical information to the residents of Hawaii against COVID-19. These experiences reinforced and highlighted her compassion, confidence, and drive for serving the community.

Since returning to Maryland, she worked as a floater pharmacist for Walgreens Pharmacy in underserved communities. Realizing the need for more competent pharmacists in other clinical settings, Dr. Carter sought out a path for further personal and professional development. This year, Dr. Carter matched with Howard University Hospital to begin her PGY-1 training. Her clinical goal is to become a board-certified pharmacy specialist in Psychology or Ambulatory Care. She is passionate about serving this unique patient population and promoting health and wellness strategies to the community. Reflecting on her tenure as a student and new practitioner, her advice is to adopt the quality of being a lifelong learner. Dr. Carter says, “Professional and personal competence may be present in a variety of experiences. Being a lifelong learner in this profession increases our capacity to adapt to this ever-changing field.”

UMES The Pulse | Fall 2023

Henry selected as 2023 White House HBCU Scholar Brittney Henry, a pharmacy major, will represent the University through the White House’s Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity through Historically Black Colleges and Universities. She was among a field of 102 students from 70 HBCUs selected for the honor, announced jointly by the White House and the United States Department of Education.

“Having our students be recognized and have the opportunity to participate in this prestigious program through the White House is a testament to what HBCUs can accomplish,” UMES president Heidi M. Anderson said. “I know that they will utilize this experience to show that we Hawks can truly soar to great heights.”

As a participant, Henry will serve as ambassador of the White House Initiative on HBCUs and will receive training and cross-university networking opportunities. Henry will also have an opportunity to work on issues specifically related to the HBCU community and participate in national and regional events with professionals from a wide range of disciplines.

A critical component of the HBCU Scholar Program is a partnership with NASA to foster innovation and opportunity.

This partnership with NASA makes the Minority University Research and Education Project (MUREP) Innovation Tech Transfer Idea Competition (MITTIC), “Mini MITTIC” part of the HBCU Scholar Program.

The HBCU Scholars had the opportunity to present their intellectual property (IP) ideas in person at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland on Sept. 25 during the National HBCU Week Conference.

Henry was also invited to the 2023 National HBCU Week Conference, which took place Sept. 24-28 in Arlington, Virginia.

“Our 2023 HBCU Scholars are talented students who embody the culture of excellence and inclusion championed by our nation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities,” said Miguel Cardona, U.S. Secretary of Education. “I’m thrilled to see the HBCU Scholars program continue to expand its reach and provide such exciting professional development, networking, and educational opportunities to some of our nation’s brightest and most promising young leaders.”

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Welcome New Faculty DR. GWENDOLYN KNOWLES Assistant Professor, Pharmacy Practice

Dr. Knowles graduated from the University of Toledo College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences with her Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences in 2019 followed by her Doctor of Pharmacy in May 2021. She then went on to complete a PGY-1/PGY-2 Pharmacotherapy Residency at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, MI. Her clinical interests include internal medicine, anticoagulation, and nephrology.

She is involved with the professional pharmacy fraternity Lambda Kappa Sigma (LKS) and serves on the Educational Affairs Committee for ACCP. For her new position at UMES and TidalHealth, Dr. Knowles is looking most forward to being able to start her career where she can act as both a clinical specialist and as an educator to student pharmacists.

DR. DECOLA JOHNSON

Director of Experiential Education and Assistant Professor Dr. Decola Johnson is a native of the Eastern Shore of Maryland. She received her Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) and was a member of the inaugural class with the UMES School of Pharmacy and Health Professions, where she earned her Doctor of Pharmacy.

Dr. Johnson has practiced in a variety of pharmacy settings.

She has experience in managed care while working for major insurance companies and pharmacy benefits managers, focusing on comprehensive medication reviews (CMRs) and medication therapy management (MTM). She has also served as a pharmacist coordinator and clinical staff pharmacist at a large teaching hospital and other hospitals in Maryland and Georgia. Dr. Johnson has worked as a pharmacy manager and staff pharmacist with a major community pharmacy chain.

Additionally, her areas of experience include long-term acute care and government/military facility contracting. She has also served as a preceptor for IPPE and APPE pharmacy students.

Dr. Johnson is certified to vaccinate and holds active pharmacist licenses in Maryland and Georgia. Her professional affiliations include the Maryland Pharmacist Association (MPhA), Georgia Pharmacist Association (GPhA) and American Pharmacist Association (APhA).

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PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES

UMES welcomes inaugural cohort of students in STEM STARS program

by Tahja Cropper / Photos by Joey Gardner On Aug. 6, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore welcomed 10 new Hawks as the inaugural cohort for the STEM STARS (Students Achieving Results in Science) program, a program made possible by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Driving Change award led by Drs. Victor Hsia and Jonathan Cumming. The University of Maryland Eastern Shore is one of six universities and the first Historically Black University to receive the $2.5 million grant that is to be dispersed over the next five years. The purpose of Driving Change, launched in 2019, is to “create inclusive environments, promote student success, and recognize the institutional practices and historical context that are barriers to inclusion,” according to the HHMI. The STEM STARS program is a living-learning, cohort model where students immerse themselves into the university’s culture and activities that support collegiate goals. The students’ programs of study include aviation management, biology (pre-med and pre-veterinary science), computer science, engineering (mechanical), environmental science, and exercise science.

“This is one of the most comprehensive scholarships that we have at UMES,” said Dr. Tiara Cornelius, Executive Director of the STEM STARS program. “It covers nearly everything which is practically unheard of for students who

are enrolled in STEM programs and planning to pursue PhDs or MDPhDs (programs that provide training in both medicine and research) in STEM. Our goal is to increase the number of students of color who have PhDs because we represent such a small percentage of people with PhDs overall,” said Dr. Cornelius on the program’s goal and impact for students in STEM. She is also the Chairperson and an Associate Professor in UMES’ Department of Mathematics.

Lena Spiller whose career goal is to become “a captain at a major airline and possibly start a scholarship for aspiring pilots” shared her hopes for her experience in the STEM STARS program saying “With STEM STARS, I am hoping to improve my work ethic and maintain my self-discipline.

Through the program’s professional development classes and events, I am hoping to network and become better adapted to the UMES campus. Moreover, my UMES experience should provide me with a glimpse of adult life and a look into my career field. Hopefully, UMES provides me with a support system and strong social connections that I will also take with me as I enter adulthood.”

Photo at top: (L-R) Alleyah Britton, Paul Foster, Qureyin Wilkinson, Victoria Casteel, Emmanuel Johnson III, Eli Ward, Amaris Cary, Lena Spiller, Gilbert Pinkett III, and Makai Martin.

UMES The Pulse | Fall 2023

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Welcome, Dr. Muhammad Delwar Hussain Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences

As the inaugural cohort, the STEM STARS students participated in a team building exercise during the orientation event in the new School of Pharmacy and Health Professions building.

“Being a part of the first cohort of STEM STARS means I am setting the example. I am the inspiration. And I am that role model that future generations will look up to. As the youngest child, this is contrary to what I am used to, nonetheless a learning experience that will only allow me to grow,” said Spiller.

President Heidi M. Anderson commended the inaugural cohort on their new status as she cited her experience in a similar summer program. “You are special because you are the first cohort. This is a special program and you are going to help us soar above and beyond,” Anderson said.

The program is a welcome addition to the institution, which has awarded 60 percent of its degrees in the STEM fields of science, technology, engineering, and math in the last several years. UMES, a Carnegie R2 doctoral research university, also has the most healthcare professions programs of any HBCU with eight, which also contributes to its STEM success.

“Once I got the scholarship for the STEM STARS program and I found out about the activities and the path we’d be blazing, I was 100 percent onboard,” said Emmanuel Johnson III who will be studying exercise science at UMES. “I’ve always played sports so I was always interested in sports medicine. I also like helping people so physical therapy is something I’d like to do and with exercise science, I can go into that field,” Johnson said about his career goals.

“The STEM STARS program at UMES is a monumental opportunity to help drive change in STEM and exemplify the power of the UMES education and experience. We anticipate being a part of our student’s villages to help them achieve their educational goals and aiding them in helping to meet the needs of society through the sciences, soaring above and beyond,” Dr. Anderson said on her vision for the program’s impact.

Dr. Muhammad Delwar Hussain is responsible for teaching pharmaceutics, pharmacokinetics and pharmacology. Prior to joining UMES, he served as Professor and Interim Chair at the Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, and Director of Pharmaceutical Research at College of Pharmacy, California Health Sciences University. Dr. Hussain has over 25 years of teaching experience in professional pharmacy and graduate programs.

In addition to his academic career, Dr. Hussain worked in Pharmaceutical Industries. His work at pharmaceutical industries resulted in marketed products such as USFDA approved oncology drug product, Eligard® for treatment of prostate cancer.

Dr. Hussain has a broad research background in nanomedicine, drug delivery, drug development, pharmacokinetics, and cancer therapeutics. He utilizes advanced nanotechnologies, molecular pharmaceutics and in-vivo studies for effective treatment of cancer and other diseases with reduced side effects and allowed for better management of patients. He has published extensively in these research areas and trained many scientists, postdoctoral fellows, graduate (PhD and MS), professional (PharmD, MD) and undergraduate students. His research has been funded by Federal, State, and Industrial grants.

Dr. Hussain served as Chair for both Community of Nanotechnology, Nanotechnology Focus Group, and the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS). Currently, he is a steering committee member of the Community of Nanotechnology, AAPS. He also served as chair of Pharmaceutics Section, American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) and as Expert Committee member of the United States Pharmacopeia (USP).

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PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES

SEPA Camp 2023 Program Highlights

by Alyssa Lucero, Meghna Srinivasa Rao, and Mary Twumasi The SEPA (Science Education Partnership Award) summer camp was held for the first time in the new, state-of-the-art School of Pharmacy and Health Professions Building from July 10 to July 21, 2023. This camp, sponsored by the National Institute of Health (NIH), was led by Drs. Anjan Nan and Yen Dang. They were assisted by three graduate student mentors: Mary Twumasi, Meghna Rao, and Alyssa Lucero. The program drew high school students from Somerset County High School and Wicomico High School to UMES to increase their interest in the biomedical and health sciences.

As graduate students in the Pharmaceutical Sciences program, we had the privilege of mentoring these students for two weeks. We began by sharing our journeys to graduate school, which served to inspire and motivate them. Throughout the camp, we guided the students in experiments and activities.

We also held breakout sessions during orientation and capstone presentations to capture the camp’s impact, their impressions, and concerns of the camp. We enjoyed lunches together which fostered meaningful interactions.

We were impressed by the high school students’ eagerness to participate and problem-solve. For most of them, this camp was a crucial stepping stone toward a future career. We mentored, motivated, and assisted them throughout the lab sessions. They gained insights into the administration of vaccinations and the preparation of sterile solutions. They had the opportunity to simulate the role of a pharmacist in a community pharmacy by preparing patient medication orders. Additionally, they engaged in various lab sessions led by different faculty members, covering topics such as stem cell research, antibiotic and calorimetric assays, drug synthesis, reaction monitoring, compounding, trituration, capsule preparation, and solution pipetting.

It was a privilege to be a part of their summer camp experience, and we had the honor of presenting them with certificates on the last day. We remain in contact with our mentees to guide them as they complete high school and pursue further studies.

Overall, we take great pride in being a part of this camp, and we have every confidence that they will make informed decisions as they chart their future careers.

UMES The Pulse | Fall 2023

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Graduate Student Accomplishments DR. YU-CHIH CHEN

Graduate Students Attend ABRCMS Conference in Phoenix!

For over 20 years, the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minoritized Scientists (ABRCMS) – recipient of the 2019 AIMBE Excellence in STEM Education Award – has been the go-to conference for historically excluded community colleges, undergraduate and postbaccalaureate students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

As ABRCMS has continued to grow and evolve, it has also become a space for graduate students, postdocs, faculty, program administrators and more.

Pharmaceutical Science Graduate Students attended the conference this year held in Phoenix, Arizona, for poster presentations and networking events.

Recent PharmSci Graduate, Dr. Yu-Chih (Teddy) Chen started a post-doctoral position in Dr. Victor Hsia’s lab.

Congratulations, Teddy!!

Haywood Wins the NOBCChE Graduate Rising Star Award The National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE) Graduate Rising Star Award is intended to recognize graduate students per region, whom exemplify the mission of the organization, through scientific contributions, education and service. Rhashanda Haywood received this award via a nomination from her mentor, Dr. Patrice Jackson-Ayotunde, which highlighted her research efforts, service to the community, and mentoring skills. During her career as a junior scientist, she worked in industry directly after obtaining her BS and MS degrees. She obtained several positions over a three-year period including, but not limited to, Research Specialist and an Analytical/Microbiological Specialist. Currently, she is a 5th year PhD candidate at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, enrolled in the Pharmaceutical Sciences Graduate Program. Her dissertation research involves early drug design and discovery of small organic molecules as potential anti-seizure agents. Her current work as a medicinal chemist in training and her previous teaching experiences have laid the groundwork for her pursuit of a career in the academy.

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PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT

Welcome Cohort 2025!

The UMES PA program is proud to enroll 30 new PA students for Cohort 2025 in July 2023.

MdAPA Conference and Challenge Bowl 2023

Led by Dr. Tiffany Maxwell, the Chair of the PA Department, and supervised by advisor Dr. Khaled Hasan and with support of our faculty and staff, our UMES PA teams secured victory in this year’s Challenge Bowl. This achievement brings immense pride to our university, marking the second time we’ve won the Challenge Bowl championship.

Winning the Challenge Bowl reflects the exceptional preparation of fundamental principles of the PA program by UMES PA students. It signifies their potential to excel as proficient physician assistants upon graduation. Moreover, this triumph affirms the excellence of our courses and the academic level of our faculty.

UMES The Pulse | Fall 2023

Volunteer Work at HALO

UMES PA students from Class of 2024 attended the volunteer orientation for HALO, a local organization devoted to serving the homeless community by providing meals, shelter, clothing, and other services.

UMES Pod Drill On September 12, 2023, UMES Physician Assistant students engaged in an interprofessional education (IPE) activity alongside fellow healthcare professionals (Pharmacy and PT), collaboratively conducting point-of-dispensing (POD) drills.

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Mental Health Training

First and second year Physician Assistant, first year Pharmacy, Undergraduate and Graduate Rehabilitation students under the supervision of their faculty (Dr. Hasan & Prof. Wooten from the PA department, Dr. Lana Sherr and Dr. Yen Dang from School of Pharmacy, and Dr. Washington and Dr. Santos Roman from the Rehabilitation department) attended the Mental Health for The Professional in Training interprofesional event with Dr. Sarah M. Edwards, DO, Director of the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Clinical Service at the University of Maryland School of Medicine as the main speaker. They learned about suicide prevention and resources to refer patients at-risk of a mental crisis event.

Maxwell Wins MdAPA Award

Dr. Tiffany S. Maxwell, Department Chair and Program Director, received the Maryland Academy of Physician Assistants (MdAPA) 2023 Physician Assistant Educator of the Year Award on November 2023.

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PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT

Celebrating

NATIONAL PA WEEK Every year from October 6-12, National Physician Assistant (PA) Week recognizes the PA profession.

It is an opportunity to raise awareness and visibility of the profession.

Faculty, staff and students participated in a UMES Campus Walk.

Students set-up an “Ask me about a PA Booth” to bring awareness to the profession.

Our students kicked off the week with PA’s on the Plaza in New York City where they took pictures with Al Roker and Hoda Kotb during the airing of the Today Show on October 6th.

Dr. Maxwell was invited as a guest speaker on The PA Path PODCAST.

PHYSICAL THERAPY

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Department Happenings During this academic year, the UMES Doctor of Physical Therapy Program expanded our family by welcoming three new faculty members, Dr. Durant, Dr. Kanakamedala, and Dr. Selba. We are fortunate to have their expertise and look forward to their future contributions. The department has continued to participate in community outreach activities as our curriculum is designed to integrate active learning opportunities that include community service, interprofessional education, and research.

Students and faculty have taken an active role in initiating and implementing a variety of projects designed to serve our local communities and the profession. Some of these community activities have included fall screens for older adults, participation in the Geriatric Toolbox Workshop, and fund raising for the Life Bridges Dementia Day Program at the MAC center.

The Department of Physical Therapy graduating class of 2023

Our exceptional students, as well as our dedicated faculty and staff, make the UMES DPT program a rewarding and community-centered educational experience.

Dr. Moghaddam Receives 2023 Early-Stage Investigator Award Congratulations to Dr. Masoud Moghaddam for receiving the 2023 Early-Stage Investigator Award from the MidAtlantic Regional Chapter of the American College of Sports Medicine. This prestigious research award is specifically designed to support promising early-career researchers specializing in sports medicine and exercise within the geographic scope of the States of Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. This award recognizes one exceptional new investigator annually and provides a financial grant, which will prove instrumental in the collection of essential preliminary data.This initiative plays a crucial role in nurturing the careers of early-stage researchers by providing the critical resources necessary to establish the groundwork for their academic and scientific pursuits. Dr. Moghaddam and his dedicated team of second-year Doctor of Physical Therapy students are currently engaged in a research project on the investigation of acute responses to Blood Flow Restriction therapy on neuromuscular performance. The financial support awarded through this recognition will be directed towards the acquisition of small laboratory equipment and the provision of compensation for study participants, further enhancing the potential for groundbreaking findings.

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PHYSICAL THERAPY

Interprofessional Education Class of 2025 engaging with Physician Assistant, Rehabilitation, and Pharmacy students in a POD (point-ofdispensing) drill in conjunction with the Somerset County Health Department.

On October 27, DPT first year students attended the annual Geriatric Toolbox Workshop sponsored by the Eastern Shore Area Health Education Consortium.

They participated in the interprofessional geriatric workshops with Nursing and Social Work students from Salisbury University. Faculty member Dennis Klima presented a breakout session on Gait and Balance Assessment.

In October, physical therapist Karin Seeley presented a lecture and lab session on managing patients with tetraplegia to third-year DPT students. Seeley is a Senior Physical Therapist at the University of Maryland Rehabilitation and Orthopedic Institute in Baltimore, Maryland.

Faculty Publications

Davis, A. F., Klima, D. W., Leonard, A., & Miller, S. A. (2023). Floor-to-Stand Performance Among People Following Stroke. Physical Therapy, pzad122. https://doi.org/10.1093/ptj/ Klima, D. W., DiBartolo, M. C., Stewart, J., Freijomil, F., Oliver, M., & McAllister, S. (2023). Rising From the Floor in Persons With Parkinson’s Disease. Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 49(1), 50–54. https://doi. org/10.3928/00989134-20221206-05 Moghaddam, M., Cervantes, M., Cheshier, B., & Jacobson, B. H. (2023). Sprint Interval Training on Stationary Air Bike Elicits Cardiorespiratory Adaptations While Being Time-Efficient. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 37(9), 1795-1801.

Rolnick, N., Licameli, N., Moghaddam, M., Marquette, L., Walter, J., Fedorko, B., & Werner, T. (2023). Autoregulated and Non-Autoregulated Blood Flow Restriction on Acute Arterial Stiffness. International Journal of Sports Medicine.

Yesko B, Lee Y, Rabel MC, Truong HA. (2023). An HBCU Track-and-Field Student-Athlete Perspective on the Role of the Pharmacist and Physical Therapist in Sports. Explor Res Clin Soc Pharm. Apr 18;10:100271. doi: 10.1016/j. rcsop.2023.100271. PMID: 37206371; PMCID: PMC10188624.

UMES The Pulse | Fall 2023

Faculty News Welcome New Faculty DR. KIM DURANT, PT, DPT, OCS Kim Durant has been treating as a physical therapist for the past 13 years. Prior to accepting the role as Director of Clinical Education in 2023, she was teaching physical therapist assistants at Howard Community College for 9 years. Dr. Durant is dedicated to helping propel the profession forward with being an avid member of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and has served as the Maryland’s western delegate for the APTA Leadership Congress. She is also an APTA section member of pelvic health, education, and orthopaedics.

She attained her orthopedic specialist certification (OCS) from APTA in 2016 and completed her fellowship in orthopedic manual therapy from Regis University in 2018 in Denver, Colorado. She is on the executive board of the Pelvic Health Special Interest Group for AAOMPT. Recently, Dr. Durant has presented at national and state conferences about bridging the gap between orthopedics and pelvic health.

KIM DURANT, PT, DPT, OCS

DR. VANDANA KANAKAMEDALA, PT, DPT Vandana Kanakamedala, PT, DPT received her B.S. in Physiotherapy from NTR University in India and her Master’s Degree in Exercise Science from Oakland University in Michigan. She received her transitional Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of Michigan-Flint. Dr. Kanakamedala is an APTA certified Clinical Instructor. She comes with 14 years of clinical experience from varied settings such as Inpatient Rehabilitation, Skilled Nursing Rehabilitation, Level 1 Trauma Hospital, and Home Health/Community settings. Her research interests include CVA and TBI rehabilitation, promoting interprofessional collaborative practice, and ways to promote the biopsychosocial model in care delivery and ways to actively engage patients in their physical therapy treatments.

DR. MOLLY SELBA, Ph.D.

VANDANA KANAKAMEDALA, PT, DPT

Molly Selba earned her Ph.D. in Biological Anthropology from the University of Florida. Her dissertation was entitled: Facial Reduction Across Three Representative Taxa: A Geometric Morphometric Approach and focused mainly on comparative anatomy and cranial morphology.

Her research program utilizing geometric morphometric analysis resulted in multiple published papers, presentations at national meetings, and an invited international submission at the 2019 International Society of Vertebrate Morphology meeting in Prague. In addition, she served in a consulting role for National Geographic News when she was asked to comment on a paper in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) that focused on the evolution of facial anatomy in modern dogs.

She has also taught a variety of classes in the anatomical sciences at both the undergraduate and graduate level. She taught a number of lab-based classes at the University of Florida including Osteology, Functional Human Neuroanatomy, and Introduction to Biological Anthropology, among others.

Dr. Selba also has a strong commitment to service. During her time in graduate school, she conducted extensive anatomy-based education/outreach where she visited over two dozen classrooms and interacted with over 1200 students over the course of 6 years.

MOLLY SELBA, Ph.D.

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PHYSICAL THERAPY

Student Life 1

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1. Third-year DPT, Patrick Luo, at the APTA 2023

House of Delegates.

2. Class of 2023 Graduation.

3. Class of 2026 walking dogs at the Wicomico

Humane Society.

4. New Student Orientation for Class of 2026.

5. DPT Students with Dr. Durant at the 2023 APTA

Maryland Conference.

6. Soles for Seniors 5K Run to benefit Life Bridges

Dementia Day Program at the MAC Center.

REHABILITATION

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The Dept. of Rehabilitation goes to the ACES Conference in Denver

by Shauna Helps, Graduate Student

The Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES) held its bi-annual conference in Denver, Colorado in early October. This organization devotes itself to delivering quality education and supervision of counselors across all work settings. These conferences offer a chance for a vast number of professionals to network with one another and facilitate the exchange of knowledge and research.

This year’s ACES conference in Denver was an exceptional event and offered numerous insights. One of the highlights of the conference was the presentation

by Dr. Casey Barrio Minton who gave her keynote presentation on “refocusing our vision to optimize the counseling profession”. First, she placed emphasis on promoting counselor identity while also engaging within a transdisciplinary context. She also mentioned to honor the foundations of our field while preparing for the future, recognizing current trends, and developing knowledge to ensure that we also modernize curriculum. We need to remain abreast of current theories, technologies, and techniques to ensure that we effectively prepare the next generation of counselors. Finally, we have to voice our experiences while also engaging in research that builds on thought leadership. Doing so allows us to establish an evidence base that is state-of-the-art and unique to our discipline.

Also at the conference, Drs. William Talley, Lisa Zheng, and Hector Gonzales, and I were invited to attend the annual awards ceremony for Colorado Special Olympics.

One of the sessions that I enjoyed the most was for Chi Sigma Iota, which is the international and professional academic honor society for counseling students, counselor educators, and professional counselors. As a member for the past two decades and an advisor for our local chapter, it was very rewarding to reconnect with members from other chapters and to learn about current activities.

These opportunities aim to inspire, enlighten, and foster meaningful connections among professionals who share a passion for cultivating the next generation. This conference encouraged the enrichment of professionals and encouraged everyone to network and celebrate the accomplishments of their peers. See you again next year, ACES!

Welcome, Dr. Veronica Umeasiegbu Associate Professor of Rehabilitation Dr. Veronica Umeasiegbu is an Associate Professor with the Department of Rehabilitation of the School of Pharmacy and Health Professions at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. She obtained her master’s degrees in Physiotherapy (University of Nigeria) and Rehabilitation Counseling (University of Pittsburgh). She obtained her Ph.D. in Rehabilitation Counseling Education, Research, and Policy from the University of Kentucky. In September 2023, Dr. Umeasiegbu received the Switzer Research Fellowship funding from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research to study self-management of secondary medical conditions among Blacks with spinal cord injury. Dr. Umeasiegbu’s broad research interests include social determinants of health, health disparities, community participation, and quality of life of persons with disabilities. She was a 2008 intern with the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva, Switzerland.

“The Family” sculpture was created by artist Ayokunle Odeleye for the new pharmacy and health professions building. This is the first artwork commissioned by the Maryland Public Art Commission for a Historically Black College or University.