Inside this issue

Dean’s Message 2

In Pictures 3

Doctor of Pharmacy, Class of 2010

4

Alumni Profile: Louise DiChiara Pastore, Class of 1983

10

Graduate School Graduation 11

Alumni Profile: Michael Sipala, Class of 1974

12

“McGuyver Pharmacy” in Haiti 13

Gift Recognition 14

RxImpact 16

The University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy Alumni Newsletter

2

Message fr om the Dean— WE are Acceler at ing !

A building project gains pace, a new President is inaugurated, presides over his first com-mencement then heads off to do business in Africa. He is also going to close a deal of collaboration for the College and University in Delhi, India. A cornerstone of the College leadership sets the date for her retirement, we break a new high water mark of funded re-search, and another most be-loved class of highly skilled professionals graduates mov-ing into practices and some of the most exciting opportunities ever captured by our alumni. The pace is picking up in King-

ston, and the exciting times at your College of Pharmacy in the new decade have only just begun.

Hopefully many of you have visited www.uri.edu/pharmacy and seen the progress of our building project through one of 5 new real time web cameras available through the site, two of which you can actually control! The Biological Sci-ences Center (BISC), where many of us experienced early biology classes, is history. In time a health and life sci-ences quadrangle will emerge from the piles of earth. As the planning and demolition phase of the two year building project ends, our spectacular new facility takes shape. This advanced and green facility will accelerate our efforts in student training, faculty recruitment, research and out-reach to our community. We continue in our fund raising efforts for this project, and would appreciate any and all help, as the urgency to build the best URI has to offer grows.

We honored our dynamic new President Dr. David Dooley recently, and pointed out the unique and significant contri-butions that our faculty and alumni have made to advance and improve the URI community, and the health of citizens of the state, nation and indeed, the world. We pledged to work toward his inaugural address goals by transforming ourselves to develop an even broader global perspective in our work, and by committing ourselves and our students to overcoming the challenges of the world by embracing change, diversity, equity and justice. Our college and our alumni and friends will work to make the University a key asset in transforming our state, enhancing our economic influence and advancing partnerships in our education, research, and service.

At an alumni gathering in Augusta, Maine, hosted by Joe McVety (’86) and Jessica Pooler Gosselin (’02), Professor and Associate Dean, Dr. Joan Lausier (’67, ’71) announced she will retire in June 2012. It was appropriate that these Maine based alumni hear this from Joan first, as her roots in and love for Maine are well known by the thousands of alumni, colleagues and administrators she has mentored in her near 40 years of tenure at URI. We have about a year and a half to build a team to replace her, and that will be no small feat. Our College and so many of us owe a great deal to her. We can point to her encouragement, fairness, no nonsense direction, and in some cases discipline as one key to our success. We have set up a sub segment of

the building campaign to honor Joan, and we need to build the fund to name our Student Affairs Suite in her name. When you think back about what she may have done for you in scholarship support, emotional support, advice, mentoring or just feeding you when your funds were low, I hope that every alumni will contribute to that effort.

Next, as noted, our research is accelerat-ing. We involve more undergraduate and professional degree program stu-dents in research, as we grow our gradu-ate program, launch a new BSPS pro-gram, and recruit quality post doctoral fellows and faculty. Great things are happening! You need only scan our web pages or read the paper now and then to hear about these accelerating efforts. We will be announcing new significant contributions to the pharmaceutical in-dustry and health care soon.

Finally a word or two on the beloved class pictured in this commemorative issue. In an historic first, three of our URI faculty had children graduate in the Doctor of Phar-macy Class of 2010. Professor Norma Owens hooded her son Kevin McConeghy, who will be doing a residency in Illinois, Dr. Celia MacDonnell sent her daughter Molly off to a great Public Health Service commission posting, and Dennis Hilliard, Director of the RI State Crime Lab, saw his daughter Nicole graduate, who will be entering community practice. On the Saturday we also celebrated with Michael Simeone, our Coordinator of Experiential Education Pro-grams, as his son Jason Simeone received his Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmaceutical Sciences. Only five times in the 52 year history of the college had we seen faculty off-spring graduate from the College. In addition, our entire faculty, including Teacher of the Year, Professor Anne Hume, developed special relationships with this out-standing class that captured some significant and competi-tive residencies, fellowships, public health and armed ser-vice commissions. We had a beautiful commencement speech by Dr. Andrea Pannagio (’76, ’78, ’82) who deliv-ered a heartfelt message about keeping a patient focus and making a difference in patient care no matter where your practice takes you. Their Senior Banquet was most memorable with a talented and thoughtful display of humor and camaraderie. They will surely reach new heights of success in our rapidly changing profession and health care system. Besides our faculty who were so important to their development, we listed their preceptors in the commence-ment program, as they are a critical and highly valued part of our education. We are proud of these students and what they will do to enhance patient care, and we hope they will stay connected to the College, give back to those who follow in their footsteps, and wear their Rhody Pride with enthusiasm.

I’m also so proud and thankful of all the support indicated on these pages and in our Commencement Program, and of alumni and friends who are giving back their talent, time and treasure to the College and University. Your example and generosity of support is the key reason why we are able to accelerate into this new decade despite adverse economic conditions. Thank you for all you have done, are doing, and will do to help keep your College one of the best in the nation.

Dean Ronald P. Jordan ‘76

The University of Rhode Island

College of Pharmacy

Kingston, RI 02881 401-874-2761

uri.edu/pharmacy

Dean Ronald Jordan

Dr. Joan Lausier Associate Dean,

Academic and Student affairs 401-874-5888

Dr. E. Paul Larrat Associate Dean, Research and

Graduate Education

Dr. Stephen Kogut Chair, Pharmacy Practice

Dr. Clinton Chichester Chair, Biomedical and

Pharmaceutical Sciences

Alumni Newsletter:

Editors: John Grossomanides, Rita Marcoux,, Richard Popovic

Michael Simeone, and Dawne Strickland.

Layout: Ian Lester

Please visit us on our web site at:

www.uri.edu/pharmacy/alumni

Email us at: pharmce@etal.uri.edu

Send us a fax at: 401-874-4424

March 22, 2010 Bill Lehault ’09 was pinned with his rank of lieutenant in the Public Health Service by Admiral Christopher G. Halliday, the Chief Dental Officer. Since graduating last year Bill has undergone almost a year of intense training culminating in this ceremony.

In Pictures

"Sophomore's" studying abroad in Australia: Danielle Ouellette, Alev Gulum, Amanda Waldeck and Rebecca Kraut.

SENIOR Prom: April 29, 2010 URI College of Pharmacy/South Bay Manor

Students from ASCP have been busy once again planning the second annual SENIOR Prom. Compared to last year, there were more URI College of Pharmacy students and residents from South Bay Manor that attended. Residents from South Bay Manor and students from all classes within the pharmacy program met regularly to plan throughout the year. Thank you to the Bridal Garden in East Greenwich for donating a vari-ety of beautiful gowns for the ladies of South Bay Manor and also to the Secret Garden in Jamestown for providing elegant flowers for the tables. There was entertainment, dancing, and a prom court including crowning of a King and Queen of South Bay Manor 2010…it was quite an experience for all those in-volved and a wonderful intergenerational event!

URI’s newly formed NCPA Chapter taking part in the NCPA

Prescription Disposal Project.

BISC is GONE! The pile of stone at the front of picture above is all that remains of BISC. The picture to the left shows the extensive activity on the foundation of the new building.

5 Live construction cameras at: www.uri.edu/pharmacy/newbuilding

College of Pharmacy “Throw down”: Chili – Cookoff In the spirit of the Food Network’s Throwdown with Bobby Flay, the College of Pharmacy Student Leadership Council hosted their very first “throwdown” to raise over $900 for the new building this past February.

Elaine Alexander, NJ Medical Affairs Fellowship Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, NJ

Colleen Allard, MA Hospital Pharmacist TBD, NY/TN

Cheryl Auger, RI Community Pharmacist CVS/Caremark Pharmacy, RI

Christopher Barker, NJ Community Pharmacist Walgreens, NJ

Benjamin Barner, NY Community Pharmacist Walmart Pharmacy, RI

Leanne Berard, RI Community Pharmacist CVS/Caremark Pharmacy, MA

Adam Bober, NY Hospital Pharmacist TBD, NY

Patrice Bobowiec, MD Pharmacist U.S. Navy, FL

Sean Boisvert, RI Community Pharmacist CVS/Caremark Pharmacy, RI

Nate Bookbinder, NY Hospital Pharmacist TBD, NH/ME

Kevin Cabral, MA Hospital Pharmacist TBD, CT

Victor Carlu, RI Community Pharmacist CVS/Caremark Pharmacy, RI

Michael Casey, RI Community Pharmacist CVS/Caremark Pharmacy, RI

Joseph Certo, RI Community Pharmacist Walmart Pharmacy, RI

Christopher Cirelli, MA Staff Pharmacist Ameridose, MA

Erin Cournoyer, MA Community Residency University of Cincinnati, OH

Christine DeAngelo, PA Community Pharmacist Rite Aid Pharmacy, PA

Marco DelBove, RI Hospital Pharmacist Memorial Hospital, RI

Stephanie Denker, NY Community Pharmacist Rite Aid Pharmacy, CT

Meaghan DeNobile, NH Hospital Pharmacist TBD, TBD

David DiBiasio, RI Community Pharmacist CVS/Caremark Pharmacy, RI

Travis Dingman, NH Community Pharmacist Walgreens, CT

Valerie Duffy, PA Community Pharmacist Walgreens, MD

Amanda Dugal, ME PGY1 Residency Lawrence Memorial Hospital, KS

Kasey Dumas, MA PGY1 Residency Sibley Memorial Hospital, DC

Christine Eisenhower, NY PGY1 Residency University of Pittsburgh at St. Margaret Medical Center, PA

David Eld, NJ Community Pharmacist Walgreens, CT

Christopher Federico, MA Community & Hospital Pharmacist CVS/Caremark Pharmacy & TBD Hospital, MA/RI

Andrew Fisher, NJ Community Pharmacist Walgreens, VA

Leslie Flagg, ME Community Pharmacist Walgreens, FL

Marcie Flagg, RI Community Pharmacist Safeway Pharmacy, AK

Shawn Francey, ME PGY1 Residency Eastern Maine Medical Center, ME

Rebekah Fritz, MA Community Pharmacist Walgreens, TX

Colleen Gill, RI PGY1 Residency St.Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center, NY

Sean Gilmore, MA Community Pharmacist CVS/Caremark Pharmacy, MA

Boris Gorsh, NJ Fellowship in Outcomes Research Novartis, TX/NJ

Andrea Handeli, NJ PGY1 Residency Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, MA

Nicole Hilliard, RI Community Pharmacist CVS/Caremark Pharmacy, RI

Erica Hosek, NJ Fellowship Bayer Pharmaceuticals, NJ

Carly Karthauser, PA Community Pharmacist CVS/Caremark Pharmacy, RI

Maria Kluzek, MA Community Pharmacist Rite Aid Pharmacy, NH

Andrew Knapp, ME Community Pharmacist CVS/Caremark Pharmacy, MA

Brianna Knox, ME Long Term Care Waltz Long-Term Care Pharmacy, ME

Brian L'Heureux, ME PGY1 Residency Suburban Hospital, MD

Souksanh Litthisack, RI Community Pharmacist & MBA Student TBD, RI/TX

Samantha Longo, NJ Community Pharmacist CVS/Caremark Pharmacy, MA

Todd Lord, RI Community Pharmacist Rite Aid Pharmacy, NC

Caitlin Lucy, ME Pharmacist in Charge Penobscot Community Health Center Pharmacy, ME

Molly MacDonnell, RI PGY1 Residency Indian Health Service, NM

Kailyn Maloney, NY Community Pharmacist CVS/Caremark Pharmacy, RI

Lauren Marcouillier, NH Community Pharmacist Walmart Pharmacy, NH

Thomas Maresca, NY Community Pharmacist CVS/Caremark Pharmacy, CT

Kourtney Marsh, RI Community Pharmacist CVS/Caremark Pharmacy, FL

Bryan McCarthy, NY PGY1/PGY2 Pharmacy Administration Residency & M.S. Student Hennepin County Medical Center, MN

Kevin McConeghy, RI PGY1 Residency University of Illinois at Chicago, IL

Leah Moriarty, MA Community Pharmacist TBD, MA

Tracy Morrison, MA Community Pharmacist CVS/Caremark Pharmacy, MA

Christina Nasca, VT Community Pharmacist TBD, DC

Nicole Nazy, NJ PGY1 Residency Hospital of St. Raphael, CT

Sarah Norton, MA Community Pharmacist CVS/Caremark Pharmacy, MA

Kevin O'Brien, RI Community Pharmacist CVS/Caremark Pharmacy, RI

Maura O'Keefe, MA Community Phamacist Walgreens, MA

Sarah O'Neill, MA Community Pharmacist CVS/Caremark Pharmacy, MA

Jessica Ouellette, ME Community Pharmacist Rite Aid Pharmacy, MA

Alexander Pease, RI Hospital Pharmacist Eleanor Slater Hospital, RI

Elizabeth Ragsdale, NJ Community Pharmacist Walgreens, TX

James Rebello, III, RI Pharmacist U.S. Air Force, TBD

Emily Reese, MA Law Student TBD, TBD

Sandra Rodak, MA Community Pharmacist TBD, NV

Deanna Rossi, RI PGY1 Residency Lahey Clinic Medical Center, MA

Jeffrey Ryan, RI Community Pharmacist CVS/Caremark Pharmacy, RI

Natalie Sandoval, NJ Hospital Pharmacist TBD, OH

Craig Sawyer, RI Nuclear Pharmacist Hot Shots Nuclear Pharmacy, IL

Rayon Seng, RI Community Pharmacist CVS/Caremark Pharmacy, RI/NH

Brian Seyboth, RI PGY1 Residency Maine Medical Center, ME

Kathryn Seymour, MA Community Pharmacist CVS/Caremark Pharmacy, MA

Ali Shihadeh, RI Community Pharmacist CVS/Caremark Pharmacy, RI

Janine Skipper, MA Community Pharmacist CVS/Caremark Pharmacy, MA

Erica Snape, ME Hospital Pharmacist TBD, CT/ME

Alanna Solomon, RI Community Pharmacist Rite Aid Pharmacy, RI

Aaron Tang, TX Community Pharmacist Walgreens, TX

Sarah Tashiro, RI Community Pharmacist Rite Aid Pharmacy, ME

April Tessier, MA Staff Pharmacist Anna Jaques Hospital, MA

Karen Thudium, PA Fellowship University at Buffalo/Novartis, NY

Srilatha Vallabhaneni, NY PGY1 Residency St. Louis College of Pharmacy, MO

Stacey Valli, CT Hospital Pharmacist St. Josephs/Fatima Hospital, RI

Rebecca Varney, ME Community Pharmacist Osco Pharmacy, ME

Lauren Vieira, MA PGY1 Residency VA Boston Healthcare System, MA

Gregory Wheeler, ME Community Pharmacist Osco Pharmacy, ME

Information on post graduation plans as of May 7, 2010.

Commencement pictures are available at uripharmacy.shutterfly.com/events/2227

The University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy Alumni Newsletter

10

A n d r e w B un d eff a n d R ebe c c a D av i s :

F i n a l i s t s f or t h e U R I R a i n v i l l e

Serv i c e Awa r d

Louise DiChiara Pastore is a College of Pharmacy alumnus who used her degree in pharmacy as a stepping-stone to a new career. Graduating in 1983, a time when women were beginning to become more prominent in professional phar-macy, Pastore worked as a pharmacist for three years before returning to school to become an optometrist.

“When I was in pharmacy school, I really liked healthcare, but I felt like I wanted to do something a bit differ-ent,” says Pastore. “My dad was an optometrist, and several people encouraged me to attend graduate school. I was interested in eyes, so optometry followed naturally.”

Pastore’s graduate work would help her become an accomplished optometrist and owner of Garden City Eye Care in Cranston, Rhode Is-land, a business started by her father, Frank DiChiara. Despite her success in optometry, Pastore appreciates the value of her preparation in pharmacy school as instrumental in her career in healthcare today. “I recommend pharmacy school to high school students who are inter-ested in medicine but aren’t sure which field they want to go into. When you graduate from pharmacy school, you have a usable degree and you are ahead of the curve when you get to graduate school,” Pastore commented.

“If I did it all over again, I would still go to pharmacy school. I think I got a fantastic education, and I think the College of Pharmacy has a lot to offer.”

Moreover, Pastore sees pharmacists as leaders in the broadening of the philosophy behind healthcare in America. “As many healthcare pro-fessionals have acknowledged, we don’t have a healthcare system—we have a disease management system. We take care of people’s dis-eases, but we should also be promoting healthy living. This is a tall order for pharmacists in particular, who counsel patients as some of the most trusted professionals in the industry.”

Pastore’s philosophy is reflected in her daily approach of her work. “I like interacting with patients. Aside from being able to take care of them as a medical professional, I like to talk to them and ask about their lives. You learn from people.”

Away from the office, Pastore is a devoted mother of three. Her two daughters, Elena (12) and Christina (9,) enjoy dance and piano, while Peter (4) enjoys playing soccer. On the weekends, she enjoys heading to Narragansett with her children. “It’s my favorite part of the state, and the kids like the water.”

Chad Lamoureux, Pharmacy Student, Class of 2015

A lum n i P r ofi l e :

L o ui se Di C h i a r a Pas tor e , C l a s s of 1 9 8 3

The College of Pharmacy at the University of Rhode Island has as two of its goals: Inspire lifelong commitments to learning, professionalism, and leadership and Promote service among students, faculty and staff to benefit local, national and global communities. Although many of our Doctor of Pharmacy students at-tain these ideals, two students were recognized recently for their leadership and service contributions to the College and the University by being selected as final-

ists for the University’s Rainville award.

Andrew Bundeff (Class of 2011) is from Cumberland, Rhode Island. For the past 5 years, Andrew has been actively involved in many student organizations. He is the Immediate Past President of Kappa Psi Pharmaceutical Fraternity, Vice President of the American Pharmacist’s As-sociation, member of the Pharmacy Leadership Society, and as a Student Leadership Council member. Andrew has also been a URI 101 Mentor and a student representative for Welcome Day and Centennial Scholar Day. Andrew is also certified to administer immunizations and was an active participant for H1N1 immunization days this past flu season. Andrew has also volunteered at the Rhode Island Free Clinic, a nonprofit organization where uninsured Rhode Islanders receive free health care from private donations. This year’s recognition is his second time as a finalist for the student leadership award.

Rebecca Davis (Class of 2011) is from Berwick, Maine. In addition to her pharmacy studies, she has a minor in Chemistry and is working on her Masters of Business Administration. Rebecca has been a URI 101 mentor for the past 3 years. She was President of Lambda Kappa Sigma, as well as chair of several committees. Rebecca is a member of the Pharmacy Leadership Society and American Society of Consult-ant Pharmacists. She was a representative on the Student Leadership Council for 2 years. Rebecca is also the new secretary for the URI chapter of the National Community Pharmacist's Association.

Commencement 2010

11

Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmaceutical Sciences

Thesis Title Major Professor

Thamir Mesned Alshammari Drug safety issues focusing on liver and pancreas toxicity. E. Paul Larrat

Aisling Caffrey Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus: pharmacoepidemiologic assessment of Brian Quilliam

Michael Dunn Biochemical and structural characteristics of skeletal muscle as indicators of sub- Robert Rodgers

Satyan Sheshadri Kalkunte Trophomlasts and endothelial cells in pregnancy associated vascularization. Clinton Chichester

Ashish Sarode Development of amorphous solid solutions using hot melt extrusion. Hossein Zia

Jason Simeone Evaluation of the treatment patterns for medications utilized in the management of Brian Quilliam

Margaret Teasdale Antagonism of bacterial communication by marine bacteria. David Rowley

Masters Degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences

Thesis Title Major Professor

Linnea Anderson Influence of synthetic compounds on bile acid regulation through farnesoid x recep-tor binding.

Matthew Stoner

Ajay Donepudi Eugenia jambolana (jamun) fruit extract affords protection against cholestasis-induced liver injury and inflammation.

Angela Slitt

Supriya Kulkarni Resveratrol Induction of drug metabolizing enzymes and transporter expression in Angela Slitt

Vijay More Transporter expression in mouse models of diabetes db/db mice and diet-induced Angela Slitt

Maneesha Paranjpe Mepatic transporter expression & gallstone formation in gallstone-resistant & gall- Angela Slitt

Vaidehi Jatin Thanawala Regulation of D2 Dopamine Receptor by G-Protein coupled receptor Kinase-3 and Abraham Kovoor

Ruohan Wang Development and application of interactive dose-response models. Sara Rosenbaum

The University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy Alumni Newsletter

12

Michael Sipala is Executive Director of Administrative and Ancil-lary Services for CharterCARE Health Partners*, a devoted hus-band and father, and a proud University of Rhode Island alum-nus and donor. A Class of ’74 graduate of the College of Phar-macy, Sipala left URI to develop an extensive career in hospital pharmacy—beginning as a clinical pharmacist and venturing into administrative positions—and returned only to give back to pharmacy students and the future of the profession.

Sipala is firmly focused on improving patient care, an objective largely depend-ent upon successful communication and cooperation between program per-sonnel and practitioners within the hospital system. “The toughest part of the job is getting people to come to the table—physicians, pharmacists, and nurses—to work on the same wavelength for the benefit of the patient,” Sipala says. “To be successful, you have to be able to bring everyone together.”

But bringing people together is only part of the job. Sipala’s challenge is in-spiring interest among employees—pharmacists in particular—by specializing their work. “We put our pharmacists on different committees. The reason we do this is because pharmacists might find a niche for themselves. If they enjoy what they’re doing, they’ll want to become more involved with it and it be-comes a project.”

Sipala also oversees student internships at St. Joseph designed to round stu-dents’ experiences in the medical field and offer future pharmacists an addi-tional path—hospital pharmacy. When asked what he hopes to teach students working at the hospital, Sipala replied, “We don’t want students coming in say-ing ‘I’m in pharmacy because of the money.’ The money isn’t the reward; the reward is what you’ve done for your patients.”

Despite all he does as an administrator, there is one thing he misses from his time as a clinical pharmacist: “It is very rewarding when you are working in a hospital, a physician calls upon you for a pharmaceutical recommendation for a sick patient, and that patient gets better.”

Outside of the office, Sipala is an avid sports fan. “My wife and I love sports. She’s the Superintendent of the schools in Narragansett, so we’re both very busy and we like to spend time together when we are home.” He recalls fond memories of playing baseball at URI and of coaching his daughter in soccer.

Sipala has three children, all of whom are students of URI: Lindsey, who graduated with a degree in pharmacy; Christine, who graduated with a PhD in psychology; and Michael, who is working towards a PhD in biology.

Chad Lamoureux, Pharmacy Student, Class of 2015

* CharterCARE Health Partners is a community-based, patient-centered health system that operates Roger Williams Medical Center and Our Lady of Fatima Hospital.

Seminar by the Sea

celebrates S i lver

Anniversary

March 24-26, New-port, Rhode Island was once again a spectacular setting for the 25th Anni-versary of Seminar by the Sea, offered by the College of Pharmacy’s Office

of Continuing Education. The theme for this yearly favorite was Emerging Trends in Patient Care: Diversify Your Expertise and Perspective.

Professional development programs on Wednesday,

March 24 engaged URI College of Pharmacy precep-

tors and others in a detailed look at a successful

Smoking Cessation Program. Program attendees

spent the afternoon assessing available evidence

behind some common natural products with Drs.

Anne Hume and Kelly Orr from the college’s Depart-

ment of Pharmacy Practice.

The plenary sessions on Thursday and Friday ad-

dressed many timely topics such as the role of the

pharmacist in the H1N1 response, the fight against

multi-drug resistant bacteria, health information tech-

nology and the hazards of dispensing oral chemother-

apy in the pharmacy. Christopher Koller, Rhode Is-

land’s Health Insurance Commissioner, spoke about

the role for pharmacists in the much discussed Pa-

tient Centered Medical Home model.

After a successful seminar, the Office of Continuing

Education looks forward to returning to Newport for

the 26th Annual Seminar by the Sea which will occur

on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, March 16, 17 &

18, 2011 at the Hyatt Regency Newport Hotel. In the

meantime, please visit our web site

www.uri.edu/pharmacy/ce to learn about upcoming

professional development opportunities.

A lum n i P r ofi l e :

M i c h a el S i pa l a , C l as s of 1 9 7 4

Commencement 2010

13

“ M c G u y v er P h a r m a c y ”

i n H a i t i

Ewa M . Dzwierzynsk i ‘ 9 6 ,

Pharm D , BCPS , BCNSP ,

Shortly after the devas-tating earthquake in Haiti, I enthusiastically answered an urgent call for volunteer pharma-cists through the Ameri-can College of Clinical Pharmacists. Being a consummate volunteer, I was thrilled to use my professional skills to help with the earthquake relief effort in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

After a month passed, I received an email from the University of Miami stating there was an imme-diate need for pharmacists. I signed up, and in just two weeks I coordinated time off from Rhode Island Hospital, received my vacci-nations, rounded up my gear and was on a plane to Haiti.

I left for Haiti in early March not knowing what to expect…not knowing what I would be doing…not knowing if I was going to be the only pharmacist at the 300-bed field hospital. While in Miami air-port, I realized there were a few other pharmacists that were going to be on the flight with me. It was a great knowing that I was going to have others within my profes-sion on this deployment.

I arrived in Haiti, grabbed my bags and was taken to the hospital with the other volunteers. We received a speedy briefing, staked a cot in the mass sleeping quarters tent, and proceeded on a tour by some of the pharmacists that arrived a few days prior.

The makeshift field hospital in-cluded a supply tent and a general medical ward tent which housed x-ray and the wound care area. An adjacent tent included the pediat-ric ward, OR/PACU, ICU, and a newly opened neonatal and pedi-atric intensive care unit. There was a pharmacy in this area as well as in the general ward tent known as the ‘main pharmacy’.

There was no narcotic inventory and supplies were extremely lim-ited. Before the volunteer phar-macists arrived, all the medical supplies were mixed in with an assortment of donated medica-tions. There were crates of do-nated boxes in the supply yard that had not been opened. No one knew what medications were in stock or the quantities available. This turned out to be one of the most challenging obstacles.

I work as a Clinical Pharmacy Specialist on the Trauma Intensive Care Unit at Rhode Island Hospi-tal, so I assumed I would help care for the adult critical care popula-tion at the field hospital; this was not the case. Since there was a newly opened neonatal and pedi-atric care unit (NICU/PICU) and only a few of the pharmacists that were there had pediatric experi-ence, I had volunteered to staff the NICU/PICU having had NICU ex-perience when working overseas at the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany several years prior.

I prayed everything I knew about caring for neonates would come back to me, and thankfully, it did! Along with two other pharmacists, we staffed this area 24/7. The shifts were long and the days were long. Resources were limited which made everyone become very resourceful. I recall fashion-ing a mortar and pestle out of a glass vial and Dixie cup to crush tablets so that I could make an oral suspension for the babies we were caring for. I called it ‘MacGyver pharmacy’.

I also covered the medical inten-sive care unit as well. When we ran out of fentanyl and midazolam for sedation, we pharmacists had to devise therapeutic alternatives with the resources we had on hand. This turned out to be one of the most important roles in which the pharmacists engaged. Many of the doctors, nurses, and ancil-lary staff, and commanders recog-nized the importance of pharma-cists so much, they developed a plan to hire a full-time pharmacist for the facility.

My most memorable pa-tient was an 8-year old girl named Paulna. A Brazilian Missionary group brought her in be-cause she was severely ill. She was diagnosed with acute respiratory distress syndrome upon arrival. Her condition was so critical that many thought she would not survive. Within a couple of days of receiving ex-ceptional care in the pedi-atric intensive care unit and broad-spectrum anti-biotics, she recovered. It truly was a miracle! Seeing her beautiful smiling face over the next few days and being able to spend time with a fully recovered Paulna made the long hours and primitive conditions worth the effort.

The time I spent in Haiti was defi-nitely the most challenging and rewarding professional experience in my career. It changed my out-look on life both professionally and personally. Through this experi-ence, I met many incredible peo-ple. I would recommend this op-portunity to every pharmacist. I continue to be involved by helping recruit pharmacists to the Univer-sity of Miami Haiti Hospital, and I hope to return once I can accrue more vacation time. I especially thank Christine Berard-Collins, Director of Pharmacy at Rhode Island Hospital, for allowing me the opportunity to help the people of Haiti.

For more information on volunteer-ing or donating:

University of Miami Global Insti-tute: umglobalinstitute.com

Project Medishare: projectmedishare.org

It costs $300 to send a volunteer for a week.

Miracle Paulna, outfitted with do-nated clothing she had picked out, stands with her hero, Dr ‘K’, a volun-teer neonatologist from Pennsyl-vania, and Ewa Dzwierzynski ‘96.

University of Miami Hospital Haiti 300-bed field hospital located adja-cent to Port-au-Prince airport .

NICU/PICU Pharmacy.

The University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy Alumni Newsletter

14

The University of Rhode Island College of Phar-macy gratefully acknowl-edges the alumni, corpo-rations, faculty, founda-tions, friends, students and parents whose gifts have been received by the College between July 1, 09 and June 14, 10. Your continuing support allows us to educate and train the pharmacists, clinicians, pharmaceutical scientists and community leaders of tomorrow.

Every effort has been made to ensure the accu-racy of the information be-low. In the event of an error or omission, please contact Rich Popovic, As-sistant Dean of Develop-ment at 401-874-9017 so that we may correct our records.

Gifts $50,000-$99,999 Hoffmann La-Roche

Gifts $10,000-$49,999 Timothy E Baker &

Baker's Pharmacy of Jamestown

Belviso Family

Scott A. Campbell & Ocean Pharmacy Charlestown

Brian K Dallaire

Dr & Mrs Paul J. Desjardins

David P & Priscilla G Feeney & Oxnard Pharmacy

Douglas O & Kathleen O Fisher*

Foster Corporation

Paul J Hastings

Robert Lewis & Nancy Kelly Iacobucci

Matthew J & Jeanmarie Leonard

NACDS Foundation

Paul D & Jean A Russell

Norman C Saute

Anthony J Solomon

Walgreens

Richard & Lucille Yacino

Gifts $5,000-$9,999 Marc P Bernarducci

Joseph P Burghardt

William E Dewhirst

Charles & Joan Frost

Anne L* & George Hume

Ronald P* & Karen W. Jordan

Eleanor M Perfetto

Robert & Janice Pollock

Rite Aid Corporation

Robert E & Arda Saute

David & Debra Whalley & Newport Prescription Center

Gifts $1,000-$4,999 Dana H Anderson

Anthonys Drug Stores Inc

Donald A Brien

Frederick W & Beverly Ragosta Burgess

Norman A* & Mary Campbell

Mario & Veronica Casinelli

Brian W. Cornell

Lynn K Davis

Louis T & Monica Difazio

ER Card LLC

Erica L* & Todd M Estus

James K Farrell

Kathleen Gazzola

Genentech Inc

John Grossomanides

Dennis C* & Louise D Hilliard

Julie M Jones

George H Kenson

E Paul Larrat* & Amey Wilkinson Larrat

Joan M Lausier*

Pauline R Levasseur

Eric J Mack

Charles D & Georgette M Mahoney

Rita M Marcoux* & James M Gutkowski

Lois Vars Mason* & William B Mason

Andrea V & James O' Hair

Pharmacists Mutual Companies

Rhode Island Hospital

Yuzuru* & Hiroko Shimizu

Danny R Simard

Michael A. & Katherine E. Sipala

Sherry J Soloff

Peter J & Virginia Scorpio Solomon

SuperValu Foundation

Peter John Swenton, Jr. & Irene Roditakis

Rita J Valentino

Kristin A Vogell

F Randy & Jane K Vogenberg

Wal-Mart

Gordon S Willcox

Wyeth

Elena Zour & Francois Menard

Gi f t R e c o g n i t i on — J uly 1 , 2 0 0 9 to J un e 1 4 , 2 0 1 0

Lifetime Benefactors CVS Caremark Corporation

Mario Family Foundation

Dr. Ernest Mario

Omar Family Magnate Foundation

Dr. Mostafa M Omar

Thomas M & Cathy H Ryan

Commencement 2010

15

Gifts $500-$999 Stephen J Allen Carole J Amore Richard E Angeli Sr. Christine M & Christopher J Collins Susan Delmonico Hope Valley Naturals LLC Susan C Johnson Lifescan Inc John J Mastrianni Lynne C Miller Samuel J Montalto, Jr. Louise DiChiara Pastore Vincent T Piccirillo Vincent A & Kathy J Pigula Christopher V Riel Charles A Ritrovato Mary Ellen Rossi Lionel R Savaria Brian & Susan Sawchuk Zahir* & Mary Shaikh Eileen Suarez Patricia Lynn Verhulst

Gifts $250-$499 James Craig Appleby Paula Archer Dugald J Brown Cecilia L Caldwell Katie A Carlson Paul B. Chace & Old Port Pharmacy Clinton O Chichester, III* Young Soo Choi Christine Mary Dollard Susan McCooey Drady Lisa A Durland Roy A Eckloff, Jr. Brett M* & Dawn D Feret Global Education Group David E Johnson Sungja Kang Michele B Kaufman & Jo Ellen Fusco Brian G Kerr Kerry L LaPlante* Frank Laurito Deborah J Magiera Andrew W Marcoux Jeffrey W & Samantha L Mattiucci Andrew C Miller Mylan Laboratories Inc Eric W & Karen L Norberg Joyce O'Brien Arnold M Olshan Denise L Roberts Anthony J Rose Jr William J Summa, Jr. Vasant G Telang Deborah A Thomas Donald M Watson Randolph J Weaver & Maple City Pharmacy

Gifts below $250 Sharon H Abraczinskas John A Amaral American Academy of CME Inc Elizabeth VanVeldhuisen Matthew J Andolfo Joseph M Anthony & Edith Sequino Anthony Kathleen Miller Antil Jeffrey J Ares Stephen P Ashukian Carl J Ashworth Gary F Avila Jacqueline J Baker BankRI Paul Barbour Diane T Barone* Frederick J Barrowclough Rhonda E Bates Bay Realty Ltd

Bertha E Beaudreau & Richard N Larkin Dawne F Benevento Tracy A Benson Robert P Berman Lori Ann Bilodeau Demarie Bioni Laureen Bisaccia Stephanie A Blanchard Margot B Bloom Norman L Bolski Caitlin K Botelho Joanne Knaus Bouchard & William R. Bouchard Clare Boudreau Thomas Francis Brady Jeffrey P Bratberg* & Patricia Cavanagh Robert E Brown Josie P Campbell Kristen J Candon Paul H & Sharon Quirk Capuano Capuzziello & Associates Caremark RX Inc David B & Rebecca Carosella Carmine Catalano Elizabeth A & Roderick AJ Cavanagh John Stuart Champion Chih-Wu & Pei-Tei L Chang Warren S Chernick Peter Chin Michael E Christe Sharlene J Cirillo Diana F Clarke Dorothy Ann Coffin Michael V Colasanti James F. Conroy Vincent J Corea & Jackie Corea Kenny Correia Janet L & Richard A Costa Jonathan A Crisostomo Gordon Paul & Marcia Carroll Daglieri Nancy L Davis Jeffffrey A Del Ricci Jr Delta Kappa Gamma Soc Epsilon Gayle P & Peter Vincent DeMinico Marie Gora DiMicco Mary H Dion Domenic & Rosemary Diorio Amario Diorio Rebecca L Dobbs Patricia A Doherty Bonnie E Dorrell Melanie Metzger Dougherty Carolyn E Drumheller Ronald Dumais Peter H Duquette Durkin Cottage Realty James P & Rebecca A Durkin Cheryl M Dutra Ronald H. Duvall John H Eddy Elizabeth Eldredge Anthony J. Elia Richard W Emery, Jr. Richard Evangelista Alan H Feldman Michael A & Michele A Ferrucci Dennis William Flowers Skip Folsom Philip T Fong Leonard Arthur Forcier Pauline Gagnon Foss Lester Morton Friedman Michael A & Barbara Weiner Frost Brian L Furbush James G Gallagher Jr Gerry Enterprises Inc Gretchen K Golikov Anne L Gould John C Grady John G Greslick Robert S Haas & Thelma Ballirano Hass Thomas E Hackett Patricia A Hagerty Michael Hanley Stephen L Hatt

Elena B Haveles Roderick B Henderson Timothy M & Linda V Hennessey Annette S Hockman Jason M & Susan P Holt Thomas F Hughes Janney & Associates LTD Gregory W Johns Joan L Johnson Marie T Kadlec Robert Lee Kaufman & Norma Resnick Kaufman Mary E Kelly George A Kenna Nancy Costantino Kenna Heemong Kim Vaughn C Kinosian Sergio Kinsala Rivka E Klaff Paula J Knight Lisa M Komadina Philomena W Kong Karen E Kopoian Dawn L Laido William J Lambert Nancy A Landi Orabona Bertrand J Laprade Heather A Larch Ann M Largay William J G & Audrey Lawton Laura Leso Laurie L Lincoln Micole Linehan Ronald M Lombardi Celia MacDonnell* David Joseph Magiera Wayne R Marquardt Paul Omer Masse Joseph Louis & Sonja A Masso Shirley Pinder McKee McKesson Corporation Peter McMurray Roland R Medeiros Debra S Megrdichian Kathleen M Melbourne Natalie A Mendham Stuart T Meridian Larry Meyerson Middletown Cruise & Travel Agency Colby A Miller Donna L Miller Edward T Moldenhauer Jr Justina A Molzon Jeanne M Moriak Eric E Morse Richard L Moultrop Deborah M Mulhearn Pauline A Murphy Patricia R* & Neil Murray NAAMECC Carolyn Quinlan Nadworny Joseph D Nasca Ann F Nash James Patrick Nash National Assoc of Retired Fed Employees Harold A Nelson Newport Federal Savings Bank Karen A & Michael T O'Brien Kenneth F & Alicia Olszewski Mark F Orszulak Carol Lea Ours Karen M Overstreet Helen R Palmer* Richard E Palumbo Ronald Mario & Eileen Paolino Eugene Anthony Parker Sara Pawlowicz Elizabeth Payson Joanne E Payson John Jay & Maureen A Pelosi Sherry Pierce William Francis Pittman Rogene Poffenberger Frederick C. & Joan E. Polseno Edward J Popkin

Diane D Powers Marian Hersh Press Prime Education Inc. Pro-Change Behavior Systems Inc. Surendra K Puri Shirley Freeman Putney & Edward J Putney Charles Joseph Raiola Marcus & Eleanor Rand Thomas E Rawlinson, Jr. Robert G Records Mary Carr Rice Cheryl Lynn Ritzi Martha J Roberts Eric P Rodes Constantine Roditakis Eric A Rose Louis G Roy John P Rufo Elizabeth I Russell RxInsider Ltd Mark L Saible Rosalie Saltzman Schering Corp Mary McDonald Schmidt Ann M Schumacher Joan P Scott Leonard G Seader Cosimo A Serio Michael D & Audry E. Sherry Janet Shurtleff Susan Helga Sidel Jason C & Tovia A Siegel Michael L* & Jennifer Simeone Smithfield Lions Club Susan I Soldivieri John J Solomon Paula A Solomon South County Men's Indoor Soccer Team Donald P Souza June Tyler Spink* Alan R St. Amand & Mary Skurka St. Amand Robert T Steadman Sr Susan Susienka Charles A Sweet Lisa B* & Andrew A Szumita Jessica L Tavares Louise F Theberge Joseph Tkacheff, Jr. Anthony J Trask Mary Ann A Tsonos Nicole Vaccari Christopher Vancheri Vanguard-Fine LLC John W Varone Ravindra C & Hubertina H Vasavada Adolph E Vezza Washington County Retired Teachers Association Jessica Weintraub Jason D Welesko William Z Welsh, Jr. Warren A & Joann Murphy Wetzel Anna M White Erin Ryan Wilson Trisha J Winroth Paul R Winter Christopher A Woodruff Raymond A & Deanna DiBiasio Wright Thai Yang Josephine Zaccagnini Marilyn R Zaino John R & Cheryl A Zevzavadjian Hossein Zia*

* Indicates a gift from member of the

College’s faculty or staff (including emeritus faculty)

Rx I m pa c t On March 10th, a group of University of Rhode Island pharmacy students and professors traveled to the nation’s capital in order to advocate for better phar-macy care. Pharmacy students Ben Carroll, Megan Elias, and Ashley Pincins, led by Associate Dean Paul Larrat and Elaina Goldstein, met with US Senators and Congressmen to discuss key pharmacy issues. The policy makers met were Senators Sheldon Whitehouse, Jack Reed and Scott Brown. The team also met with Congressman James Langevin’s legislative aide.

The advocacy event, better known as “RxImpact Day”, was hosted by the National Associa-tion of Chain Drug Stores—the organization has been very pro-active in ensuring the future of pharmacy practice. Other par-ticipants included major phar-macy chain executives, commu-

nity pharmacists, and 15 other pharmacy schools. The Univer-sity of Rhode Island is a forerun-ner of the event—The College of Pharmacy was one of only two schools to attend the first RxIm-pact Day. The Dean, Ron Jor-dan, is also one of a select few awarded the title of RxImpact Pioneer for his involvement with the event.

The students discussed issues that dealt with multiple aspects of pharmacy care and accessi-bility. Pharmacy Student Megan Elias states, “I know that more pharmacist involvement is better healthcare.” The discussed is-sues were to allow more access and funding for medication ther-apy management, proper reim-bursement for generic medica-tions, and maintaining easy ac-cessibility to pharmacist admin-istered vaccines. All of these

Ashley Pincins, Ben Carroll, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, Paul Larrat, Elaina Goldstein and Megan Elias.

points are expected to be topics of upcoming debates in legisla-tion, and the decisions will deter-mine the future of healthcare.

The group is expecting to main-tain talks with Senators White-house, Reed and Congressman Langevin while healthcare de-bates approach. Upcoming in-formation and discussion will give a more in-depth perspective on the potential benefits of pro-pharmacy legislation to the poli-cymakers. Pharmacy Student Ben Carroll states, “The phar-macist is the most accessible healthcare professional in the industry, and it is time that we start utilizing the full benefit of that.”

Ben Carroll, Pharmacy Student, Class of 2012

Megan Elias and Ashley Pincins share their reflections on video at: www.uri.edu/pharmacy/videoshowcase/

www.uri.edu/pharmacy/deansoffice/video.shtml

Every gift to your College of Pharmacy accelerates the programs we offer, the research we do and the health care outreach services we deliver.

Your gifts to the “Fund For URI – College of Pharmacy” help deliver student scholar-ships, support student professional and learning activities such as study abroad for foreign language immersion learning or travel for further professional development at national organization meetings.

Our new building will enhance research in the pharmaceutical sciences in areas of toxicology, pharmacology, natural products, medicinal chem-istry, pharmaceutics, pharmaco-economic and pharmaco-epidemiology. Leading edge research is incorporated into our curriculum and teaching to keep our graduates at the forefront of scientific understanding related to health care therapy. Gifts can sup-port the “Pharmacy Future Fund” which will go directly into creating the most energy efficient and advanced learning and research facility avail-able to any College of Pharmacy in the North East.

You can support graduate studies, faculty and specific program areas if you prefer. We hope that our alumni and friends remember how this college has influenced their life and success and that they recognize it is critical to give back to continue the legacy of excellence we have established at URI. Any and all gifts are appreciated.

Please give now using the link provided below or contact me or Richard Popovic the Assistant Dean for Development if you would like more specific information or assistance forming a gift plan.

Thank you for whatever you can do to help.

Dean Ronald P. Jordan ‘76

The University of Rhode Island

College of Pharmacy

Kingston, RI 02881 uri.edu/pharmacy

Dean Ronald Jordan ronjordan@uri.edu

Rich Popovic

Assistant Dean of Development

rpopovic@foundation.uri.edu 401-874-9017

Make your gift @ www.uri.edu/pharmacy/giving

Stay Connected

The College of Pharmacy, along with many other organiza-tions such as the American Pharma-cists Association, has embracing the power and potential of Facebook to

connect their extended communi-ties of students, alumni, faculty and friends.

We would like to encourage you to join our group and become a part of our online Facebook community.

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=24905243196