PharmUC - University of Charleston

The University of Charleston announced in June
2010 that the School of Pharmacy had achieved full
national accreditation from the Accreditation Council
for Pharmacy Education (ACPE). Full accreditation
is awarded to a new program that has met all ACPE
standards and has graduated its first class.
“We are gratified that the accrediting body has affirmed the
strength of the UC pharmacy program with this grant of full
accreditation,” said university president Dr. Edwin H. Welch.
“Even more exciting is the prospect of these UC doctors
of pharmacy having a positive impact on the health of
communities in West Virginia and beyond. We look forward
to sending 70 to 80 pharmacists into the workforce each
year to make positive contributions to their communities,
both financially and in terms of improving the availability of
quality health care.”
The first class of University of Charleston pharmacists is
already doing the school proud. Ninety-seven percent
of the 69 graduates in 2010 passed the national
certification test (NAPLEX) on the first attempt,
exceeding both state and national averages. A
remarkable number of 2010 graduates garnered competitive
post-graduate positions, six in pharmacy residency
programs and three in clinical research fellowships, for a
total of 13% of the graduating class. The large proportion of
UC graduates in these post-graduate training opportunities
is notable in any pharmacy class, not to mention the first
graduating class from a newly established pharmacy
school. The class of 2011 proved that it was no fluke. Over
10 percent of the seventy-eight members of this year’s
graduates will also serve in post-doctoral programs.
In April, two UC pharmacy
professors accepted leadership
positions with the West Virginia
Society of Health-Systems
Pharmacists. David Bowyer,
director of experiential
education, was named
president elect. Dr. Travis
White, assistant professor of
pharmacy practice, (pictured
on p.10) was elected central
region vice president.
The UC Student Society of Health Systems Pharmacists
presented guest speaker Dr. Eric Eisenhauer on March 31,
2011, as the keynote address for the inaugural Charleston
Against Cervical Cancer event. Eisenhauer is a leading
gynecological oncologist, and a member of the faculty at
The Ohio State University. He specializes in the treatment
of women with gynecologic cancers and favors minimally
invasive procedures when possible.
West Virginia Delegate Bonnie Brown provided opening
comments, and the program included information about
cervical cancer and its prevention, information about the
human papilloma virus (HPV) and HPV vaccination, survivor
testimonials, exhibitors and free refreshments. Vaccination
on site was also available to anyone with insurance coverage.
The event was sponsored by the University of Charleston
School of Pharmacy, the West Virginia Immunization Network,
The Student Society of Health Systems Pharmacists, and the
Kanawha Charleston Health Department.
The University of Charleston School of Pharmacy held its
fifth annual White Coat Ceremony on August 27, 2010.
The white coat is a symbol of the health care profession.
Members of the Class of 2014 donned the coat as part
of their entry into the profession of pharmacy. Students,
faculty, and families gathered to mark this rite of passage.
This year, for the first time, UC pharmacy alumni participated
in the ceremony. Dr. Paul Moore, Senior Health Policy
Advisor to the Health Resources Services Administration,
Office of Rural Health Policy was the keynote speaker.
In February, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern
District of West Virginia held a Summit on Prescription
Drug Abuse co-sponsored by the University of Charleston
School of Pharmacy and state and local government entities.
Featured speakers included U.S. Senator Jay Rockefeller,
W.Va. Acting Governor Earl Ray Tomblin, U.S. Attorney
R. Booth Goodwin II, and R. Gil Kerlikowske, Director of
the Office of National Drug Control Policy.
The University of Charleston School of Pharmacy hosted
our inaugural pharmacy alumni breakfast and continuing
education program on Saturday, April 30th. The event
was open to our inaugural graduates, preceptors, and
licensed pharmacists. Dr. Michael Bottorff was the guest
speaker and presented “At the Heart of the Matter: New
Atrial Fibrillation
Guidelines 2011.”
The event provided
one continuing
education credit.
There were 10
guests in attendance
and door prizes
were won by
alumnus Matt Rafa
and Steven Carter
and pharmacist
Paula Adkins.
Dr. Jessica Robinson began work as an assistant professor at the
University of Charleston School of Pharmacy. After earning her doctorate
in pharmacy, Robinson completed a one- year residency at St. Mary’s
Hospital in Huntington, followed by a second year of a specialty residency
in infectious disease at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. In
addition to her teaching duties, she will be running an antibiotic stewardship
program at CAMC Memorial.
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