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The 90-Day Refill
Your Quarterly Dose of COP News
A quarterly publication highlighting pharmacy news and innovation
at Idaho State University
Fourth Quarter 2024 Edition
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Dear College of Pharmacy Alumni,
I’m excited to reconnect with you through this long-awaited newsletter. It’s been many months since we last communicated, and in that time, we’ve experienced significant changes that have impacted our College and the broader healthcare landscape. As Charles Dickens famously wrote in A Tale of Two Cities, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times,” a sentiment that perfectly captures the challenges and opportunities we’ve experienced in recent years.
First, we’ve seen a number of leadership and staff changes at the College. We said goodbye to Dean Fitzgerald and several long-standing faculty members who have been pillars of this institution. At the same time, we’ve welcomed new leadership with fresh energy and ideas. Dr. Kasidy McKay is now Chair of the PPRA Department, Cynthia Tillotson has stepped into the role of Associate Dean for Student Affairs, and I transition from Interim Dean to Dean of the College of Pharmacy...that's right....not Interim, but Dean (see below). These changes mark the beginning of a new chapter for our College, one that is both challenging and full of opportunity.
READ THE FULL STORY
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Dr. Tom Wadsworth Named Dean of L.S. Skaggs College of Pharmacy
Idaho State University has officially appointed Dr. Tom Wadsworth as Dean of the L.S. Skaggs College of Pharmacy, effective April 2024.
A proud alum of ISU’s College of Pharmacy, Class of 2002, Dr. Wadsworth has dedicated 17 years to the College, serving in various leadership capacities, including Assistant Dean for Alaska Programs, Executive Associate Dean, and Interim Dean. His contributions have been instrumental in advancing the College’s mission, particularly during the Alaska expansion, where he played a key role in establishing the collaborative Doctor of Pharmacy program with the University of Alaska Anchorage. Dr. Wadsworth has also been pivotal in transitioning Bengal Pharmacy from the ISU Foundation to the College of Pharmacy, overseeing its growth and expansion. Widely respected as a passionate advocate for the pharmacy profession, Dr. Wadsworth has been a tireless champion for expanding patient access to modern pharmacy services, ensuring that patients benefit from the unique medication expertise of pharmacists across all practice settings.
President Wagner expressed confidence in Dr. Wadsworth’s leadership, stating, “Dr. Wadsworth has shown unwavering dedication and exceptional leadership. I am excited for the future of the College under his guidance.”
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Leonard Hall Renovation Nears Completion
Thanks to the $14 million donation from the ASLAM Foundation (the largest single donation in the history of ISU), the College of Pharmacy in the final stages of the major renovation of its 80-year-old Leonard Hall. The project includes fully updated laboratory spaces, including core labs, cell culture labs, chemical labs, and biological science labs, as well as refurbished classrooms, common areas, and casework on the basement and first floors.
The renovation is on track, with lab spaces expected to be completed by December 2024, and the full project slated for completion in June 2025. The College plans to move back into Leonard Hall in summer 2025, with a grand opening open house scheduled for September.
To see what the new Leonard Hall will look like, watch the video here.
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College of Pharmacy Prepares for ACPE Accreditation Site Visit
The College of Pharmacy has been diligently working on its self-study in preparation for the upcoming Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) accreditation site visit in March 2025. Faculty and administration have collaborated to ensure the comprehensive self-study addresses the 26 standards required for the Doctor of Pharmacy program. The self-study is on track for completion in November, with a faculty vote scheduled for December.
This regular accreditation visit is part of the program's ongoing commitment to maintaining high standards. While we anticipate receiving feedback, we are confident in our compliance with each standard and look forward to receiving the final accreditation renewal in June 2025. We thank our faculty and administrators for their hard work in preparing for this important visit.
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Bengal Pharmacy Grand Opening in Chubbuck | |
Idaho State University proudly announced the opening of another Bengal Pharmacy on September 26th, marking not just the launch of a new pharmacy location, but the renewal of the spirit of community pharmacy. The Grand Opening was a celebration of our commitment to supporting independent pharmacies and the vital role they play in serving our communities. We were honored to be joined by Dr. Devon Trone of Medicap Pharmacies and Dr. Cathy Cashmore of Inclusive Care Clinic Pharmacy, two champions of independent community pharmacies. Their presence highlighted our dedication to working together, not as competitors, but as partners in providing accessible healthcare.
The event was well-attended by many community members, including President Wagner, the Pocatello-Chubbuck Chamber of Commerce, the Chamber Chiefs, Mayor England of Chubbuck, and other local dignitaries. ISU students also contributed to the day's success with a flu vaccination booth, underscoring our focus on community health. Expanding Bengal Pharmacy locations is about more than just growing our footprint—it's about renewing our commitment to ensuring that medications and healthcare services remain accessible to all, particularly those in rural areas.
We look forward to continuing this momentum with the upcoming Grand Opening of the McCammon location, further strengthening our bond with the communities we serve.
READ THE FULL STORY
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Seignemartin Recognized by NACDS Foundation
Dr. Brandy Seignemartin was recognized by the NACDS Foundation at the 26th Annual Foundation Dinner for her work in expanding access to patient care through community pharmacies. Her research, conducted alongside Dr. Julie Akers from Washington State University, demonstrated that pharmacist-provided care for minor ailments is a cost-effective and high-quality alternative to traditional healthcare settings. The study’s findings support broader adoption of this care model, particularly in rural and underserved areas, with significant benefits for both patients and public health.
Link to Article
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Idaho’s Business Review Women of the Year Award Winner Dr. Jennifer Adams
Jennifer Adams, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Associate Professor joins the ranks of many highly esteemed and successful women by being honored as one of the Women of the Year award by Idaho Business Review. She accepted her award at an event on Thursday, September 19th, 2024.
Jennifer Adams “stands out for her leadership, mentorship, and dedication to advancing pharmacy education and practice”, says Heide Brandes for the Idaho Business Review.
READ THE FULL STORY
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Chopski Establishes Student Innovation Travel Endowment | |
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Dr. Nicki Chopski, PharmD, a proud graduate of the Class of 1997, returned to share her insights and experiences with us at a special student luncheon. She emphasized the importance of student involvement in professional organizations, encouraging students to showcase their research and advocate for our profession. Understanding the financial constraints many students face, Dr. Chopski established the Chopski Pharmacy Innovation Travel Fund to support those who contribute to pharmacy advancement through presentations and conferences.
READ THE FULL STORY
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Faculty and Personnel Updates | |
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College of Pharmacy Professional Achievement Award Winner 2022
Faculty and Personnel Updates:
New Hires:
- Dr. Patrick Bartos has joined the College of Pharmacy as an Associate Clinical Professor in the Department of Clinical Psychopharmacology.
- Seyedeh Melika Akaberi to our faculty! Dr. Akaberi, a PharmD and current PhD candidate in Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences at Idaho State University, will now be serving as a temporary faculty member in BPSCI.
- Dr. Karina Rauenhorst, PharmD, MEd, as a new faculty member on our Anchorage campus
- Andrew Gauss recently joined the L.S. Skaggs College of Pharmacy as a philanthropic advisor.
- Amber Alder Koppenberger has joined the KDHS team in the position of Director of Divisional Marketing and Communications for the Kasiska Division of Health Sciences (KDHS) at Idaho State University. She will be working with the College of Pharmacy and Bengal Pharmacy to advance our marketing goals.
- MaryAnn Reed as our new Continuing Education (CE) Coordinator.
- Renae Williams as our new management assistant
READ THE FULL STORY
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Christina Jackson Memorial Patio Dedication
Anchorage, AK — Faculty, students, friends, and family gathered at the University of Alaska Anchorage to honor Christina Sammartino Jackson, the inaugural Alaska Programs Coordinator for the UAA-ISU Doctor of Pharmacy program. A new memorial bench and patio, dedicated in her honor, will serve as a lasting tribute to her creativity, warmth, and dedication to students.
In recognition of her contributions, the Christina Jackson Staff Innovation Award was established, and her family created the Christina Sammartino Jackson Scholarship Endowment. Each October, faculty, staff, and students across all ISU campuses will hold a candle lighting and moment of silence in her memory as part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Click here to contribute to the Christina Jackson Scholarship Endowment
READ THE FULL STORY
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Center for Advancing Pharmacy Practice and Research Excellence (CAPPRE)
Zach Rosko, PharmD, BCPS
Director, Center for Advancing Pharmacy Practice and Research Excellence (CAPPRE)
zacharyrosko@isu.edu
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We are incredibly thankful for the generous philanthropy that has made the establishment of the Center for Advancing Pharmacy Practice and Research Excellence (CAPPRE) possible. Your support has been vital in advancing several key advocacy efforts and driving progress in several important areas:
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Passage of PBM regulation bills in Idaho and Alaska
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Resolution of Idaho & Alaska Medicaid’s enrollment portal issues, allowing pharmacists in all settings to enroll as rendering providers
- Collaboration with commercial payers to make similar advancements
- Launch of several research and demonstration projects
Thanks to your contributions, CAPPRE has been able to support these milestones. However, there is still important work ahead. As the landscape of pharmacy practice continues to evolve, we need to ensure that current pharmacists are trained with the new skills required to fully participate in, and normalize, the progressive practices now permitted in Idaho.
This is the work of CAPPRE, and to continue advancing these efforts, we need your support. Together, we can equip pharmacists with the knowledge and expertise necessary to embrace these changes and transform healthcare delivery. Please consider a donation to help us continue this important work and expand the impact of CAPPRE.
Click Here to Continue to Support CAPPRE
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Anchored in Idaho: The U.S. Navy’s Unexpected Ties to Idaho and the Psychopharmacology Program at Idaho State University | |
Idaho may be known for its rugged landscapes, towering mountains, and vast stretches of farmland, but beneath its tranquil exterior lies an unexpected and fascinating history with the U.S. Navy. Far from the ocean, this landlocked state has played an integral role in naval research, development, and now—education. A surprising connection between Idaho and the U.S. Navy is reflected in a unique story of Navy officer psychologists enrolling in Idaho State University’s (ISU) Masters of Science in Clinical Psychopharmacology (MSCP) program, creating a bridge between military mental health care and civilian education.
This is the story of how Idaho became a quiet hub for naval progress and how it’s now contributing to the future of mental health care for service members through ISU’s groundbreaking program.
READ THE FULL STORY
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For questions or to submit your story ideas, contact Tom Wadsworth, Interim Dean for L.S. Skaggs College of Pharmacy tomwadsworth@isu.edu.
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