Newsletter: October 9, 2020
August/September Update
From the Dean's Desk
Hello UCSOP Community! 

Happy American Pharmacist Month! This is a time for the profession of pharmacy to be recognized for its invaluable contributions to health care. During the pandemic, pharmacists are on the front lines providing expert knowledge and navigating the needs of their patients more than ever before. Every individual in the pharmacy community plays an important role in our world and makes an impact in the lives of many. Pharmacists are the living examples of University’s mission of community service, productive work and enlightened living.

The SOP has not wavered and is continuing to fulfill our University’s mission. Participation in the UC Labor of Love Day increased from last year, and we were able to provide more donations to those in need. Although our White Coat Ceremony looked a little different this year, we were able to recognize and celebrate the Class of 2024 embarking on their journey as student pharmacists.

The SOP Faculty has also made several exciting contributions to the pharmacy community. Dr. Tamer Fandy was awarded $405,000 by the WV-INBRE program to study the molecular associated with the development and progression of leukemia. Dr. Rebecca Linger published a book with UC professor Dr. Dennis K. Flaherty, A Guide to Toxicology of Select Medicinal Plants and Herbs of Eastern North America. Dr. Aymen Shatnawi was also awarded a grant from the WV-INBRE program for $100,000 to investigate the gene regulation of the tumor suppressor genes on amino acid transporter in breast cancer, which will ultimately help in designing the next generation of anticancer drugs. I want to thank Drs. Tamer Fandy and Michaela Leffler for their collaboration on chapters in a new book I recently published, Medicinal Chemistry of Drugs Affecting the Nervous System, which is the second volume of 4-volume book series titled, “Medicinal Chemistry for Pharmacy Students”.

I look forward to all the exciting accomplishments we will achieve as we move forward in the semester. 

All the best, 

Md Omar Faruk Khan, BPharm, MPharm, MBA, PhD
Interim Dean
White Coat Ceremony
The Class of 2024 received their white coats during the social distanced White Coat Ceremony on August 28. While this ceremony was different than what we are accustomed to, we are so glad we were still able to celebrate this special time for our P1 students! Congratulations!
Labor of Love Day
The second annual Labor of Love Day was a very successful event at the SOP. Student pharmacist volunteers assembled 200 hygiene kits that were donated to local homeless shelters. Thank you to all of those who volunteered!
Khan Appointed to MCAB
Dr. Faruk Khan was appointed by Governor Jim Justice to serve on the Medical Cannabis Advisory Board. Dr. Khan will serve on the board on until June 2021. 
The Office of Medical Cannabis provides training and regulates medical cannabis in West Virginia. The Office of Medical Cannabis reviews applications for medical cannabis dispensaries, growers, and processors.
CMD Pharmacy Virtual Career Fair
The CMD Virtual Career Fair will take place October 7- October 10. The event is open to pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, pharmacy aides, and students currently enrolled in education programs within the state. This digital recruiting events offers the opportunity to contact hiring managers directly and to learn about career option in hospitals, healthcare systems, and practice groups across the state. There is no charge to participate.

Participants must pre-register here:
https://www.careermd.com/healthcare/virtual-events/?veid=195
Fandy Awarded WV-INBRE Grant
Dr. Tamer Fandy was awarded $405,000 by the WV-INBRE program to study the molecular changes associated with the development and progression of leukemia. The award is for three years and aims to characterize the epigenetic changes in leukemia cells and to develop new drugs targeting these changes. Dr. Fandy established an active research program in leukemia after completing a five-year postdoctoral fellowship in hematologic malignancies at Johns Hopkins University. 
Save A Live Day
The SOP, led by Dr. Lindsay Acree participated in Save a Live Day on September 2. More than 1,000 Naloxone kits were distributed in Putnam and Kanawha counties. Volunteers provided training on how to recognize an overdose and how to administer Naloxone. Read more below.
More Than 1,000 Naloxone Kits Distributed Across Putnam, ...

On Wednesday, dozens of bright yellow signs were sprinkled across more than a dozen towns in Putnam and Kanawha counties, some accompanied by purple balloons, others leading to tents and tables with bright yellow bags and pamphlets. "FREE...

Read more
www.wvpublic.org
Shatnawi Awarded WV-INBRE Grant
 Dr. Aymen Shatnawi has been awarded the WV-INBRE – collaborative research grant to work on a Joint project with Dr. Travis Salsibury from Marshal University School of Medicine (MUSM). The study aims to investigate the gene regulation of the tumor suppressor genes on amino acid transporter in breast cancer, which will ultimately help in designing the next generation of anticancer drugs. The grant amount is $ 100K and divided between the two institutions (UCSOP 60% and MUSM 40%). The project will strengthen the research collaboration between the two institutions by exchanging the clinical and basic research experiences and sharing the research facilities.
IPhO Lapel Pins
IPhO will be selling lapel pins October 26-30. (pictured left) You can order by emailing Sarah Leigh Govender [email protected] or by placing an order form in her mailbox. Payment can be made via Venmo (UCIPhO) or cashapp (IPhOUCSOP), or by leaving cash in Sarah's mailbox with quantity, name, and class. IPhO will be mailing these for free to alumni and P4s. Faculty and staff are welcome to order as well. Order form will be sent out via email.
ASHP 2020 Midyear Clinical
Meeting and Exhibition 
COVID has changed many activities this year including Midyear. Instead of meeting face to face and walking endless miles through displays and people, Midyear is now virtual. The dates are the same as in the past, December 6-10, 2020.  

For those of you considering residencies ASHP Midyear is still the place to start.  Below is additional information to help you decide if you will attend virtually this year.

Price: 
·      ASHP members (students, technicians, residents): FREE
*For University of Charleston School of Pharmacy Students - If you designated your primary organization as ASHP/SSHP for fall 2020, paid the $10 local dues, and have an account activated through ASHP, you could attend the 2020 Midyear for FREE! See Rajveer Kaur from the UCSOP/SSHP chapter for more details. 
·      Early Bird (purchase on or before Nov. 6th): $249
·      Regular (Nov. 7th and after): $299
·      Retired: $145

·      175+ contact hours for CEU are available
·      150+ continuing education activities for pharmacy students, technicians, residents, directors, and current practitioners
·      Home Study features 126 self-paced learning modules (some worth CEU’s while some not). The home study feature will be active until March 01, 2021 to allow registrants to complete CEU’s at his or her own pace. Each virtual day will feature similar modules that are pre-recorded and live. 
·      Module topics range from interview skills, compounding, COVID-19, pharmacotherapy, pharmacy policy, informatics, etc. 

Opening keynote speaker: Tom Hanks, a recent COVID-19 survivor, will discuss how important frontline healthcare workers are in the delivery of care during this pandemic. 

Residency Showcase: Pharmacy students interested in residency can lookup program information, explore the Personnel Placement Service (PPS), and review pharmacy practice poster sessions. During the live-chat hours, residency programs will have scheduled live-chat Q&A. Use the exhibitor list and program listing portal to view which time slot the residency you are looking for is exhibiting in. Each residency program is presenting during ONE time slot. If some of your residency time slots occur at the same time, politely request an individualized time slot with a representative from that residency. Some programs will only be available for PPS, and they may charge an additional fee to schedule an individual interview. Ask appropriate questions that you have thought of ahead of time. In other words, investigate the programs before contacting them. Virtual live chats will be hectic; be courteous of others and professional always!

It is recommended that only the graduating Class of 2021 attend the residency showcase as program directors will have limited time to speak to P1-3 students. Students not actively seeking a residency are encouraged to wait until the second half of sessions to enter the showcase. 

Residency Showcase schedule:
Monday, December 7
3:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m. (EST)
Tuesday, December 8
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. (EST)
3:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m. (EST)

Networking opportunities are available via live-chat feature.

Board Recertification home study activities (separate fee for recertification credit): Earn between 4-6 hours of recertification credit by the Board of Pharmacy Specialties (BPS) in partnership with the American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP). Once registered, select the BPS certification(s) you currently hold, then dive into various intense clinical study sessions suited to your certification. For non-midyear registered individuals, the fee is $50 to obtain the 4-6 hours of recertification credit. This price will expire on Dec. 10, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. (EST). BPS recertification options: BCPS, BCPPS, BCOP, BCGP, BCCCP, BCACP.
* Those who claimed recertification credit for BCACP, BCGP, and BCOP at the 2020 ACCP Annual Meeting cannot claim this credit more than once. 

Additional resources:
ASHP members have free access to InterviewStream, an online resource to prepare students, residents, and practicing pharmacists in interview skills. This program offers practice questions!  
 
ASHP members also get a discounted rate on Get the Residency: ASHP's Guide to Residency Interviews and Preparation, Second Edition https://store.ashp.org/Default.aspx?TabID=251&productId=699280088 [store.ashp.org]

Submitted by: Tristan Maynard (P4)

Reference: https://www.ashp.org/Meetings-and-Conferences/Midyear-Clinical-Meeting-and-Exhibition [ashp.org]
Sickle Cell Awareness
*Click to enlarge
Bowles Presented with Retirement Gift
Dr. Sandy Bowles was presented with a custom rocking chair as a gift on September 25 for her 52 years with the University of Charleston. Thank you Sandy for your many years of service! The UCSOP was very lucky to have you the past 12 years!
Carly Stover
Communications Coordinator
Assistant to the Dean
Phone: (304) 357-4728
Fax: (304) 357-4868