Remembering Hae Mi Choe, Pharm.D.: A Visionary Leader, Innovator and Advocate for Patients and Pharmacy

MPA is saddened to learn of the passing of longtime MPA and MSHP member Hae Mi Choe after battling an aggressive form of leukemia for more than a year. She was 57.



Throughout her career, Dr. Choe served in numerous leadership roles, including associate dean for pharmacy innovations and partnerships at the University of Michigan College of Pharmacy; chief population health officer at Michigan Medicine; and executive director of the Michigan Institute for Care Management and Transformation with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. She earned her Pharm.D. from the University of California, San Francisco, and began her career by establishing ambulatory pharmacy services at Samsung Medical Center in Seoul, South Korea, before joining the University of Michigan in 1999.

A champion of team-based care, Dr. Choe revolutionized ambulatory practice with the integration of pharmacists into primary care and specialty care areas across Michigan Medicine and our state. Dr. Choe’s influence extended across clinical practice, research, education and health policy. She was a widely-respected scholar in chronic disease management, medication optimization and pharmacogenomics.

"I know that many of our outstanding faculty were by her side throughout this battle, as she was in and out of Michigan Medicine, and for that, I and her family are forever grateful," U-M College of Pharmacy Dean Vicki Ellingrod said. "Words cannot express the deep sorrow and loss this brings to our college community and the profession. Hae Mi was unwavering in her efforts to advance the practice of pharmacy, aiming to improve health outcomes for the patients we serve. She was renowned around the world for her innovative work and, throughout her career, received numerous awards for her efforts. Beyond work, Hae Mi was a true friend to many of us, and we are lucky to have known her."

She received numerous accolades, including the ASHP Board of Directors Distinguished Leadership Award; the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy Crystal APPLE Award; the Pinnacle Award from the American Pharmacists Association Foundation; the MSHP President’s Award; and was a two-time winner of the Michigan Pharmacists Association Innovative Pharmacy Practice Award (now known as the Excellence in Innovation Award).

Beyond her professional achievements, Hae Mi was a remarkable human being. She was graceful, generous and deeply committed to those around her. Even in the face of personal adversity, she led with purpose and empathy, always thinking about how to make the health system more just and accessible. In her final days, she continued advocating for patients, telling those close to her: “We need to make this easier for patients. Help me, help others.”

Hae Mi brought people together, bridged vision into action and elevated the role of pharmacy in health care in ways that will continue to resonate for generations. Her legacy lives on in the programs she built, the people she mentored and the lives she touched.

She is survived by her beloved husband, Yong, and their two children, Allison and Chris.

Hae Mi will be dearly missed, but never forgotten.

Details regarding memorials for Hae Mi will be announced at a later date. MPA extends its deepest sympathies to Hae Mi's family, friends, colleagues and all who had the privilege of knowing her for their tremendous loss.

Save the Date: MSHP Annual Meeting Oct. 24

The MSHP Annual Meeting is coming Oct. 24 to the Hilton Doubletree-Dearborn! Save the date and mark off your calendars for this important continuing education opportunity. Registration will be available later this summer.

MSHP Social Sept. 18 at High Caliber

Join the Michigan Society of Health-System Pharmacists (MSHP) Organizational Affairs Committee for food, drinks and fun at High Caliber Karting & Entertainment Sept. 18, from 3-6 p.m., inside the Meridian Mall in Okemos. Pharmacists, technicians and their families are welcome to attend.



If you are interested in attending, please click the register button below and RSVP no later than Sept. 11, 2025. If members intend to bring their spouse, children or other guests, please make sure to add them as attendees when registering for your ticket.

ASHP’s New Public Awareness Campaign:

We’re Your Pharmacist

Hospital and health-system pharmacists are a key part of the patient care team. ASHP recently introduced We’re Your Pharmacist, a comprehensive look into the specialized knowledge and skills pharmacists demonstrate every day. We’re Your Pharmacist, a multimedia campaign, will help the public understand that hospital and health-system pharmacists are essential patient care providers, from selecting appropriate medication therapies to providing medication management across the continuum of care to counseling patients and helping make treatments more accessible and affordable. Visit YourPharmacist.org to share your story and learn how you can help activate the campaign in your network and community.

Nominate Colleagues for MPA and Section Awards Now

Nominate one of your colleagues for a prestigious MPA award to recognize their professional accomplishments! Nominations are due by Aug. 29. MPA is accepting nominations for the following awards:

MPA Awards

• MPA Pharmacist of the Year
• Bowl of Hygeia
• Executive Board Medal
• Excellence in Innovation
• Pharmacists^TM Mutual Distinguished Young Pharmacist Award
• Fred W. Arnold Public Relations Award
• Fellow of MPA
• Ernie Koch Striving for Excellence Award

Section Awards

CSPM

• CSPM Pharmacist of the Year Award

MSCP

• MSCP Pharmacist of the Year Award

MSHP

• MSHP Pharmacist of the Year Award
• MSHP Joseph A. Oddis Leadership Award
• MSHP Professional Practice Award
• MSHP Presidents Award
• MSHP Excellence in Wellness Practice Award*

MSPT

• MSPT Technician of the Year Award
• MSPT Service Award

*The MSHP Excellence in Wellness Practice Award is a new award and will be presented for the first time this year. The MSHP Excellence in Wellness Practice Award is presented to an individual (pharmacist, pharmacy resident, student pharmacist, pharmacy technician), department, or group for their involvement in a wellness practice initiative. Whether through promoting mental health awareness, advocating for physical well-being, or supporting work-life balance, the Excellence in Wellness Practice Award celebrates those who make a meaningful impact on the wellness culture within the health care sector.

The criteria for the award is as follows:

• Applicant(s) is a Michigan pharmacist, student pharmacist, pharmacy resident, pharmacy technician, pharmacy department, or group of pharmacists/students/residents/technicians. The nominee (or at least one nominee in the group if a group is nominated) must be an active member of MPA.
• Project has been undertaken, modified, or expanded within the last five years.
• Project must demonstrate impact on wellness culture in a pharmacy or health care setting.

Register Now: 5th Annual OASIS

The 2025 Outpatient Antimicrobial Stewardship Innovations Symposium (OASIS), sponsored by the Michigan Society of Health-System Pharmacists (MSHP) and the Ferris State University College of Pharmacy, is a 4.5-hour educational meeting, held on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025, with both in-person and virtual options for attendees.

Cost:

• Pharmacists, nurses and providers: $25
• Pharmacy technicians and students: $15

Registration is open now! Click the button below to sign up.

- AMBULATORY CARE -

Pharmacy Community Empowered to Support Mental Health

for Patients Through Mental Health First Aid Training

By Carleigh Hendrickson, Pharm.D.

Pharmacy team members are among the most accessible health care professionals, often serving as the first point of contact for individuals seeking medical advice. This accessibility results in a unique position not only addressing physical health concerns, but also mental health challenges, which are increasingly prevalent. The National Council on Mental Health offers Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training that equips team members with the knowledge and skills to recognize, respond to and support individuals experiencing mental health crises or challenges, enhancing their role as trusted health care providers and promoting safety of patients in the community.

Many individuals with mental health concerns do not seek help due to stigma, lack of awareness or limited access to mental health services. Pharmacists can bridge this gap by offering nonjudgmental support and connecting patients to appropriate resources. MHFA training enhances one’s ability to approach sensitive conversations and guide patients toward professional help when needed.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, nearly one in five adults in the United States lives with a mental illness. With this prevalence, pharmacy team members are likely to encounter patients managing mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression or substance use disorders. MHFA training helps pharmacists identify signs of distress and the tools to respond appropriately. Research shows that integrating mental health support into primary care can significantly improve patient outcomes. As medication experts, pharmacists play a crucial role in optimizing therapies for mental health conditions. 

MHFA training enables one to provide holistic care by addressing both the pharmacological and emotional needs. Pharmacy team members working in health systems, community pharmacies or specialty clinics can encounter individuals in mental health crises. In these environments, MHFA skills are critical for de-escalating high-stress situations and providing immediate support. Mental health crises can affect not only patients but also colleagues within the health care team. MHFA training equips pharmacists with skills to recognize and address mental health challenges for their peers, fostering a supportive workplace environment.

The National Council for Mental Wellbeing offers comprehensive MHFA programs tailored to various populations and professional settings. The Adult MHFA training focuses on helping adults identify and respond to mental health challenges in other adults. It covers common conditions like depression, anxiety and substance use disorders, strategies to de-escalate crises and connect individuals with professional care. Pharmacy professionals who serve pediatric populations or work in school settings may benefit from specialized Youth MHFA training. It equips participants to support children and adolescents experiencing mental health challenges, including trauma, bullying or self-harm. Courses are available in-person through an instructor-led training, partially in-person (blended in-person) or virtually (called blended virtual). The cost of Mental Health First Aid training can vary based on factors such as the training provider, format (in-person or virtual) and geographic location.

Mental Health First Aid certification is valid for three years from the date of completion. After this period, participants are encouraged to take a refresher course to maintain their certification and stay updated on best practices. The refresher course typically covers new material and reinforces key concepts from the original training. Opportunities to be trained can be found at mentalhealthfirstaid.org/take-a-course.

- RESIDENCY -

Winner of MSHP Resident Virtual Poster Competition Announced

In May, the first annual MSHP Resident Virtual Poster Competition was held, and three finalists shared their completed research projects. Each resident showcased excellence in research and offered a meaningful contribution to the advancement of our profession.

The MSHP Residency Committee is excited to congratulate Noreen Jabiro as the selected finalist invited to share their research at the MSHP Annual Meeting. Noreen will receive a cash prize and a one-year membership to MPA.

All finalist posters have also been published on the MPA website to acknowledge their achievement.

• An Evaluation of the Impact of Rite Aid Pharmacy Closures on Member Adherence, Out-of-Pocket Spending and Access to Pharmacies
• Assessment of PGY-1 and PGY-2 Pharmacy Residency Program Adaptation of ASHP’s Wellbeing/Resiliency Standard
• Improving Outpatient Antimicrobial Stewardship Through Pharmacist Assessment of Urine Cultures via a Mature Culture Follow-up Program

- RESIDENT'S CORNER -

Gluten and Our Role as Pharmacists

By Chaz Hyatt, Pharm.D., Meijer/Pfizer/FSU PGY1 Residency Site Coordinator

Celiac disease (CD) is a chronic digestive and immune condition which causes damage to the small intestine.^1,2 CD is caused by host genetic factors, which can lead to an immune reaction to gluten, a protein found in certain grains such as wheat, barley and rye.¹ The immune reaction and subsequent inflammatory response leads to damage to the villi of the small intestine.¹

Symptoms of celiac disease can vary as it affects many parts of the patient’s body. Severity can range from asymptomatic to severely disabling.² Digestive symptoms include bloating, chronic diarrhea, constipation, nausea and abdominal pain.³ In children, celiac disease can cause malabsorption of nutrients, leading to damage to teeth enamel, delayed puberty or failure to thrive.² Non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) is a condition in which ingesting gluten can lead to symptoms similar to CD, but without the immune-mediated damage to the small intestine.² The pathophysiology of NCGS is not entirely known, but is thought to involve only the intestinal innate immune system, which differs from CD because it does not involve an adaptive immune response.³

For both conditions, the only treatment is to eat a gluten-free diet.^4,5 Although most grocery stores offer a variety of gluten-free foods, it is important to remember that food products labeled as “gluten-free” may still contain trace amounts of gluten, as FDA regulations allow a gluten concentration of 20 parts per million or less in their labeling requirements.⁶ Additionally, medications are an additional consideration in attempting a gluten-free diet, as gluten may be present in one or more of the active or inactive ingredients.^6,7

Most medications contain no gluten or less gluten than is allowed in a serving of food labeled as “gluten-free” per FDA regulations.⁶ This small amount of gluten is unlikely to cause symptoms on its own, however, many patients may strive to eliminate gluten from their diet entirely due to continued symptoms.^6,7

In 2017, the FDA released a draft guidance recommending that manufacturers adopt a gluten-free statement on their drug product labels if they were truly gluten free; however, few manufacturers have opted to follow this guidance to date.⁷ Without specific gluten-free product labeling, the only way to tell if there is gluten in a medication is to look at the ingredients or contact the manufacturer.

As a pharmacist, one of the best ways to determine if a medication contains gluten is to look at the inactive ingredients. Gluten could be listed as an inactive ingredient but is more likely to be present in the form of other inactive ingredients derived from wheat products, such as wheat starch, wheat flour and other ingredients derived from starch.⁷ Ingredients derived from starch are potentially derived from wheat starch, meaning they could contain gluten. These ingredients include modified starch, sodium starch glycolate and starch hydrolysates (maltodextrin, dextrose, sugar alcohols, etc.).⁷ Drug package labeling can help determine if gluten is present, but in cases of uncertainty, the best course of action is to contact the manufacturer directly. The FDA encourages all manufacturers to have accurate information on the sources of their ingredients available so that they can respond to questions from patients or health care providers.⁶

Celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity can cause significant gastrointestinal symptoms that may interfere with a patient’s quality of life. As the best mode of treatment is a gluten-free diet, all products that a patient ingests, including prescription and OTC medications, should be evaluated for gluten content. Although the small amount of gluten present in medications will likely not affect most gluten-sensitive patients, pharmacists should be prepared to help patients evaluate their medication and supplements for gluten-containing ingredients. 

References

1. Kagnoff, m. (2007). Celiac disease: pathogenesis of a model immunogenetic disease. J CLIN INVEST, 117(1), 41-49. https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI30253
2. Definition & Facts for Celiac Disease. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/celiac-disease/definition-facts
3. Leonard, M., Sapone, A., Catassi, C., Fasano, A. (2017, August 15). Celiac Disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity: A review. JAMA, 318(7), 647-656. https://celiac.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/jama_celiac_2017.pdf
4. 20 Things You Might Not Know About Celiac Disease. Celiac Disease Foundation. https://celiac.org/2016/08/19/20-things-you-might-not-know-about-celiac-disease/#:~:text=Last Updated: January 13%2C 2022,Colitis%2C and Cystic Fibrosis combined.
5. Gluten Sensitivity. MedlinePlus. https://medlineplus.gov/glutensensitivity.html 
6. Medications and Gluten. U.S. Food And Drug Adminstration. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/buying-using-medicine-safely/medications-and-gluten#:~:text=Typically%2C how much gluten is,free according to FDA's regulations
7. Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. (2017, December). Gluten in drug products and associated labeling recommendations; draft. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/regulatory-information/search-fda-guidance-documents/gluten-drug-products-and-associated-labeling-recommendations-draft-guidance-industry

OFFICERS

PRESIDENT | Stacy Brousseau | 269-341-7407 | Bronson Methodist Hospital, Kalamazoo

PRESIDENT-ELECT | Nada Farhat | nmhammou@med.umich.edu | Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor

IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT | Kyle Schmidt | 616-685-6675 | Mercy Health St. Mary's, Grand Rapids

TREASURER | Michelle Dehoorne | 313-343-6381 | Ascension, Detroit

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT | Edward Szandzik | 313-587-6279 | Detroit

DIRECTORS

Tara McAlpine | tara.mcalpine@trinity-health.org | Trinity Health Michigan

Ben Pontefract | bpontefract@gmail.com | Ferris State University, Big Rapids

Julie Schmidt | 269-341-7999 | Bronson Methodist Hospital, Kalamazoo

Amber Lanae Martirosov | 313-916-3494 | Wayne State University, Detroit

REGIONAL SOCIETY REPRESENTATIVES 

CENTRAL | Tim Ekola | 734-845-3418 | VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System

NORTHERN | Miranda Maitland | mirandapmaitland@gmail.com | My Michigan Medical Center, Sault Ste. Marie

SOUTHEASTERN | Lama Hsaiky | lama.hsaiky@corewellhealth.org | Corewell Health, Dearborn

WESTERN | Jessica Prociv | jessie_olds28@yahoo.com | Bronson Methodist Hospital, Kalamazoo

MANAGING EDITOR | Ryan Weiss | (517) 377-0232 | Michigan Pharmacists Association, Lansing

The MSHP Monitor is a publication of the Michigan Society of Health-System Pharmacists, published as a service to its members.

Michigan Society of Health-System Pharmacists - An Affiliated Chapter of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists and a Practice Section of the Michigan Pharmacists Association