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Class of 2021 celebrates at a distance

When the class of 2021 first began their Pharmaceutical Sciences and Molecular Medicine and Doctor of Pharmacy journeys, no one could have imagined how it would end—there was no global pandemic on the horizon and it was beyond imagination that their final year would be spent any differently than those of their predecessors. During commencement week, the WSU College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (CPPS) celebrated all that the class of 2021 has accomplished over the past year and the course of their graduate education. » More ...

WSU pharmacy graduates lead residency matches in Washington state

WSU PharmD students led in accredited residency matches in Washington state this year. More than 67% of fourth-year pharmacy students seeking a residency matched, according to the American Society of Health-Systems Pharmacists (ASHP) data, which coordinates the official match process for pharmacy schools nationwide. This year, 47 WSU PharmD students matched, up from 41 students last year. Residencies are post-graduate training programs which allow new pharmacists to perform as a licensed practitioner to train under the supervision of an experienced preceptor. Residencies are highly sought-after positions to help pharmacists gain experience, leadership skills, advance their growth of clinical judgement, and hone their skills as a practicing pharmacist. » More ...

Celebrating college excellence

As COVID-19 spread across the globe, colleges found themselves pivoting to distance learning experiences leaving students, faculty and staff to adapt to a rapidly changing environment while navigating the implications of a global pandemic. Though everyone in the college deserves to be recognized for persevering through this difficult year, several have been recognized by their peers for their outstanding leadership, teamwork and service. » More ...

HealthChats Recap: Working in a Health Care Team

How do pharmacists work with doctors and nurses to help their patients thrive? In the latest HealthChats, representatives from across the Washington State University colleges of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Medicine and Nursing came together to discuss the importance of working in a health care team and fostering an environment of peer-to-peer learning through a collaborative approach known as interprofessional education. » More ...

Raising trans awareness in pharmacy education and across campus

By Sara Zaske, WSU News
Originally posted in the WSU Insider March 31, 2021

The guest speaker in Cheyenne Newsome’s pharmacy class confesses he hates Brussel sprouts. He loves his daughter. He is also transgender. He does not like public speaking but feels compelled to speak to the class in honor of his transgender friend who had little support and died by suicide.

Unfortunately, this is not an unusual story. An estimated 40% of transgender and non-binary people attempt suicide, compared to 4.6% of the general public. While there is strong evidence that gender-affirming care can help resolve gender dysphoria and improve … » More …

CPPS announces faculty promotions

The time a student spends in a University are foundational to their future careers. The connections they build and the community they become a part of leave a permanent mark. Faculty are a substantial part of this community. They guide students through the curriculum, sharing their own experiences and expertise to help students forge their own paths. By giving faculty the opportunity to excel through professional advancement and research, both faculty and students benefit. » More ...

Mentors of the Year

By sharing their own experiences, alumni mentors provide a roadmap for students to better navigate challenges and successes during their education and into their future. In recognition of this influential work, each year the college selects two mentors from student nominations for our Mentor of the Year award, recognizing those mentors who show a dedication to helping their mentees develop into outstanding health care professionals. » More ...

Finding health care solutions for medically underserved rural areas

In the United States there are 14 million people living in medically underserved areas where access to health care continues to be a chronic problem with no clear solutions. Many residents who live in rural areas don’t have access to doctors, nurses, or pharmacists, and getting medical attention often translates to a several hours drive to the nearest city. College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (CPPS) Associate Professors of Pharmacotherapy Kimberly McKeirnan and Megan Undeberg are finding ways to bridge this health care gap.

“There is such a disparity of care for the rural sector,” said Undeberg, who also grew up on a farm … » More …

WSU and Columbia Basin College set new path for pharmacy students

Students in the Tri-Cities area can now complete pre-requisite courses for the WSU Doctor of Pharmacy program at the cost of attending CBC. In a collaboration between Columbia Basin College (CBC) and Washington State University (WSU), students who complete the approved transferable Associate of Science-Transfer (AS-T) degree will be eligible for admissions into the WSU Doctor of Pharmacy program.

“As someone who grew up not too far from Tri-Cities, I’m proud that we can now offer students new opportunities and career pathways that did not exist before. This new collaboration fulfills WSU’s mission as a land-grant university, which is rooted in accessibility and public service,” … » More …

Precepting the next generation

For the 1,440 hours spent on rotation during the fourth year of a pharmacy student’s degree, 240 hours are spent with any one preceptor over 6 weeks. In those 240 hours, pharmacy students are taken under a preceptor’s wing to learn first-hand what it means to be a pharmacist. Through teaching and mentorship, preceptors guide pharmacy students as they work with patients in a variety of health care settings. These experiences are pivotal in determining a pharmacy student’s future career. » More ...