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Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences News

Pandemic becomes once-in-a lifetime lesson for pharmacy student

Though it has been a difficult year of remote learning, fourth-year pharmacy student Trevor Schultz did not miss a beat. Passionate about working with rural and underserved communities, Schultz teamed up with class of 2009 alumni Tyler Fischback at Confluence Health in Wenatchee to support COVID-19 mass immunization efforts in a largely rural and agricultural area serving the Chelan, Douglas, Grant, and Okanogan counties in Washington state.

“I’m really passionate about giving back and serving the community. This pandemic needs to be taken seriously. It’s inspiring me because it’s a beacon of hope to end this thing. I want to educate the public about this … » More …

Target protein identified for improving heart attack treatment

By Judith Van Dongen, WSU Health Sciences Spokane Office of Research
Originally posted in the WSU Insider June 2, 2021

SPOKANE, Wash. – A new study led by researchers at Washington State University has identified a protein that could be the key to improving treatment outcomes after a heart attack.

Published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, the research suggests that protein kinase A (PKA) plays a role in heart muscle cell necrosis, a major type of cell death that commonly occurs after reperfusion therapy, the treatment used to unblock arteries and restore blood flow after a heart attack.

“Our study has … » More …

Outreach in Wapato

Nestled in the lower Yakima Valley, located on the Yakima Indian Reservation just a twenty-minute drive south of Yakima, Washington lies the town of Wapato with a population of just over 5,000. Originally a railway station, Wapato has grown into an agricultural community with most residents of the predominantly Hispanic/Latino town working on family-owned farms and orchards.

This March, a group of third-and fourth-year Yakima pharmacy students visited this small town to lend their hands and expertise to the COVID-19 vaccination outreach effort.

“I feel proud to be amongst the countless health care professionals working towards protecting our community and way of life,” said class … » More …

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 ...

May 2021 Updates

FACULTY SCHOLARSHIP

Publications

Pharmacotherapy Associate Professor and Director for the Center for Pharmacy Practice Research Kimberly McKeirnan and five co-authors published, “Improving pneumococcal vaccination rates among rural older adults through academic detailing: medicine, nursing and pharmacy partnership,” in the Molecular Diversity Preservation International (MDPI) Journal in March 2021.

Research Fellow Sorosh Kherghehpoush and Kimberly McKeirnan published, “Pharmacist-led HIV and hepatitis C point-of-care testing and risk mitigation counseling in individuals experiencing homelessness,” in Elsevier’s March 2021 Exploratory Research in Clinical and Social Pharmacy Journal.

Kimberly McKeirnan, Vice Chair and Allen I. White Distinguished Associate Professor of Pharmacotherapy Joshua Neumiller and one co-author published, “» 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 ...

Pharmacy student recognized as Woman of Distinction

Health care professionals by nature are in the field of helping others, often giving their time and energy to improving the lives of their patients. Even so, there are those who truly go above and beyond to serve the need of others, putting the lives of those around them above their own to make the world a better place. Third-year pharmacy student Misty Lefler is just such one of those people. » More ...

CPPS students and faculty recognized by University

Across the 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. It is with great pride the college announces the WSU President’s Awards for Leadership and WSU Health Sciences Chancellor’s Excellence Awards received by CPPS students and faculty. » More ...

WSU pharmacy students take APhA virtual meeting by storm

A year of virtual meetings has in no way slowed down WSU College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences students. This year at the virtual American Pharmacists Associations (APhA) annual meeting WSU pharmacy students made waves: Carissa Teeters, class of 2023, presented and passed a resolution during the house of delegates; Zachary Coleman, class of 2022, was selected to serve as the chair of the national Policy Standing Committee; the WSU chapter of APhA-ASP (APhA-Academy of Student Pharmacists) received the Operation Immunization 2019-2020 First Runner-Up Award; and second-year Kennedy Erickson was elected APhA-ASP President by her peers across the nation. This is the first time that … » More …