PPPS News and Events

Three PPPS Faculty Receive Promotion and Tenure
May 2008
Three faculty members were recommended for promotion and tenure by Senior VP for Health Sciences Frank Cerra and Senior VP for Academic Affairs and Provost E. Thomas Sullivan and approved by the University of Minnesota Board of Regents. They are:

• Haim Einat, Ph.D., Promotion to Associate Professor with tenure
• Timothy Stratton, Ph.D., BCPS, FAPhA, Promotion to Professor
• Marcia Worley, Ph.D., R.Ph., Promotion to Associate Professor with tenure

Student Appointed to National Council
March 2008
David Stenehjem, P3, has been appointed to the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) Council on Therapeutics. This council is concerned with ASHP professional policies related to the safe and appropriate use of medicines.

Ms. Sisson Receives MSHP Award
February 2008
Debbie Sisson, assistant professor and associate director, experiential education,  was selected to receive the Minnesota Society of Health-System Pharmacists (MSHP) highest honor—the Hallie Bruce Memorial Lecture Award.  This award is given annually to an individual of high moral character, good citizenship, and high professional ideals who has made significant contribution to the profession of pharmacy in Minnesota.  These contributions may have been in the form of sustained exemplary service in pharmacy, or a combination of accomplishments advancing the profession of pharmacy and, through it, humanity and public health.  The award will be presented to Ms. Sisson at the annual meeting of MSHP in April.

Dr. Swanoski Earns CGP Distinction
February 2008 
Michael Swanoski, assistant professor, passed the Certified Geriatric Pharmacist (CGP) exam. CGPs, as defined by the Commission for Certification in Geriatric Pharmacy, demonstrate an advanced level of knowledge, education, experience, and skills beyond the requirements for licensure in pharmacotherapy for seniors.

Students and Faculty Provide Free Health Screens
February 2008
Drs. Timothy Stratton, Michael Swanoski, and Melissa Bumgardner, together with a group of 25 Pharmacy students, participated in the 26th Annual Mariner Mall Community Health Expo on February 2nd in Superior, Wisconsin. The group screened over 85 patients and offered cholesterol, blood glucose, and blood pressure tests at no charge. This was made possible through a grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HERSA) and funds received from TCF Bank, Walgreens, and pharmacy student fundraising.

University Medication Therapy Management Clinic Opens
December 2007
The UMD Employee Health and Wellness Center celebrated its grand opening of services designed to help employees and their families obtain and maintain good health. Among these services is the University of Minnesota Medication Therapy Management (MTM) Clinic staff by College of Pharmacy faculty. The pharmacy-specific component of the grand opening included an appearance by Buddy, the student pharmacist medication safety mascot, discussions about the role of medication therapy management, generic medications, safe medication disposal and the safety and efficacy of over-the-counter cough and cold remedies. Toddlers and preschoolers from the UMD Children’s Place were taught about medication safety and awarded certificates as newly appointed “Buddy’s buddies.”  Student pharmacists screened several participants for high blood pressure and several appointments were scheduled for the MTM clinic.

Faculty and Students Participate in Medicine Cabinet Clean-Out Event
October 2007
Seven pharmacy students and two faculty participated in the inaugural Medicine Cabinet Clean-Out Event hosted by the Western Lake Superior Sanitary District (WLSSD) on October 6.  One hundred sixty-six households took advantage of this day-long event, offered as an environmentally friendly alternative to flushing unwanted/expired medications down the toilet or washing them down the sink.  More than 250 pounds of medications (filling nearly three 55-gallon drums) were turned in for destruction, about 10 percent of which were controlled substances.

Paddock Laboratories Pharmacy Education Center Opens
September 2007
The College of Pharmacy, Duluth, celebrated its grand opening of the Paddock Laboratories Pharmacy Education Center located in the newly renovated Life Science building. The purpose of the event was fourfold: (1) to celebrate the success of the Duluth expansion, (2) to thank Bruce Paddock for his donation to the College of Pharmacy, (3) to recognize Stephen Hoag for his excellent leadership as senior associate dean, and (4) to celebrate graduation of the Class of 2007—the first combined Twin Cities-Duluth class.

Meritorius Service Awards Announced
August 2007
Anna Firoozi, executive office and administrative specialist, and Adam Moren, information technology professional, each received a 2007 College of Pharmacy Meritorious Service Award for outstanding service to the college.  The awards were presented to them at a College of Pharmacy staff appreciation day in Stillwater, Minnesota.

Dr. Gulseth Publishes Book
June 2007
Michael Gulseth, assistant professor, is the lead author and editor of a newly released book published by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists titled, Managing Anticoagulation Patients in the Hospital; The Inpatient Anticoagulation Service.

Dr. Randy Seifert Accepts Deanship
June 2007
Randall Seifert has accepted the position of Senior Associate Dean of the College of Pharmacy, Duluth. He will also serve as department head of the Department of Pharmacy Practice and Pharmaceutical Sciences (his current role) until a new department head is hired. He will replace Stephen Hoag who has done a masterful job of implementing the program in Duluth.  Steve will remain as a member of the faculty.

Dr. Noreddin Accepted into Fellows Program
May 2007
Ayman Noreddin, associate professor, was accepted into the American Association of Clinical Pharmacy (AACP) Academic Leadership Fellows Program.  As a fellow, he will participate in a number of AACP meetings and projects during 2007-2008.

Ms. Sisson Receives Honorary Membership Award
April 2007
Debbie Sisson, assistant professor and associate director, experiential education, was selected to receive the 2006-07 Phi Lambda Sigma honorary membership award for her commitment to students and their education and for advancing the profession of pharmacy through her leadership efforts.

Dr. Gulseth Voted President-Elect of Minnesota Pharmacist Organization
April 2007
Michael Gulseth, assistant professor, was voted president-elect of the Minnesota Society of Health-System Pharmacists (MSHP) and will assume presidency responsibilities in 2008.  MSHP represents pharmacists who practice in hospitals and health systems in the state of Minnesota.  Their mission is to provide visible leadership, education, advocacy, and networking opportunities which support its members as they enable people to make the best use of medications.

Student Receives Fellowship Award
February 2007
Arinzechukwu Nkemdirim Okere, P1, and Stephanie Root, P2, were each awarded an AHC Office of Clinical Research 2007 Summer Pre-doctoral Fellowship in Clinical and Translational Research.

Dr. Ranelli Appointed to Family Council
February 2007
Paul Ranelli, professor, accepted a one-year, voting member appointment to the newly-formed Duluth Children's Clinic Family Council.  Duluth Children’s includes St. Mary's Children's Hospital, Duluth Children’s Clinic, Miller-Dwan Children's Health Care, and Polinsky Children's Rehabilitation Center.

Drs. Traynor Earn BCPS Certification
February 2007
Laura Traynor, assistant professor, and Andrew Traynor, assistant professor, recently passed the Board of Pharmaceutical Specialties pharmacotherapy specialty exam.  Pharmacotherapy is that area of pharmacy practice that is responsible for ensuring the safe, appropriate, and economical use of drugs in patient care. The Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist (BCPS) has responsibility for direct patient care, often functions as a member of a multidisciplinary team, and is frequently the primary source of drug information for other healthcare professionals.