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Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Alumni & Friends

Letter from the Editor | March 2019

Dear friends,

It has been seven years now that I have had the honor of serving as your CougaRx News editor in chief.

This month marks the 97th newsletter I have published for the College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. The CougaRx Alumni Newsletter started in 2013, with the addition of the Dean’s Newsletter in 2014. As our Cougar pharmacy family grew with the college’s move to Spokane, the success of our newsletters took off. The alumni newsletter received a SPARK award for excellence in communication from the Spokane Regional MarCom Association, and a marketing and communication award from the Council for Advancement and Support … » More …

WSU pharmacy program welcomes back alumna as professor

SPOKANE, Wash.—Clinical Pharmacist Megan Undeberg rejoined the Washington State University College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences this August as a clinical associate professor.

Undeberg’s position is co-located on the WSU Health Sciences campus in Spokane within the Department of Pharmacotherapy and at the Sacred Heart Medical Center and Children’s Hospital also in Spokane, Washington.

At WSU she will teach in the Doctor of Pharmacy program and work to expand rural health research, looking at transitions of care (especially to rural … » More …

A night to honor excellence in pharmacy education

Living up to expectations, the Washington State University College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (CPPS) hosted its annual Crimson Gala event in Spokane on September 28. The event was part of the college’s Pharmacy Homecoming Weekend activities, which brought Cougar pharmacists back to WSU for celebration, recognition, reconnection, comradery, and to share some good old Cougar pride and spirit.

The college vision is to be a leader in advancing, promoting and protecting human health.  We do this through developing practice-ready graduates who will lead tomorrow’s health care solutions, and by contributing to the advancement of knowledge and discovery within pharmaceutical, clinical and applied sciences.

The … » More …

WSU honors two local pharmacists as outstanding preceptors

Monica Graybeal and Chris Greer, both of Spokane, were named Preceptors of the Year by the Washington State University College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences last Friday. Preceptors are an important part of the WSU Doctor of Pharmacy program. They supervise, teach and mentor student pharmacists at the practice sites where they complete the final year of pharmacy school.

The Preceptor of the Year Award is given annually to a WSU pharmacy preceptor for outstanding contributions to the educational development of future pharmacists through demonstrating high standards of professionalism, ethics and clinical practice. Preceptors are nominated by the student pharmacists who participate in rotations at … » More …

Robbers recognized for contributions to pharmaceutical sciences, teaching

During pharmacy school James Robbers worked as an assistant in the research lab of Professor Melvin R. Gibson at WSU. “I will always be grateful for Dr. Gibson’s generosity in mentoring me because it started me on a pathway toward a career in research and academics,” Robbers said.

Robbers, of Mukilteo, Washington, was named the 2017 Outstanding Alumnus of the Year by the WSU College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (CPPS) on Friday, September 28. He was selected for his continued contributions to the pharmaceutical sciences at WSU that provide graduate students travel awards, fellowships, and research grants, as well as summer research internships for … » More …

College names new members of advisory council

SPOKANE, Wash.—The Washington State University College of Pharmacy recently named Sunil Wadhwani and Leon Alzola to the advisory council for Dean Gary M. Pollack.

It is important the college stay connected to key thought-leaders and experts within the professional and scientific community in order to stay apprised of the ever-evolving health care landscape. The Dean’s Advisory Council convenes twice a year to provide external perspective and insight on the strategic direction of the college and its initiatives. The council was established by the dean in order to ensure the college’s educational and research focus remain aligned to develop practice-ready graduates who are well-equipped to tackle … » More …

College of Pharmacy celebrates life of former professor

SPOKANE, Wash.-The Washington State University College of Pharmacy will celebrate the life of former WSU Professor Emeritus R. Keith Campbell on Saturday, April 21, 2018, at 2:00 p.m.

The memorial service and celebration of life will be held at the DoubleTree Hotel Grand Ballroom, 322 N. Spokane Falls Court, in Spokane, Washington. All are welcome to attend and RSVP is requested online at bit.ly/rkc-memorial, or by calling the College of Pharmacy alumni relations office at 509-368-6675.

Campbell passed away on Saturday, November 11, 2017, while attending the Washington State Pharmacy Association Annual Meeting in Centralia, Washington. He was 76.

“There is not a … » More …

WSU pharmacy prof, alum honored for lifetime achievement

Campbell receiving lifetime achievement award R. Keith Campbell embodies just about every characteristic you can use to describe lifetime achievement within the profession of pharmacy.

On Friday, October 20, the WSU College of Pharmacy honored Campbell with its Lifetime Achievement Award.

The award recognizes a track record of excellence in pharmacy, patient care, advocacy, research, service, and mentoring or teaching. It is the most prestigious honor bestowed on an individual from the Washington State University College of Pharmacy. The award presented to Campbell at the college’s Crimson Gala was created by artists David and Forest Govedare. … » More …

Class of 2004 alum selected for award

Nick Bruck receiveing Alumnus of the Year AwardSPOKANE, Wash.—Nick Bruck, pharmacist and district pharmacy manager for Walgreens, was selected as the Washington State University (WSU) College of Pharmacy’s 2016 Outstanding Alumnus of the Year. He is the youngest alum to receive this honor since the college began the award in 1991.

“We truly appreciate his leadership, vision for the future, and ability to advance the practice of pharmacy,” said College of Pharmacy Dean Gary Pollack during the award presentation.

Bruck was presented the award at the Northwest Pharmacy Convention in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, on June third.

Each … » More …

Meet Dr. Tabon

If you ask Patrick Tabon what he does for a living, chances are the answer you get will be something like, “patient advocate who focuses on solutions that benefit everyone,” or “the medication expert on the team that looks at safety and big-picture treatment plans.” Or you might even get, “passionate and caring co-worker who is always there to help my patients, teammates, profession, and other providers.”

Yes, you guessed it, Patrick Tabon works in health care. But what might seem less obvious from these descriptions is that he is not a medical doctor (MD). He is a doctor of pharmacy (PharmD).

Yep, Patrick Tabon … » More …