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CPPS returns to in-person graduation celebrations for 2022

On Thursday, May 5, the Washington State University (WSU) College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (CPPS) celebrated the accomplishments of nine doctor of philosophy (PhD), and 160 doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) graduates at its 2022 commencement ceremony. Family, faculty and friends gathered at the The Fox in downtown Spokane to honor the graduates.

Throughout the pandemic PhD students remained on campus and in the labs while doctor of pharmacy students transitioned to distance learning during the spring 2020 semester as well as in the 2020-21 academic year. Since doctor of pharmacy students spend their fourth year on Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) rotations, this was … » More …

Celebrating college excellence

Across Washington State University (WSU) spring is a time to recognize those who go above and beyond, making an impact in their programs, the university, and their communities. Along with the College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (CPPS) internal awards, students, faculty and staff are also recognized by WSU Health Sciences and by the university. It is with great pride the college announces the following CPPS Student Awards, WSU President’s Awards for Leadership and WSU Health Sciences Chancellor’s Excellence Awards received by CPPS students and faculty. » More ...

Step into history: WSU pharmacy’s first female faculty member

When Belle Wenz first stepped onto the State College of Washington (WSC) campus in the fall of 1918—renamed Washington State University in 1959–the world was in the midst of a global pandemic and World War I was just coming to a close. When she received her graduate of pharmacy (PhG) degree in 1920, women had just won the right to vote, and prohibition was in full swing in the United States. She went on to receive pharmaceutical chemist (PhC) and bachelor of science in pharmacy degrees in 1922, earning a four-year degree in a time when a two-year degree was the norm. It was a … » More …

Gift launches Rural Health Initiative at WSU

A recent $2.2 million gift to Washington State University’s College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (CPPS) will increase opportunities for PharmD students to focus on the health care needs of residents in rural Washington. This extraordinary anonymous gift has helped to launch CPPS’ Rural Health Initiative (RHI) to improve access to health care in the rural communities of Washington. Started in the fall of 2021, RHI is an ambitious 10-year plan to create opportunities for student pharmacists and post-graduate pharmacists to specialize in delivery of rural health care. Access to health care providers in rural Washington continues to be a challenge for the nearly 800,000 residents living in these areas. It’s estimated that Washington needs 600 new providers to eliminate this gap in access to care. The Rural Health Initiative aims to alleviate this problem. » More ...

CPPS Announces Faculty Promotions

From the first days in kindergarten, to the last days of a doctoral program, educators serve a critical role in their students’ lives. They guide students through the curriculum, sharing their own experiences and expertise to help students forge their own paths.

At the Washington State University (WSU) College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (CPPS) faculty members are passionate about inspiring the next generation of health care providers and scientists. By giving faculty the opportunity to excel through professional advancement and research, both faculty and students benefit. University promotions recognizes a faculty member’s growth through activities in teaching, research and service.

“These promotions represent years … » More …

A new path for future pharmacy students in Pullman

Washington State University Honors College students who are interested in working in the growing health care industry and protecting the health of the communities they serve can now do so through the WSU Doctor of Pharmacy program. Thanks to a new agreement between the two colleges, Honors College students admitted to the College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences during their sophomore or junior year will be able to use PharmD courses to complete their bachelor’s degree electives while in the first year of their pharmacy education. » More ...

Preceptors recognized for impact on next generation of Cougar pharmacists

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. The WSU College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences network of pharmacy educators extends across the state of Washington and beyond, with 250 sites and more than 400 annual volunteer preceptors and faculty members. Together, they form the backbone of WSU student pharmacists’ introductory pharmacy practice experiences (IPPE) and advanced pharmacy practice experiences (APPE).

To recognize the importance of preceptors, every year the college asks pharmacy students to nominate preceptors who go above and beyond … » More …

CPPS grant helps prepare high school students for bioscience careers

From the first day of kindergarten, children are asked what they want to be when they grow up. Their answers vary as much as the kids themselves, each dreaming of who they will be as an adult. But after they’re asked, what then? How do they find the path for these careers? Who supplies the map? Thanks to a grant from Career Connect Washington, the College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences hopes to help them find their way. » More ...

Q&A with the new executive director of graduate programs

Salah-uddin Ahmed has been named the new executive director of graduate programs at the WSU College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (CPPS). In his new position, will provide oversight and vision for the Pharmaceutical Sciences and Molecular Medicine graduate program at the college.

Ahmed has taught in the graduate program since he first joined the college in April of 2014 first as an associate professor and now as a full professor with tenure. In addition to his new role, Ahmed will continue to teach in courses focused on topics varying from the fundamentals of molecular and cellular mechanisms in diseases and toxicological studies to drug discovery … » More …

Q&A with the new associate dean of external relations

Julie Akers, class of 2000, has been named associate dean for external relations at the WSU College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (CPPS). In her new position, she will be managing and maintaining external relationships of the college while continuing her long-standing legislative and professional advocacy efforts.

Akers first joined the college back in 2013, when the program made the transition from Pullman to Spokane. Since then, she has taught in the Doctor of Pharmacy … » More …