June 2023

As the 2023 SEC Faculty Achievement Award winner for the University of Mississippi, Kristie Willett is most excited about what the honor represents.

"Maybe I'm inspiring other women," said Willett, chair of the university's Department of BioMolecular Sciences. "In the past, there haven't been as many female winners from UM, so I hope that other women who see me will be encouraged to apply in the future."

The Southeastern Conference uses the Faculty Achievement Awards to honor one faculty member from each of its 14 institutions for their success in teaching, research and service.

Sydney Russell of Collinsville, a School of Pharmacy student, is pursuing two dreams - earning a Pharm.D. degree and becoming Miss USA.

"You don't have to pick just one dream," Russell said of the challenge of professional rotations, an essential part of a pharmacy education, and preparing for the Miss USA pageant, to be held later this year in Reno, Nevada. "You have to go for your dreams and trust that everything will work out like it's supposed to."

Russell was crowned Miss Mississippi USA in the state pageant, held at the Pearl River Resort in Choctaw in April.

"Sydney is an amazing student who will be an amazing pharmacist," said Donna Strum, dean of the School of Pharmacy. "We are so proud of Sydney as she will represent our state as the reigning Miss Mississippi USA. She inspires us with her smile, positive attitude and hard work ethic. We are excited for her and wish her the best in representing our great state."

Among the 41 American Society of Health-System Pharmacists members to be honored as new 2023 ASHP fellows is Joshua Fleming, clinical associate professor with the Department of Pharmacy Practice. 

"This is something that I have worked towards since completion of pharmacy school," Fleming said. "It demonstrates tangibly my dedication to the profession and the advancement of pharmacy practice.

The newest fellows of ASHP will be honored on June 13 during a ceremony at the ASHP Summer Meeting and Exhibition in Baltimore.

A record five University of Mississippi students have been selected for awards in the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program, including pharmacy graduate student Emily Rasmussen (pictured second from left) of Union Grove, Wisconsin. Rasmussen is pursuing a doctorate in biomolecular sciences.

"This degree combines my passion for serving others with my interest in science by developing much-needed therapies for those suffering from illness," she said.

The five-year fellowships provide three years of financial support. Each fellowship comes with a $37,000 annual stipend for the fellow, plus a $12,000 cost of education allowance to the college or university that the fellow chooses for their graduate program.

Nationwide, only about 15% of applications result in awards each year.

Dietary supplements come with a disclaimer that they are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent diseases. Still, a University of Mississippi pharmacy expert advises users to know exactly what they can and cannot do.

Hayley Prescott, instructional assistant professor of pharmacy, said that she advocates for being the most informed consumer you can.

The School of Pharmacy was well-represented at the Staff Appreciation Week Awards Ceremony in May. 

Chancellor Glenn Boyce recognized Le'Tosha James, program manager in the Department of Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery, as the Overall Outstanding Staff Member of the Year. James will have worked for the university for 10 years in November.

Melissa King, program manager in the School of Pharmacy, received the Outstanding Staff Award in the EE3 category. King has worked for the university for five years.

"Our staff are the best and are a key reason for our success," said pharmacy dean Donna Strum. "We are thrilled that two of our staff members were recognized by the university for their excellence."

Congrats to Randy Allen and Horace Willis for receiving the May Staff Power Teamwork Award.

Congratulations to Adam Pate for being named chair, Department of Pharmacy Practice.

Larry Alexander, manager of web design services and network administrator

CE opportunity: Provider Status: State and Federal Efforts to Pay Pharmacists for Patient Care Services

June 8

Sponsored by UM School of Pharmacy Alumni Association - Oxford, MS

June 29

School of Pharmacy graduates celebrate with a selfie at the school's commencement ceremony on May 11. Congratulations to all of our graduates!

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