THE COPHS PULSE
Keeping You Connected to the College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences
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Welcome to the 2026–2027 academic year and the first edition of our new Joan M. Lafleur College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences newsletter.
A new academic year brings renewed energy, new opportunities, and a chance to recommit ourselves to the work that makes COPHS such a special place. Whether you are a student beginning your journey, a returning student continuing toward your goals, a faculty or staff member supporting our mission, an alumnus carrying the COPHS legacy forward, or a community partner working alongside us, you are an important part of our College.
This newsletter is one of the ways we hope to keep our entire COPHS community informed and connected. In each edition, we will share College news, celebrate the accomplishments of our students, faculty, staff, and alumni, highlight opportunities to engage with COPHS, and explore health and healthcare topics that matter to the communities we serve. Of course, what you see in these pages represents only a snapshot of the many exciting activities, accomplishments, and opportunities taking place across our College. Thus, I invite you to follow COPHS on our social media platforms to stay connected and keep up with the latest news, events, and highlights throughout the year.
As we begin this year, I encourage each of us to embrace the opportunities ahead with purpose. Our work extends far beyond our classrooms and laboratories. We are preparing the next generation of pharmacists, healthcare professionals, researchers and leaders who will improve health and strengthen communities.
I look forward to all that we will accomplish together this year.
Welcome back, Tigers, and welcome to a new year at COPHS.
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Aisha Morris Moultry, Pharm.D., Ph.D., M.S.
Interim Dean
Professor of Pharmacy Practice and Administration
| | 📰Pulse Check: News & Announcements |
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COPHS Enrollment Is on the Rise
The College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences is growing! Enrollment is up across the College, with increases across all COPHS programs. We have had a 10% increase in total enrollment in the College from Fall 2025 to Fall 2026, resulting in our largest enrollment since Fall 2019. The growth is reflective across most of the programs.
| This growth reflects continued interest in our health professions programs and the next generation of students choosing TSU to prepare for careers in pharmacy, health sciences, and healthcare leadership. We are excited to welcome our growing Tiger family and build on this momentum throughout the academic year. | | | | Celebrating More Than 50 Years of Service | |
After more than 50 years of extraordinary service to Texas Southern University, Dr. Shirlette Milton is retiring from the institution she has called home as both a student and a distinguished faculty member and leader. A proud TSU alumna with a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy, Dr. Milton has served the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in numerous leadership roles, including Professor and Chair of the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Assistant Dean of Student Services, and Interim Dean of the College.
Dr. Milton’s legacy of service extends well beyond the positions she has held. Her longstanding commitment to TSU, COPHS, and generations of students is further reflected through the establishment of an endowment to support the College and its future. We owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to Dr. Milton for her more than five decades of dedication, leadership, and service. Please look forward to a more detailed celebration of Dr. Milton and her remarkable TSU legacy in an upcoming issue of the COPHS newsletter.
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Respiratory Therapy Earns Maximum 10-Year Accreditation
Congratulations to Dr. Andrew Taylor and the Respiratory Therapy team on earning the maximum 10-year accreditation term for the Respiratory Therapy Program! This outstanding achievement reflects the team’s commitment to academic excellence, program quality, and preparing students for success in the respiratory care profession. We celebrate this important milestone and thank the entire team for their continued dedication to COPHS and our students.
| | | | COPHS Connects with the U.S. Navy | |
COPHS recently welcomed representatives from the U.S. Navy for conversations focused on the future of healthcare education and workforce development.
Discussions explored opportunities for experiential education, internships, affiliation agreements and future collaborations that could create new pathways for students across the health sciences.
Partnerships like these help connect education with opportunity while strengthening the pipeline of skilled, service-driven healthcare professionals.
| |  | HIM Students Lead, Learn and Connect | |
HIM students participated in Houston Area Health Information Management Association (HAHIMA) events, where they introduced speakers and moderated professional sessions. Junior HIM student Emari Gardenhire was also recognized with a $1,000 scholarship from HAHIMA.
COPHS faculty are also represented in HAHIMA leadership, with Dr. Fanny Hawkins serving as Vice President for 2026–2027, further strengthening the connection between the HIM program and the local professional community.
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| | ✏️Student Spotlight:
Students Making An Impact | | |
Congratulations to Health Administration major Clinorrion Long as he completes his internship with the Graduate Medical Education (GME) program at Houston Methodist.
Clinorrion had the privilege of contributing to initiatives that supported graduate medical education, organizational operations, physician engagement, and cross departmental collaboration.
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Through our partnership with HCA, PharmD students have an opportunity to complete 10-week paid summer internships.
This summer 7 students successfully completed their internships; Chimoa Obi, Cordula Ononugbo, Cuong Doan, Kamryn Ware, Minh Nguyen, Misagh Baghmalek, and Rafael Olvera. The students at HCA Kingwood were precepted by COPHS Alum, Dr. Faith Rutherford ('23).
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COPHS is proud to celebrate Biomedical Science major, Chelsea Hudson, who has been elected to serve as the 79th Executive Vice President of the Student Government Association, taking on a university-wide role focused on service, advocacy, and enhancing the student experience.
In this role, Chelsea will work alongside fellow SGA leaders to elevate student voices and help advance initiatives that strengthen the TSU community.
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Congratulations to Mana Rassaeikashuk, a PhD student at Texas Southern University, on being selected for the 2026–2027 American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) Aspiring Academics Program. Mana was among just 29 students selected from a competitive pool of applicants nationwide.
The Aspiring Academics Program is designed to introduce and inspire students interested in careers in academic pharmacy. Over the coming year, participants will engage in mentorship, networking, learning modules, a collaborative group project and activities with AACP.
| | People of COPHS: Faculty & Staff Highlights | | |
Dr. La’Krystal Foster
La'Krystal Foster has joined the college as the Academic Support Services Manager supporting all programs in the college.
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Dr. Yun Zhang
Associate Professor Yun Zhang has been selected to serve as Interim Chair of the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences.
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Ms. Tania Carbajal
Tania Carbajal has joined the Office of Experiental Training as the Program Coordinator for Health Science Experiences.
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Mr. Brandon Banks
Brandon Banks has joined COPHS as the Director of Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships.
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Join the Texas Southern University Joan M. Lafleur College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences as we continue to educate future healthcare leaders and advance excellence in teaching, research, and service.
We are currently seeking talented and passionate professionals to join our team.
Explore our current openings and join a collaborative community committed to improving health outcomes and transforming lives.
We are hiring for the following positions:
- Associate Dean, Health Sciences
- Endowed Chair, Pharmacy Practice & Administration
- Assistant Professor, Clinical Laboratory Science
- Assistant Professor (2), Health Administration
- Assistant Professor, Health Information Management
Apply today by visiting jobs.tsu.edu.
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Research Momentum Continues at COPHS
Research and scholarship continue to thrive across COPHS. Recent highlights include a $4.5 million NIH U54 RCMI Year 2 renewal, 26 scientific posters presented at the RCMI National Conference, 13 posters at the P20 CURED Summer Research Symposium, and five peer-reviewed publications produced over the summer. Together, these accomplishments reflect the College’s growing research activity and commitment to advancing scientific discovery.
Overall, for the 2025-2026 Year COPHS was awarded approximarely $6.2 million dollars in grant funding.
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Face to Face.
Shoulder to Shoulder:
Let's Talk About Prostate Cancer
Join the TSU Prostate Cancer Screening & Prevention Center for a powerful and uplifting community event.
Whether you're taking charge of your own health or supporting a loved one, this event offers valuable tools, screenings, and knowledge to help you stay informed and empowered.
- No-Cost PSA Screenings (early detection saves lives!)
- Hear from Medical Experts on prevention, screening, and treatment
- Access to Community Health Resources & Support Services
- Giveaways, Wellness Vendors, and More!
📅 Saturday, September 12th, 2026
🕙 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
📍 In person at Progressive New Hope Church
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We Roar against
Breast Cancer
Join the TSU Breast Cancer Screening & Prevention Center for a powerful and uplifting community event.
Whether you're taking charge of your own health or supporting a loved one, this event offers valuable tools, screenings, and knowledge to help you stay informed and empowered.
- Sign up for no-cost breast cancer screening (early detection saves lives!)
- Hear from Medical Experts on prevention, screening, and treatment
- Access to Community Health Resources & Support Services
- Giveaways, Wellness Vendors, and More!
📅Friday, October 30th, 2026
🕙 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
📍 In person at Sawyer Plaza, Texas Southern University
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🐅Tiger Legacy: Alumni Corner
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Alumni in Action: Serving TSU & Beyond
The TSU National Alumni Association (TSUNAA) COPHS Chapter continues to show what it means to serve and stay connected. From supporting the Freshman Pinning Ceremony and welcoming new Tigers at the Houston Tiger Send-Off to giving back during the Tiger Day of Service at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore, our COPHS alumni continue to show up for TSU, COPHS, and the greater community.
Led by Chapter President Dr. Christy Ware, the COPHS Chapter provides alumni with opportunities to reconnect, serve, and support the next generation of Tigers.
Join TSUNAA, connect with the COPHS Chapter, and get involved!
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Our Alumni Always Show Up
Whether helping us recruit future Tigers, bringing snacks for students, preparing student teams for regional and national competitions, or simply being a familiar and encouraging face at professional conferences, COPHS alumni continue to show up for our students and our College.
Your support takes many forms, and every act makes a difference. We are grateful for the time, expertise, encouragement, and Tiger pride you continue to share with COPHS. Thank you for always giving back!
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COPHS Alumni Lead the Way in Texas Pharmacy
COPHS alumni Loranda Hellen Thomas, Dr. Monica Robinson Green, and Renita Thornton led the successful effort to charter the Texas Pharmaceutical Society (TxPHS), a new statewide chapter of the National Pharmaceutical Association (NPhA). Dr. Green will serve as the organization’s inaugural President, with Thornton serving as President-Elect. Their leadership represents another example of COPHS alumni making an impact and helping shape the future of the pharmacy profession across Texas.
| | ❤️🩹Health Pulse: Health & Wellness | |
Houston Heat Isn't Finished Yet
The academic calendar may say fall semester, but Houston weather has other plans.
Extreme heat remains an important health concern across Harris County. High temperatures and humidity can lead to dehydration, heat exhaustion and heat stroke, and can worsen conditions such as cardiovascular disease, asthma, COPD and diabetes.
As you move between classes, clinical sites and campus activities, remember the basics: stay hydrated, limit prolonged exposure during the hottest parts of the day, take breaks in air-conditioned spaces and know the warning signs of heat-related illness.
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Respiratory Virus Season Is Around the Corner
National flu and RSV activity remains low, while COVID-19 activity has been low but has shown early signs of increasing in parts of the South and West.
With students returning to classrooms and more of us spending time together indoors, this is a good time to get back into healthy habits: wash your hands regularly, stay home when you're sick when possible, and take precautions to protect yourself and others when experiencing respiratory symptoms.
We'll continue watching the public health landscape throughout the academic year and sharing information that matters to our COPHS community.
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Around COPHS: Events & What's Ahead |
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First Day of School
Welcome to the 26-27 Academic Year and welcome to the Class of 2030!
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American Pharmacists Month
Join us for a month-long series of events celebrating pharmacy, our students, and our community.
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Fireside Panel Speakers Bureau
Alumni and industry professionals in conversation with our students.
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Pharmacy Homecoming CE
Law and Preceptor continuing education and an opportunity to learn, connect and stay engaged with the College. | | | | |
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Homecoming Tailgate
COPHS students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends came together to celebrate Tiger pride, reconnect and enjoy the excitement of TSU Homecoming.
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Fundraising Brunch
Celebrating and reconnecting our alumni and student communities.
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National Respiratory Care Week
This annual event honors respiratory therapists (RTs), promotes lung health awareness, and highlights the critical life-saving care provided for cardiopulmonary conditions.
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Induction & White Coat
Celebrate our students as they reach an important milestone in their educational journey.
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Tiger Rx 5K Run & Health Festival
Our signature community race and health festival on campus.
| | | Stay Tuned for More Information | |
📰Have News to Share? We Want to Hear From You! | Want to be featured or have news, accomplishments, events, or other information to share with the COPHS community? Students, alumni, faculty, staff, and friends of COPHS are invited to submit updates for consideration in our newsletters, social media, and other College communications. Help us celebrate the people, programs, and achievements that make COPHS shine!
Submit your news and stay connected to the COPHS community. | | | | 3100 Cleburne Street
Houston, TX 77004
(713) 313-7380 | cophsnews@tsu.edu
Follow Us: @tsucophsproud | |
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