Greetings from the Dean

As the SIUE School of Pharmacy continues to provide leading-edge instruction to improve health and well-being in our region and beyond, I wanted to share a few recent highlights.

I am also pleased to share my most recent Dean's Report. This publication provides a more robust picture of the School's exemplary preparation of pharmacy professionals, scholars and leaders.

Whether it is through our students, faculty or alumni volunteers, we are impacting peoples’ lives. Thank you for your continued involvement and support of our school.

Sincerely,
Gireesh V. Gupchup
Dean

Join us on October 21

In celebration of the successful Pharmacy's Best and Brightest campaign, the School is hosting a special reception on October 21 from 4:30-7 p.m. All are welcome for food, drink, music, and the dedication of the paver path around the medicinal garden and plaque recognizing lead donors. Please RSVP to Judi Budzileni.

PAINWeek Conference Features Scholarship of Multiple SIUE Faculty

Faculty from the School of Pharmacy and the SIU Schools of Dental Medicine and Medicine shared their scholarship on pain education at PAINWeek, the largest interdisciplinary pain conference in the U.S. The 10th annual event was in Las Vegas. Attendees included more than 2,300 physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses, pharmacists, hospitalists, psychologists and other healthcare professionals involved in pain management.

Photo: (L-R) Dr. Carrie Vogler with the School of Pharmacy, Dr. Kevin Rowland with the SIU School of Dental Medicine and Dr. Stacy Sattovia with the SIU School of Medicine

Interdisciplinary Suicide Prevention Grant Engages Campus Community

SIUE's Initiative to Create Awareness, Recognition, and Education on Suicide Prevention (iCARE) is a multi-tiered collaboration between the Schools of Pharmacy, Nursing and Counseling Services through a grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. In conjunction with International Suicide Prevention Awareness Week in September, iCARE provided multiple opportunities for the campus community to join in the conversation about mental health wellness, from launching an awareness video to screening "The S Word" documentary to asking students to take the iCARE pledge.

Learn more about the initiative.

Lubsch Appointed President of Pharmacy Advocacy Group

Dr. Lisa Lubsch, clinical associate professor of pharmacy practice, has been appointed president of the Pediatric Pharmacy Advocacy Group (PPAG). PPAG’s membership spans 50 states and 20 foreign countries, and is the primary resource for pediatric medication therapy in children. The group develops educational programs for practitioners and families to influence the safe and effective use of medications in children.

Students Diversify Clinical Experience in Guatemala

School of Pharmacy students diversified their clinical experience during a five-week medical mission in Antigua, Guatemala over the summer through the School’s Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE). Now in its second year, the School’s Guatemala APPE is a partnership with Saint Louis University School of Medicine physicians, medical students and local Guatemalan healthcare practitioners. While in Guatemala, the students worked in rural clinics continually run by Guatemalan clinicians trained in ambulatory care services, community outreach and education.

Learn more about the students' experiences.

Faculty and Student Elected as NPhA Leaders

Dr. Lakesha Butler, clinical associate professor of pharmacy practice, was installed as president-elect of the National Pharmaceutical Association (NPhA) during the organization’s 2016 convention in Atlanta. Also representing SIUE, Yasmyn Knight, a fourth-year School of Pharmacy student, was appointed Region V Facilitator of the Student National Pharmaceutical Association (SNPhA). Knight is the first School of Pharmacy student to hold a national office in the SNPhA.

Bergman Presents at Healthcare Summit

Dr. Scott Bergman, associate professor of pharmacy practice, presented on appropriate use of antimicrobials, including antibiotics, at the Illinois Summit on Antimicrobial Stewardship in Springfield, Ill. Bergman is an infectious diseases clinical pharmacy specialist and holds a joint appointment with the Division of Infectious Diseases at the SIU School of Medicine. His presentation focused on establishing a team relationship between pharmacists and prescribers, then using available tools to better assess patients for infections in the emergency room.