Dear Friends and Colleagues,

As we enjoy the sunny days and snowy slopes of winter, we look forward to the coming of spring with expectation and excitement. In May, the School will be graduating our second class with 74 new Regis pharmacists entering the profession. We also are excited about our new collaborative residencies with Kaiser Colorado and Safeway. These residencies are the next step in realizing our commitment to advancing practice in Colorado while providing innovative training opportunities for graduates of our program and other schools around the country. We are extremely blessed to have practice partners who share our vision for patient-centered care in the rapidly changing health care environment. We continue to plan for how to best use these and future residency partnerships to support our educational mission and the practice mission of our partners.

The pharmacy residents in these programs will assist our faculty in their teaching and research activities in our practice skills lab, our team-based learning classes and the residents’ projects. They will also contribute to our students’ experiential learning at the residency sites while providing practices with new energy and creativity for advancing patient care. The vision of Safeway and Kaiser in creating these residencies exemplifies all we seek in all our practice partners. I want to thank them for their collegiality and support of the School as we all work to improve patient care through advanced training of the next generation of pharmacists.

With the coming of Spring comes the excitement of seeing another class successfully enter the field of pharmacy and of working to create more opportunities for innovation and growth in patient-centered practice such as our affiliated residencies. As Mother Nature brings forth new life through the melting winter snow, the School will continue to search for ways to improve our instructional processes and to create new opportunities for our students to learn how to take cura personalis into their new practices in pharmacy.

Rodney A. Carter, Pharm.D.

Dean, Regis University School of Pharmacy

PersonalisPharma Regis University School of Pharmacy Newsletter

Executive Editor: Rodney A. Carter, Pharm.D.Dean, School of PharmacyRegis University303-625-1300

Editor: Miki Goldwire, PharmD, MSc, BS, BCPSAssociate Professor, Department of Pharmacy PracticeRegis University, School of Pharmacymgoldwir@regis.edu

Spring 2014

Regis University School of Pharmacy was founded in 2008 as a part of the Regis University system, which consists of three colleges: Regis College, the College for Professional Studies and the Rueckert-Hartman College for Health Professions (RHCHP). RHCHP holds the School of Nursing, the School of Pharmacy, the School of Physical Therapy, the Division of Health Services Administration, and the Division of Counseling and Family Therapy.

The Regis University School of Pharmacy imparts a comprehensive foundation in the biomedical, pharmaceutical, social administrative and clinical sciences by combining integrated content with team-based learning (TBL). Although TBL has a widespread history of proven success in medical and business schools, this method of teaching is a relatively new to the field of pharmacy education. Unlike traditional teaching methods in which information is learned through a lecture format, in TBL students learn the discipline of pharmacy through a working group approach. Students are divided into teams of five or six members who work together for an extended period of time to learn subject matter. Prior to class, study material is assigned to students for independent review. During class, students apply their gained knowledge to relevant activities with their teammates. The aspect of integrating course content throughout our pharmacy curriculum

reinforces topic areas, providing our students with tools for critical thinking and a comprehensive knowledge bank by the time they graduate.

Our mission is to educate men and women to become exceptional and socially responsible pharmacists. We commit to the Jesuit tradition of values-centered education focusing on personal development and leadership in the service of others. Our graduates are prepared to improve and transform health care in a global community.

As a Jesuit institution, Regis University is committed to fostering an atmosphere that embodies, cura personalis, a phrase often heard without understanding its context for the life of Jesuits and Regis University. It is Latin for “Care for the Individual Person.” Cura personalis is a hallmark of Ignatian spirituality, and therefore of Jesuit education, where the teacher establishes a personal relationship with students, listens to them, and draws them toward personal initiative and responsibility for learning. This attitude of respect for each individual comes from the Judeo-Christian vision of human beings as unique creations of God, of God’s embracing humanity in the person of Jesus Christ, and of human destiny as ultimate communion with God and all the saints in everlasting life (George Traub, S.J., “Do You Speak Ignatian?”).

Saint Ignatius made it clear that the key goal of the works of the new Society (as known as the Jesuits or the Society of Jesus) was to help people. He taught that while the nature of the Jesuit activity was important, the care for the people involved was the heart of Jesuit ministry. Jesuit schools are not merely places to advance knowledge and research, nor to focus exclusively on professional preparation. At the heart of our mission from the start has been the deep concern for the growth and formation of our students toward a life as “men and women for others.” Our faculty offer personal attention in which students are developed not just in an intellectual sense, but morally and spiritually which prepares students to treat the whole person rather than an isolated drug problem.

The title “Pharma Personalis” is taken from the Latin phrase, Cura Personalis. At Regis University School of Pharmacy, the art of learning the practice of pharmacy starts with the care of the whole person.

We are committed to community engagement, professional leadership and scholarly activities that contribute to the advancement of pharmacy education, pharmaceutical sciences and pharmacy practice. For questions about our program or activities, please call the School of Pharmacy at 303-625-1300.

White Coat Ceremony 2014 On January 11, members of the pharmacy class of 2017 participated in a special Regis tradition: The White Coat Ceremony. During this ritual, first-year pharmacy students receive a white coat from their faculty adviser. The coat symbolizes care and service and accepting it symbolizes the students’ commitment to the pharmacy profession.

Father Fernando Álvarez-Lara, S.J., D.Min., much like kings and prophets anointed students with oil to mark them as leaders. As part of the ceremony, students also recited a pledge of professionalism. This year’s event marked the fourth White Coat Ceremony for the School in which 57 students were “cloaked”.

Student Activities

Regis University School of Pharmacy – A Brief History

Father Fernando anoints Marie-Claire Desrosiers and Mary James and the hands of Mikaela Vogt.

Assistant Dean for Student Affairs Dr. Brian Hemstreet welcomes students.

School of Pharmacy Dean Dr. Rod Carter greets students.

First-year students, Andrew Wohlers and Jeannette Bouchard, speak to their classmates.

Jeannette Bouchard addresses her classmates.

Students recite the professionalism pledge.

Asma Rushidi receives her coat from Dr. Bianca Calderon.

Briana Stapornkul shakes hands with Dr. Lauren Burt.

Jane Osuji shakes hands with Dr. Pete Clapp.

Dr. Michael Nelson fist bumps with Tien Nguyen.

Jeannette Bouchard – Why I Choose Regis University School of Pharmacy My decision to become a pharmacist stems from a long history of serving others. I knew that my career would involve helping people. As I went through school, I learned that my strong suits were in the sciences, particularly biology and chemistry. I wanted to use my strengths and knowledge to pursue that goal of helping people and making a difference. The more I learned of the numerous opportunities pharmacists had the more interested I became. Pharmacists weren’t just people behind the counter at drugstores; they are the voice that patients never hear who catch potential medical errors. They are accessible professionals for those who are unable to get to their doctor’s office, whether for a vaccination or to ask a question about a medication. Witnessing the trust patients give pharmacists added another reason to keep me working towards my goal of becoming a pharmacist.

As I discovered more and more reasons to pursue pharmacy, I moved onto the next big decision, deciding on a school. I wanted a school that would help me develop a strong professional background, establish a lifetime of good practice skills; a school that would help me establish certain goals such as becoming a strong communicator; a school that offers affordable and equitable health care to everyone as well as providing meaningful and useful patient care.

Regis was the school that put my interests first and I know Regis would push me to accomplish my goals. So far, this school has helped me learn that establishing strong communication skills is essential. The interactions I have with my team and the strong push for professionalism here at Regis is already preparing me for an internship this semester. Spending every day working in teams and communicating with my classmates through solving applications bridged any of those awkward new school gaps and before I knew it, my classmates became my best friends. Team based learning has me looking forward to participating in patient care through a team approach.

I had never thought about leaving the Midwest or my family, but I decided to take a chance and see what could unfold knowing I would end up where I needed to be. I applied to several other schools and just hoped one of them would take me, little did I know I would get a choice. I interviewed at a few other schools, but in the end, I knew that Denver was where I needed to be.

Jordan Lo receives his coat from Dr. Dan Berlau.

Bryce Bennion recites the professionalism pledge.

Ernest Pianim, Eric Tateyama, Jordan Lo, and Hassan Sebaj after the ceremony

Kristen Rowe provides the benediction.

Nicole Bartlett and Eric Tateyama

Michael Greiner after receiving his coat

Students enjoy the ceremony.

Praicy Matthew, Jane Osuji, and Danielle Box

Andrew Wohlers – Reflection on Pharmacy School Fate brought me here to join the rest of this class. We all have individual stories about how we got here, reasons for being here, but what binds us together is the future. Getting to know this class over this last semester has left me in awe of the great people that I get to work with every day. Classmates traveled from all over the United States (and Canada) leaving our homes and families to come here to make a better future, not only for ourselves, but also for our future patients. I feel like I am giving a speech for the end of our time here, but in fact, I am proud to be beginning this program with this class and the individuals who make it extraordinary.

Today we are receiving not only a coat, but a symbol. A symbol that we can be proud of, a symbol that gives us credibility, a symbol which we must uphold as professionals. This white coat is the very object and the very reason why we must be principled in our learning, and in our lives. Making it to this moment means that we have fantastic days ahead of us, bad days ahead of us, times of happiness and joy, sleepless nights learning about medicines that make us sleep, and boundless frustrations both in and out of the classroom. During these times, we have to remember why we are here, and persevere towards our goals.

A few months ago, I lost one of my grandfathers after an extensive battle with cancer, and unfortunately, within a few months, I will lose my other grandfather to ailing health. Growing up with these two men in my life taught me that I have to stand up for what I believe, and to work hard. Both of these men led great lives, but as we know, everything can change in an instant. It would be easy to blame the health care system claiming they didn’t do enough or try hard enough, but as I have gotten to know the health care system a little better, and gotten to know the various health care professions, it is clear that some events are beyond our control despite the best care given. Sometimes our best efforts come up short and while disappointing, such events challenge us to respond in a compassionate and professional manner.

As Walt Disney said, “Keep moving forward.” This is the beginning for us; we have difficult times ahead, but we have to keep moving forward. When we do poorly on a test, keep moving forward. When it takes us an entire week to learn a new concept, keep moving forward. When we haven’t slept in days, keep moving forward; even if you find yourself with the scary reality of waiting a year to try again – keep moving forward. If we fail, we will learn from our mistakes. Work hard for the fate you want, and you get the fate that you need.

Mountains To Mountains: A Reflection By Amy PaulI think one of the great things that set Regis apart from other pharmacy programs is the opportunity we have as students to broaden our worldview and serve others.

I was able to take advantage of one such opportunity this past December. I participated alongside other pharmacy students, nursing students, and faculty in the “Mountains to Mountains” immersion trip – traveling from the Rocky Mountains of Colorado to the Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia. This immersion trip was different from traditional service trips. We were going there to learn from West Virginians about the social justice issues they face, rather simply showing up to help people in need.

On our first official day of activities, we learned about the history of the coal industry, and mine workers’ rights. We also talked about how the Affordable Care Act will affect West Virginians. What struck me was when the presenter said, “People die mining coal so we can have electricity to power our hairdryers and Xboxes.” This opened my eyes to how wasteful I can be with electricity. I never really thought about how many people put their lives on the line for something I generally take for granted, and as a result, I have been more conscious about how I use resources.

Another highlight was a man who spoke to us about how to start a movement and make change. He inspired us not to “help people cope with things they don’t deserve” but to take action for the underlying cause of the injustice. I think so often when we see people in need it is easy to put a bandage on and help them struggle through it, but it takes courage to act and stand up against the underlying cause of the injustice!

During our last few days, we worked with the Maternal Infant Health Outreach Worker program, a community-based group that trains women to mentor expectant mothers throughout their pregnancy and beyond, until their child turns three. We visited mothers in their homes, which was a powerful way to see people making positive change. Although the mothers we visited lived in extreme poverty (some without electricity or running water), the mentors helped them to succeed through educational programs – even tutoring some women to get their GED.

Moving forward, I am faced with the question of how I will use the education I receive here at Regis. I was blessed to meet people with far fewer privileges than myself, who were choosing to make a difference in the world around them. As a pharmacist, I will have a wealth of resources to impact my patients, and it is up to me to be a good steward of that knowledge. It is often in serving and listening to others that we learn even more about ourselves. I hope that more students will take advantage of similar trips offered in the future. It will make you a better health care provider, and help you to discover the type of pharmacist you want to become.

(Left to Right) Charlotte Ricchetti (Pharmacy faculty), Anne Hovasse (Nursing faculty), Olen Bogert (Nursing), Debbie Dobosz (Nursing), Kate Johnson (Nursing), Rebecca Cohen (Nursing), Amy Paul (P3), Theresa Simpson (P2), Jasmine McCafferty (P2) -- On top of Cayford Mountain, after viewing a mountaintop removal site

(Left to Right) Jasmine McCafferty (wearing a scarf; P2), Kate Johnson (Nursing), Amy Paul (P3), Debbie Dobosz (Nursing), Olen Bogert (Nursing) -- teach daycare children about healthy hand hygiene

(Left to Right) Theresa Simpson (P2) and Jasmine McCafferty (P2) teach daycare children about healthy hand hygiene

Back Row - Debbie Dobosz (Nursing), Amy Paul (P3), Jasmine McCafferty (P2), Kate Johnson (Nursing), Olen Bogert (Nursing); Front Row - Charlotte Ricchetti (Pharmacy faculty), Rebecca Cohen (Nursing), Theresa Simpson (P2), Anne Hovasse (Nursing faculty) -- Outside Rock Lake Community Center where the group stayed

Left: Amy Paul (P3) assists children in measuring the amount of sugar in Mountain Dew. Right: Theresa Simpson (P2) teaches children about oral hygiene through tooth brushing exercise

(Left to Right) Jasmine McCafferty (P2), Debbie Dobosz (Nursing), Theresa Simpson (P2), Amy Paul (P3)

(Left to Right) Amy Paul (P3), Theresa Simpson (P2), Jasmine McCafferty (P2)

(Left to Right) Debbie Dobosz (Nursing), Rebecca Cohen (nursing), Jasmine McCafferty (P2), Amy Paul (P3), Theresa Simpson (P2), Olen Bogert (Nursing), Kate Johnson (Nursing), Charlotte Ricchetti (Pharmacy faculty)

College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists (CPNP)

The College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists (CPNP)

is a national organization dedicated to “improving the minds and lives of those affected by psychiatric and neurologic disorders.” CPNP closely partners with National Alliance of Mental Illness and provides patient counseling at their annual meeting, educational sessions at local chapter meetings, and participation at fundraising events. CPNP student and pharmacist members are active in the community at a variety of settings in support of those with psychiatric illness.

The Regis University School of Pharmacy CPNP student chapter welcomes students interested in pursuing psychiatry and/or neurology as a career option. Students work with the community, NAMI and additional organizations dedicated to mental health.

President – Daksha Potnis (class of 2014)

President Elect – Paul Cornelison (class of 2017)

Secretary/Treasurer – Kristina Kimberley (class of 2016)

Historian - Marie-Claire Desrosiers (class of 2017)

Faculty Advisor – Dr. Robin Wackernah

Student National Pharmaceutical Association (SNPhA): Operation Christmas Child 2013

“Since 1993, more than 100 million boys and girls in over 130 countries have experienced God’s love through the power of simple shoebox gifts from

Operation Christmas Child. Samaritan’s Purse works with local churches and ministry partners to deliver the gifts and share the life-changing Good News of Jesus Christ.” –Samaritan’s Purse

In November, SNPhA organized a collection for Operation Christmas Child, an effort led by the humanitarian organization Samaritan’s Purse. A competition between classes and faculty to see who could collect the most shoeboxes full of donations was held. The winner was provided lunch during finals week. The collection and competition ran for two weeks. A total of 42 shoeboxes were collected with more than 20 shoeboxes collected from the P1 class. Congratulations to the P1 class on your accomplishment and support!

Student Activities

Student Professionalism Videos

As part of their experiential class experience, second-year pharmacy students developed public service announcements exemplifying one professionalism tenet: altruism, honesty/integrity, respect for others, professional presence, professional stewardship or dedication and commitment to excellence. Over one month, teams of five to six students developed, performed in, and recorded their PSA. Class members voted on the winners. Congratulations to all students for making this assignment a success!

Best video highlighting altruism: Abi Dhruva, John Le, Alyssa Peterson, Lovelace Twumansi-Ankrah, Sheelia Whitaker and Andrew Yoo Runner-up highlighting professional presence: Peggy McNaney, Amelia Nelson, Thomas Nguyen, Tran Nguyen, and Nathan Rader Best Actress – Leila Khurshid Best Actor – RJ Yepez

Student Government – Chili Cook-offThe Chili Cook-Off Competition, hosted by Student Government, on November 23rd, was a successful social event featuring six competing chili recipes, a toppings bar and a “Thriftiest Dresser” nomination. Students and faculty attended the event at Walker’s Pub, on the Regis campus, to support their competing peers, have a great time and eat fantastic food!

Please congratulate our winners.

AJ Wohlers (P1 student) - 1st place for best chiliStefanie Gann (P2 student) - 2nd place for best chiliDr. Dan Berlau (faculty) - 3rd place for best chiliDr. Jeff Lalama (faculty) - “Thriftiest Dresser”

AJ Wohlers prepared a meat lovers paleo chili with five different types of meat.

Dr. Dan Berlau winning chili recipe, Mr. and Mrs. Tenorman Chili, was an east-meets-west chili with cumin and curry along with traditional beef and beans.

Stefanie Gann prepared a white chicken chili with a chicken broth base, chicken, and white beans topped with jalapenos and cilantro for topping.

From left to right: Stefanie Gann, Dr. Dan Berlau, and AJ Wohlers

From left to right: AJ Wohlers, Stefaine Gann, Dr. Dan Berlau, Paul Nguyen, Carl Buhay, and April Hughes

From left to right: Cassie Holt, Jeannette Buchard, Cassandra Hana, Marie-Claire Desrosier, Sam Valdez

Chilli

Dr. Jeff LaLama Carl Buhay

From left to right: Jeannette Buchard, Cassandra Han, and Adam Tormoehlen,

Dr. Dan Berlau’s winning

Elena Gutkin

From left to right: Jake Childers, Daran Thach, Chris Hong, Lauren Hammond, Ashley Smith, and Melissa Busciglio

Dr. Sherree Dismuke, John Jeffrey Jones, and John Le

Daran Thach, Chau Nguyen, and Kim Howe

Devin Brimhall, Will Irizarry, and Chris Hong

Marie Smith, Sara Eichner, and Amelia Nelson

Chau Bui and Thuy Nguyen

Paul Cornelison, Lisa Calliham, and Mary James

Student Pharmacist Compounding CompetitionThe School of Pharmacy held its first-ever Student Pharmacist Compounding Competition. The local chapter of National Community Pharmacists Association hosted while MEDISCA, a Food and Drug Administration registered supplier of fine chemicals, sponsored the event. Seven teams of three, which included ambitious first-year through third-year students, competed in two categories: classic compounding and the regulatory challenge. For the compounding classic, teams formulated, prepared, presented and documented three different non-sterile compounded medications. During the regulatory challenge, students devised a written paper that delivered a clear message to a controversial issue involving regulatory standards of practice.

The competition was established to provide an educational experience to pharmacy students and to increase their exposure to the pharmacy compounding industry. We hope to continue this unique competition to further educate and expose students to the different facets of pharmacy practice.

The School of Pharmacy would like to thank judges for their dedicated time and enthusiasm: School of Pharmacy alumna, Dr. Sherree Dismuke, and faculty Dr. Michael Nelson, Dr. Latoya Braun and Dr. Charlotte Ricchetti. All teams who completed the competition were extremely close, and all students should be congratulated for their hard work and dedication to exploring nuances of the profession.

Congratulations to all the winners!

1st place: Devin Brimhall, Chris Hong, and William Irizarry

2nd place: Amy Paul, Antonio Martinez, and Corinne Feehan

3rd place: Lauren Hammond, Chau Bui, and Thuy Nguyen.

Regis Goes Red for Heart HealthThe bad news: Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. The good news: It is preventable, and it’s never too late to make a positive change. Regis University went red for American Heart Month in February. Members of the School of Pharmacy participated in health screenings and medication reviews.

Curt Tschida, Regis employee, Dr. Leticia Shea, Amy Paul, and Matthew Minnick Second year students Ashley Smith and Phu Trinh ready to help patients.

Third year student Amy Paul talking to a patient about her medications.

Fourth year student Janon Khedir Al-Tiae taking a patient’s blood pressure.Provost Dr. Pat Ladewig and President Father John Fitzgibbons with Dr. Letitia Shea.

Third year student Hoi Chen taking a blood pressure.

Third year student Andrew McGrory talking to a patientabout her medications.

Student Society of Health-System Pharmacists (SSHP) In December, members of SSHP and NCPA (National Community Pharmacist Association) participated in a bone marrow drive. In total, 104 people swabbed to send off samples, which is three times the national average for bone marrow drive numbers! It was a great collaborative effort from our NCPA pharmacy student members, pharmacy students in general, Regis undergraduate students, and Student Health Services. Thank you to everyone who participated.

ABOVE: In December members Daniel Ng, Nader Nassar, Blake French, and Brandon Ige visited Universal Studios with their faculty advisor, Dr. Michele Hanselin. RIGHT: Nader Nassar, Dr. Michele Hanselin, Blake French, and Daniel Ng

Regis University Cafeteria heart healthy lunch

Dr. Dean Allison Written by Dr. Michael Nelson, Chair Pharmaceutical Sciences

In the fall of 2013, Dr. Dean Allison resigned from the School of Pharmacy after being diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, several months earlier. He played a major role in the design and development of the School of Pharmacy and I would like to acknowledge several of his contributions to our program.

Dean was a founding member of both the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and the School of Pharmacy. He played a key role in the growth of our department by assisting in faculty and staff recruitment, designing our research labs and creating pharmaceutics content within our integrated curriculum. As a new department chair, I highly valued Dean’s life experience and often found myself asking for his input with regard to leadership decisions. During the development of our new School of Pharmacy, Dean brought a unique vision for an integrated pharmacy skills lab sequence. This vision called for matching topics in the skills lab with related topics in our Integrated Pharmacotherapy sequence such that students simultaneously learned about a disease state and skills necessary to effectively manage patients diagnosed with the disease state (e.g., learning how to measure blood pressure in the skills lab while learning about hypertension in an Integrated Pharmacotherapy course). This vision resonated well with the founding faculty and resulted in a skills lab sequence that is highly integrated with content delivered in other courses.

Dean exemplified servant leadership in our program by serving as our Curriculum Committee chairman during the critical formative years of our program (2009-2013). This contribution is especially notable because of the yearly accreditation reports and visits that occurred during this timeframe. Our curriculum design and delivery is unique when compared with a more traditional approach to pharmacy education and Dean was our leader in successfully describing and justifying our curriculum to our accreditors. Dean’s service on several college and university committees garnered high regard and respect within the Regis community. In addition to his role as a leader in the School of Pharmacy, Dean is a wonderful colleague and friend to all of us. His mild-mannered and good-natured approach to addressing issues helped promote a highly collegial environment among our faculty and staff through his innate ability to diffuse situations with a sense of humor. Dean’s concern for student learning and well-being earned him the affection and trust of our students. It was not a surprise to me when Dean was selected as Teacher of the Year by the class of 2016 in the spring of 2013.

We miss Dean greatly, but we are reassured knowing that he may now spend more time with his friends and family. Dean’s efforts on behalf of our school will impact our program for many years to come and his generous spirit and collegial personality will remain forever with each of us who had the privilege of working with him.

Dr. Dean Allison with Dr. Michael Nelson

Dr. LaToya J. Braun

Dr. LaToya J. Braun joined the Regis faculty in January 2014 as an associate professor of pharmaceutical sciences. She obtained a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Yale University in 1994. Afterward, she came to Colorado for graduate studies, earning a master’s degree

in chemical engineering from the University of Colorado Boulder in 1996 and a Ph.D. in pharmaceutical sciences from the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in 2001. Her graduate studies in both programs investigated interactions between therapeutic proteins and excipients for improved protein stability. Following graduate school, she received postdoctoral training to broaden her expertise to include characterizing vaccines. Most recently, she was a faculty member at the University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. Dr. Braun teaches pharmaceutics, advises seminar students and serves as a faculty adviser. Her research interests include improving the thermal stability of vaccines and investigating a silicone-oil free lubrication for pre-filled syringes utilized for delivery of protein therapeutics.

Dr. Brian Hemstreet

Dr. Brian Hemstreet joined Regis University School of Pharmacy in 2014 as Assistant Dean of Student Affairs. Dr. Hemstreet received his Bachelor’s and Doctor of Pharmacy degrees from The Albany College of Pharmacy in Albany, New York. He completed residencies in pharmacy practice and adult

internal medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina and served as a faculty member and Director of the Pharmaceutical Care Learning Center at the University Of Colorado School Of Pharmacy from 2000-2013.

Dr. Hemstreet’s interests include gastrointestinal and hepatic disorders, assessment of safe medication practices in the hospital, and assessment of student learning. He is a Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist and a fellow of ACCP. He has chaired the Adult Medicine and GI/Liver/Nutrition PRNs within ACCP and has served on the Pharmacotherapy preparatory faculty course since 2004. He serves as Associate editor for the gastrointestinal disorders section of the Handbook of Nonprescription Drugs 18th Edition, and is an Advisory Board member for the APhA Self Care Institute. He also serves as a member of the NABP Review Committee for the Foreign Graduate Pharmacy Equivalency Exam and the Pharmacy Curriculum Outcomes Assessment Exam.

School of Pharmacy Welcomes New Members

Administrative assistant Meghan Kepler gave birth to Nicholas Robert Kepler on Jan. 15. He weighed 8 pounds and 2 ounces and was 21 inches long. Mom and babe are doing fine. Congratulations!

Dr. Shannon Knutsen gave birth to Meka Charlyne Knutsen on Nov. 25, at 5:30 a.m. Congratulations!

Meet Our New Faculty

Faculty Publications and Presentations

Clapp P, Wackernah R, Minnick M*. Alcohol use disorder: pathophysiology, effects, and pharmacologic options for treatment. SAR. 5:1-14.

Feeney M*, Lalama J, Beavers K, Vandiver J, Walter L, McClintic J. Assessing an enoxaparin dosing protocol in morbidly obese patient. Poster presented at: American Society of Health-System Pharmacists 48th Midyear Clinical Meeting & Exhibition; December 10, 2013; Orlando, FL.

Feeney M*, Lalama J. Can Newer Anticoagulants AMPLIFY the Initial Treatment of VTE? (update). In: Linn WD, Al-Qadheeb N, Havrda D, Al-Qadheeb N, Havrda D, eds. Topics in Evidence-Based Pharmacy Practice. New York: McGraw-Hill; 2013. http://www.accesspharmacy.com/content.aspx?aID=4000312. Accessed October 27, 2013

Irizarry W*, Ricchetti C. Improving anticoagulation outcomes in low income and underserved populations: an evaluation of interprofessional monitoring of warfarin therapy. Poster presentation. American Society of Health System Pharmacists Annual Midyear Clinical Meeting. Orlando, FL: December 2013.

Khan S*, Lalama J. What Is The CHANCE That Dual Antiplatelet Therapy Is Effective for Secondary Stroke Prevention? (update). In: Linn WD, Al-Qadheeb N, Al-Qadheeb N, Havrda D, eds. Topics in Evidence-Based Pharmacy Practice. New York: McGraw-Hill; 2013. . Accessed December 2, 2013.

Park SH, Wackernah RC, Stimmel GL. Serotonin syndrome: is it a reason to avoid the use of tramadol with antidepressants?. J Pharm Pract. 2014;27(1):71-8.

Prasthofer E, Lalama J. Treatment of VTE – review of guidelines and new oral anticoagulants. Presented at: Swedish Medical Center Medical Grand Rounds; November 21, 2013; Englewood, CO.Sucher B, Nelson M, Brown D. An Elective Course in Leader Development. Am J Pharm Educ. 2013;77(10): Article 224.

Sucher B, Nelson M, Brown D. An elective course in leader development. American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education. 2013;77(10): Article 224.

Dr. Robin Wackernah was featured in the December 2013 issue of 5280 Magazine. She was interviewed by Natasha Gardner for an article on mental health, Riders of the Storm. Available at: http://www.5280.com/mentalhealth/.

*denotes a School of Pharmacy student

Highlight on Faculty Research – Dr. Dan BerlauCan a simple test predict Alzheimer’s?

Alzheimer’s is a tough disease. It steals good years from those who suffer from it and takes an emotional toll on their caregivers. Even worse – it’s nearly impossible to predict when someone will get it. Until now.

A recent study published in Nature Medicine and co-authored by Dan Berlau, an assistant professor in Regis’ Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, suggests that Alzheimer’s can be predicted with a relatively simple blood test.

“This study is important because there are lots of drug therapies for Alzheimer’s, but they’ve been shown to be ineffective if the person receives them after showing symptoms,” Berlau said. “So in theory, if we can identify the disease earlier and begin treating it, we can help prevent or delay the disease.”

This groundbreaking study was conducted over a three-year period, during which time healthy seniors had blood drawn and participated in cognitive tests. The researchers analyzed thousands of markers in the blood, including gene expression, proteins and lipids, as well as cognitive deterioration in the subjects. They found that 90 percent of the time subjects with certain levels of specific lipids showed signs of Alzheimer’s within two to three years.

As with all studies, the science needs to be replicated and evaluated. But Berlau is hopeful that in the next 5 to 10 years, doctors will be able to administer the test and that the elderly and their families will have more quality years together.

Alumni UpdateBy Paige Boumeester, PharmD, PGY1 Pharmacy Resident

As a resident, I am constantly asked what a typical day in residency entails. The answer is, it depends. It depends on the type of program you are in, the rotation you are on, and the work ethic you have. I have to admit it is not completely what I expected, but I am very happy I pursued residency and matched with a great program.

I am currently in my seventh month of residency and have completed three core rotations while doing two longitudinal rotations. At this point I have gone through internal medicine, infectious disease, cardiology, and am now in the intensive care unit. Each rotation is unique; however there are daily activities a resident will perform, just like any other pharmacist. These duties include renal monitoring, anticoagulation monitoring, kinetics, venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis, and any pharmacy consults that may come through. We will also attend any codes or alerts that are paged overhead which include rapid assessment team (if a patient is deteriorating and we want to prevent a code situation), stoke alerts, cardiac alerts, full traumas, and code blues for adults and pediatrics. Our hospital recently received trauma II designation so there have been many more alerts and interesting cases lately.

As for hours, each rotation has been a day shift which is 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., however my co-resident and I get to our office around 0630. Some days are much longer than others depending on the day’s events and projects you are working on. During each rotation we give at least one presentation about a topic relating to the rotation. Outside of the rotation we work on our residency project and prepare presentations for medication safety committee and attend a monthly committee meeting of our choice. We also have outside activities including the Kaiser ASPIRE program to help us with our residency projects and the University of Colorado teaching certificate program.

Each rotation has allowed me to apply the knowledge learned throughout pharmacy school and become more confident in my abilities to provide optimal patient care. I was nervous about residency because I did not expect to have a life outside of the hospital, but I do! My residency program has been the perfect match so far, providing me with extraordinary experiences such as seeing a coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) and aortic valve replacement, building professional relationships with other healthcare providers, and staffing as a clinical pharmacist on the floors. I would not change a thing about my experience thus far and am truly grateful for the opportunity I have been given.

A Blackhawk helicopter lands at Exempla Good Samaritan Medical Center during the September 2013 floods.

Dr. Boumeester presents her research at the ASHP 2013 Midyear Clinical Meeting.

National Institutes of Health

Dr. Figg’s Lab

Train station to the NIH

Experiential Update - Elective Laboratory APPE Rotation at National Institute of Health (NIH) /National Cancer Institute (NCI)By Jacob Keevan, P4 PharmD Student

I felt it important to have exposure to a working research lab in order to round out my educational experience. The opportunity to participate in a rotation at the NIH/NCI arose through some networking and common relationships. I contacted Dr. William Douglas Figg Sr. with a well-written email requesting an opportunity. Members of Dr. Figg’s lab evaluate both pharmacokinetics and molecular pharmacology of various substances.

Upon arrival, the first week was spent learning the ins and outs of the lab. I learned a basic understanding of the necessity of pharmacokinetics and instrumentation involved in its evaluation. I was certified in lab safety and working with blood-borne pathogens. I was then able to perform validation runs, which are necessary to confirm accuracy in using the equipment, including pipettes, centrifuges and the mass spectrometer. Often I caught myself thinking, “If Dr. Allison could see me now.”

Every Tuesday I have “clinic” in the hospital with oncologists, fellows, and a clinical pharmacist all of whom are accomplished scholars and well-respected investigators in the cancer world. The team focuses on bladder and prostate cancer. Members of the NIH/NCI primarily develop investigational drug protocols for patients who are referred because they failed standard therapy. Additionally, therapy is free of charge. I participated in visits with patients and conversations regarding their care. Communications is essential to ensure the best patient care while considering the limitations of study protocol.

On Fridays, I attend discussion about outcomes in oncology studies. It is very important to know the current standard of care, understand the disease state and statistical analysis in order to comprehend the researcher’s methodology for the study, why the outcomes were chosen, and how conclusions were made. Most of the studies are testing targeted therapies in which researchers identify different biochemical pathways and interrupt the pathway at varying steps.

I have also been able to peer review papers for publications, including papers intended for foreign medical journals and textbooks. Dr. Figg valued my input. The process provided me an understanding of how a solid medical article should be written.

Overall my experience has been amazing. It is a privilege to walk into any room on campus, interact with scientists and researchers and be in awe over their intelligence. Throughout pharmacy school, information (specifically pharmacokinetics) has been presented to us as matter of fact it was a pleasure to have exposure on how and where this information is being derived. I highly recommend seeking out and pursuing opportunities that provide similar experiences.

Vail Valley PharmacyBy Matthew Minnick, P4 PharmD Student

Vail Valley Pharmacy is an independently owned community pharmacy located in beautiful Edwards Colo. Some of its services include: over-the-counter herbals and vitamins consultation, specialized compounding and immunizations. It also has a reputation for outstanding customer service.

Dr. Kent Lambrecht, my primary preceptor, is excellent about getting the student ample experience in all aspects of community pharmacy. Dr. Lambrecht completed a two-year fellowship focusing on anti-aging. He has one-on-one appointments with his patients to help regulate their body’s metabolism, cortisol level and other hormones. He focuses on maximizing medication therapy by getting to the root of the cause, not just treating symptoms from an unknown source.

The compounding experience at Vail Valley Pharmacy expands on what Dr. Fete and Dr. Allison’s elective course, Advanced Drug Delivery, offers. The compounding technician is great about familiarizing the student to all techniques and equipment used to be successful in the lab. The pharmacy student will learn how to make creams, ointments, capsules, troches, suppositories and even lollypops! Some of the common medications compounded are bioidentical hormones (for both men and women), pain creams, thyroid replacement, pet medications and dermatological compounds.

This is a great rotation for anyone with an interest in compounding, wanting to fulfill the community pharmacy experience and someone who does not mind hitting the slopes on the weekends! This would also be a great rotation for anyone planning to open up his or her own pharmacy. Larry, another co-owner, is happy to sit down with you and introduce some of the bookwork involved with owning your own business. Overall, the staff at Vail Valley Pharmacy is very accepting of pharmacy students and the rotation would be a valuable experience for anyone interested.

Vail Valley Pharmacy

Pharmacy Owners Larry Nisonoff, Courtney and Kent Lambrecht

Vail Valley Pharmacy Storefront

April 6 Regis University 9Health Fair April 14 Rho Chi Induction Banquet

April 29 P3 (Class of 2014) Service Learning Fair, Mountain View Room

Calendar of Events

From the Office of Experiential Education Students from all four years are participating in experiential rotations. First year (P1) through third year (P3) students participate in Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experiences (IPPEs) according to the following schedule:

P1’s – IPPE in basic hospital or community pharmacy on Tuesdays

P2’s – IPPE in more advanced community pharmacy on Thursdays

P3’s – IPPE in a variety of settings on Wednesdays

Fourth year (P4) students began their seventh and final Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) on February 17. After this last block, P4 students come back to campus to participate in their final course before graduating on May 4. During this last rotation, students participate in activities that prepare them to pass the North American Pharmacist Licensure Exam (NAPLEX) and beginning their career as a pharmacist. Exciting events already planned include seminars with guest speakers from many aspects of the profession, a NAPLEX and law review course, graduation rehearsal, interacting with P1, P2, and P3 students in the classroom, and much more!

April 28 – May 2 Finals Weeks

May 4 Graduation, Class of 2014 Pharmacy Students

May 26 APPEs begin