SIUE School of Pharmacy

Graduates of the School of Pharmacy class of 2017 have exceeded both state and national averages, boasting a first-attempt board pass rate of 92.86 percent on the North American Pharmacist Licensure Exam (NAPLEX).

The graduates’ combined score was the highest board pass rate of any program in Illinois or Missouri and exceeded the 2017 state and national averages of 84.52 percent and 87.95 percent, respectively. The NAPLEX results place SIUE in the top 30 percent of all pharmacy programs in the country.

Learn more about the graduates' remarkable accomplishment.

Maithili Deshpande, PhD, assistant professor of pharmacy practice, is working with SIU School of Medicine and University of Illinois-Springfield researchers studying Sangamon County neighborhoods to identify those with the highest levels of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

The research team will confidentially analyze patients’ home location, demographic and environmental information, and their neighborhoods. Healthcare providers could use the results to target neighborhoods for educational efforts and give doctors more strategies for reducing health complications from asthma and COPD. 

Learn more about Deshpande's research project.

Chris Herndon, PharmD, professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice, has dedicated his career to easing the afflictions of others, which is one reason why the American Pain Society (APS) has awarded him with the 2018 Distinguished Service Award.

Having worked in practices including outpatient oncology, hospice, outpatient palliative care, industry, academia, and now in a chronic non-cancer pain service within a primary care residence program, Herndon's philosophy of care has remained his highest priority. 

Read more about Herndon's achievement.

University experts and students from the Schools of Pharmacy, Nursing, Dental Medicine, Education, Health and Human Behavior, and College of Arts and Sciences will collaborate to host a free Community Health Clinic from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, April 7, at the Technology Learning Center located at 111 South Appleknocker Drive in Cobden. A similar event was held on Thursday, March 15, in Fairmont City.

Services will include diabetes, hearing, cholesterol, oral health, and height/weight/body mass screenings, as well as blood pressure measurement, diabetes A1C screening and diabetes foot inspection. Nutrition, dental care and public health education will also be offered.

Learn more about the free events.

McKenzie Ferguson, PharmD, associate professor of pharmacy practice and director of the Drug Information and Wellness Center, was among 109 St. Louis area educators who received high praise for their contributions and dedication to the teaching profession and were honored with 2017 Emerson Excellence in Teaching Awards.

Recipients were selected by their school’s administration and were presented their awards in November. They now have the opportunity to apply for a Gold Star Grant from Emerson, to be presented in spring 2018.

Learn more about Ferguson's achievement.

The School of Pharmacy, in collaboration with Alton Memorial Hospital and BJC HealthCare, hosted the 12^th annual Free Diabetes Education Program on Saturday, Feb. 10, at SIUE’s Morris University Center. 

The annual free program provided information and featured topics related to both Type-1 and Type-2 diabetes. Participants had the opportunity to attend speaker sessions and a vendor fair, receive free screenings and a free lunch, and speak directly with healthcare professionals.

Learn more about the free education program.