University of Houston College of Pharmacy - the STEM Digital Village

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A Decade of Service College Marks 10 Years of Care to Unique Patient Communities Although most UH College of Pharmacy students and alumni will spend most of their education and careers providing care to a diverse patient population in the community or health-system setting, the college recently marked 10 years of service in collaborative programs with organizations focused on very distinct, unique members of the community. Camp C.A.M.P. The experiential rotation at Camp C.A.M.P. (Children’s Association for Maximum Potential) was initiated after alumnus and former faculty member Larry McClaugherty, R.Ph. (B.S. ’72), M.P.H., began taking his late son, Neal, to the program for special-needs children and adults near San Antonio. “In the second year we took Neal to CAMP, I noticed there weren’t any pharmacists among the medical support staff, so developing a rotation seemed like a great opportunity for the mutual benefit of the organization and our students,” he said. The program offers special-needs children and adults the opportunity to experience things that many take for granted: floating in a pool, canoeing, horseback riding, attending a dance, or singing campfire songs. Conversely, camp offers what is the only respite for many parents and guardians responsible for round-the-clock care during the rest of the year. Judy Foster, B.S.N., R.N., chief health officer/head nurse for Camp C.A.M.P., said a pharmacy student is assigned to each Clockwise from top left, Ting Ren provides medication mixed in applesauce to a CAMPer; Kristin Beard and Kimberly Hoang learn the ins and outs of ostomy bags; Sarah Wisecup reviews the medication records of a CAMPer; and Beard organizes supplies in the infirmary. — photos courtesy of Kristin Beard, Kimberly Hoang and Ting Ren medication-preparation area to support the medical staff and volunteers, who administer up to 1,000 medications each week. “Since we have doctors from many areas of medicine and they may not be familiar with some of the medications our campers are taking, the pharmacy students are often called on to answer questions about medication interactions, dosage, and more,” Foster said. “I can’t count how many times I say, ‘Ask your Pharm student,’ each week. Besides their obvious knowledge and skills, I have been very impressed by their work ethic, compassion and enthusiasm.” Like dozens of students before them, the 10th year’s contingent of students – Kristin Beard, Kimberly Hoang, Ting Ren and Sarah Wisecup – raved about the practical knowledge and personal growth afforded by the experience. “I learned about the action of drugs not typically used in the pediatric population, how to give G-tube feedings and the use of different nutritional supplements,” Ren said. “There were obstacles to overcome when it was time to give CAMPers their medications, so I learned how to be patient, think on my feet, and be creative.” Pharmacy students not only serve as members of the medical team, but also get involved in the recreational and creative activities offered at the camp. “I gained an understanding of the patience Remembering Neal McClaugherty Special Personality Inspires Playground for All, Scholarship for UHCOP Students Although the physical body that bound Neal McClaugherty to a wheelchair his entire life passed away in May 2010, his spirit, laughter and smile live on through the projects and programs he inspired during his 27 years. The son of UH College of Pharmacy alumnus and former faculty member Larry McClaugherty, R.Ph. (B.S. ’72), M.P.H., and UH Clear Lake alumna Kathy McClaugherty, R.N., B.S., Neal indirectly was responsible for the college’s participation in the Camp C.A.M.P. experiential rotation, which recently marked its 10th year (see story above). An avid basketball fan, Neal won the hearts and support of his hometown Friendswood Lady Mustangs basketball team. Despite being a nonverbal quadriplegic due to cerebral palsy, Neal sang the national anthem before games with the help of a communication device and even sank a half-court shot with the help of special equipment rigged to his wheelchair. Such inspirational events led to the passage of a 2005 resolution in the Texas House of Representatives co-sponsored by UHCOP alumnus Chuck Hopson, R.Ph. (’65), and a Texas Emmy-nominated news segment. 16 University of Houston College of Pharmacy
education, H.O.M.E.S. Clinic offers the best opportunity to make this realization clear.” Humble Health Fair and love involved in the care of children with special needs,” Hoang said. “I walked into camp with a strong sense of what I could offer in service, but I left inspired by the life lessons they have taught me.” H.O.M.E.S. Clinic The Houston Outreach Medicine, Education and Social Services (H.O.M.E.S.) Clinic is a student-run multidisciplinary, multi-institutional free clinic for Houston’s homeless population. Since the clinic’s opening, hundreds of students and preceptors from UHCOP, Baylor College of Medicine, the University of Texas (UT) Health Science Center and UT School of Public Health have served thousands of patients. Clinic service gives pharmacy students the opportunity to counsel and develop care plans for patients who typically don’t receive regular medical attention and often have complex health issues. UH pharmacy students provide a variety of health screenings as well as immunizations each year at the Humble Health Fair. Clockwise from left, Yen Phan delivers a flu immunization; Tiffany Glover performs a blood pressure check; Christina Johnson explains the diabetic foot screening; and Kyle Wilcox takes a blood sample for screening. “I have come away (from HOMES) feeling more comfortable talking with patients and a stronger confirmation that, by practicing pharmacy, you have the opportunity to truly help people in need,” said Pharm.D. student Chris Henges. “As a volunteer as well as a future pharmacist, it is so important to realize that I am dealing with real people with real issues. Thus far in my Student volunteer Ninu Varughese and faculty member Dave Wallace counsel a patient at the HOMES Clinic; right, volunteers Tricia Tran and Chris Henges retrieve medication and review the indications before counseling a patient. In 2010, the college also marked the 10th year of providing immunizations and a range of health screenings at the Humble Senior Health Fair in Humble, Texas. Sponsored by the Memorial Hermann Northeast Hospital Foundation, the event attracts 600-800 seniors each year. “Without the support of the college and their students, hundreds of senior citizens could not get what we think is a very valuable service: flu shots, cholesterol and glucose testings,” said Tom Broad, manager of community relations at the hospital. “Just as important, the faculty and students also offer our seniors the opportunity to learn more about their health. They counsel each one about healthy lifestyles when the students read the results to the seniors.” “This relationship has enabled faculty to enhance traditional learning models with real-life, hands-on experience for the students as well as foster a concern for social problems and develop professional and patient relationships,” said Andrea Smesny, M.P.H., Pharm.D. (’97), UHCOP Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. Several years ago, the McClaughertys started a scholarship for UHCOP students in Neal’s name at the Texas Pharmacy Foundation. For information about contributing to the TPF “Neal” McClaugherty Scholarship, please contact Joy Kovar at 512-615-9144 or jkovar@ texaspharmacy.org. Recently, the McClaughertys and their church community embarked on a campaign to develop an accessible playground in Neal’s memory in their hometown of Friendswood, Texas (visit www.playgroundforneal.com for more information). “Neal had a sweet spirit like Mr. Rogers, but a sarcastic and funny personality that was like a cross between (cartoon character) Garfield and (’80s TV character) Alf,” Kathy McClaugherty said. “You had to be flexible, but he taught us a lot about life.” Larry McClaugherty said, “He had his good days and bad days just like everyone else, but he never stayed down for long because he just loved to laugh and smile. We’re thankful for the time that God gave us with him because he really was a special young man who impacted more lives than most of us could ever hope.” University of Houston College of Pharmacy 17
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University of Houston College of Pharmacy - the STEM Digital Village

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