Welcome to the newsletter of the School of Pharmacy-Worcester/Manchester

Message from the Dean

Hello Friends,

We’re pleased to share this winter newsletter and deliver exciting updates from your alma mater.

This fall, we were delighted to welcome 118 new PharmD students—104 in Worcester and 14 in Manchester. Initial application data and university surveys offer a meaningful snapshot of this new cohort.

*More than 90% identified the School of Pharmacy – Worcester/Manchester as their first or second choice.

*Nearly half are first-generation college students. Collectively, they speak at least 19 languages.

*Approximately a quarter are international students, joining us from nations including Canada, India, Iraq, and Korea, while others have completed undergraduate studies at colleges right here in Worcester. Notably, roughly 25% are studying in the U.S. on F-1 visas.This rich diversity of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences strengthens and enlivens our academic community.

Both the Worcester/Manchester and Boston Pharmacy Schools participated in an exciting project featured in The Ecosystem (Brodnick & Zuidinga). The case study highlights our distinctive academic environment—two separate yet collaborative pharmacy schools operating within a single university system—and showcases the unique advantages this structure provides.

Over the summer, we finalized a new Strategic Plan centered on five priority areas: Admissions; Student Success; Student Experience; Faculty and Staff Success; and Infrastructure and Technology. The plan supports our mission “to facilitate the development of learners to become transformative healthcare professionals within an environment that supports the success of all community members.” As we move forward, we are confident these initiatives will position us for meaningful progress and continue to inspire graduates who embody the spirit of this mission.

If you’re interested in supporting our students—whether by volunteering your time or sharing your expertise—we would love to connect with you! Just fill out this brief interest form and we will be in touch.

Warm regards,

Paul Belliveau, PharmD

Dean, School of Pharmacy – Worcester/Manchester

Welcome to the Class of 2028

White Coat Ceremonies 2025

Integration and Transition Program 2025

Faculty Focus

Cheryl Durand, PharmD

Dr. Cheryl Durand is deeply committed to fostering a culture of wellbeing and resilience at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. Through her leadership on multiple committees and task forces, she has been instrumental in advancing initiatives that support the health and work-life balance of students, faculty, and staff.

In 2020, Dr. Durand proposed the establishment of the Wellbeing and Resilience Committee within the School of Pharmacy–Worcester/Manchester. Since its inception, she has served as chair, guiding the committee’s efforts to promote wellness across the school community. Under her leadership, the committee has conducted wellbeing assessments and offered numerous programs addressing key dimensions of wellness, including mindfulness, sleep, nutrition, mental health, and physical health.

Dr. Durand also serves as co-chair of the Interschool Wellbeing Team, a collaborative group of faculty representing both the Worcester/Manchester and Boston Schools of Pharmacy. This team has implemented student surveys to better understand the connections between students and faculty, and it has sought to strengthen collaboration between campuses and programs, enhancing the reach and effectiveness of wellbeing initiatives.

In 2022, Dr. Durand joined a University-wide working group tasked with exploring the development of a Center for Wellbeing at MCPHS. Her contributions helped shape the vision and strategy for this initiative. In 2025, this work came to fruition with the launch of the Center for Health and Wellbeing, the University’s seventh Center for Excellence. The Center provides the University community with resources and support designed to enhance health, balance, and overall wellbeing—continuing the mission that Dr. Durand has long championed.

Sheila Seed, PharmD, MPH, AFTM RCPS (Glasg)

Dr. Seed has been a member of the School of Pharmacy W/M Department of Pharmacy Practice since 2001. She is passionate about all thing’s public health, including immunizations. This passion led to an unexpected opportunity to work with an infectious disease physician in a travel health clinic to provide pre-travel consultations. These visits include not only the required immunizations, but also malaria prophylaxis, altitude sickness and treatment of traveler’s diarrhea. These appointments include a lot of education to ensure the traveler remains healthy during their trip and knows what to do if they do get sick during and after travel. Dr. Seed’s patients have traveled all over the world not only for leisure but also for work and mission trips. Her most complex appointment was an elderly couple with chronic medical conditions going on a world cruise for six months with ports all over the world each with their own unique health risks.

Dr. Seed’s interest in travel began during her time in the Air Force providing needed medications for those being deployed throughout the world. This interest was also fueled by her own passion for travel. In order to serve her patients, Dr. Seed has become very active with the International Society of Travel Medicine (ISTM). She is currently the Chair-elect for the ISTM Pharmacists Professional Group and Chair of the ISTM Mentorship Task Force. She has obtained her Certificate of Travel Health™. This certificate recognizes individual excellence in the field of travel medicine expertise associated with pre-travel care and consultation. She has been fortunate to present nationally and internationally on the pharmacist’s role in travel medicine and public health initiatives. She has also been inducted as an Associate Faculty of Travel Medicine to the Royal College of Physician and Surgeons (Glasgow).

Student Scholars

Charlotte Bouchard, Simoun Banoud, Abigail Chan,

and Ashley Silva, Class of 2026

Charlotte Bouchard, Simoun Banoud, Abigail Chan, and Ashley Silva conducted research under the mentorship of Dr. Campbell, focusing on Ewing sarcoma — a rare and aggressive bone cancer that primarily affects children and adolescents.

The project, “From Pathogenesis to Nanotherapeutic Innovation: Evolving Strategies in Ewing Sarcoma Treatment,” explored how nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems can enhance treatment efficacy and reduce toxicity compared with conventional chemotherapy. Through the literature-based analysis, it was discovered that while current therapies achieve encouraging outcomes in localized disease, metastatic and recurrent cases remain difficult to treat.

Charlotte had the opportunity to present their work at the NESOT Conference held at Charles River Laboratories in Shrewsbury, MA.

Charlotte shared, “It was inspiring to share this work among researchers and professionals dedicated to minimize toxicity while advancing cancer treatment. A special thank you to Dr. Campbell for his mentorship throughout this project.”

Spotlight on Leadership: Creating a Culture of Support and Connection

Kristine Willett, PharmD

Assistant Dean of Student Engagement and Success

Dr. Kristine Willett is the Assistant Dean of Student Engagement and Success for the School of Pharmacy-Worcester/Manchester (SOP-W/M). In addition to her faculty role, Dr. Willett supports the planning, development, organization, management, implementation and evaluation of all aspects of student progression, remediation, and success within the SOP-W/M. She has focused her efforts on strengthening the student experience through a series of collaborative, community-centered initiatives. The success of her work reflects the commitment of faculty and staff across the program.

As Chair of the SOP-W/M Academic Standing Committee, Dr. Willett works closely with Academic Advisors from the Center for Academic Success and Enrichment (CASE) to promote effective use of resources that support student achievement. She also contributes to the school’s Global Assessment Plan, participating in assessment activities related to course remediation, student retention, attrition, and progression.

One of the most notable areas of focus has been the enhancement of the faculty advising process. Dr. Willett introduced a more formalized faculty advising structure. Faculty Advisors meet regularly with their advisees throughout the curriculum. Weekly communication to 1^st-year student Faculty Advisors has equipped faculty with a more consistent and intentional purpose for connection. Early student feedback has been especially encouraging, with many reporting a greater sense of belonging and support. This is an outcome directly tied to the dedication and engagement of Faculty Advisors. Further, Dr. Willett leads the SOP-W/M Student Success Team. This Team is built on the understanding that student success is truly a collective effort. The Student Success Team launched its first major event in early November, The Blizzard of Belonging. Students and faculty who participated shared that they left the session feeling more valued, supported, mentored, and engaged. The event underscored the power of belonging to positively influence well-being and academic engagement.

Together with her colleagues, Dr. Willett remains committed to creating an environment where every student feels supported, encouraged, and equipped to thrive.

Honoring our Adjunct Educators

Brian Grebinar, RPh

My first job in high school was working for an independent pharmacy where I was introduced to the profession of pharmacy. In high school, I had always planned to go to the Air Force and become a commercial airline pilot, but during my senior year I decided to attend the University of Rhode Island as a pharmacy major. After graduating college, I began my career as a pharmacist in community pharmacy as a staff pharmacist and was soon promoted to Pharmacy Manager and eventually, a district Pharmacy Supervisor, moving to New York.

I discovered during this time that I missed community pharmacy and the interactions with customers and decided to take a position in a grocery store pharmacy chain, where I am still working full-time. This position allows me to concentrate on customer service, immunizations, and building customer relationships.

Four years ago, I began a part-time job at a Long Term Care Pharmacy, which serves over 10,000 beds, and also began an Adjunct position at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences School of Pharmacy - Worcester. I worked in the pharmaceutics and Professional Pharmacy Practice Lab the first two years, but now I just do the summer practice lab at the Worcester Campus.

While in the lab, I enjoy working with students and teaching about real-world interactions. My goal is to have students feel comfortable while learning and to be confident in their pharmacy practice one day. It is rewarding to watch the students mature over the course of eight weeks. I also appreciate working with the other adjuncts. I have met many great pharmacists at the School, and I am lucky to have them as colleagues.

The most important thing I tell the students is to become the pharmacist that your customers ask for by name with questions and concerns about their own and their families’ health care.

Student Feature: An Evolving Passion for Healthcare

Vipul Patel, Class of 2026

Vipul’s career did not begin with completing pharmacy school in mind, but with his time at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences and the knowledge he gained along the way, he has developed a new passion for healthcare. Dr. Vipul Patel holds a medical degree (MD) from the American University of Antigua College of Medicine and was previously licensed as a House Physician in the state of Florida. He has earned a bachelor’s degree in Neurobiological Sciences from the University of Florida (Go Gators!). He is originally from Daytona Beach, FL and moved to Central Massachusetts with his wife and two children. Prior to pharmacy school, Vipul’s experience includes working in an outpatient Gastroenterology clinic, and as a Translational Research Postdoctoral Associate in Duke University’s Neuromodulation Program. In parallel to completing a PharmD, he was fortunately able to pursue a Graduate certificate in Regulatory Affairs at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences to stay abreast with healthcare rules and regulations.

His decision to pursue pharmacy has become the most rewarding and transformative experience of his academic career. The most meaningful thing he learned, even for someone who already holds a medical degree, is the depth of medication expertise pharmacists bring to patient care. During his time through the program, he appreciated the curriculum’s strength and the faculty’s commitment to developing well-rounded, practice-ready clinicians. Some of his most memorable moments were collaborating with other schools during interprofessional events, being on the college’s Curriculum Committee, participating in patient counseling competitions, serving as the President of Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, and having the flexibility to do research on Artificial Intelligence in healthcare. With graduation around the corner, he looks forward to the next stage of his career, confident that his pharmacy school experience will bring a unique perspective for advancing healthcare.

Alumni Corner

Ernest Cozy Onyinah, PharmD, MBA

Dr. Ernest Cozy Onyinah is a dedicated Clinical Pharmacist at BMC South, where he provides high-quality patient care through evidence-based clinical practice and interdisciplinary collaboration. In addition to his clinical role, he serves as a part-time pharmacist with the Pharmacy Outreach Program and as an adjunct faculty member, teaching in both the Pharmaceutics Laboratory and Professional Pharmacy Practice Laboratory. Through these roles, he integrates practical experience with academic instruction, fostering a learning environment that bridges theory and real-world application.

Originally from Ghana, Dr. Onyinah earned his Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy before relocating to the United States fourteen years ago. His professional journey exemplifies perseverance and commitment—working multiple jobs while completing prerequisite coursework, and later achieving his Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree from the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Worcester.

Driven by a deep passion for both clinical excellence and education, Dr. Onyinah is committed to mentoring the next generation of pharmacists. He strives to instill in his students a strong foundation in patient-centered care, critical thinking, and ethical practice. His teaching philosophy emphasizes not only knowledge acquisition but also empathy, professionalism, and continuous growth.

Beyond pharmacy, Dr. Onyinah is the author of Common Sense Savings, a beginner-friendly financial literacy book available on Amazon. The book provides accessible, practical strategies for managing personal finances and building a path toward financial independence. Through his writing, he extends his mission of education—helping individuals make informed financial decisions that support long-term stability and success.

Faculty Service in Action

Donna Bartlett

American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP), Innovative Pharmacists Group- Geriatric-Academic Leader
American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP), Age-Friendly Champions - Regional Champion

Laura Daly

New Hampshire Pharmacists Association (NHPA), Executive Board (Treasurer)

Aimee Dawson

American Pharmacists Association (APhA) - Member at Large - Diabetes Community (nationally elected position)
ACCESS Working Group - Pharmacist member (state appointed position)

Carroll-Ann W. Goldsmith

National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Equivalency Examination (FPGEE) Review Committee (FPRC) Member
NH Women in Higher Education (NHWHE) Board member and Secretary

Joseph Kostansek

American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP), Neurodiversity Inclusion and Support Taskforce (NIST)

Sheila Seed

American Pharmacist Association (APhA)- Immunization Community: Member-at-Large, Chair of the Education Committee, Member of Immunization Champions Award Selection Committee
International Society of Travel Medicine (ISTM)- Chair-elect and member of Pharmacist Professional Group Steering Committee; Chair, Mentorship Task Force

Linda Spooner

American Society of Health-Systems Pharmacist (ASHP), Committee on Nominations,
American Society of Health-Systems Pharmacist (ASHP), Fellow
American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP), Fellow

Jennifer Towle

American Society of Health-Systems Pharmacist (ASHP), Commission of Affiliate Relations (COAR).
New Hampshire Society of Health-System Pharmacist (NHSHP), Board of Director and Chair of Member Relations and Webmaster
American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP), Member of the Laboratory Instructors Mentoring and Networking Committee