Happy new year and welcome to the winter edition of our school newsletter, in which we celebrate some of the many accomplishments of our faculty, students, and alumni.
Once again, the end of the fall semester was highlighted by a successful School reception and display of student research posters at the ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting. During this year’s meeting in Las Vegas, MCPHS School of Pharmacy students presented over 40 research posters. Seeing their work displayed on two long poster aisles in such a large exhibition hall highlights the dedication of faculty at both MCPHS Schools of Pharmacy to supporting student research, as well as their generosity with their time.
This fall, we also welcomed our first Walgreens Shared Faculty member, Caitlin Trethewey. Walgreens is sponsoring this innovative program, in which one of their leaders in community pharmacy spends one day a week on campus teaching and mentoring pharmacy students. We are excited to be one of the first 20 programs in the United States to participate.
Lastly, as we launch the spring semester, it reminds us that we will soon be recognizing the recipients of our School of Pharmacy Alumni Awards during the Reed Conference on March 5, 2026. This is only the second year that MCPHS has given these prestigious awards to our alumni; thanks to you, both Schools of Pharmacy have an excellent list of worthy nominees.
Yours in Pharmacy Education, Practice and Research,
Robert DiCenzo, Pharm.D., FCCP, FAPhA
Associate Provost for Pharmacy Education and Dean of the School of Pharmacy in Boston
Faculty News
2025 Preceptor Appreciation Day:
Recognizing Outstanding Educators
Left to right: Ricky Thumar, Jigar Mehta
Paul DiFrancesco
On Thursday, September 25, the Office of Pharmacy Experiential Education held their annual Preceptor Appreciation Day at the DoubleTree Hilton in Westborough, MA. Over 100 preceptors from across New England attended and earned continuing education credits. Faculty from both Schools of Pharmacy presented preceptor development topics selected to support teaching and learning during rotations.
Associate Provost of Pharmacy Education and Dean of the School of Pharmacy in Boston, Robert DiCenzo, brought greetings from President Lessard and Provost Zeind. Paul Belliveau, Dean of the School of Pharmacy at Worcester/Manchester, welcomed the preceptors and helped convene the event. Heidi Snyder, an MCPHS alum, preceptor, and member of the MCPHS Board of Trustees, was also in attendance. Paul DiFrancesco, Associate Dean of Pharmacy Experiential Education, led the program.
The highlight of the day was the presentation of the Preceptor of the Year Awards; each winner was selected by our students.
Left to right: Andrew Szumita,
Dhiren Patel, Paul DiFrancesco
The following preceptors were honored with the award:
Jigar Mehta, PharmD, AAHIVP
Manager of Outpatient Pharmacy
Beth Israel Deaconess – Boston
Jordan Diebolt, PharmD, RPh Manager of Record Woodmark Pharmacy of Massachusetts, LLC
Dhiren Patel, PharmD
Partner and Co-Founder, Taurus Health
Left to right: Rita Morelli,
Jordan Diebolt, Paul DiFrancesco
The event was a complete success due to the support and hard work of the Deans and the Offices of Continuing Education, Advancement and Pharmacy Experiential Education. Special appreciation goes to Lisa Loftus, who led the organization of the event.
Welcoming Caitlin Trethewey:
Walgreens Community Practice Shared Faculty
Caitlin Trethewey
Join us in welcoming our first Walgreens Community Practice Shared Faculty member, Caitlin Trethewey!
The Walgreens Community Practice Shared Faculty Program represents an ongoing collaboration between Walgreens and partner universities to strengthen awareness of, engagement with, and interest in community pharmacy on campus. This national initiative includes approximately 20 schools of pharmacy across the country.
Caitlin Trethewey currently serves as Pharmacy Manager at Walgreens Pharmacy in Quincy. She is a 2019 graduate of the MCPHS School of Pharmacy – Worcester/Manchester and has been a Walgreens pharmacist since earning her PharmD. Since 2023, she has served as an adjunct faculty member at MCPHS facilitating classes in the Practice Management Laboratory in Worcester/Manchester. Caitlin Trethewey will be on the Boston campus one day a week to begin her faculty journey teaching in the pharmacy practice and skills courses.
Michele Matthews Recognized as Fellow of SPPCP
Michele Matthews
We are proud to share that Michele Matthews, PharmD, BCACP, FASHP, Professor of Pharmacy Practice, has been recognized as a Fellow of the Society of Pain and Palliative Care Pharmacists (SPPCP). This honor reflects her significant contributions to advancing pain management, palliative care, and hospice pharmacy practice. Fellows are selected for excellence in clinical practice, education, and professional development, as well as for their leadership and support of the Society’s mission. Michele Matthews continues to make a lasting impact in her field.
Subramaniam Lab Awarded Research Agreement to Advance Treatment Strategies for Inflammatory and Vascular Diseases
Saravanan Subramaniam
Saravanan Subramaniam has been awarded a $50,000 Research Service Agreement with Function Therapeutics Inc., located in Milwaukee, WI. The goals of this collaboration include screening a series of novel anti-inflammatory compounds (called parmodulins) using cellular assays to study their effects on blood vessels and the vascular system, including blood clotting. Function Therapeutics Inc. is working to advance parmodulins for the treatment of inflammation-related disorders, such as diabetic kidney and sickle cell disease. This partnership combines academic expertise with industry innovation, supporting Subramaniam’s goal of advancing translational research and exploring new therapeutic strategies for vascular health and thromboinflammatory disease management.
Priefer Lab Secures CRD Grants
for Innovative Diabetes Drug Research
Brinda Trivedi
Ronny Priefer
In an effort to develop new drugs that target untapped ways to treat diabetes, Ronny Priefer, Associate Dean of Graduate Studies, has focused his lab’s research on the PTP1B enzyme. Over activation of this enzyme has been demonstrated to decrease insulin’s role in regulating blood glucose. Ronny Priefer and Brinda Trivedi, a Medicinal Chemistry graduate student, are designing inhibitors of PTP1B. This work has led to the synthesis of dozens of dithiocarbamate analogs and two MCPHS Center for Research and Discovery grants.
In March 2026, Phung On will be awarded the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) Fellow Award. Phung is an Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice. This award was established to honor APhA members for exemplary professional achievements in professional practice and outstanding service to the profession through activities in APhA and other organizations.
The American Pharmacists Association is a national professional organization that represents and advances the entire pharmacy profession. It supports pharmacists, student pharmacists, and pharmacy technicians by promoting optimal medication use, improving patient health outcomes, and expanding access to pharmacist-provided care. Through advocacy, education, practice resources, and leadership in national policy and guideline development, APhA works to strengthen the profession and enhance patient care.
Alissa Segal
Alissa Segal Recognized by ADA for Leadership in Advancing Diabetes Standards of Care
Alissa Segal, PharmD, CDCES, CDTC, FCCP, was recognized by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) for her contributions as a member of the ADA’s Professional Practice Committee over the last three years. The primary responsibility for members of this committee is updating the Association’s evidence-based Standards of Care in Diabetes that are integrated into clinical practice worldwide. As the sole pharmacist on the committee, Alissa contributed to the work on almost every section of the guidelines. For the 2026 update, her work focused on the treatment of type 1 diabetes, noninsulin treatments, cardiovascular and kidney diseases, overweight and obesity, and the recommendations on the prevention, diagnosis and management of hyperglycemia for individuals undergoing cancer treatment.
Alissa Segal Appointed Inaugural Editor-in-Chief of New ADA Journal
Alissa Segal was also recently appointed as the inaugural Editor-in-Chief of the American Diabetes Association’s new journal, Diabetes, Obesity, and Cardiometabolic CARE. The broad scope of the journal emphasizes the interconnected challenges of managing diabetes, obesity and other cardiometabolic conditions. The journal’s tagline, Community, Access, Research, and Education (CARE), highlights their commitment to providing relevant content for all members of the care team. The first issue of the journal will be published in February.
On October 22, 2025, MCPHS celebrated the White Coat Ceremony, a significant milestone marking the students’ transition into the professional phase of their educational journey. During this time-honored tradition, members of the class of 2029 were presented with their white coats—a symbol of their commitment to professionalism, responsibility, and compassionate care. We are immensely proud of their achievements and look forward to witnessing their continued growth as future leaders in healthcare.
Khanh Nguyen Selected for Prestigious
ACCP Leadership APPE
Khanh Nguyen
Khanh Nguyen, PharmD Class of 2027, was selected from a national applicant pool to complete the American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP) Professional Leadership Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) during her P4 year. The APPE provides students with an opportunity to learn about leadership within a professional organization and interact with elected ACCP leaders and staff. Khanh is currently serving as the President of the MCPHS Boston Student College of Clinical Pharmacy chapter of ACCP.
Sarah Beasley Named Finalist for
ACCP Best Student Poster Award
Sarah Beasley
Congratulations to Sarah Beasley, who was named a finalist for the American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP) Best Student Poster Award for her presentation titled “Polypharmacy, Hyperpolypharmacy, and Mortality Risk Among Adults with Heart Failure.” This recognition honors student pharmacists who present outstanding research at the ACCP Annual Meeting. Awardees are selected by judges based on the strength, clarity, and impact of their work. Being chosen as a finalist highlights Sarah’s impressive scholarly development, strong communication skills, and commitment to advancing clinical pharmacy research.
Faculty, staff, and students participated in the 60th Annual American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) Midyear Clinical Meeting and Exhibition this past December at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. The event brought together pharmacists, technicians, and students for over 200 educational sessions, an expansive residency showcase, and numerous opportunities for professional growth and networking. During this meeting, over 150 friends of MCPHS attended the MCPHS Schools of Pharmacy Faculty, Student and Alumni Reception.
Left to right (back row): Spencer Casella, Jason Cross, Steven Crosby, Lisa Padget, Michele Matthews, Stephanie Frear
Left to right (front row): Shreya Asher, Robert DiCenzo, Paul Belliveau, Jennifer Towle, Alissa Segal, Trisha LaPointe, Stephanie Conway-Allen
A great evening reconnecting with our MCPHS community! Alumni, faculty, and friends came together to celebrate shared memories, meaningful connections, and the lasting spirit of MCPHS at our Alumni Reception.
