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has been coordinating these placements for several years and considers them an essential piece of the education puzzle for the new generation of pharmacists. “Our students can work in eight countries giving lectures, doing patient care and assisting with pharmacy practice, and we host students from several European and Asian nations who want to learn about pharmacy practice first-hand.” Besides handling experiential exchanges, Hill-Besinque is currently working with colleagues in Japan on performance-based assessments and, eventually, a common set of standards that could be used worldwide. “Clinical pharmacy practice in the US — and particularly at USC — is more extensive than in most other countries,” explains Hill-Besnique. “The American pharmacist is more patient- than product-focused and functions as the medication expert on the health care team. Other countries recognize this now and want us to educate them.”
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR JOEL HAY is recognized around the globe for his expertise in pharmacoeconomics and policy, frequently presenting his views on pharmaceutical costs and drug usage oversight.
GLOBAL EXPERTS IN THE FIELD In the interest of advancing clinical psychiatric pharmacy services and starting a psychiatric pharmacy residency, Singapore’s Ministry of Health invited Julie Dopheide, Pharm.D., associate professor, to serve as a visiting expert at Woodbridge Hospital (also known as the Institute of Mental Health) last October. While in Singapore, Dopheide conducted an ambitious series of lectures, workshops and patient visits, and presented two symposia at the Asian Pacific Psychiatric Rehabilitation Conference. Dopheide also took time out to visit Joyce Lee, a graduate of the School’s residency program who was recruited by the National Health Care Group of Singapore to set up a diabetes clinic and teach ambulatory care pharmacy. “It was very satisfying to be part of improving health care on an international level,” said Dopheide. “As we place more graduates in other countries, and they train other pharmacists, we can have a huge positive impact on health care programs and patients around the world.”
Pharm.D. student Bonnie Hui (center) with colleagues at a hospital where she worked last summer in Ghana as part of the International Pharmaceutical Students Federation exchange program.
Associate Professor Julie Dopheide (right) with international colleagues Hui Gek Ang (center), chief pharmacist, Ministry of Health, Singapore, and Azah Subari, staff pharmacist, Ministry of Health, Singapore.
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WINTER 2009 | USC PHARMACY MAGAZINE