P2s celebrate donning White Coats

More than 80 second-year professional student pharmacists at the Texas A&M Rangel College of Pharmacy joined in a ceremonial event on Sept. 7 where they received their white coats as a symbol of clinical service and care at the Edward N. Jones Auditorium on campus of Texas A&M University-Kingsville.

Dean shares achievements, goals at State of the College AddressIndra K. Reddy, Ph.D., professor and founding dean of the Texas A&M Rangel College of Pharmacy, shared the achievements, advancements and future endeavors in the State of the College Address on Sept. 26. Speaking to students, faculty and staff, Reddy recognized all of those who had contributed to the accomplishments of the college. Among them were numerous professors and researchers that completed important work and earned national recognition for it. The success of their professors and mentors drove the professional student pharmacists at the Texas A&M Rangel

College of Pharmacy to success, with 62 students completing internships in the summer of 2013. Reddy shared his excitement about the future of the college. “This college has reached many achievements and milestones in less than 10 years, including being recognized as one of the top 50 pharmacy schools in the nation,” Reddy said. “I know there is going to be a lot more achieved in the next 10.”

Faculty NewsFadi Alkhateeb, Ph.D., associate professor and director of assessment won “Best use of critical thinking (CT) or evidence based teaching (EBT) in research by faculty,” in the Texas A&M Health Science Center 2013 CARE Fair Poster Competition on Oct. 18.

Dr. Alkhateeb has been invited to serve as a member of the 14th Annual Texas A&M Assessment Conference Committee in Feb 16-18, 2014, in College Station, Texas.

Andrea Luce, Pharm.D., is featured on NPR’s Houston Matters segment where she discusses how best to fend off antibiotic-resistant diseases. http://bit.ly/1cmEWgd

Heather Miller, Pharm.D., assistant professor of pharmacy practice at the Texas A&M Rangel College of Pharmacy, discusses the importance of Vitamin D and Calcium with WebMD. http://bit.ly/169SWF9

Rabaa Al-Rousan, R.Ph., Ph.D., who joined the department of pharmaceutical science as assistant professor in October, was an NABP Item Writer for the Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Equivalency Examination (FPGEE) & Pharmacy Curriculum Outcomes Assessment (PCOA), NABP Headquarters, Chicago, Ill., October 2013.

Jayshree Mishra, Ph.D., research assistant, received the Gordon Research Travel Scholarship 2013 to present her work at the Gordon Research Conference on Mucosal Health and Diseases at Stonehill College in Easton, Mass.

Jayshree Mishra, Ph.D., research assistant, was an organizing committee member for the Pharmacovigilance-2013, 2nd International Conference and Exhibition on Pharmacovigilance & Clinical Trials in San Antonio, Texas. She chaired the sessions on “Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics” and “Case reports in Clinical trials.”

Faculty NewsAli, H.I., Kolluru, S., Kendall, D., & Lu, D. (2013, Nov. 12). “Mapping the allosteric sites of CB1 receptor through computational methods.” 2013 AAPS annual meeting, San Antonio, Texas.

Demps, E. (2013, September). Enriching your courses using blended learning and flipped teaching. American Dental Education Association (ADEA)/Academy for Academic Leadership (AAL) 2013 Institute for Teaching and Learning Between-Phases Webinar.

Hutchison, R., et. al. (2013, Sept. 4). Effect of Statin on Creatine Kinase, skeletal muscle strength, & exercise performance. Family Medicine Residency, Bryan Medical Building, Bryan, Texas.

Hutchison, R. (2013, Sept. 3). Diabetes Education class- Introduction to the Disease Process, Health for All Clinic, Bryan, Texas

Hutchison, R. (2013, Oct. 1). Diabetes Education class- Nutrition and Meal Planning, Health for All Clinic, Bryan, Texas.

Members of the Rio Grande Valley community, preceptors, students and alumni gathered at the first Dean’s Town Hall on Oct. 25 at the Art Gallery on Main in McAllen, Texas. Guests had the opportunity to ask questions of Indra K. Reddy, Ph.D., professor and founding dean of the Texas A&M Rangel College of Pharmacy. The dean reported that 39 percent of the alumni were from South Texas, more than 45 percent of the alumni are practicing in South Texas. Currently, 39 percent of the students enrolled in the program are from South Texas. He took questions from the audience about the student expansion, the reunification of Texas A&M Health Science Center with the Texas A&M flagship, and the Biopharmaceutical Consortium. Two third-year professional student pharmacists from McAllen, Javier Saenz and Melissa Hinojosa shared their experiences with Project SHINE. The next day, more than 20 preceptors were offered training at the School of Rural Public Health McAllen Campus.

Lu, D. (2013, Oct 1). “Developing novel chemotherapies for pancreatic cancer.” C*STR grand round, invited presentation, Texas A&M Health Sciences Center, College Station, Texas.

Lu, D. (2013, May 30). “Chemical and Biological Methodologies for Synthesis of Chiral Amines.” Invited presentation, Asymchem Laboratories Inc., Tianjin, China.

Lu, D. (2013, June 2). “Multicomponents Nanomedicine for Anticancer Applications.” Invited presentation, Bellona Pharmaceuticals Inc., Beijing, China.

Mishra, J. & Kumar, N. (2013). Novel role of Breast Cancer resistant protein in mucosal homeostasis. Presented at Experimental Biology Meeting in Boston, Mass.

Mishra, J. (2013). “Novel Role of Breast Cancer Resistant Protein in Mucosal Homeostasis” presented at 2013 Gordon Research Conference on “Mucosal Health and Diseases in Boston, Mass.

Mishra, J. & Kumar, N. (2013). “Improving the bioavailability of the drugs in GI tract by modulating the epithelial targets.” Pharmacovigilance-2013, 2nd International Conference and Exhibition on Pharmacovigilance & Clinical Trials in San Antonio, Texas.

Watzak, B., & Engelhardt, J. (2013, Oct. 17). “The Development of Humanistic Culturally Competent Practice: What does an International Service Learning, Interprofessional Medical Missions Program have to do with it?” Association for the Behavioral Sciences and Medical Education (ABSAME). Newport, Rhode Island. Watzak, B., Engelhardt, J., & Bentley, R. (2013, Oct. 18). Poster. Development of a Pharmacy Elective Incorporated into an established International Interprofessional Medical Mission. Presented at ABSAME, Newport, Rhode Island.

PublicationsAlkhateeb F.M., Latif D.A., Adkins R. (2013). Economic, Social and Administrative Pharmacy (ESAP) Content Taught at United States Schools and Colleges of Pharmacy. International Journal of Management, Economics & Social Sciences (IJMESS). 2013; 2(3):187-204.

Attarabeen O., & Alkhateeb F.M. (2013). A Review of Rollins B, Perri M. Pharmaceutical Marketing. AJPE. 2013,77(6): Article 135

Attarabeen O., & Alkhateeb F.M. (2013). A Review of Caballero J, Clauson K, and Benavides, S. Get the Residency. ASHP’s Guide to residency. AJPE. 2013,77(7): Article 159.

Horseman, M. & Bowman, J. (2013, November). Is Community-Acquired Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Coverage Needed for Cellulitis? Infectious Diseases and Therapy. Springer Healthcare, 2193-6382. 10.1007/s40121-013-0019-1.

Mahmoud M.M., Ali H.I., Ahn K.H., Damaraju A., Samala S., Plalaputhi, V.K., Kolluru S., Kendall D.A., & Lu D. (2013). Structure activity Relationship Study identifies a Potent Allosteric modulator for CB1 receptor. J Med Chem 2013, 56 (20), 7965–7975.

Mishra J., Verma R.K., Alpini G., Meng F., & Kumar N. (2013). Role of Janus kinase 3 in mucosal differentiation and predisposition to colitis. Journal Of Biological Chemistry. 2013, 288:31795-31806.

NOVEMBER 2013REPORT TO THE

TEXAS PHARMACYCONGRESS

PHARMACY.TAMHSC.EDU

Dean discusses expansion at first Town Hall in McAllen

Erin Kells, program manager, Office of Experiential Education

New Hires

Rabaa Al-Rousan, R.Ph., Ph.D., assistant professor, pharmaceutical sciences

Cecelia Gonzales, administrative assistant, pharmaceutical sciences

Ayman Hamouda, Ph.D., assistant professor, pharmaceutical sciences

Lin Zhu, Ph.D., assistant professor, pharmaceutical sciences

Abstract accepted for Oral Plenary SessionMahua Choudhury, Ph.D., assistant professor of pharmaceutical sciences, “Epigenetics and microRNA

as a unifying mechanism in severe preeclampsia,” was selected Oct. 1, 2013, for an oral presentation in Oral Plenary Session I which will be on Feb. 6, 2014, in Grandball Room A-C at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside, New Orleans, La. Choudhury’s abstract received high marks in the blinded peer review process and was considered by the 2014 Program Committee to be of high scientific quality as well as of interest and

importance to the overall field of Maternal-Fetal Medicine. From a field of 1,741 abstracts submitted for review, hers was one of only 86 to be singled out for presentation in an Oral Session.

M. N. V. Ravi Kumar, Ph.D., FRSC, professor, pharmaceutical sciences

Health Science Center honored at Aggie gameSeveral Texas A&M Health Science Center leaders were on Kyle Field as the audience applauded the achievements of the center at the A&M-UTEP game. Included in the leadership, was Steven Peterson, Ph.D., professor and associate dean for academic affairs, who enjoyed the Aggie Spirit.

College receives $10,000 grant for diversity

From left to right, Roy Armstrong, R.Ph., Walgreens market pharmacy director from Houston, and Oscar L. Ortiz, R.Ph., Walgreens pharmacy supervisor

in Corpus Christi, give a $10,000 grant to support increasing diversity among

professional student pharmacists to Indra K. Reddy, Ph.D., professor and founding dean of

the Texas A&M Rangel College of Pharmacy. The grant from Walgreens funds the college’s 2013-2014 scholarships, programming and curriculum initiatives to support increasing diversity among professional student pharmacists.

Internship offers real-world experience Brittany L. Bateman of Boerne, Texas, and Jacquelynn D. Sosa of Corpus Christi, Texas, participated in a six-week corporate second-year internship with H-E-B. They focused on patient-care programs, including immunizations, health screenings, medication therapy management and disease states management.

Students offer health

screeningsThe Texas A&M Rangel College of Pharmacy Student National Pharmaceutical Association (SNPhA) provide blood pressure screenings and share educational materials with

Kleberg County residents Aug. 31 at the Centennial Kleberg County Celebration at

J.K. Northway Center at Dick Kleberg Park.

Student receives young alumni award from Del MarBrady McNulty, a fourth–year professional student

pharmacist at the Texas A&M Rangel College of Pharmacy, was selected as the 2013 Young Alumni award from Del Mar College in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Grant to support county health fairThe Texas A&M Rangel College of Pharmacy was one of 119 Coastal Bend nonprofit programs to receive part of more than $700,000 from the Coastal Bend Community Foundation. “The $5,000 contribution will allow us to obtain cholesterol and blood glucose testing equipment to be used at a Kleberg County Health Fair,” said Indra K. Reddy, Ph.D., professor and founding dean. “This project will educate our community and provide a hands-on learning opportunity for our professional student pharmacists.” The Texas A&M Rangel College of Pharmacy is planning a health fair for residents of Kleberg County to help with personal health metrics and offer guidance, counseling and strategies to help them live healthier and happier lives. The city of Kingsville is the largest municipality in Kleberg County and has a reported uninsured population of nearly 24 percent, with more than 26 percent of the community living below the poverty line.

Student pharmacists elect Pharmacy Student Council The leaders for the Pharmacy Student Council were elected today to serve the student body. Javier Saenz, third-year professional student pharmacist, was elected to serve as president of the Pharmacy Student Council. Amanda Kennedy, second-year professional student pharmacist, will serve as vice president. Bryan Donald, second-year professional pharmacy student, will serve as secretary and Mahmoud Sabawi, third-year professional pharmacy student, will serve as treasurer.

Students take back drugs in communitySeveral of the Texas A&M Rangel College of Pharmacy students helped to take back drugs at various locations in the Coastal Bend area Oct. 26. In the four previous Take-Back events, the DEA in conjunction with our state, local and tribal law enforcement partners have collected more than 2 million pounds (1,018 tons) of prescription medication removing them from circulation. Texas A&M Rangel College of Pharmacy students who participated in the Coastal Bend area were: Annie Lozano, Adaku Onwubuya, Jennifer Hicks, Daniel Benavides, Katie K. Taylor, Daniel Tapia, Gordon Ang, Lori Watkins, Chelsea Garcia, Kris Newman, Monica Partida, Adam Villarreal, Paul Trevino, Wingyee Sin, Matthew Untermeyer, Hoa Ngo, Samantha Perales, Jennifer Guerrero, Melinda Villarreal, Bryan Hildebrandt, Bryan Kerr, and Christine Kim.

Student pharmacists reach underserved through inter-professional patient careStudent pharmacists serve South Texas through Project SHINE, an interactive health clinic that focuses on servicing indigent populations in the Rio Grande Valley. More than 50 patients in Alton, Texas, were served in April 2013 and students plan to help more than 85 patients in November in La Joya.

Class of 2011 grad shares about new practitioners Mike De Luna, Pharm. D., pharmacist with Scott & White Hospital in Temple, Texas, spoke with professional student pharmacists with Student

Society of Health-system Pharmacy (SSHP) on behalf of the New Practitioner Executive Committee on

Oct. 23 at the Texas A&M Rangel College of Pharmacy.

Students celebrate diversityThe Cultural Diversity Committee celebrated Dia de Los Muertos, showcasing the traditional Hispanic Holiday of the Day of the Dead. Food and activities included Loteria (Mexican Bingo) and decorating sugar skulls at the Hunter’s Cove Club House on Oct. 19.

Students donate more than 700 cans of foodMore than 700 cans of food were collected by the professional student pharmacists at the Texas A&M Rangel College of Pharmacy. They are competing with fellow pharmacy schools in Texas. Jessica Schneider, third-year professional student pharmacist, led the effort for the Texas Pharmacy Association Canned Food Drive. The students collected donations for two weeks. But the giving did not stop there. The faculty at the Texas A&M Rangel College of Pharmacy matched the students donation. “I suggested we match the student donations because I feel like it is the least that we can do,” said Ayman Hamouda, assistant professor of pharmaceutical sciences. “Why tell the students that it is good to give back, but not do it ourselves. As a staff member, I feel like we do not need to be thanked for what we are doing, we do not deserve the recognition. The students are doing all of the work.” The students gave the donations to the First B a p t i s t Church in Kingsville, Texas, for the annual holiday food distribution. Food boxes, including turkey dinner, will be distributed to the community at 3:30 p.m. Nov. 25 for the holiday. “The first Saturday of each month we distribute food to the community,” Linda Koehler, financial secretary at the church. When the church first started in 2010, there was a small number of families who needed the donations. “Now we are serving more than 100 families each month. We are hoping that this Thanksgiving we can help out at least 200. We want to give to those that are really in need.”

Clinical skills winners to advance to stateThe top three finishing teams from the tightly contested 2013 ASHP Local Clinical Skills on Sept. 25-26 were: first place: Amber Bacak, Ashley Fox; second place: Regina Roy, Marium Kabir; third place: Rachel Musgrove, Kim Evans. Nineteen teams competed with students from all four classes being represented in the two-part case-based competition. As the winning team, Bacak and Fox will represent the college at the 2013 ASHP National Clinical Skills competition in Orlando, Fla., at the 2013 ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting in December.

SCHOLARSHIPS

STUDENT NEWSStudents in action from the classroom to the community

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Bexar County Pharmacy Association Endowed

ScholarshipSasha Cruz

Jeffrey Moran

CVS/Caremark Charitable Trust Scholarship

Brittany BatemanPamela Bosse Jose Garcia

Ruth Gonzalez

D.D. Hachar Charitable Trust and the Lamar-

Bruni Vergara Endowed ScholarshipRocio Olmedo

George Family Educational Scholarship

Divya Manavalan

Moore’s Pharmacy Inc./Texas Pharmacy Foundation Endowed

ScholarshipKatie Taylor

P.M. Rangel Family Endowed Scholarship

Rachel Musgrove

Tarrant County Pharmacy Association Endowed

ScholarshipElizabeth Nkwocha

Walgreens Diversity and Inclusion Excellence

ScholarshipMonica Partida

Walgreens Diversity Scholarship

Amanda FuentesAnn NguyenPurvi Patel

Monica Ayala, second-year professional student pharmacist, and Sasha Cruz, first-year professional student pharmacist, each received a $5,000, 2013-2014 Hispanic Scholarship Fund/CVS Caremark Scholarship.

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