Sara Azimi comes from a family of medical professionals and CU alums who have helped her determine a career path that is right for her. While both of her parents and sister are in the physical therapy field, and her brothers are physicians, Sara has chosen a different healthcare path. She will be entering CU Skaggs’ PharmD program in the fall of 2018 to pursue her dream of becoming a pharmacist. Read More
Sue and Tim Mead (CU Pharmacy alums ’79 and ’75 respectively), together with their daughters, have built a strong family bond by building houses for others. “In addition to learning how to roof, stucco and cut wood, the experience taught us how to give back, to see that we are part of a bigger world, and to reflect on how much we have,” says Sue Mead. Read More
In the far southwest corner of Colorado sits the charming and mountain-encased town of Durango. The breathtaking landscape and friendly residents alone warrant enough enticement to rank this location as a rotation site, but the experiences I have gained at Rivergate Pharmacy and Animas Internal Medicine were the most fulfilling aspects. Read More
The building seemed more exquisite up close than it was from the long distance that I was used to seeing it. The many walls of glass were a vision of innovation, and the renaissance-like structures dotting the exterior landscape of the building paid a respect to tradition. I’d like to think that the University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences is innovative, yet values tradition. Read More
February 22-24 marked the 2018 Colorado HOSA State Leadership Conference at the Renaissance Hotel in Stapleton, CO. The annual event attracts high school students interested in healthcare careers and encourages them to participate in a variety of educational sessions to improve their skills regarding the healthcare setting. Read More
Our talented faculty are working to solve some of the country’s most pressing health issues, including the widespread opioid epidemic. In the U.S. last year, more than 63,000 people died of a drug overdose, with opioids involved in 75 percent of those deaths. the crisis also hits close to home,, with at least 504 deaths in Colorado caused by opioid overdose. Read More
Faculty member Manisha Patel, PhD, has joined the Board of Directors of the American Epilepsy Society (AES), a medical and scientific society with 4,000 members. Dr. Patel assumed her new position at the end of the society’s annual meeting, December 1 -5, in Washington, D.C. Read More
Skaggs numbers soar
Pharmacy school celebrates high-quality programs, successful recruitment
There’s good news to share from the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (CU Pharmacy). Applicant numbers at CU Pharmacy rose 30 percent for the incoming class of 2017, even as applications to pharmacy programs nationwide are down 3 percent. Read More
Faculty member Jacci Bainbridge, PharmD, together with Clinical Neurology Research Fellow Matt Makelky, PharmD, are currently studying cannabis and its effectiveness in treating a variety of conditions including back pain, Parkinson’s tremor and seizure disorders in children.
Some of the first prospective cannabis trials on the Anschutz Medical Campus “Will hopefully help determine the cannabis’ effectives in treating these types of disorders, side effects and dosing levels,” says Jacci Bainbridge. Read More
At the CU Anschutz 5th Annual Block Party, pop rock bands Wildermiss and iZCALLi blasted their tunes from the center of Bonfils Circle into the ears of hundreds of people swarming 20 food trucks and 130 booths. Students, faculty, parents, and kids flocked to the Skaggs School of Pharmacy booth, lured by the sweet scents of essential oils, and the promise of custom-scented hand lotion. From the classic scents like lavender and patchouli, to the more exotic scents like Tobacco & Rum and Pancake Syrup, attendees left with a self-compounded jar of lotion, big smiles, and a better understanding of what pharmacists actually do.
Many people have rushed to the aid of Houston citizens in the wake of Hurricane Harvey, including many UCHealth employees. One such volunteer is pulmonary nurse Rachel Kuker who was featured in Katie Kerwin McCrimmon’s article, CE helps nurse during Hurricane Harvey relief efforts. Read More
For Nigerian pharmacists Titilayo Fakeye and Omolola Nwokoma coming to America to participate in the FIP foundation’s Pharmabridge program at the University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy for one month has been “without reservation — great.” Read More
Used in Native American healing, some compounds in pungent plant stronger than available pharmaceutical treatments. Read More
The pharmacist has changed from a product-centered expert to a more global patient care health professional. In the past, pharmacists were required to learn about the medication, how to prepare it and how to educate the patient. Currently, there are a number of skills to acquire in order to be a proficient clinical pharmacist. These include: critical thinking, ethical decision making, literature analysis, communication skills, cultural sensitivity, inter-professional collaboration and a sense of continuous professional development.
The generations have also changed. Millennials (born 1982-2002) are asking a lot of questions and require a cause to be motivated. Read More
At the age of 17, it’s not easy deciding on a career pathway. At that time, I was interested in finding out about medications, though. I wanted to be somewhat like my mother who is a physician in Egypt. I liked the way she knew what she was doing when anyone was sick. She would provide advice and make decisions when it was related to us getting sick or anyone else in the family or neighbors.
I entered pharmacy school (which in my country only requires a bachelor’s degree). I asked so many questions and nothing motivated me. Read More
“Ever since I was 16 I wanted to go to med school,” says second-year pharmacy student Miya Holley. Being diagnosed with Type I diabetes at 16 allowed Holley to see more of the system, “especially from a patient’s perspective and it interested me.”
Like many undergraduate students, Holley fumbled around with a variety of majors and finally settled on microbiology. Read More
It’s hard to believe that recent CU Skaggs School of Pharmacy graduate Adam McHenry was ever a problem child. As an eighth grader, McHenry was a handful. “I didn’t care if I was in class or not. I hung out with the wrong crowd,” says McHenry.
One day, the school called his parents and told them that they had not seen him for a while. “The next month, my parents enrolled me in a Lutheran school. It turned my life around.” Read More
“Having my daughter and I obtain doctorates at the same time is a seminal moment,” says Maumi Villarreal. She and her husband, Daniel, are both first generation college graduates and have modeled a college education to their daughters — Sarah and Chelsea. “Our parents are very proud of us,” says Villarreal.
Villarreal passed on her love of pharmacy to her eldest daughter, when Sarah would help her mom at the local ASHP meetings. Read More
Thousands of high school students interested in health care careers descended upon Disney World and became more acquainted with pharmacy during International HOSA’s (Health Occupations Students of America) annual conference in Orlando. CU Skaggs School of Pharmacy featured prominently in various activities, including a popular interactive exhibit and five workshops. Read More
Can you imagine total silence or hearing only muffled conversations? “You adapt,” says recent CU Skaggs School of Pharmacy graduate Lauren Kirchner. “But there is an advantage. Patients think I am really engaging with them because I am concentrating on their lips and hearing what they have to say.”
And in a career that requires patient interaction, being attentive is a plus. Read More
