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Washington State University
Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Connie Young

Accepted by a penny postcard: reflections of a class of 1941 graduate

It is a rare opportunity to hear stories from the past, during a time when email and cell phone cameras didn’t exist. Today we bring you a first-person account from an amazing woman, Kathryn Hammarstedt (formerly Church), and her memories of attending pharmacy school at WSU just before the start of World War II. Hammarstedt began her career in the 40s when a woman in science was far from common. After taking a hiatus to raise four children, she transitioned back to her lifelong practice. Hammarstedt turns 100 years-old on June 16 and we would like to celebrate her many years of wisdom with our … » More …

Alumni Spotlight

Getting a Doctor of Pharmacy degree presents a diverse array of career opportunities. Many graduates from the CPPS Doctor of Pharmacy program have gone on to a number of successful careers outside of practice, including academia, research, advocacy, business administration, and even the tech industry. Meet some of WSU pharmacy's movers and shakers in various industries. » More ...

6 questions with the new College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences dean

Following an illustrious career in researching transcriptional regulation, cell signaling, and developmental biology, Washington state native and former Cougar alumnus, Dr. Mark Leid, will return to his alma mater to lead the College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences starting July 1. CPPS sat down with Dr. Leid to learn more about his personal interests and perspectives.

What drew you to the College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences?
I trained as a pharmacist at WSU many years ago and that training changed my life in very fundamental ways. The skills that I learned in the basic and clinical sciences here—as well as soft skills—positioned me … » More …

Graduate returns home to work in rural health care

In the pocket of central Washington, lies the small farming community of Mattawa, population: 4,437. Most residents of the predominantly Latino town work in the acres of surrounding orchards, picking fruit that end up in supermarkets halfway around the world. This is where 26-year-old Osmark Jauregui, part of WSU’s PharmD inaugural Yakima class, found his calling as a pharmacist. » More ...

2020 Chancellor’s Excellence Award recipients

The Chancellor’s Awards are bestowed annually to students, faculty, staff and community partners who advance leadership and engagement at WSU Health Sciences. Recipients of these awards demonstrate exceptional leadership and service to the university and the community and/or support leadership development and engagement of WSU students. Of the 15 awards, six hail from the College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. » More ...

WSU pharmacist wins esteemed Bowl of Hygeia award

After a 50-year career in pharmacy that included decades of volunteer leadership in the local community, Washington State University alumnus Robert (Bob) Scheidtmann, class of 1966, will receive the prestigious Bowl of Hygeia Award for 2020 from the California Pharmacists Association (CPhA).

Established in 1958, the Bowl of Hygeia Award recognizes pharmacists who possess outstanding records of civic leadership and take active roles in their communities. The award is presented annually by state pharmacy associations and all honorees are recognized nationally through the American Pharmacists Association (APhA).

Scheidtmann, who was born and raised in San Francisco, attended UC Berkeley prior to Washington State University. … » More …

WSU pharmacy graduates set record with residency matches

WSU Doctor of Pharmacy graduates set a record-breaking year in residency matches. The College has seen consistent growth in residency matches each year, which is facilitated by the American Society of Health-Systems Pharmacists (ASHP). Nearly two-thirds of students who participated in the match received residency.

“I am so incredibly proud of our student pharmacists. Each year, our graduates continue to impress us with the number of residency matches setting a record from previous years. These residency and fellowship experiences represent incredible opportunities for our students as they prepare for future successful careers,” said Linda Garrelts MacLean, interim dean for the WSU College of Pharmacy and … » More …

Managing diabetes during the COVID-19 pandemic

The deleterious impact that the COVID-19 virus has on people living with diabetes is now well known. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), people living with diabetes are at higher risk of severe illness due to COVID-19.  When the American Diabetes Association (ADA), a non-profit that seeks to educate the public about diabetes, had to quickly pull together a panel of experts to study the impact the virus has on people living with diabetes, they called on WSU College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences professor, Joshua Neumiller, who has dedicated his professional life to researching diabetes.

“It is clear that diabetes…increases the … » More …

Embedded: A first-person account of COVID-19 testing in Eastern Washington

By Lee Roy Esposo, class of 2021

Last week the Spokane Regional Health District along with Spokane Medical Reserve Corps set up a drive-thru testing site for COVID-19 at the Spokane County Interstate Fairgrounds. This is one of two testing sites in eastern Washington. Individuals who are concerned that they may have contracted the virus are able to drive down and be evaluated by medical personnel. Medical staff working on site hail from multiple healthcare systems like, Spokane Regional Health, Providence, CHAS, and more.

In mid-March as cities across the nation were looking for ways to ramp up COVID-19 testing, I received an email requesting … » More …