Summer 2024 Newsletter

As our students, faculty and staff downshift and recharge this summer (as they should) and try to avoid the latest COVID wave (I and several others here failed), the College still moved upward and onward. AACP’s annual research grant report revealed another JLWCoP climb in the rankings. Even after retirement, our faculty continue as emeriti to distinguish themselves as scholars and contribute to our very successful online Master’s degree programs. A new online M.S. program in Healthcare Operational Excellence has been state-approved and will matriculate its first student cohort in January. Newly-minted M.S. and Ph.D. graduates of the College were celebrated at UC’s Commencement exercises last week; most are already employed full-time. Excellent pipelines are now in place to introduce area teenagers to pharmacy and the pharmaceutical sciences, and to help senior PharmD students and residents move into choice pharmacy careers. We are excited to meet the new students, start the new semester and host the White Coat ceremony, now only two weeks away! 



Dr. Karissa Y. Kim, a Professor of Pharmacy Practice at the University of Cincinnati since 2005, earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of California, San Francisco, in 1992 and completed a pharmacy practice residency in 1993. She has extensive clinical experience in ambulatory care and has worked at several esteemed institutions, including the Jerry L. Pettis Veterans' Administration Medical Center and the Philadelphia VA Medical Center. Board- certified in Pharmacotherapy and Ambulatory Care, Dr. Kim is the Director of Continuing Pharmacy Education and has various student and community service roles. She has published extensively on topics such as antithrombotic therapy and diabetes and co-authored a book chapter in Women’s Health Across the Lifespan and was recently promoted to Full Professor. 



Dr. Alex Lin is a leader in integrating Industry 4.0 and 5.0 technologies, such as big data, AI, and automation, to enhance patient care systems and personalized pharmacy services. He developed the online Healthcare Operational Excellence MS degree program, launching in Spring 2025. With doctoral and master’s degrees from Auburn University and a pharmacy degree from China Medical University, Dr. Lin’s research focuses on pharmacy operations, automation, and business development. Notably, he co-invented the Pyxis MedStation® and has served as a principal investigator and advisor for major healthcare and pharmaceutical organizations worldwide. Dr. Lin has been promoted to Full Professor. 



Dr. Katie Johnson joined the faculty in 2018, holds the PharmD degree from UC, and completed both a PGY1 community pharmacy residency and a two-year corporate pharmacy fellowship with Kroger Health. She is the PGY2 Community-Based Pharmacy Administration and Leadership residency program director a board-certified ambulatory care pharmacist with an active practice at Kroger Health, and teaches several courses, including Nonprescription Therapeutics II. Her research focuses on medication therapy management and community pharmacy advancement, and she has mentored numerous residents with notable achievements in research and publications. Dr. Johnson has been promoted to Associate Professor. 

After 25 years, Dr. Gerald Kasting (pictured on right) will officially retire from UC on August 14, 2024. 

Jerry has been a pivotal figure in our College’s growth, particularly noted for his role in the cosmetic science online M.S. program. The program is among the top in the nation and the world academically, and has enjoyed almost exponential growth in enrollment over the past three years. He is a researcher with a remarkable track record of securing grants and publishing in top peer-reviewed journals. The research will continue, as Jerry received Professor Emeritus status and will maintain a lab shared with his faculty collaborators. He may teach the occasional graduate course when the program needs this. 

We extend our heartfelt appreciation for his dedication and wish him the very best in this new chapter of life. 

Our faculty generated $5.9M in total external funding for their research during the past academic year, a 48% increase over last year. The wave of new funding carried the College into the Top 40 in NIH funding, as ranked by AACP in its recent annual report on pharmacy school and college grants received. “It’s a remarkable achievement, considering how few research faculty we have compared to most of the Top 40 colleges,” said Dean Surratt. “This gives us a seat at the table with the campus health research powerhouses: UC’s College of Medicine and the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. We intend to make the most of our momentum.”

The ribbon-cutting party for UC’s long-awaited Blood Cancer Healing Center (BCHC) was held this June. Creating the most comprehensive blood cancer center in the U.S. was the vision of Dr. John Byrd, Gordon and Helen Hughes Taylor Professor and Chair of UC’s Department of Internal Medicine. Donor support, especially that of Frances and Craig Lindner, was critical to the BCHC becoming a reality. The center opened its doors to patients in July, and JLWCoP faculty including Dr. Rowena Schwartz will conduct clinical practices here. 

Establishing the BCHC is a significant step toward UC obtaining the comprehensive cancer center designation from the National Cancer Institute. The College shares this goal. JLWCoP faculty cancer researchers collaborate with Dr. Byrd and other UC Cancer Center researchers, and the College is working with Dr. Byrd to establish a center for new cancer drug development. 

More information on the BCHC can be found here.  

Dr. Harshita Kumari has been selected as a 2024 STEMfluencer, recognizing her outstanding contributions to STEM fields in the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky region.

Harshita's selection as a STEMfluencer is a testament to her impactful work and dedication within her field. Her project, titled "Innovating an End-user Drug Donation Program Following Repository Law Expansion," exemplifies her commitment to advancing pharmaceutical practices and addressing critical issues in healthcare.

In addition to being featured in an upcoming publication dedicated to STEMfluencers, Harshita was honored at a VIP book release party on June 15th at the Delta Hotel in Sharonville. This event celebrated her achievements alongside other distinguished STEM leaders and provided her with a platform to inspire future generations.

From July 18 to July 31, 2024, four UC PharmD students, pictured from left to right: Ryan Brown, Dr. Alex Lin (professor), Caitlin McCluskey, Rebecca Center, and Madison Humble, participated in a summer camp at China Medical University’s Shui-Nan campus in Taichung, Taiwan. The camp, themed around the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), included 41 pharmacy students from Vietnam, Thailand, the U.S., and Taiwan.

Under the guidance of Dr. Alex C. Lin, Professor of Pharmacy and CMU alumnus, the students explored how SDGs intersect with pharmaceutical research, medication optimization, and patient safety. The program featured lectures and discussions on topics including Taiwan’s National Health Insurance (NHI) system, nanomedicine, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and social pharmacy. 

Student Reflections

Ryan Brown highlighted the program’s role in expanding his understanding of global pharmacy practices and TCM. He appreciated the focus on international collaboration and the opportunity to deepen his knowledge of complementary medicine. Rebecca Center valued the chance to compare Taiwan with her previous experiences in mainland China. She enjoyed the local cuisine and efficient public transit, finding the program’s focus on social pharmacy and environmental protection particularly enriching. Caitlin McCluskey was impressed by the warm hospitality and Dr. Lin’s support, which enhanced her cultural and academic experience. The program’s emphasis on SDGs and Pharmacy 5.0 provided valuable insights into global healthcare challenges and opportunities for international collaboration. Overall, the study abroad program was a valuable experience, offering personal growth, professional development, and a deeper understanding of global pharmacy practices.

At the Summer 2024 International Society for Biophysics and Imaging of the Skin (ISBS) meeting in New Orleans, the College’s own Dr. Randall Wickett was the inaugural ISBS award for lifetime achievement. 

At the recent International Society for Biophysics and Imaging of the Skin (ISBS) meeting in New Orleans from June 4-6, a landmark moment unfolded with the presentation of the inaugural ISBS Award. This award recognizes individuals who have dedicated their careers to advancing the science of biophysics and imaging and its application to the skin. This award was jointly bestowed upon Dr. Randy Wickett, former chair of the society from 2000 to 2005, and Dr. Gary Grove, a distinguished skin scientist renowned for his pioneering contributions. Dr. Wickett retired in 2014 from his full-time faculty position in the College, but continues to serve the cosmetic science program as Professor Emeritus.

Randy's leadership during his tenure and extensive contributions in organizing U.S. meetings from 1988 to 2018 have been instrumental in shaping the society's growth and impact. He has had an extensive consulting practice for more than 25 years. Dr. Wickett has authored more than 120 scientific publications and several patents and given more than 100 invited presentations. He is a Fellow of the Society of Cosmetic Chemists (SCC) and has received numerous technical awards from the SCC including the Maison G. de Navarre Medal Award, the SCC’s highest honor for technical achievement. He was editor of the Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Chemists from 1991 to 1997, chairman of the International Society for Bioengineering and the Skin from 2000-2005, is past President of the SCC (2011) and was the chairman of the International Society for Stratum Corneum Research until recently.

Dr. Treston Warren (pictured on left) was honored with the Toby Clark Award at the 2024 Ohio Pharmacy Residents Conference for his work, "Innovating an End-user Drug Donation Program Following Repository Law Expansion." Dr. Warren, currently a PGY1 resident of the College, works with St. Vincent de Paul Charities in Cincinnati. 

The American Heart Association has awarded a $300,000 grant over three years for the project titled "Engineered Probiotic to Mitigate Heart Disease Associated Inflammation." This research aims to address myocardial infarction (MI), or heart attack, which leads to significant inflammatory responses affecting cardiac function and is linked to increased gut permeability and microbial translocation into the bloodstream.

The project will explore the relationship between gut permeability and the gut microbiome while developing engineered probiotics for oral delivery of anti-inflammatory proteins to treat MI. JLWCoP faculty member Dr. Nalinikanth Kotagiri is collaborating with Dr. Sakthi Sadayappan from UC Cardiology and Dr. Mathieu Sertorio from UC Radiation Oncology on this innovative research. This grant, recognized as an award, highlights the potential to transform heart disease treatment. 

Cohort #20 (pictured) of the AACP Academic Leadership Fellows Program (ALFP) during AACP’s annual conference in Boston last week. The cohort included our own Dr. Kumari (Row 2, third from left). Dr. Kumari thoroughly enjoyed the year-long experience, saying that the program provided invaluable skills in positive leadership, handling crucial conversations, emotional intelligence, negotiation, and strategic thinking. 

She thanks Dean Surratt, Provost Valerio Ferme and President Neville G. Pinto for their leadership mentoring, part of the ALFP curriculum for the year. Special thanks also go to Sarah Shrader of AACP for maintaining and curating such a transformative program. 

The 20-year ALFP program, nicknamed “Dean School”, trains approximately 25 pharmacy faculty members per year, chosen from the 142 ACPE-accredited schools and colleges of pharmacy. The insights and experiences gained by its graduates often translate into an administrative career. The majority of each cohort’s graduates eventually serve as pharmacy deans or department chairs. At JLWCoP, Dean Surratt and Dr. Jenelle Sobotka (Director, Pharmacy Leadership M.S. Program; Chairman of the Board, Fédération Internationale Pharmaceutique; 2024 APhA Gloria Niemeyer Franke Leadership Mentor Award) are ALFP graduates. 

Ohio Senate Bill 144 recently passed through the Ohio House and Senate and was signed into law by Governor Mike DeWine. This landmark legislation significantly expands vaccine access at pharmacies throughout the state. JLWCoP faculty member Daniel Arendt was a steady advocate for the bill. His mentee, PharmD rising P3 student Ryan Brown, played a key role in this initiative, contributing to the development of a call script designed to guide individuals on how to contact their legislators, including sample scripts and talking points. This resource was widely disseminated to OSHP and ASHP members across Ohio. 

Key aspects of SB144: 

1. Authorizes certified pharmacy technicians and registered pharmacy technicians to administer immunizations in the same manner that pharmacy interns are authorized to do so under current law. 
2. Authorizes pharmacists, interns, and technicians to administer immunizations beginning when a child is five years old, as opposed to the current age limit of seven. 
3. Eliminates a requirement that most immunizations for children under age 13 be prescribed in order to be administered by a pharmacist or pharmacy intern. 

The College recently hosted two events aimed at fostering interest and knowledge in healthcare careers among young students.  

On July 10th, the College welcomed participants from the Health Collaborative’s Tap Health Program. This career exploration initiative is designed to introduce students to various healthcare professions. During their visit, the students compounded medications under the mentorship of College faculty Mike Hegener. The day also included a visit to Kroger Health Connect, where the students gained insight into practical aspects of healthcare delivery.  

On July 19th, the College hosted 32 eager eighth graders from Cincinnati middle schools for an engaging and educational experience. The students were presented with a case study of newly-diagnosed diabetes divided into teams, and rotated through interactive pharmacy, nursing, nutrition and medical lab sessions. Our visiting APPE students from FAMU guided the eighth graders through each session. 

The events provided valuable learning opportunities and hopefully inspired future healthcare professionals by showcasing the diverse and impactful careers available in the fields of pharmacy and healthcare. 

The Cincy-UP program was and is thrilled to host in Summer/Fall 2024 three PharmD students from Florida A&M University for their advanced pharmacy practice experiences (APPE). Elizabeth Rhodes (left) joined us from May 13th to June 21st; Melody Evans (right), joined us from June 24th to August 5th. Adaisa Green (not pictured) arrived August 5 and will complete the program November 1st.  

Each student will complete 2-3 consecutive rotations hosted by the College. UC Health/University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy/ Walgreens Administration, or Kroger Health. Cincy-UP was created from the collaboration of Dr. Bethanne Brown on the faculty and Pat Achoe, a Kroger pharmacist who leads the College’s Office of Equity and Inclusion. The program identifies top PharmD students from underrepresented populations enrolled at pharmacy schools other than UC, providing them the opportunity for unique experiential rotations in hopes that interest in a residency or faculty position at UC will follow. 

University of Cincinnati

James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy

3255 Eden Ave.

161 Kowalewski Hall

Cincinnati, Ohio 45229

(513) 558-DRUG (3784)

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