Hello, friends! I consider it a privilege to share exciting news from the Union University College of Pharmacy with you. You’re likely aware that the COP has had quite a few changes in the past months, so it seems fitting to write this note as we transition from the warmth of summer days to the crisp coolness of the fall season. As the beauty of creation begins to visibly change around us, we remain grounded in one truth – that God remains constant in the face of change. Yes, the COP has walked through significant change, but we remain steadfast in our commitment to our mission and to living out the Core Values of Union University.

Excellence-driven: This newsletter contains many examples of excellence, but I can assure you, there are many more. I wish you could see our faculty both challenge and support students in the classroom. These challenges are not simply to excel academically, but to grow in their personal walk as well. I wish you could hear the questions posed by our students to faculty and guest speakers. They are rich, thought-provoking, and give me a glimpse into the innovative clinicians they will soon be. Our alumni continue to exceed expectations, and nothing makes me happier than to hear directly about those accomplishments.

Christ-centered: I have been so encouraged just this week by the many faculty and students who have stepped up, identifying tangible ways we can support those affected by the recent hurricane. I must also acknowledge the Christ-likeness of our exceptional staff, who continue to serve our students in a variety of ways, always saying, “Yes!,” no matter the task.

People-focused: In August, we were able to pause and honor two very special individuals to the COP, Founding Dean Dr. Sheila Mitchell and Founding Associate Dean Dr. George DeMaagd. What a sweet time it was to revisit the memories made over the past 17 years. It was truly moving to hear from so many of you about what they meant to you personally—how they have impacted your life for the better. I share those feelings of gratitude!

Future-directed: A tremendous foundation has been laid by Drs. Mitchell and DeMaagd. We honor their legacy by continuing their expectation of excellence. We honor their legacy by continuing to honor Christ with our thoughts and actions. We honor their legacy by remaining focused on the development of the heart of the COP, our current and future students. To honor Dean Mitchell and Dr. DeMaagd for their 17 years of dedicated service to the College of Pharmacy, please consider making a donation to the Founders Award, established in their names to continue supporting the students who were at the heart of their commitment.

Thank you for being such great partners to the COP, a place where faith and knowledge unite in a beautiful way.

Kim M. Jones, PharmD, BCPS, FASHP
Dean and Professor of Pharmacy Practice

Dr. Kate Cozart (’14) has had an outstanding year! She was invited to the University of Rhode Island's Seminar by the Sea in March, where she spoke on compassion in medicine and psychological safety. She gave the keynote address for Phi Lambda Sigma's Leadership Summit in April. She rounded-out the summer speaking at the Tennessee Pharmacists Association's Summer Meeting, where she was named TSHP Pharmacist of the Year! This year will be her first serving as Residency Program Coordinator for the VA TN Valley Healthcare System.

Dr. Neil Hunter ('14) received the Louisiana Society for Health-System Pharmacists 2024 Health-System Pharmacist of the Year Award.

Dr. Audrey Davis ('18) was inducted into the Jackson-Madison County Sports Hall of Fame this year, recognizing her running accomplishments in cross country, track, middle distance, and marathons.

Dr. Drew Wells ('20) presented "Full Court PRESSin: An Update on Hepatorenal Syndrome" at the Tennessee Pharmacists Association's Summer Meeting in Memphis, Tennessee.

Dr. Ashley Sidebottom ('21) was recently named Pharmacy Operations Manager for Baptist Memorial Hospital - Memphis, where she also serves as the Community PGY1 Residency Program Coordinator. 

Congratulations to alumni Dr. Taylor Barnes ('19), Dr. Chris Bowens ('19), Dr. Ashley Sidebottom ('21), and Dr. Jeff Snow ('20) who were all selected to participate in the inaugural cohort of Tennessee Pharmacists Association's Emerging Leaders Academy.

Simran Chahal ('25) has been appointed to serve on the 2024-2025 ASHP Pharmacy Student Forum Advisory Group for Career and Leadership Development. This group serves to advise ASHP regarding professional development, career exploration opportunities, and the growth and development of future pharmacy leaders.

Daniel Horton ('25) has been appointed to serve on the 2024-2025 ASHP Pharmacy Student Forum Advisory Group for Advancement of Professional Pharmacy Practice. This group serves to advise ASHP regarding the development and support of programs designed to engage and educate students regarding initiatives to advance the practice of pharmacy.

Brianna Correia ('26) was elected to serve as the 2024-2025 Tennessee Pharmacists Association-Tennessee Society of Student Pharmacists President-elect and will serve as President in the following term.

Additionally, Brianna provided a New Drug Update at TPA's summer meeting in Memphis

Rachel Lucky ('26) was elected to serve as the American Pharmacists Association's Academy of Student Pharmacists President-elect 2024-2025. Following this term, she will serve as the APhA-ASP President for one year.

Corey McLemore ('25) was appointed to serve on the National Community Pharmacists Association's 2024-2025 Student Leadership Council. The SLC promotes the profession of pharmacy and the role of independent community pharmacists, and they work to ensure effective communication between NCPA Student Chapters and the NCPA Department of Student Affairs.

Jessica Revelle ('26) has been selected to serve Christian Pharmacists Fellowship International's National Student Council as 2024-2025 NSC Chair. In this role, she serves her peers and other executive officers as well as the CPFI Board of Directors.

The inaugural Union University College of Pharmacy Alumni Foundation Scholarship was awarded in April to Justin Lee ('24). This scholarship was funded by UUCOP alumni, faculty, staff, preceptors, and friends. We are so thankful for the generosity of each individual who donated and the overwhelming support for our students!

Congratulations to Corey McLemore ('25) and Hannah Rico ('25), 2 of only 20 pharmacy students nationwide to receive the 2024 Pharmacists Mutual Community Pharmacy Scholarship!

The TSSP Student Allegiance Award was presented in March to Kaitlin Mooney ('24)! This award is presented annually to a final year pharmacy student with a minimum of two years of continuous affiliation, who has demonstrated devotion to TSSP, and through their outstanding contributions has directly benefitted TSSP, TPA, or both.

UUCOP's Student Society of Health-System Pharmacists chapter is one of only twenty chapters nationwide to received the Outstanding Professional Development Award, recognizing exceptional professional development projects that demonstrate creativity and a meaningful impact.

Monica Barrett ('18): Barrett M, Kemerer S, Colvard M. Implementation and Evaluation of Interprofessional Overdose Review Team Recommendations Following Intentional or Accidental Overdose Events. Mental Health Clinician. 2024 Jun 03;14(3):224-228. Check it out here.

Will Cooper ('13): Gohil SK, Septimus E, Cooper WS, et al. Stewardship Prompts to Improve Antibiotic Selection for Urinary Tract Infection: The INSPIRE Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. 2024. Apr 19;331(23):2018-2028. Check it out here.
Also:
Gohil SK, Septimus E, Cooper WS, et al. Stewardship Prompts to Improve Antibiotic Selection for Pneumonia. JAMA. 2024. Apr 19;331(23):2007-2017. Check it out here.

George DeMaagd (Faculty), Lesley Archer ('26), Ashley Pugh (Faculty): DeMaagd G, Archer L, Pugh A. The Community Pharmacist's Role in the Management of Migraine. Pharmacy Times. 2024 Sep 23. Check it out here.

Natalie Greer ('24), Drew Wells ('20): Greer N, Hudson JQ, Wells DA, et al. The Use of Intraperitoneal Ampicillin in a Patient with Enterococcus faecalis Peritonitis. Journal of Pharmacy Practice. 2024 May 23;ePub. Check it out here.

Zac Halford (Faculty): Cho HN, Wells L, Halford Z. Implementation and Evaluation of APOTECAchemo in a Community Cancer Center: A Comparative Study of Robotic Versus Manual Antineoplastic Preparation. Journal of Pharmacy Technology. 2024 Sep 13;ePub. Check it out here.

Kim Jones (Faculty): Jones KM, Lepp G, Fierke KK. If Like Produces Like, Do We Like Where We Are Going? Curr Pharm Teach Learn. 2024 Sep;16(9):102109. Check it out here.

Kate Norville ('21): Mbonde AA, Gritsch D, Norville KA, et al. Neuroinvasive West Nile Virus Infection in Immunocompromised and Immunocompetent Adults. JAMA Netw Open. 2024 Mar 28;7(3):e244294. Check it out here.

Jacob Shaver ('25), Daniel Horton ('25), Zac Halford (Faculty): Shaver J, Horton D, Halford Z. Targeting GPRC5D with Talquetamab: A New Frontier in Bispecific Antibody Therapy for Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma. Annals of Pharmacotherapy. 2024 Aug 27;ePub. Check it out here.

Morgan Vincent ('24): Vincent MN, Jaggers J, Fiske, C, et al. Amikacin Symmetrical Drug-related Intertriginous and Flexural Exanthema on the Basis of Neomycin Cross-reactivity Managed with Desensitization and Treating Through. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2024 AUg;133(2):215-217. Check it out here.

Welcome!!

Please join us in giving a very warm welcome to our two newest staff members: Mrs. Natalie Snuffin (left), Coordinator for Experiential Learning, and Mrs. Kristin Taylor (right), Coordinator for Student Services.

Tenure and Promotions: Dr. Jennifer Byrd (left) has been awarded tenure. Dr. Austin Camp (middle) and Dr. Taylor Mathis (right) have both been promoted to Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice.

Dr. Ashley Pugh presented "Taking A Shot at Immunization Updates" at the Tennessee Pharmacists Association's Summer Meeting. In March, she was installed for a 2-year term on the American Pharmacists Association Academy of Pharmacy Practice and Management's Executive Committee. Additionally, she was invited by APhA and the APhA Foundation to serve as "CEO for a Day" in September during which she met with APhA leadership and advocated for ECAPS on Capitol Hill!

Dr. Jeff Snow was appointed as the 2024-2025 Member Engagement Standing Committee Chair for the American Pharmacists Association's New Practitioner Network! In this role, he will lead one of three committees dedicated to serving newly graduated pharmacists across the country.

David Harlan ('15) and his wife Hannah welcomed their second son on May 2, 2024!

Have you recently obtained a certification, started a new job, or made an addition to your family? Let us celebrate with you - click the link below to include your update in our next newsletter.

Union University College of Pharmacy
1050 Union University Dr.
Jackson, Tennessee 38305
uu.edu/pharmacy 

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