July 2023

Stuart Haines, professor of pharmacy practice and director of pharmacy professional development, has been named the 2023 American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy Distinguished Teaching Scholar. 

The award is designed to recognize excellence of academic pharmacy faculty engaged in and supporting scholarly teaching and the scholarship of teaching and learning. 

Haines will be officially presented with the award at the AACP Annual Meeting in Colorado later this month.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse has awarded the University of Mississippi a new five-year contract and $2 million work order for the cultivation of marijuana and related materials for research.

By fulfilling this work order, Ole Miss will help NIDA - which is part of the National Institutes of Health - supply quality, contaminant-free cannabis and its extracts and other materials to DEA-licensed researchers. 

"The university's new National Center for Cannabis Research and Education and this latest contract with NIDA have positioned our university to play an important role in cannabis research, education and policy," said Donna Strum, dean of the School of Pharmacy.

The University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy remains in the top 20 for total federal research funding, based on American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy Institutional Rankings.

The School of Pharmacy is ranked #17 in total federal funding for fiscal year 2022 at $16.3 million. Total National Institutes of Health funding was $8.8 million. Ranked #2 for other federal funding, the school captured $7.5 million. The pharmacy school came in at #21 for total external funding at $18.4 million.

The pharmacy profession carries many traditions, but one that stands out is the White Coat Ceremony, where new professional students receive their white coats. 

We invite you to connect with these student pharmacists and sponsor a white coat. Your sponsorship is a tangible way to celebrate these future pharmacists and wish them well on their professional journeys.

Being part of this tradition is an exciting and rewarding way to make personal connections with our incoming students. 

The Eugene B. Polk Pharmacy Scholarship has been established at the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy by Gary and Susan Cantrell to help ease the burden for students from rural areas.

"We are so grateful to receive funds for scholarships like these that make a huge impact on students, especially when they are also given as a tribute to pharmacy legends like the Polks," said Kris Harrell, associate dean for academic affairs.

Susan Cantrell said the scholarship is available to students from rural counties in particular because pharmacists are often the first point of contact for patients in rural communities.

The School of Pharmacy presented awards to six members of its faculty recognizing their excellence in their respective areas.

"This year's award winners exemplify excellence in research, teaching and service in our school," said Donna Strum. "I commend them for their impactful contributions and commitment to advancing knowledge, innovating in the classroom and serving others."

Those awarded were: Erin Holmes, Faculty Service Award; Amanda Capino, Jay Pitcock and Sally Earl (pictured above), Faculty Team Instructional Innovation Award; Amar Chittiboyina, Cumberland Pharmaceuticals Inc Faculty Research Award; and Vitor Pomin, New Investigator Research Award.

Many people see pharmacies simply as a place to get medications when they're sick, but the owner of two north Mississippi drugstores is expanding his business by helping customers maintain and protect their health.

Lee Griffin, who earned a bachelor's degree in pharmaceutical sciences and a Doctor of Pharmacy from the UM School of Pharmacy, is focusing on making health care more accessible through his businesses, Iuka Discount Drugs and Saltillo Pharmacy & Solutions.

Congratulations to those receiving tenure and/or promotion:

Zulfiqar Ali, promotion to principal scientist

Amanda Capino, promotion to clinical associate professor

Laurie Fleming, promotion to clinical professor

Ahmed Osman, promotion to principal scientist 

Sujith Ramachandran, tenure and promotion to associate professor

Natascha Techen, promotion to principal scientist

Noa Valcarcel, promotion to instructional associate professor

Congratulations to our MPhA award winners: Meagan Brown, MPhA Excellence in Innovation Award; Izzabella Christian, MPhA Student of the Year Award; and Leigh Ann Ross, Mississippi Bowl of Hygeia Award.

Congratulations to our MPhA alumni award winners: Anna Touchstone, MPhA Spirit of Pharmacy Award; Lauren Bloodworth, MPhA Hall of Fame Award; and Regan McIntosh, MPhA Member of the Year.

Congratulations to Seena Haines for her acceptance into the University of California, Berkeley - Greater Good Science Center's Bridging Differences in Higher Education Learning Fellowship Program.

Congratulations to Kris Harrell, Kate Wallace, Angela Ellis, Lindsey Cooper, Natalie Ehrhardt, Sage McNamara, Jen Blakley, Nadia McIntosh, Jit Majumdar, Melissa King, Peggy Duke, Sheri Conner, and Katie McClendon for receiving the June Staff Power Teamwork Award.

Laura Gullet, associate director of development

Christin Dobbs, academic advisor for pre-pharmacy students

Hope Tulchinsky, director of student success

July 21/ 4:45 pm

Sponsored by the UM School of Pharmacy alumni. Golden Nugget - Biloxi, MS

July 24/ 6:30 pm

Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center (Spruce 1 - First Floor) - Aurora, CO 

August 18/7 pm

Ford Center - Oxford, MS

In June, pharmacy students had the opportunity to study abroad in Italy. Exploring Rome and Florence, these students visited ancient pharmacies, historical sites, the Board of Pharmacy, institutional/community pharmacies, and all the restaurants they could fit into the schedule!

Pharmacy Matters informs, engages and celebrates the UM School of Pharmacy community.

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