JUL 10, 2018 - DR. LAURA SHANE-MCWHORTER INTERVIEWED BY DIABETES IN CONTROL PUBLICATION
"It’s really important for clinicians to establish a good rapport with their patients."
Our own Dr. Laura Shane-McWhorter was interviewed by Diabetes In Control publication at The 27th Annual AACE Scientific & Clinical Congress in Boston, MA.
Dr. Shane-McWhorter provides many insightful pieces of advice and information regarding diabetes, for both patients and healthcare professionals. Click below to view her interviews, and hopefully learn something new!
JUL 26, 2018 - COP STORIES - CHAZ WASHINGTON
Introducing CoP Stories, a series in which we get to know the intriguing individuals who make the University of Utah College of Pharmacy unique. We will be highlighting students, faculty, alumni, and anyone else who positively impacts our school in order to learn about their experience within the college.
To start us off, we are talking to Chaz Washington, Class of 2012 alumnus. Chaz is a great example of an involved alumni, and a student who turned a PharmD paired with an MBA into a rewarding and distinctive career in Managed Care. Read or watch Chaz’s CoP Story below!
Tell us a little bit about your background.
"I’m Chaz Washington, I am From Salt Lake City, and graduated from the College of Pharmacy in 2012. I currently work for Aetna, which is a national health plan. It’s in the area of managed care. I got there because I pursued a managed care residency post graduation. It really helped prepare me for the role I have right now as a Senior Pharmacy Director at Aetna. I work a lot with their Medicare and Medicaid plans and making sure people have access to medications at a national scale, so it's very exciting and impactful in that regard."
So you graduated from pharmacy school, but you are not a clinical pharmacist. How did your pharmacy education translate into a different career path?
"That’s why I like pharmacy; it's a dynamic field, and there are a lot of options [for careers]. When you say I’m not a pharmacist or practicing as a pharmacist, it's still a requirement in my role to be a pharmacist, it just doesn't look like the typical pharmacist that we picture when we maybe think of retail or hospital. So it's another area called managed care, and it has a bigger business focus and population health focus than an individual pharmacist that you may be thinking of."
Tell us a little bit about your background.
"I’m Chaz Washington, I am From Salt Lake City, and graduated from the College of Pharmacy in 2012. I currently work for Aetna, which is a national health plan. It’s in the area of managed care. I got there because I pursued a managed care residency post graduation. It really helped prepare me for the role I have right now as a Senior Pharmacy Director at Aetna. I work a lot with their Medicare and Medicaid plans and making sure people have access to medications at a national scale, so it's very exciting and impactful in that regard."
So you graduated from pharmacy school, but you are not a clinical pharmacist. How did your pharmacy education translate into a different career path?
"That’s why I like pharmacy; it's a dynamic field, and there are a lot of options [for careers]. When you say I’m not a pharmacist or practicing as a pharmacist, it's still a requirement in my role to be a pharmacist, it just doesn't look like the typical pharmacist that we picture when we maybe think of retail or hospital. So it's another area called managed care, and it has a bigger business focus and population health focus than an individual pharmacist that you may be thinking of."
Why did you decide to go back to school to pursue an MBA?
"I also went back [to school] and pursued my MBA here at the University of Utah, and I think that helped get me into that roll as well. It’s [MBA degree] great, especially in my field, managed care, because there really is a business component to it. We have to look at penal statements, balance sheets, evaluate staffing, and the MBA really serves as a great compliment to the PharmD to bring those additional skill sets. The first question when I came into the [MBA] interview was like ‘oh you’re a pharmacist, tell me why you want to pursue the MBA?’. I talked to them about managed care, and told them why an MBA would provide a great complementary skill set, and they were very excited for the background that I would that I would bring and contribute to an MBA program. To have someone with a PharmD background in sciences, it makes for a more diverse classroom and stimulates a different discussion."
Why did you want to become a pharmacist?
"I’ve always really enjoyed science, and I’ve always really enjoyed working with people, and I thought pharmacy; you get that science component but then you also get to work with people everyday, so that really put pharmacy on my radar. The more I looked into it, I saw how many different options you have with a PharmD. You can go to retail, hospital, managed care; so not just your traditional pharmacy role you’re thinking of, and I really like that aspect of it and that’s why I chose to pursue it."
What is your favorite thing about pharmacy?
"My favorite thing about pharmacy is that I really like how everyday there's something different. Whether it's a new drug coming across my desk, or a new problem we’re trying to solve; and me working in managed care dealing with health insurance on a national scale, we’re always dealing with new problems on how to better improve access to medications to patients who typically have trouble accessing them. It's the problem solving aspect and the dynamic nature of the field that I really enjoy."
Why did you choose to attend the University of Utah College of Pharmacy?
"When evaluating which pharmacy school to go to, I obviously looked at a lot of options. The University of Utah stood out to me because number one it’s reputation. It is regarded as a very top-tier school, and I knew I'd be getting a great education at the University of Utah. I also really liked the fact that the College of Pharmacy is not isolated by itself; you've got Huntsman Cancer Institute up here, a great hospital, Primary Children's, all of which you get exposed to and have learning opportunities in. Also the fact that there’s a Medical school, a Nursing school, a Physical Therapy school [near the College of Pharmacy], so there’s a lot of interdisciplinary activities and opportunities to pursue, and that is something that was very important to me.
Academically, it’s certainly a rigorous program. Just reflecting on what I knew before I went into pharmacy school, and how much I knew leaving it, it was an exponential change. In order to succeed in any capacity, you need need to be able to work with people of different skill sets, backgrounds, educations, cultures, and the University of Utah really exposes you to all of that. With the interdisciplinary activities, you get to work with nurses and physicians, so early on you establish that relationship and are comfortable working with one another. Also, [the College of Pharmacy offers] great tuition; pharmacy school is getting very expensive, and the University of Utah really offers competitive tuition. I’m very grateful that I went that route with the low tuition."
What's your favorite thing about the University of Utah College of Pharmacy?
"I really enjoyed my classmates. They were a great; a diverse group from a lot of different backgrounds, a lot of different experiences. [We] really got along well, and bonded with them, and became very close over the four years we were here. I made a lot of great friends and lasting connections; I really think that was probably my favorite part."
Why have you chosen to remain involved with the college as an alumnus?
"I just really enjoy maintaining those relationships, and I’m really happy [the college] provides a lot of opportunities to get together and reconnect. The Alumni Golf Tournament, the Gala for example, the Alumni Dinners are all fun and all the various activities they have. I really enjoy reconnecting with everyone, and the faculty here are great, and I had great relationships with them, so it’s always good to check in and see how they’re doing and to update them on what I’m up to, and I really enjoy that."
What’s the best piece of advice you received when you were in pharmacy school?
"Probably to not be afraid to experience new things and step outside of your comfort zone. Pharmacy can be very scary, especially for an incoming P1, very intimidating, but you just have to dive in and not be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone and look at areas that initially you may think you’re not interested in, but try them out. That’s really how I got into managed care; I didn’t know that area existed, and so I looked into it further and here I am now with a career in managed care."
What advice would you give to a current or incoming pharmacy student?
"I’d probably pass that same piece of advice on. Don’t be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone. Definitely while you're here in your four years, try to experience as many new things as possible, challenge yourself, and try not to stick to the status quo. Gain as many experiences as you can."
*Edited for clarity and grammar.
AUG 01, 2018 - PHONG LU AWARDED A SKAGGS FELLOWSHIP AWARD FOR THE 2018-2019 ACADEMIC YEAR
Phong Lu of Lim Lab has been awarded a Skaggs Fellowship Award for the 2018-2019 Academic year. This award was voted on by College of Pharmacy faculty & staff and the competition was very competitive. We are proud to have students who enjoy their research and continue to pursue new challenges.
AUG 09, 2018 - DISTINGUISHED PROFESSOR YOU HAN BAE'S MANUSCRIPT "ORAL DELIVERY OF NANOPARTICLES" EMBARGOED BEFORE PUBLICATION
Distinguished Professor Dr. You Han Bae received notification that the American Chemical ACS considered his paper “Oral Nanoparticles Exhibit Specific High-Efficiency Intestinal Uptake and Lymphatic Transport,” (Manuscript#nn-2018-043152.R2) submitted to ACS Nano, for a short, embargoed press release. The embargoed release began August 3, 2018 and ended August 8, 2018. During this time period, Dr. Bae was allowed to respond directly to journalists. As many of us know, it is quite an honor to have a manuscript embargoed before it has even been accepted for publication. Great Work Dr. Bae!
Below is the abstract of Dr. Bae’s submitted manuscript:
Oral Delivery of Nanoparticles
ACS Nano
Nanoparticles show great promise as diagnostic tools and drug delivery agents. The tiny particles, which scientists can modify with drugs, dyes or targeting molecules, can travel in the circulation and squeeze through small spaces into cells and tissues. But until now, most nanoparticles had to be injected into the bloodstream because they weren’t absorbed well orally. Now, researchers reporting in ACS Nano have modified nanoparticles to improve their uptake in the gastrointestinal tract.
When it comes to daily medication, most people would rather take a pill than an injection. So scientists have tried to design nanoparticles that, when taken orally, are readily absorbed through the intestine and into the bloodstream, instead of being excreted from the body. But so far they have had little success. You Han Bae and his colleagues wondered if they could get polystyrene nanoparticles to “hitch a ride” with bile acids --- small molecules that help move digested fats from the intestine into special cells called enterocytes, where fats are processed before entering the circulation.
The researchers attached 24 copies of a bile acid to each nanoparticle (100 nm in diameter), as well as a red fluorescent compound for easy visualization. When the team fed the modified nanoparticles to rats, about 47 percent of the particles made it into the blood. This was much improved from the 7 percent seen for nanoparticles lacking bile acids. Larger nanoparticles were not taken up as well as smaller ones, however. Bae and coworkers also showed preliminary evidence that bile acids on the nanoparticles interact with a protein (bile acid transporter) found on the surface of enterocytes that might help the nanoparticles move through the cells and into the circulation.
The authors acknowledge funding from the National Institutes of Health.
AUG 22, 2018 - ALUMNI BOWLING NIGHT 2018
Alumni and P1 bowling night took place on August 21, 2018. It was a huge success and yielded a great turnout. Many P1s, alumni, faculty, staff, and families attended. Thank you to everyone who came out and showed off their skills. Shoutout to the Alumni Association and Development Team for making it all happen!
AUG 24, 2018 - ALUMNI NEWSLETTER - SUMMER 2018
We have our current Alumni Newsletter available to view below! A few features of this publication are the Class of 2018 Convocation, the Alumni Golf Tournament, an Alumni Story, Legacy Scholarships, and more. We will also be introducing the new President of the Alumni Association, Kevin Walkenhurst. Stay connected to your alma mater, and check out the Alumni Newsletter below!
SEP 04, 2018 - DR. JACLYN WINTER NAMED A FELLOW FOR SCIALOG
Dr. Jaclyn Winter of Medicinal Chemistry was selected as a Fellow for Scialog: Chemical Machinery of the Cell by the Research Corporation for Science Advancement and the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation! This is an impressive accolade that is only given to a select few impressive individuals. Congratulations Dr. Winter!
SEP 05, 2018 - U OF U COP STUDENTS PLACE HIGH IN 18TH ANNUAL STUDENT PHARMACIST PHARMACY & THERAPEUTICS COMPETITION
The University of Utah College of Pharmacy successfully competed in the 18th Annual Student Pharmacist Pharmacy & Therapeutics (P&T) Competition at the Annual AMCP meeting held in Boston, Massachusetts on April 23-26, 2018. The P&T Competition provides a firsthand experience into the complex practice of managing the formulary process. This year, 60 AMCP Student Pharmacist Chapters nationwide participated, from which sixteen teams were selected for the semifinals. The Utah team was selected as one of the top eight teams that were selected for the live national finals, which took place April 24 at the AMCP Annual Meeting. Team members included Tavan Parker, Stephanie Hansen, Kelsey Lockwood and Jordan Leach, from the University of Utah College of Pharmacy P3 class at the time of the competition.
The 2018 national finalists included: the University of Utah; The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy; University of California San Diego Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences; University of Illinois at Chicago College of Pharmacy; University of Michigan College of Pharmacy; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Eshelman School of Pharmacy; University of the Pacific Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences; and the University of Wisconsin—Madison School of Pharmacy. The top three winners were University of North Carolina Chapel Hill Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago College of Pharmacy, and Ohio State University College of Pharmacy.
This year the Student AMCP chapter is gearing up again to send a top eight competitor to the nationals. The chapter has started to prepare early for this year’s competition. Competitors are improving their drug information and research skills through a variety of AMCP workshops. Workshop topics include: what to expect from the competition, how to navigate a dossier, cost-effectiveness analysis, and formulary management considerations. The chapter will benefit from the experiences of last year’s team members; as they will be available as P4 students to provide competing teams with guidance and tips to manage each section of the competition. Students will have many resources available to help them rise to the challenge of reaching nationals again.
SEP 10, 2018 - CLASS OF 2022 WHITE COAT CEREMONY
The University of Utah College of Pharmacy Class of 2022 White Coat Ceremony took place on Friday, September 7, 2018. A huge thank you goes out to our wonderful students and their very supportive loved ones! We also want to thank our staff who made the event go so smoothly, and our faculty and alumni for their continual support and dedication to the college. We look forward to watching the Class of 2022 flourish over the next four years.
SEP 14, 2018 - MALIHEH FREE CLINIC DEDICATES NEW FACILITY WITH HELP FROM U OF U COLLEGE OF PHARMACY
Dear College of Pharmacy students, faculty, and staff,
Wednesday, I had the pleasure of attending, along with several current and former CoP PharmD students, the ribbon cutting ceremony for a beautiful new building being dedicated by Maliheh Free Clinic. It was inspiring and exciting to see how far Maliheh has come in the 13 years of its existence. Maliheh has become a major provider of care to thousands of underserved members of our community, and it was wonderful to help them celebrate their new building. For me, what made the event particularly memorable was that, at the accompanying banquet, our students were presented with the Maliheh Legacy of Caring and Community Service Award. Students from the college have volunteered countless hours at the clinic over the past decade and have raised more than $200,000 for the clinic. What’s remarkable is that our student contributions from the college have been almost entirely student organized and student driven. I was incredibly proud to see how much their involvement has meant to the clinic and its patients over the past decade. My hearty congratulations to everyone who has contributed to Maliheh Free Clinic for receiving this award, and my sincere thanks to all of you for your compassionate care for the underserved in our community.
Sincerely,
Randy
SEP 15, 2018 - KAPPA PSI EPSILON CHI HOSTS FOOD DRIVE
Every year, Kappa Psi Epsilon Chi hosts rush events to garner the interest of potential members. This year, our first rush event was a food drive that took place at the Smith’s Marketplace downtown on Saturday, September 1st. We had over 20 participants volunteering their time at our event, including first year pharmacy students, active brothers, a brother from Roseman University, and even Dr. Karissa Lee, a University of Utah graduate and brother! Thanks to the help of all of our volunteers, we were able to donate an impressive 650 lbs of food to donate to our local Utah Food Bank. We were even highlighted on social media by Sean Moody, a journalist from KSL! It was an overall wonderful experience to be of service to our community, and to represent the College of Pharmacy in a positive light.
-Kuang-yie Vo
Historian 2018-2019
SEP 19, 2018 - GREGORY SKEDROS LEGACY
We recently talked to Gregory Skedros as part of our Legacy series here at the College of Pharmacy. Gregory Skedros is an alumnus who graduated from the University of Utah College of Pharmacy in 1950, the college's first-ever graduating class. Skedros is an extremely valuable asset to the College of Pharmacy, as he paints a living picture of what the school was like during its conception.
However, Skedros was not just a pharmacist during his 90 years of life and counting. He is a veteran, restaurant-owner, botanist, athlete, former soda jerk, Greek Festival chairman, a father, husband, a choiralier, and much more. Whew! His countless interests coupled with his hard-working demeanor has made Skedros one of the most unique individuals that has hailed from the College of Pharmacy (and perhaps Utah at large…)
SEP 21, 2018 - PLS & RHO CHI INDUCTION CEREMONY 2018
Rho Chi Induction and Phi Lambda Sigma - Alpha Chi Chapter Induction took place on Wednesday, September 19, 2018. Congratulations to all of our amazing students who have worked hard to distinguish themselves as leaders within the College of Pharmacy and elsewhere!
Phi Lambda Sigma is an honorary society (not fraternity) that recognizes leaders, and fosters leadership to enhance the profession of pharmacy. To read about the new members and what leadership means to them, click here. Listed students are newly inducted members of the Phi Lambda Sigma who have demonstrated exemplary leadership, moral standards, and ethical values:
Alex Watanabe
Ashley Tran
Chris Khong
Hillary Parkin
Keith Keddington
Michael Stapley
Ngan Huynh
Peter Chad Adamovich
Presley Whetman
Shannon Tuttle
Sweta Patel
Taylor Eno
Rho Chi is an academic honor society in pharmacy. Membership in The Rho Chi Society is a privilege accorded to the very few who distinguish themselves by their academic and professional achievements and who aspire to the mission and vision of the Society. These students sit at the top of the class academically. Listed below are the newly induced members:
Taylor Eno
David Ahlmer Gillins
Savannah Goodrich Hansen
Calvin Michael Jahng
Cassidy Melissa Jennings
Lydia McKay
Jeffrey Sperry
Taylor Katelyn Wood
Cole William Chambers
Sean Christensen
Kelsey Brown
McKayla Poulson
Keith Keddington
OCT 02, 2018 - PROFILES IN PHARMACY #1 - BENJAMIN DAVIES: UTAH POISON CONTROL CENTER
Ben Davies: Utah Poison Control Center
The mother on the phone is experiencing every parent’s nightmare. Her child swallowed a pill from an adult prescription.
Ben Davies (PharmD, ’18), a toxicology fellow at the Utah Poison Control Center (UPCC), is on the line. He asks for specifics and calmly explains that the child needs to be taken to the hospital.
“If she stops breathing, you need to pull over to the side of the road and call 911,” says Davies, counseling the mom not to run any red lights.
Davies is reassuring. He promises to call back in 15 minutes to see what hospital the mother chooses. And then the conversation is over — one call of many on an average afternoon.
“On a day-to-day basis, we help each family — mother, father, child — one at a time,” says Davies, 30, a recent College of Pharmacy graduate deepening his skills at the UPCC.
The Path to PharmD
Most people assume a pharmacy degree leads to a career dispensing medication in a retail setting. While many alumni do follow that path, others like Davies know there are equally rewarding and challenging roles for pharmacists outside traditional settings.
Becoming a pharmacist wasn’t something Davies dreamed of as a kid growing up in Spanish Fork. Like many ambitious students, he wanted to be a physician when he initially enrolled at Brigham Young University. But the freshman year pre-med classes didn’t feel quite right.
It was during a trip to Cuba with BYU’s musical theater group that he saw the prevalence of Farmacias — seemingly on every corner. People walked in and out getting the help they needed.
“Right then on that bus in Havana I came to the conclusion that pharmacy was the kind of career I wanted to go into,” Davies said. “Pharmacists are involved in people’s lives and make meaningful impacts in people’s lives.”
Choosing Toxicology and Poison Control
At 18, Davies was diagnosed with a thyroid condition that required him to take daily medication. Unfortunately, neither his doctor nor the pharmacist taught him how to take the drug properly, but the drugs seemed to help anyway.
Two months later, however, follow-up bloodwork suggested the medication wasn’t working. Doctors told him to stop taking it, and the symptoms returned—Davies experienced hair loss and frequently felt cold and tired.
“I remember begging my mom to take me back to the doctor to get me another blood test. Sure enough they said I needed to get back on the medication,” he said. "We have all these wonderful pharmaceuticals and medications in the world, but if you don’t know how to take them properly you can have adverse reactions, effects, or lack of efficacy.”
But even Davies didn’t realize pharmacists worked at Poison Control until he began researching pharmacy schools across the country. In Utah, trained pharmacists answer the phones, provide education throughout the state, and assist health care teams after individuals go to the hospital. They also collaborate with government bodies to track epidemics and health crises from hepatitis outbreaks to the impacts of freshwater algal blooms.
The UPCC handles an average of 118 calls per day—operating 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Children under six, especially those between one and two years old, make up the majority of exposures. Those children have primarily been exposed at home to cosmetics, personal care products, and household cleaning substances.
A six-year study of calls in Utah found that more than 14,400 emergency room visits were prevented annually through the assistance of UPCC staff, saving Utahans up to $24.4 million in unneeded medical costs each year.
A Great Future
Davies is in the first of his two-year fellowship, a position he earned after working at UPCC while pursuing his PharmD degree. He will participate in a series of rotations at other locations, including University Hospital’s emergency department and the ICU at Primary Children’s Hospital.
After the fellowship, Davies will take a test to become a clinical toxicologist. This will allow him to manage more critical cases and pursue upper level administration in poison centers. He envisions himself using his training to work in Utah or at a poison control center in another state.
“I really like educating,” he says.
OCT 05, 2018 - MALIHEH FREE CLINIC SPOTLIGH
Recently, we visited the brand new Maliheh Free Clinic during a student-run clinic session! The turnout was great, and many patients were able to get a flu shot from one of our PharmD students. It was fantastic to see multidisciplinary teams and their preceptors hard at work to maintain the health of our community.
OCT 10, 2018 - RESEARCH COLLABORATION AGREEMENT SIGNING CEREMONY
We hosted a Signing Ceremony for a research collaboration agreement between SCM Lifescience and CSTEC@Utah.
SCM Lifescience is a South Korean organization that focuses on high-quality stem cell therapeutics, while the U of U College of Pharmacy’s CSTEC@Utah is a collaborative research center focused on using cell sheet engineering technology for advanced regenerative medicine. This research agreement will aid both parties in continuing to develop cutting-edge technology to encourage more effective healthcare.
OCT 11, 2018 - RURAL OUTREACH TRIP TO BLANDING, UTAH
A group of our PharmD students recently took a Rural Outreach Trip to Blanding, Utah. PharmD Class of 2021 student, Simi Kaur, reflects on her trip below:
"Blue Mountain Hospital located in Blanding, Utah serves the people of San Juan county. Located six hours south of Salt Lake City, the hospital provides services ranging from Emergency Care to Dialysis to Obstetrics. Andy Bayles and Tyler Gilson are 2 out of the 5 pharmacists employed at Blue Mountain and were our amazing preceptors during our outreach trip. The pharmacists are an integral part of the health care team at Blue Mountain. The patients and physicians know that they can always count on their pharmacists to assists them with their medical needs. Through direct patient care, Andy and Tyler have built long term relationships with their patients and have created strong sense of community between the pharmacists and the patient's at Blue Mountain Hospital.
I was 1 out of the 7 students from the UUCOP to attend the rural outreach trip to Blanding. I headed to Blanding with the thought that I'd get to sharpen my immunizations skills and visit Southern Utah but left with a completely different view about rural pharmacy practices.
I was able to administer influenza vaccinations to patients in Blue Mountain's Dialysis Center. Tyler, the pharmacist, gave me a tour of the dialysis center and explained what leads patients to eventually begin dialysis, what components there are of a dialysis machine, and how pharmacist specifically work with dialysis patients to provide them with optimal care. In my therapeutics course, we had completed our nephrology module just 2 weeks prior to the trip. Being able to learn about dialysis, visit a dialysis center, and interact with patients on dialysis truly enhanced my education by bringing my knowledge full circle.
I truly believe this is the beauty of actively participating in student organizations and the opportunities through APhA and our various student organizations at the UUCOP are endless."
OCT 16, 2018 - COP STUDENTS IN ATTENDANCE AT HEALTH SCIENCES SCHOLARSHIP BANQUET
The Health Sciences Scholarship Banquet took place on October 16, 2018. A handful of College of Pharmacy scholarship recipients and their sponsors attended the dinner.
OCT 22, 2018 - PROFILES IN PHARMACY #2 - COLE SLOAN: EMERGENCY ROOM PHARMACIST
Cole Sloan: Emergency Room Pharmacist
When a patient arrived with sepsis at American Fork Hospital, everything Cole Sloan had learned in pharmacy school suddenly came to life. Here was a person in true crisis. The advice of the emergency room pharmacist would be critical to ensuring the man lived.
It was an ordinary clinical rotation—standard for a PharmD program—and it changed the course of Sloan’s career.
Another patient came in after an overdose. A doctor tossed Sloan the bottle of pills and told him to help research the drug.
“That’s when I fell in love,” Sloan recalled of his first time in the emergency department (ED). “You don’t know what’s coming in the next five minutes. You have to be ready for anything.”
Today the 34-year-old is part of a well-established team of clinical pharmacists who staff the ED at University of Utah Hospital. Sloan had explored a variety of pharmacy careers, from retail to administration, while studying at the U’s College of Pharmacy and was particularly struck by the growth in skill level of the ED residents he observed.
So, after a year of post-graduate pharmacy practice residency at the University of Arizona and a second in emergency medicine, he joined University of Utah Health. With the number of ED pharmacists on the rise nationally, Sloan entered a growing field. In fact, U of U Hospital recently added two more pharmacists to its ED team, with more growth to come.
“I don’t have to wonder if I’m making an impact,” said Sloan, who grew up in Salt Lake City. “People say emergency medicine is the most interesting 15 minutes of every other specialty.
A former lacrosse player, Sloan loves the team aspects of emergency medicine. The doctors and nurses rely on his depth of knowledge. They also help him improve.
“We’re all working toward a great outcome for the patient,” Sloan said. “I didn’t think this is what a pharmacist could be doing.”
Sloan’s Path to Pharmacy
In fact, Sloan had not anticipated a career in pharmacy at all. He had planned to use his biochemistry undergraduate degree to teach math and science. After teaching for a year in England, he discovered it wasn’t his true calling.
Sloan’s uncle, a professor at Washington State University, encouraged him to explore the field, so he briefly worked as a Walgreen’s pharmacy technician. He wasn’t convinced this was his path either. “My uncle convinced me there was more out there,” he said.
After a summer spent working in a research lab, Sloan realized he wanted to work with people and distill information in ways they could understand. Maybe he would try pharmacy after all. The diversity of rotations for students at U of U College of Pharmacy and access to a major health system convinced him that the school would be a great fit.
Life in the ED
At University Hospital, where Sloan’s pharmacy colleagues typically have 10 or more years of experience in the field, some days are a cascade of interesting cases.
On a recent night, an elderly woman came in with a urinary tract infection. She had already taken a muscle relaxant earlier in the day. Common treatments for UTI would have been potentially deadly in combination with her other prescription. Sloan coordinated with the ER physician to provide medication that would not have a dangerous interaction.
“That could have caused major complications and potentially killed her,” he said.
Sometimes Sloan helps people manage more everyday health problems, like diabetes. Even that can be truly rewarding.
“I make an impact every day,” he said. “I can work a little more closely with their medications—that’s usually where their problem is—and talk to their pharmacist and primary care provider.”
Looking Forward to the Future
In 2019, Sloan will begin directing a new second-year emergency department residency program at the hospital. Still, he encourages students to have an open mind as to where they might end up professionally.
“I’ve seen lots of us change paths,” said the 2013 PharmD graduate. “You will find a spot where you’ll be helpful to your patients, whether that’s in rural Utah or working for Pfizer.”
To current pharmacy students, Sloan offers his advice: “Read a lot, talk to as many patients, as many doctors as many nurses as you can, because you’re going to spend a lot of time in a room full of pharmacists during pharmacy school. You want to apply all that great knowledge in a way patients and other health care professionals understand.”
OCT 29, 2018 - FIRST ANNUAL VAMPIRE CUP BLOOD DRIVE A SUCCESS
The first annual College of Pharmacy Vampire Cup Blood Drive in collaboration with the SLC Red Cross took place on October 29, 2018. The drive was a huge success, and many individuals attended to donate blood. Thank you to our PharmD students who organized the drive, and to the patrons who helped save lives with their service.
OCT 31, 2018 - HAPPY HALLOWEEN FROM THE COP!
Happy Halloween from everyone at the CoP! We had a fun and rewarding day dressing up and passing out candy to kiddos at Primary Children’s Hospital. We hope that everyone has a safe and spooky night!
Nov 01, 2018 - 2018 ACCP GLOBAL CONFERENCE ON CLINICAL PHARMACY
University of Utah College of Pharmacy PharmD students and faculty members attended the 2018 ACCP Global Conference on Clinical Pharmacy. The conference took place from October 20 to October 23 in Seattle, WA. PharmD students were able to present their PharmD research projects, connect with other pharmacy students, and receive mentorship from their professors. Faculty members participated in panels, aided students with their presentations, and got to know their students better at a student/faculty dinner.
Listed below are PharmD students who were in attendance and presented research projects:
Student
Cody Chiaramonte
Hai-Yen Diep
Christopher Kong
Antony Minjarez
Kelton Peck
Jon Van Tassell
Kelsey Lockwood
Mikayla Mills
Mentor
Dr. Kyle Turner
Dr. Alysin May
Dr. Holly Gurgle
Dr. Kyle Turner
Dr. Karen Gunning
Dr. Adam Bress
Dr. Karen Gunning
Dr. Karen Gunning
Presentation Title
“Effect of a Warm Handoff on Patient Show Rates in a Primary Care Clinic”
“Deprescribing Proton Pump Inhibitors in Elderly Patients in a Long-Term Care Facility”
“Implementation of the Diabetes Prevention Program at ARUP Family Health Clinic”
“Prevention of Hypoglycemic Events in the Elderly at a Primary Care Clinic”
“Testosterone Prescribing Practices in Two Family Medicine Residency Clinics”
“Association of west African genetic ancestry and blood pressure control among African Americans with treated hypertension in the Jackson Heart Study”
“Assessing Provider Adherence to HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Monitoring Guidelines in the Primary Care Setting"
“Pharmacist Review of Urine Drug Screenings for Patients on Chronic Opioid Therapy at a Family Medicine Clinic”
Nov 06, 2018 - COP TEAM PARTICIPATES IN RAGNAR SUNSET SERIES 2018
The College of Pharmacy recently participated in the Ragnar Sunset Series 2018 trail race! The race started and ended at This Is The Place Park, and marked the college's third Ragnar event.
The team made up of eight Staff, Faculty and Alumni enjoyed the beautiful fall weather, and generated additional funds to add to our Ragnar Student Scholarship. We are looking forward to the next Ragnar event!
Nov 07, 2018 - DR. KAREN WILCOX AND PHARMTOX TEAM CONDUCT RESEARCH ON CANNABIDIOL
Dr. Karen Wilcox and her team at the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology were featured on ABC4 for their research on cannabidiol (CBD oil) and its effect on epilepsy treatment.
“We have found that CBD can be very efficacious in preclinical studies of different types of seizures and epilepsy models. What we are really hoping to find is if there is a balance between THC and cannabidiol that might work even better in different types of epilepsy", says Wilcox.
They are also looking at the potential of marijuana for pain management as part of the national fight against the opioid epidemic. Dr. Wilcox and her team are doing fantastic work!
Nov 14, 2018 - COP PARTICIPATES IN WORLD DIABETES DAY 2018
It's World Diabetes Day! WDD was created in 1991 by the International Diabetes Federation and the World Health Organization in response to growing concerns about the escalating health threat posed by diabetes. It is a dedicated day to bring awareness to a condition that affects so many of us globally.
Pharmacists play a paramount role in Diabetes management and education. They are on the frontline of care for this prevalent disease, and provide patients with the tools and knowledge to better control their health.
Check out a great article detailing the role of pharmacists in diabetes care here.
Nov 15, 2018 - ANNUAL PHARMSGIVING POTLUCK BROUGHT THE COP TOGETHER
The Pharmsgiving Potluck yesterday was great! (and bright!) There was a fantastic gathering of people, and lots of delicious food. Thank you to everyone who brought treats, and to USPA for hosting such a fun event.
Nov 28, 2018 - DR. DAVID GRAINGER RECEIVES DAVID ECCLES SCHOOL OF BUSINESS' DANIELS FUND ETHICS INITIATIVE LEADERSHIP IN ETHICS EDUCATION AWARD
Distinguished Professor Dr. David Grainger was one of the few recipients of the University of Utah David Eccles School of Business' Daniels Fund Ethics Initiative Leadership in Ethics Education Awards for the 2017-2018 year. Dr. Grainger was chosen on behalf of his successful efforts to create new ethics-related courses, integrating new ethics content into existing courses, mentoring students on ethics initiatives, and aiding in ensuring ethics remain a permanent fabric of our University of Utah academic programs and curricula. We are grateful that the University is acknowledging what we have known for many years.
Nov 29, 2018 - DR. YOU HAN BAE IDENTIFIED AS ONE OF 161 TOP TALENTS IN THE FIELD OF PHARMACOLOGY AND TOXICOLOGY
Distinguished Professor Dr. You Han Bae has been identified as one of 161 top talents in the field of Pharmacology and Toxicology, and listed in Highly Cited Researchers (HCR) 2018 by Clarivate Analytics. This classification puts him in an elite group recognized by the production of multiple highly cited papers, that rank in the top 1% by citation for field and year in Web of Science. You Han has received this award for five consecutive years since 2014.
We are honored to have him as a valued and productive member of the Pharmacology and Toxicology department.
Dec 04, 2018 - WOLF FAMILY LEGACY
Dr. Harold ‘Hal’ Wolf and his wife, Dr. Joan S. Wolf, share a long legacy at the University of Utah College of Pharmacy (CoP). Hailing from Massachusetts, the Wolfs found their way to Salt Lake City in 1956 after Hal received a BS in Pharmacy from the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and decided to pursue his Ph.D in Pharmacology at the University of Utah College of Pharmacy. Hal’s choosing the University of Utah came as a surprise to his peers, as Utah was not yet established as the medical science powerhouse it is today. However, Hal accepted a graduate fellowship to have the opportunity to study under one of the most well-known pharmacology academics in the nation, University of Utah’s Dr. Louis Goodman. It didn’t hurt that the Wolfs loved the landscape of Utah.
In 1961, upon earning his Ph.D, he and Joan road-tripped to Columbus, Ohio where Hal accepted an Assistant Professor position in the Division of Pharmacology at The Ohio State University. Even though the Wolfs were not impressed by Ohio’s scenery, they agreed that this was a great professional opportunity. And, indeed it was. During their time there, Joan earned her Ph.D in Special Education at Ohio State.
After 15 years, with many accomplishments from both partners, the Wolfs moved back to Salt Lake City in 1976 for Hal to assume the position of Dean of the University of Utah College of Pharmacy. It was not in the family’s plans to move back to Salt Lake as they had forged strong professional ties and many friendships in Ohio, but the opportunity to help shape the future of the college with a core faculty who recognized that excellence in both teaching and research is essential, was too good an offer for Hal to dismiss. Meanwhile, Joan joined the faculty in the Univeristy of Utah Graduate School of Education where she enjoyed a 20 year career preparing graduate students to work with gifted and learning disabled populations, retiring as Professor in 1996. After retiring from the University, Joan spent many years in private practice. The Wolfs, with sons Gary and David, grew to love all that Salt Lake City had to offer. Hal, Joan and David still call Utah home today.
Hal’s deanship at the CoP was demanding and important to him, but nothing surpassed his passion for teaching and research. Thus, he was instrumental in establishing the Anticonvulsant Drug Development Program (ADD) program, authored and published over 300 scientific and professional papers, taught classes, and accomplished much more. He also led the faculty in the design of a new administrative structure leading to the creation of the four departments currently within the College. In short, Hal facilitated countless positive changes during his deanship and as a faculty member at the University of Utah College of Pharmacy. He continued for many years to serve as Director of the ADD program.
Since stepping down from the deanship in 1989 and retiring from his other responsibilities at the college a few years ago, Hal and Joan remain involved in University activities and in the development and success of the College of Pharmacy. They attend many of the college’s events, have created the Wolf Prize in the CoP and, through University Neighborhood Partners, created Meritus scholarship awards for high school graduates. In a way, Hal has never retired from the CoP. The Wolfs remain two of its greatest supporters and will continue to bolster the college’s growth for years to come.
Dr. Hal Wolf's Timeline of Accomplishments:
1956-1961: Ph.D in Pharmacology, University of Utah
1961-1976: Professor & Chair, Dept. of Pharmacology, The Ohio State University
1973-1974: Professor, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Fullbright Award to help establish the first College of Pharmacy in Malaysia
1976-1989: Dean of the College of Pharmacy
- For many years, taught pharmacology in College of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, College of Nursing and College of Health; impacted many students at undergraduate and graduate levels and found tremendous satisfaction in a passion for teaching
- Widely published; author of some 300 peer reviewed, scientific and professional articles in the areas of neuropharmacology and pharmacy education
- Guided and mentored many Pharmacology graduate students who continued on to noted careers in pharmaceutical education and pharmaceutical/medical research
1976-1989: Director of the NIH Anticonvulsant Drug Development Program. This ongoing program has been the longest, continuously funded, applied research project at the University of Utah by NIH (NINDS)
1976: Served as President of American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP)
1988: Recipient of AACP Distinguished Educator Award for outstanding achievement and contributions to pharmaceutical education
1989: Recipient of Rosenblatt Prize for Excellence, University of Utah
1989-1992: Chair of Commission to Implement Change in Pharmaceutical Education, (AACP)
- The commission worked over a three-year period (1989-1992) and its recommendations, endorsed by the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) and the American Pharmaceutical Association (APhA), had a major impact on professional pharmacy education. In 1992, in accord with the Commission’s report, the American Council on Pharmacy Education (ACPE) required that all accredited pharmacy schools offer a Doctor of Pharmacy degree. With the graduating class of 2006, the Bachelor of Science degree was replaced by the Doctor of Pharmacy degree and has led to significant changes in the practice of Pharmacy and in the professional role and responsibilities of pharmacists as partners in delivery of health care
2001: With his wife, Joan, established an endowment for the Wolf Prize in the College of Pharmacy; $5000.00 cash award given annually to a graduating Ph.D. student in the college who has shown high interest and excellence in teaching activities and has a goal of an academic career
2007: With his wife, Joan established the Meritus scholarships through University Neighborhood Partners for graduating high school seniors on the West Side of Salt Lake City to help and encourage them in their pursuit of post-secondary education.
Dec 06, 2018 - DR. LINDA TYLER FEATURED IN ASHP'S "LETTERS FROM WOMEN IN PHARMACY" PUBLICATION
Dr. Linda Tyler, Associate Dean of Pharmacy Practice at the CoP and board member of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, attended the 2018 ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting this week.
She authored a story in "Letters from Women in Pharmacy: Stories on Integrating Life and Career," an annual publication about the perspective of women in pharmacy. "Letters from Women in Pharmacy" details an individual's unique journey in reaching their potential as both a pharmacist and woman. It emphasizes the multiple successful approaches to blending a career and personal life.
Dec 11, 2018 - PHARMACY ALUMNI BOARD HELPS MAKE A DIFFERENCE AT THE UTAH FOOD BANK
On Saturday the 8th, the Pharmacy Alumni Board volunteered at the Utah Food Bank! It is great to see our staff, alumni, and current students alike getting involved in enriching Salt Lake's community.
Dec 19, 2018 - DONOVAN SMITH'S LEGACY AS A RURAL PHARMACIST
Donovan Smith graduated from the University of Utah College of Pharmacy in 1995, and currently works as the Director of Pharmacy at the Wayne County Community Health Center (WCHC). The WCHC is a 340B federal initiative contract pharmacy, meaning the center is able to supply covered entities with prescriptions at a reduced price. Health centers who participate in the 340B program are able to provide low-income patients with more comprehensive services, while removing the cost barrier of health care.
Smith spent his upbringing in the small town of Monroe, Utah, which ultimately led to his decision in becoming a rural pharmacist. As someone who grew up in a close-knit community, it sounded appealing for Smith to give back to his neighborhood and work somewhere that felt like home. After completing many rotations and jobs in various pharmacy practices, Smith remained drawn to the close patient contact and community health focus that a smaller setting allowed for. Smith enjoys the ability to act as a health care professional practicing a broader range of services, rather than solely participating in a more traditional pharmacy role. The rural setting also allows for close and trusting relationships with patients, as they are Smith’s neighbors and friends. Smith believes that “pharmacists really are at the front-line of medicine”.