UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH SCHOOL OF PHARMACY

PITTPharmaFALLc 2009y DEAN’S SCHOOL OF PHARMACY MESSAGE LEADERSHIP

Dean Patricia D. Kroboth, PhD

Dear Friends, Senior Associate Dean Randall B. Smith, PhD As I write this letter, I am taking a break from the “i-dotting and Associate Dean for Education t-crossing” for the School’s Self-Study Report to the Accreditation Susan M. Meyer, PhD Council for Pharmacy Education—a report that the School prepares in anticipation of the site visit. Associate Dean for Business Innovation Gordon J. Vanscoy, PharmD, MBA Most of us have probably been amazed by our personal or profes- sional accomplishments when we have taken a retrospective view of Assistant Dean of Students the past year. I take pleasure each year in the School’s annual report that Sharon E. Corey, PhD shows the marvelous cumulative effect of simply doing our work one day at a time. A seven-year retrospective is quite another story. Assistant Dean for Business and Finance Gary Haberle The ink is now drying on one of the final documents in the report: the Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs summary of progress and changes since the last accreditation site visit in Denise L. Howrie, PharmD 2002. The changes are remarkable. Chair To put 2002 in perspective, Dr. Randy Juhl had just been named vice Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences chancellor; I was the newly named interim dean. As the School evolved, Barry Gold, PhD we chronicled some of the changes in the Pitt Pharmacy News. Beloved faculty have retired or moved on to new opportunities; new Chair faculty have joined us, bringing with them expertise and excitement for Department of Pharmacy and Therapeutics their disciplines. Robert J. Weber, MS

We have initiated closed-file standardized interviews for applicants Director of Experiential Learning and to the PharmD program and established the Curran Center for Pharmacy Continuing Professional Development Students to make it easier for our students to access staff assistance. James J. Pschirer, PharmD Director of Student Services Faculty members have incorporated human patient simulators (lifelike mannequins), standardized patients, and interactions with real patients Marcia L. Borrelli into courses. Students have their own remotes for the personal audience Director of Space Management response system (as in the “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” poll-the- and Departmental Budgets audience technique) so as to facilitate classroom engagement. Janie L. Bradish Continuous quality improvement is embedded into the culture of the Director of Finance and Administration School—and also into the curriculum. Through systematic course reviews Kellie A. Mitchell, MBA and periodic thematic reviews of specific curricular themes, faculty members identify opportunities for meaningful change. Database-driven Director of Development curricular maps facilitate the reviews. As a result, the faculty has the tools Lawton Snyder, MS, MBA to make deliberate, thoughtful analyses to strengthen and enhance the Director of New Media curriculum. Thomas Waters Likewise, the School’s resources have increased. The School’s total Director of Communications budget has increased 1.4-fold since 2002. In that same timeframe, thanks Jan K. Shaw to your generosity, the endowment to support scholarships and the work of the faculty has more than doubled, with a current book value of more than $13 million. Managing Editor Jan K. Shaw When the University began tracking alumni engagement with the Contributing Editors Barbara Belardi School and University, our School ranked #1 in two of the three years of Graham Ciraulo the ranking; we ranked second in the other year. Laraine Kuchma While few of you will have engaged in the work of assembling the Lawton Snyder School’s Self-Study Report, all of you have had a role in shaping the tradi- Thomas Waters tion of excellence, innovation, and leadership that is evident in the report. Writing, editing, Department of and production University Marketing Thank you. services Communications Niki Kapsambelis Graphic Designer Jon Young

PITTPharmacy is published twice a year by the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy.

P.S. I invite you to take a look at the Self-Study Report: www.pharmacy.pitt.edu/about/pubs PITTPharmacy 2 Graduating students Shannon McLaughlin and Katherine Bacci check their notes as they prepare for the hooding ceremony at the School’s annual Graduation Dinner and Hooding Ceremony. More than 600 family members, friends, faculty, and staff attended the event held at the Hilton Pittsburgh on April 26, 2009, following the University’s commencement ceremony.

On the Cover: Wen Xie is the associate director of the School of Pharmacy Center Dean’s Message 2 for Pharmacogenetics. His lab studies the role of nuclear hormone Features: receptors in drug metabolism and human diseases He recently edited On Call 4 and published the book, Nuclear Receptors in Drug Metabolism. Calorie Counters 7 Pharmacy student-athletes who earned grade-point averages of 3.0 or Great Teachers Honored 10 higher during the spring 2008 and fall 2009 semesters were recognized at the Alumni Association’s annual Scholarship-Athlete Awards Breakfast. Great Preceptors Honored 11 Distinguished Alumni 12 Edward P. Krenzelok (right) was honored as the first recipient of the Dr. Gordon J. Vanscoy Endowed Chair of Pharmacy. The endowment was Photographic Memories 14 established by Gordon Vanscoy (BS ’84) (left) associate dean of business News: innovation and associate professor of pharmacy and therapeutics. Our School 16

Our Faculty 20 The University of Pittsburgh, as an educational institution and as an employer, values equality of opportunity, human dignity, and racial/ethnic Our Students 22 and cultural diversity. Accordingly, the University prohibits and will not engage in discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, Our Alumni 25 national origin, ancestry, sex, age, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, or status as a disabled Investing in the Future 27 veteran or a veteran of the Vietnam era. Further, the University will continue Snapshot from Pharmacy’s Past 29 to take affirmative steps to support and advance these values consistent with the University’s mission. This policy applies to admissions, employ- President’s Message 30 ment, and access to and treatment in University programs and activities. This is a commitment made by the University and is in accordance with Contact Us 31 federal, state, and/or local laws and regulations.

For information on University equal opportunity and affirmative action pro- grams and complaint/grievance procedures, please contact the University of Pittsburgh; Office of Affirmative Action, Diversity, and Inclusion; Carol W. Mohamed, Director (and Title IX, 504 and ADA Coordinator); 412 Bellefield Hall; 315 South Bellefield Avenue; Pittsburgh, PA 15260; 412-648-7860.

Published in cooperation with the Department of University Marketing FALL ’09 Communications. UMC69551-0909 3 FEATURE On Call Poison center director stays one page ahead

on their medication container. The system then identifies the medication and states the primary use of the medication (e.g., pain reliever); but it also saves the infor- mation in a computer database. Though no caller identifying data are saved, the center is able to use the data to track trends of prescrip- tion drug abuse. “We have a very good perspec- tive on the type of prescription drug abuse that’s going on in our community,” says Krenzelok. “The IVR has helped us to provide infor- mation to the authorities on these types of public health problems.”

“The interactive voice response system is revolu- tionary from the standpoint of staff efficiency”

Dr. Krenzelok in his office at the Pittsburgh Poison and Drug Information Center. —Ed Krenzelok

hen callers reach out to more time to answer poison infor- Not only are the data used in the Pittsburgh Poison mation calls, rather than spending Pennsylvania, but the Pittsburgh WCenter, they’re giving an inordinate amount of time on Poison Center also participates out almost as much information as medication identification calls,” in a national prescription drug they’re getting — even if they don’t says Dr. Edward P. Krenzelok, surveillance program that collects realize it. director of the Pittsburgh Poison information on substance abuse, Pittsburgh is one of just two and Drug Information Center and allowing authorities to track trends U.S. poison centers that use an professor of pharmacy and pediat- related to a particular drug. automated response system to rics at the University of Pittsburgh. The system, which was imple- assist callers in the identification of Prior to the implementation of mented with funding from a federal their medications. The automation the IVR, the Center responded to grant obtained by Krenzelok, can reduces workload and increases approximately 56,000 medication also be used to help enhance the efficiency. The other, in Denver, identification requests each year. surge capacity of the center during operates via telephone keypad, but “Automation has reduced the num- a terrorism incident. Krenzelok Pittsburgh’s system is an advanced ber of requests that require profes- published his work about IVR voice-activated system. sional assistance from his staff to innovation at the Pittsburgh Poison “The interactive voice response 6,000 per year,” says Krenzelok. Center in a recent issue of the system, also known as an IVR, is Through voice recognition, call- journal Clinical Toxicology. revolutionary from the standpoint ers provide their age, gender, zip In November, Krenzelok will of staff efficiency and giving them code, and the numbers and letters have spent 26 years at the helm of PITTPharmacy 4 FEATURE

“I learn something new every day. Every day there are new chemicals, new scenarios. There’s always a new twist to an old problem, and that’s what keeps me excited about doing this.” —Ed Krenzelok the poison center, bringing it from you learned through experience — a debt-saddled agency to a self- through reading, through writing, sustaining, 24-hour resource with and so on.” corporate partners and a national He came to Pittsburgh in 1983, reputation for excellence. telling his wife, Nancy, that he Hard to believe he got his expected to stay in Pennsylvania start in an office that was roughly five to seven years at the most. the size of a broom closet in But they wound up raising their Minneapolis’ Hennepin County two children there, and Krenzelok Medical Center. Newly graduated became something of a legend in from the University of Minnesota’s poison control. He serves on an PharmD program, Krenzelok advisory committee to the U.S. arrived at his first day on the job Food and Drug Administration, is a working in the emergency room fellow in the American Academy of when he was asked to fill in for the Clinical Toxicology, and has written poison center’s director. hundreds of scientific articles and The center “had seven books, book chapters. and a microfiche system with Krenzelok was honored seven pieces of microfiche in it,” recently by being named the inau- he says. gural Dr. Gordon J. Vanscoy Chair He took 30 calls that day: “I of Pharmacy. sent everybody to the hospital, “I was just thrilled and hon- because I didn’t really know what ored,” Krenzelok says. “It was a else to do.” very generous gift by Dr. Vanscoy, That bought him some time; and it provides an opportunity in an then he read through the resources era when dollars are kind of tight.” he had, called ahead to the hospi- In his joint posts at the School tals and offered recommendations of Pharmacy and School of for when the callers arrived. By the Medicine, Krenzelok tries to imbue end of the week, Krenzelok was his students with that same enthu- able to start giving advice over siasm for toxicology. He quotes the the phone. That was fortunate, Swiss toxicologist Paracelsus, who because within a few months, the said, “All substances are poisons,” real director quit. adding, “The right dose differenti- The hospital asked Krenzelok ates a poison from a remedy.” Dr. Krenzelok takes time for a photo on the Pitt campus. to run the poison center until they Drugs “can be therapeutic mar- found a replacement. vels or toxic hazards, depending “The rest is history,” he says. on how they are used,” he says, “There were no formal training referring to the pharmacy students. programs in clinical toxicology at “They walk out of that classroom the time. Everything you learned, with something they can apply.” FALL ’09 5 FEATURE On Call Poison center director stays one page ahead

Dr. Krenzelok consults with a specialist in He also trains students through poison information. a rotation at the poison center, urging them to cut down on his business. But in the event that a Dr. Krenzelok at the reception to celebrate his being named the inaugural Dr. Gordon patient does become ill, “if they J. Vanscoy Chair of Pharmacy. Pictured left to right: Professor Regis Vollmer, Dr. Ed don’t know the answer, there’s Krenzelok and his wife Nancy. always someone they can turn to for help,” he notes. He marvels at the fellowships and other toxicology resources available to students today, and Poison Centers: An Endangered Species? wishes they had been available when he first started out. But Because of funding cutbacks, Thanks to the corporate part- poison centers are rapidly nerships Krenzelok was able he continues to try and stay a becoming something of a to build with AstraZeneca, page ahead. rarity, a fact of which Ed Bayer, Colgate-Palmolive, “I learn something new every Krenzelok is acutely aware. ICI Paints, and others, the day,” he says. “Every day there The first center opened in Pittsburgh Poison Center are new chemicals, new scenarios. Chicago in 1953; within 25 remains safe—for now. There’s always a new twist to an years, there were 800 of But Krenzelok remains vigi- old problem, and that’s what keeps them spread out across the lant, reminding anyone who me excited about doing this.” United States. will listen that every dollar invested in the center saves Today, that number has $7 to $15 in health care costs. dwindled to 60, owing to the rising cost of health care and the subsequent reduction in hospital budgets. Four centers in California are in danger of closing, as are cen- ters in Oregon, Washington, Arizona, and Tennessee. Funding for Pennsylvania’s two centers has dropped. PITTPharmacy 6 Calorie Counters FEATURE Research finds promising link for obesity and diabetes treatment

very day, more headlines address what has been Elabeled an epidemic of obesity—and a related complica- tion, type 2 diabetes—affecting all populations in the United States. Experts have blamed increas- ingly sedentary lifestyles, an over-reliance on high-calorie and high-cholesterol fast food, and a lack of time and willpower for the problem. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that approximately two-thirds of U.S. adults and one-fifth of U.S. children can be classified as either obese or overweight, using body mass index as a gauge. So when Wen Xie’s research at the Center for Pharmacogenetics showed promising results in preventing and treating obesity and type 2 diabetes through drug therapy, the results were startling, to say the least. “We are extremely excited,” says Xie, an associate professor of pharmaceutical sciences and phar- macology, who adds that obesity “is everywhere—not only in the U.S., but it’s an increasing health issue worldwide. The impact for the general population could be dramatic.” Statistics indicate the time is right for Xie’s research. A CDC conference labeled Weight of the Nation was held in July, signaling a national focus on the obesity prob- lem and how best to address it as part of the Obama administration’s health care reform package. One study pegged the cost of obesity at $147 billion annually, nearly double what it was 10 years ago. Dr. Xie in his office at the School of Pharmacy’s Center for Pharmacogenetics. In the foreground is the book Nuclear And the Robert Wood Johnson Receptor in Drug Metabolism that Dr. Xie recently edited and published. Foundation has committed $500 million to reducing childhood obe- sity by 2015. The discovery grew out of the research Xie’s laboratory has done for years on the constitu- FALL ’09 7 FEATURE Calorie Counters Research finds promising link for obesity and diabetes treatment

tive androstane receptor, or CAR, McDonald’s every day,” says Xie.) “What we have which was originally thought to were divided into two groups with control the production of drug one group receiving a placebo and found is if you metabolism enzymes and trans- the other group receiving a drug activate this porters. This regulation factors that activates the CAR receptor. broadly into drug metabolism, Xie’s lab found that mice that receptor using interactions between drugs, and received the drug did not gain drugs, you drug toxicity. The same enzymes weight compared to their pla- and transporters also are respon- cebo counterparts. And mice that basically can sible for the homeostasis of body were already obese were able to prevent obesity substances such as cholesterol, stabilize and gradually lose weight. lipids, bile acids, and bilirubin. In addition to preventing obesity, from happening, As part of the CAR research, the CAR-activating drug also or inhibit pre- Xie’s group noticed the new function effectively relieved the diabetic affecting obesity and diabetes in ani- symptoms associated with the existing obesity.” mal models about three years ago. obesity. The CAR-activating drug “When we did those experi- was equally effective in relieving —Wen Xie ments, the impact of CAR on diabetes in the ob/ob mice whose obesity and diabetes came as a obesity was caused by a genetic surprise. It’s a completely new defect in the leptin gene. function for this receptor,” explains In July, the group’s paper Xie, whose research is supported outlining the research was pub- by the National Institutes of Health. lished online ahead of print by the “What we have found is if you acti- Journal of Biological Chemistry. vate this receptor using drugs, you The next step, according to Xie, is basically can prevent obesity from to explore the human implications. happening, or inhibit pre-existing That research also will acknowledge obesity.” genetic causes for diabetes and obe- Mice fed with a high-fat diet sity in addition to dietary factors. (“kind of the equivalent of the “Those are some of the issues Western diet, if you went to that will be the focus of future

A CAR receptor-activating drug prevents the Western diet-induced obesity. In this experiment, both groups of mice were fed with a high- fat or Western diet. Simultaneously, one group (black bar) received pla- cebo, and the other group (light gray bar) received a drug that activates CAR. Six weeks after HFD, the mice on placebo became fat, whereas the drug-treated mice remain lean. PITTPharmacy 8 FEATURE

Dr. Xie and his graduate student Jie Gao, who is the leading author of the paper published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry.

study to demonstrate the human of obesity. For example, CAR- tion drugs,” he says. “The medical relevance,” says Xie. activating activities have been issue is important. There is good Xie believes human trials could found in certain Chinese herbs that evidence for intervention in the occur within two to three years have been used as a remedy for near future.” after publishing findings relevant jaundice in infants for thousands to human cells. And while develop- of years. Because the therapeutic ment of a drug that is ready to go benefit of the herbs is already to market may be far off, “it would established, as is their safety for be a good start, I think, if there are human consumption, it is tempt- [drug] companies willing to give it a ing to predict that the same herbs chance,” he says. may find their utilities in managing In addition to developing anti- obesity and diabetes. obesity drugs, another potential “If you can deliver some exciting finding of this research herb medicine or neutraceuticals is that CAR may represent an that could be proven as safe as excellent target for the dietary vitamins, the social impact could or neutraceutical management be more dramatic than prescrip- FALL ’09 9 FEATURE Great Teachers Honored

Benedict receives Pharmacy and Therapeutics, Environmental and Occupational Left to right: teaching award as Faculty Member of the Year Health, and the Department of Neal Benedict, Neal Benedict, assistant profes- for 2009. Computational Biology. He is Sharon Connor, sor in the Department of Pharmacy Connor coordinates the also scientific director of the Billy Day, Raman and Therapeutics, has been course Pharmaceutical Care to Proteomics Core Lab for the Venkataramanan named the 2009 Stanford I. Cohen Underserved Populations, which schools of the health sciences. Teacher of the Year at the School uses service learning to teach Day’s research focuses on the of Pharmacy. students about pharmaceutical synthesis of potential anti-tumor, Benedict joined the School of access. She actively promotes ser- anti-HIV, and organ damage-rever- Pharmacy’s faculty in July 2005 vice learning through internships sal agents. after completing a residency in such as Bridging the Gaps and Raman Venkataramanan, a critical care at UPMC Presbyterian. the Albert Schweitzer Fellowship professor in the Department of He also has a primary clinical prac- Program. Pharmaceutical Sciences, was tice site in the hospital’s trauma/ Among her research projects honored with Rho Chi’s Innovation surgical intensive care unit. are implementation of a smoking in Teaching Award. He also holds Benedict is involved with both cessation service and outcomes a joint appointment as a profes- the cardiovascular and the critical assessments of common disease sor of pathology in the School care curricula at the School of states, such as hypertension, often of Medicine and is the director Pharmacy. He precepts pharmacy seen in underserved populations. of the Clinical Pharmacokinetics students as well as pharmacy prac- Laboratory. Venkataramanan joined tice and specialty residents. Rho Chi recognizes the School of Pharmacy’s faculty The award, presented by the two professors in 1980. graduating class for outstanding Two professors have been rec- His research seeks to identify teaching during the classroom ognized for their accomplishments factors that optimize drug therapy portion of the professional cur- both in the classroom and in the in organ transplant patients. riculum, is named in honor of the laboratory by the School’s Alpha Rho Chi members, along late Stanford Cohen, who served Omicron chapter of the Rho Chi with a panel of volunteer faculty on the faculty of the School of Society, an academic honor organi- members, choose award recipi- Pharmacy from 1979 to 1998. zation for pharmacy students. ents from nominations submitted Billy Day, a professor in the by students, faculty, alumni, and Connor named ASP Department of Pharmaceutical administrators. . Faculty Member of Sciences, was honored with the Year the organization’s Outstanding The executive board of the Scholarly Contribution Award. School’s American Pharmacists Day, who has taught at the Association–Academy of Student University of Pittsburgh since Pharmacists organization has hon- 1991, holds secondary appoint- ored Sharon Connor, an assistant ments in the Department of professor in the Department of Chemistry, the Department of PITTPharmacy 10 Great Preceptors Honored FEATURE

Verkleeren teaches skills, “I get so much back from stu- Ruby earned her bachelor’s degree work/life balance as dents; they keep you on your toes,” from the School of Pharmacy in Left to right: Preceptor of the Year Verkleeren says. “You really have to 1990 and was a member of Pitt’s Nicole Verkleeren, Christine Ruby When Nicole Verkleeren first know what you’re talking about, or first PharmD class, graduating in Scelsi made the transition from resident to they call you on it—and I like that.” 1994. She completed a specialty clinical pharmacist, she found it hard residency in geriatrics in Durham, to pull herself out of work mode. Geriatric pharmacy N.C., and went on to a fellow- “When eight hours was up, I specialist teaches ship and faculty position at Duke didn’t know what to do with myself. students to manage University before returning to Pitt I felt like I still needed to be here complex clinical in 2005. and work,” explains Verkleeren, situations She began precepting as a who graduated with her PharmD Within 20 years or so, the means of giving back some of the from Pitt in 2005 and now works number of adults who are 65 and valuable lessons she learned when at West Penn Hospital’s Forbes older will increase to more than 70 she was a student. Regional Campus. million, or about one-fifth of the “I wanted to make sure I passed Gradually, she learned how to U.S. population. that on to others,” she says. balance her job with her family life, With those numbers in mind, For her efforts, Ruby—who also a skill she mastered so well that she Christine Ruby wants to ensure serves as an assistant professor served as a role model to one of the that her students will know how at the School of Pharmacy, with a School of Pharmacy students she to best manage the often complex secondary appointment in geriat- mentored. medical issues of a senior patient, rics at the School of Medicine—is “Nikki takes on more work than regardless of their eventual practice one of two recipients of the 2009 I would have thought possible by a setting. Preceptor of the Year award. young pharmacist,” wrote stu- That’s why Ruby gives her Sarah Providence, who com- dent Krista Lipchik. “The part that students so much hands-on train- pleted a rotation under Ruby as a amazes me is that she has mas- ing during their rotations with her student in August and September tered time management. She can at Benedum Geriatric Center, a 2008, nominated her mentor for complete all her work thoroughly hospital-based clinic that is part of the award. while still managing to have a family UPMC Montefiore. “While she gives students a fair life. The goals and values that she “I feel it’s imperative to prepare amount of responsibility, she makes has set for herself are similar to our PharmD students to meet the her expectations clear from the very my own.” needs of our aging population,” beginning, and she always takes Verkleeren, one of two win- she explains. “It’s very important the time to review students’ work ners of the School of Pharmacy’s for pharmacy students to experi- thoroughly and provide meaningful Preceptor of the Year award, ence patients who have several feedback,” Providence wrote in her mentored Lipchik in the summer serious illnesses and [learn] how to nomination letter. of 2009. It’s a job she has taken on optimize the medications neces- ever since completing her residency. sary to comprehensively treat these conditions.” FALL ’09 11 FEATURE Renée K. Juhl Distinguished Alumnus 2009

hen Renée Juhl, PharmD ( BS ’78) Wwas selecting a col- lege, she knew the University of Pittsburgh would be the best fit. A native of Uniontown, Pa., Renée was looking for the top pharmacy program close to her hometown. “Being in a small school in a BIG university really felt like I had the best of both worlds,” she remem- Tom Seighman, Pam Seighman, Renée Kubacka Juhl and Randy Juhl bers. After she received her “During each of these opportunities, I was bachelor’s degree in phar- equally fortunate to have accomplished macy from Pitt, these goals with the help of extremely she continued her education by talented colleagues, and this made the completing her doctor journey all the more rewarding.” of pharmacy degree at the University —Renée Juhl of Cincinnati and residency at Renée also spent several years Renée and her husband Randy, Bethesda Hospitals as the education director of clinical who is the former dean of the in Cincinnati, Ohio. pharmacology at the University School of Pharmacy and currently Renée soon returned of Pittsburgh Family Practice serves as vice chancellor for to Pitt—but this Residency Program and then research conduct and compliance time as a faculty became the director of pharmacy at the University of Pittsburgh, member. Since at UPMC’s Western Psychiatric have lived in Pittsburgh for the bet- 1980, Renée has Institute and Clinic. Currently, ter part of the last three decades. held faculty posi- Renée is a senior director in Pfizer’s With all of her past successes, tions at Pitt’s School global medical department and pro- Renée considers her family life one of Pharmacy and vides medical support for U.S. gov- of her greatest accomplishments. School of Medicine. ernment and corporate customers. “My marriage to my husband, “It has been a plea- “I have been fortunate to help build Randy, and seeing our sons do well sure to come back or expand many new roles through- in their careers and happy in their to the University out my career,” she explains. homes with their wives is really and work with such “During each of these opportuni- what makes me so happy,” bright students. ties, I was equally fortunate to have Knowing that I have accomplished these goals with the been able to unravel help of extremely talented col- some of the mystery of leagues, and this made the journey a disease state or help prioritize all the more rewarding.” options of a career decision has made it rewarding,” she explains. PITTPharmacy 12 Nancy R. Zahniser FEATURE Distinguished Alumnus 2009

After graduating from Pitt, Nancy completed postdoctoral work in the department of phar- macology, University of Colorado School of Medicine. There, she quickly became a tenured professor. Nancy’s current research interests include understanding how brain dopamine systems contribute to the differential sensitivity of individuals to cocaine- induced brain plasticity and addiction, as well as identifying cellular Nancy Rutledge Zahniser and husband Chris Wing mechanisms that regulate brain dop- amine transporter hile Nancy R. Zahniser, thought, she realized that what activity and (PhD ’77), is currently she really wanted to pursue was expression. Wa professor in the pharmacology. “I started looking Over the department of pharmacology and at pharmacology programs and the years, Nancy the neuroscience program and first choice was Pittsburgh,” Nancy has been com- associate dean for research educa- remembers. “I was so excited mitted to mentor- tion at the University of Colorado to be accepted into the program ing younger Denver School of Medicine, her because I was given the opportu- scientists as journey began a long way from nity to do research rotations.” she was in her the Rockies. After receiving a BA During these rotations, Nancy years at Pitt. “I in chemistry from the College of discovered she was most inter- take such great Wooster in 1970, Nancy spent ested in studying the nervous sys- satisfaction in time in India where she taught in tem and diseases that protected seeing gradu- a private school for a few months the nervous system—in particu- ate students before teaching ninth-grade sci- lar, psychiatric and neurological and postdoc ence and chemistry at a mission diseases. “Pitt was a perfect fit trainees that I’ve boarding school at the foothills of for me. Interacting with the faculty mentored blos- the Himalayas. and other graduate students was som and become When she returned to the always so enjoyable because you independent States, Nancy knew she didn’t could tell they really cared and researchers,” she want to continue studying strictly gave me such great personal atten- says. “That truly has chemistry, but wanted to include tion,” Nancy remembers. been one of the most something biological. After much satisfying aspects and real joys of my career.

“I take such great satisfaction in seeing graduate students and postdoc students trainees that I’ve mentored blossom and become independent researchers” —Nancy Zahniser FALL ’09 13 FEATURE Photographic Memories RxTravaganza 2009 Celebrating with Grace

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2 This Magic Moment

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To see more photos from Rxtravaganza Gala 2009 visit www.pharmacy.pitt.edu/about/Gala/about.html PITTPharmacy 14 FEATURE

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Guests at RxTravaganza 2009 Celebrating with Grace enjoyed a wonderful evening of dinner, music, reunions, and camaraderie at the This Magic Moment Hilton Pittsburgh. Thanks in large part to the generosity of our alumni and friends, the event raised more than $70,000 to support the Grace Lamsam Program for the Underserved, a program that provides medications and pharmacy care for the homeless, uninsured, and underinsured in the Pittsburgh region. Under the direction of our faculty, the program annually provides more than 5,000 individuals with care and medications that would otherwise have been outside their reach.

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See page 31 for captions. FALL ’09 15 NEWS Our School

Representatives from the Simpson were the six University The 2009 Koch Lecture Students and resi- School traveled to Harrisburg to of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy featured Gary Matzke, associ- dents at Pennsylvania attend Pennsylvania Pharmacy students selected by PPA to ate dean and professor at Virginia Pharmacy Legislative Legislative Day on March 25, 2009. attend. This program is a three-day Commonwealth University School Day left to right: At the event, participants met with legislative conference that focuses of Pharmacy. Matzke spoke to a P3 students Patrick legislators and staffers to discuss on government relations, legisla- packed auditorium about the phar- Pugliese, Lauren important issues currently affect- tive action, media training, and macist factor in health promotion Costa, Aly Brown; ing the pharmacy profession. Pitt regulatory process. The program and patient management. P4 students Amanda School of Pharmacy participants provides students with a broader Simpson, Julie provided attendees with informa- outlook on the legislative side of A new core facility, housed Lauffenburger, tion about collaborative practice in pharmacy practice and encourages in the School of Pharmacy, has Christina Martin, community settings, hypertension them to remain politically active been approved by the University Matthew Felbinger; assessment, and blood pressure throughout their pharmacy careers. to support biomarker assess- Resident Community screenings. ment for human clinical studies. Practice Residents The School of Pharmacy won This core laboratory is associ- 08–09 Maria The Pennsylvania Pharmacists three national awards from APhA- ated with the Center for Clinical Osbourne and Association (PPA) held its 2nd ASP: Membership achievement for Pharmaceutical Research in Shara Elrod Annual Government Relations greater than 90 percent member- the School of Pharmacy and is Advocacy for Student Pharmacists ship, Project Chance (first place supported by the University’s (GRASP) program at the national award), and Innovation Clinical and Translational Science Association’s Harrisburg office in Programming for Smoking Institute. The laboratories in the the weekend of March 6–8, Videos (first place national award). core provide specific expertise 2009. P3 students Ashley Craig, Our students won the innovative and equipment (UPLC-MS/MS) Matthew Felbinger, Yardlee program award for their smoking necessary for the discovery and Kauffman, Tina Khadem, Julie cessation project, organized by quantitative measurement of small

PITTPharmacy Lauffenburger, and Amanda Kat Kingston. 16 Our School NEWS

molecular weight biomolecules (such as arachidonic acid metabo- Members of the new lites) in clinical samples. The highly core facility, left to right, sensitive and specific techniques staff members, Patrick employed will allow the clinician Oberly and Yi Chen Wu, to accurately measure multiple director Samuel Poloyac biomarkers in the same sample, and supervisor Beth maximizing the ability to link basic Minnigh. science with clinical outcomes. Samuel Poloyac (BS ’93), associ- ate professor, is the director of the core, and Beth Minnigh (PhD ’79), assistant professor, is the supervi- sor. For more information: www. biomarkers.pitt.edu

Dean Patricia Kroboth Michael Smith (P3) (MS ’80, PhD ’83) and the faculty with guest lecturer hosted the School’s Board of Gary Matzke, at the Visitors from March 30 to April School’s 53rd annual 1, 2009. The visit was structured Julius A. Koch Memorial around the three academic ele- Lecture. Matzke’s lecture ments of the School’s Long-Range was titled ”The Phar- Plan: education, research, and macist Factor in Health patient care. Board members were Promotion and Patient impressed with the high quality Management.” of the educational, research, patient care, and service programs at the School.

On Friday, May 29, 2009, the Annual Graduate Program Awards Dinner was held at the Herberman Conference Center. The invited guest speaker was Nancy R. Zahniser (PhD ’77), 2009 Distinguished Alumna. The award recipients included Shashi Sriram, a student mentered by Dr. Yong Tae Kwon who, for the second consecutive year, won the Teaching Assistant Award. Dr Rober Bies’ student, Yuyan Jin, was pre- sented with the Graduate Student Excellence Award. Jeremiah Momper (PharmD ’06), mentored The School hosted the Board of Visitors on March 30-April 1, 2009. Board members by Dr. Raman Venkataramanan, held a series of discussions with faculty and students and provided meaningful input received the Randy and Renée Juhl into the School’s strategic directions. Pictured are: (front, left to right) Rosalie Sagraves Pharmacy Graduate Scholar Award. and Coleen Kayden; (back, left to right) Richard Bertz (PhD ’95), Patrick Quinn, John Pieper, John Tighe, William Bailey, and David Rotella (BS ’81). Not pictured: Donald Abraham, Daniel Cobaugh (BS ’87), John Innocenti, and Victoria Roche. FALL ’09 17 NEWS Our School

Residents

From Left: Doctors John (Jay) Martello, Sarah Yost, Tiffany Jade Kreys, and Van-Anh Lee, from the Class of 2008–2009.

Maria Osborne, commu- Three of the residents will chair Jeffrey Little, Chair of nity practice resident received committees. The appointments are Communications and Technology. a $20,000 grant from the as follows: This committee works to enhance Community Pharmacy Foundation the Forum’s image and outreach to support her research proj- Benjamin Anderson, Chair of using various electronic commu- ect, “Recruiting pharmacists in Membership and Outreach. This nication tools. He is also the New Pennsylvania to provide commu- committee identifies new potential Practitioner on the Council for nity-based patient care services member audiences and increases Public Policy. as part of a statewide network: the awareness of membership The Network Project.” Additional benefits to assist new practitioners Stephen Davis–Member members of the research team with career development and daily of Leadership and Career are Margie Snyder (PharmD ’06); practice needs. Development. This committee Deanne Hall (BS ’96, PharmD identifies topics addressing career ’98); and Melissa Somma Nicole Cerussi (PharmD ’07), and leadership development. McGivney (PharmD ’98). MPH–Chair of Public Affairs and Advocacy. This committee encour- Meredith Mulvanity (PharmD School of Pharmacy pharmacy ages new practitioner involvement ’08)–Member of Professional practice management residents in ASHP grassroots advocacy Practice. This committee identifies have been appointed to five of six efforts through collaborating with Web content pertinent to new prac- 2009–2010 American Society of the ASHP Government Affairs titioners’ practice needs and high- Health-System Pharmacists New Division and working with the lights new practitioners who have Practitioner Advisory Groups. ASHP Public Relations Division to demonstrated practice success. promote ASHP initiatives. PITTPharmacy 18 Our School NEWS

Postdoctoral Fellows

Jinhan He, who works in and Kidney Diseases to attend Division of Chemical Toxicology, the laboratory of Associate the NIH Chemical Approaches to to attend and present at the Professor Wen Xie, was selected Nuclear Receptors and Metabolism 2009 ACS National Meeting and to receive the 2009 American Workshop last April. Exposition in Washington, D.C., Liver Foundation (ALF) Irwin M. in October. Arias, MD, Postdoctoral Research Prema Iyer received a $500 Fellowship. Only eight scholars travel award from the University Wei Wang, who works under nationwide are selected for this of Pittsburgh’s Postdoctoral Professor Alexander Doemling, fellowship each year. ALF fel- Association for her poster was invited to speak at the inau- lowships support research on presentation, “Synthesis and gural Graduate Research Seminar liver functions and diseases and Characterization of Minor Groove of the 2009 Gordon Research encourage promising young Binding Methylating Agents.” She Conference on Combinatorial scientific investigators. He also received the award, in recognition Chemistry, held in New Hampshire received a grant award from the her exemplary presentation, at the on June 6. Wang spoke about American Heart Association for 2009 Postdoctoral Data & Dine his groundbreaking work on the “Regulation of CD36 by the Aryl Symposium. Iyer works in the lab efficient synthesis of bioactive Hydrocarbon Receptor (AhR) of Professor Barry Gold. natural product Bacillamide C and and Its Implication in Fatty Liver derivatives and novel p53/mdm2 Disease.” Because this research Kenya Kamimura received antagonists, a novel class of poten- deals with the mechanistic role a travel award to attend the tial anti-cancer agents with better of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor American Society of Gene Therapy therapeutic potential and less and CD36 scavenger receptors 12th Annual Meeting. Kamimura side effects. in fatty liver disease, it is likely to works in the laboratory of make a highly significant impact Professor Dexi Liu. on understanding this disease. He and fellow postdoctoral research Manjori Ganguly, who associate Bin Zhang received works with Professor Barry Gold, Postdoctoral travel awards from the National received a travel award from Fellows, top, Institute of Diabetes and Digestive the American Chemical Society Jinhan He, bottom, Kenya Kamimura Postdoctoral Fellows, left to right, Manjori Ganguly, Prema Iyer, Wei Wang FALL ’09 19 NEWS Our Faculty

Faculty members engage in conversation and share ideas during the annual faculty retreat in June.

New faculty appointments and Department of Pharmacy and the highest levels of excellence promotions: Philip Empey and Therapeutics, has been invited in the practice and science of Pamela Havrilla Smithburger to serve as the chair of the clinical pharmacy and is the high- have joined the Department of American Society of Health- est honor that ACCP can bestow Pharmacy and Therapeutics as System Pharmacists’ Section on its members. McGivney will assistant professors. Janice for Inpatient Care Practitioners, be inducted at the ACCP Annual Pringle has been promoted to Section Advisory Group on Meeting in October in Anaheim, the rank of research associate Medication Safety. Calif. McGivney was appointed professor. to a second three-year term as Edward Krenzelok, professor an ACCP representative to the Jan Beumer, research assis- of pharmacy and therapeutics and Pharmacist Services Technical tant professor, was selected to director of the Pittsburgh Poison Advisory Coalition (PSTAC). PSTAC join the Editorial Board of Cancer and Drug Information Center, is a coalition of seven national Chemotherapy and Pharmacology. was a member of an expert panel pharmacy organizations founded to Editorial Board membership is convened by the U.S. Food and improve the coding infrastructure offered to clinicians and scientists Drug Administration on June 29 necessary to support billing for who have made significant aca- and 30 to discuss concerns over pharmacists’ professional services. demic contributions to the field. acetaminophen safety. The primary topic area for discussion was how Scott Mark, assistant profes- Sandra Kane-Gill, associ- to address the public health prob- sor of pharmacy and therapeu- ate professor of pharmacy and lem of liver injury related to the use tics, was invited to serve on the therapeutics, has been elected as of acetaminophen in both over-the- American Association of Colleges a fellow of the American College of counter and prescription products. of Pharmacy 2009–2010 Finance Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP) and will Committee. be recognized at the ACCP Annual Melissa McGivney (PharmD Meeting in October 2009. ’98), assistant professor of Susan Meyer, professor and pharmacy and therapeutics, was associate dean for education, Joanne Kowiatek (BS ’77), elected as a fellow of the American received funding from Highmark PITTPharmacy adjunct assistant professor in the College of Clinical Pharmacy. This 20 fellowship recognizes and rewards Our Faculty NEWS

Foundation and Pfizer for “The aimed at evaluating the available Pennsylvania Project: Preparing scientific information concerning Susan Meyer, professor and Pharmacists for Patient-Centered the clinical use of therapeutic hypo- associate dean for education Care.” Highmark provided fund- thermia. The conference took place ing to develop and implement in April in San Juan, Puerto Rico. education and training resources to facilitate pharmacist and stu- Amy Seybert (BS ’94, PharmD dent pharmacist development of ’96), associate professor of phar- requisite knowledge and skills for macy and therapeutics, has been medication therapy management. invited to serve on the American Pfizer provided funding to expand Journal of Pharmaceutical patient access across Pennsylvania Education (AJPE) Editorial Board. to medication therapy manage- AJPE is the official publication ment services and, ultimately, of the American Association of higher quality care, provided by Colleges of Pharmacy. Its purpose specifically trained pharmacists. is to document and advance phar- Jan Beumer, research Significant funding from the DSF maceutical education in the United assistant professor Charitable Foundation for this proj- States and internationally. ect was previously highlighted. Kristine Schonder, PharmD, Susan Meyer and colleagues assistant professor of pharmacy Helen Burns, School of Nursing, and therapeutics, has been and Hollis Day, School of appointed to the American College Medicine, received funding from of Clinical Pharmacy Educational the Office of the Provost for their Affairs Committee. The commit- innovative teaching project “We tee will make recommendations Need to Talk: Facilitating Improved on re-engineering the delivery Interprofessional Communication of experiential education to Through the Use of Standardized increase student involvement in Colleagues.” The project is aimed direct patient care and to increase at improving interprofessional student impact on the preceptor’s fessor and chair of the Department communication among pharma- practice productivity. Schonder of Pharmacy and Therapeutics, cists, nurses, and physicians. The was also appointed to the was an invited presenter at the approach will be based on the American Association of Colleges plenary session, “Learning from schools’ current use of a stan- of Pharmacy Council of Faculties Medication Error Management: dardized-patient teaching strategy Faculty Affairs Committee. The Improving Patient Outcomes,” where health professions students committee will create an inventory at the 2009 American College learn patient-assessment and com- of existing faculty development of Clinical Pharmacy/European munication skills by working with programs and will categorize best Society for Clinical Pharmacy an individual who is trained to act practices and successes. International Congress on Clinical as a patient. Pharmacy, which was held in Raman Venkataramanan Orlando, Fla., on April 24-28, 2009. Samuel Poloyac (BS ‘93 was one of four recipients of the Weber was also invited by the spoke at the 11th International University’s 2009 Provost’s Award chair of the Pennsylvania House Consensus Conference in Intensive for Excellence in Mentoring, an Professional Licensure Committee Care Medicine: “Therapeutic award that recognizes faculty for to testify in Harrisburg in April on Hypothermia – To Cool or Not To their mentoring accomplishments behalf of HB-1041, allowing for Cool?” His presentation was titled and commitment to training doc- drug therapy management in a “Implications of Hypothermia toral students. private setting. on Drug Metabolism and Interactions.” Poloyac was one of Robert Weber, associate pro- 20 expert panelists that presented FALL ’09 to a scientific advisory committee 21 NEWS Our Students

Pharmacy students were team); and Carlie Smith (P4) student chair of the School’s AAPS among the 283 student athletes (tennis). Conklyn was one of only chapter. recognized during the University’s 25 scholar-athletes honored for Alumni Association Scholar- achieving a perfect 4.0 GPA. Jennifer Bonner, PhD Athletic Awards Breakfast in candidate, received a renewal Alumni Hall on March 4 for earning The members of the School’s of her T32 fellowship from a grade-point average of 3.0 or APhA-ASP chapter voted Kat the University’s Clinical and higher during the spring 2008 and Kingston (P4) student of the year. Translational Science Institute fall 2009 semesters. Awards win- for 2009–2010. The fellowship in ners included William Conklyn Ayman Akil, graduate student, supports her research in intestinal (P3), Jeremy Stultz (P4), and received a certificate of apprecia- first-pass metabolism of drugs Megan Sculley (P2) (swimming); tion from the American Association in small bowel and multivisceral Lauren Hunt (P2) and Amanda of Pharmaceutical Scientists for his transplant patients. Tomich (P2) (cheer and dance outstanding performance as the

APhA-ASP “Gets in the Zona”

t last April’s national Executive Committee, Steve was meeting of the American president-elect of the School’s APharmacists Association chapter of APhA–ASP but had to Academy of Student Pharmacists relinquish this role to fulfill his obli- (APhA-ASP), Steven Zona (P3) gation on the national level. was elected as the organization’s Steve is grateful for the role president-elect. The APhA-ASP is his chapter played in helping him composed of more than 30,000 win the election. “This wouldn’t student pharmacists and is repre- have been possible without all of sented at every school and college the support and enthusiasm from of pharmacy across the United my chapter,” says Steve. “My States and Puerto Rico. It serves favorite part was seeing everyone as the collective voice of student with Get in the Zona t-shirts at the pharmacists and aims to provide Friday night social at the national opportunities for professional meeting.” growth, to improve patient care, As president, Steve’s pri- and to envision and advance the mary goal will be to increase future of pharmacy. APhA-ASP’s collaboration with Steven Zona (P3) Since coming to the School in other health professional student 2007, Steve has assumed many organizations and the various leadership roles including member- organizations within the pharmacy ship on the Dean’s Advisory Board profession. He will also serve and the Experiential Learning on the APhA Board of Trustees. Committee. He has been actively Steve’s term as president begins at involved with Phi Lambda Sigma the next APhA-ASP annual meet- and Rho Chi and served as the ing in Washington D.C. in March. 2008–09 chapter president of The School of Pharmacy takes the Academy of Managed Care great pride in Steve’s accomplish- Pharmacy. Before his appoint- ments, and we wish him all the ment to the APhA–ASP National best in his new and very presti- gious role. PITTPharmacy 22 Our Students NEWS

Mark Donnelly, PhD candidate, Sarah Krahe (P2) and Melissa received a travel award and a poster Ruminski (P2) were chosen as Julie Lauffenberger award at the 11th International Pittsburgh Schweitzer fellows and (P4) Winter Eicosanoid Conference in are part of the program’s 22-mem- Baltimore, Md. ber class of 2009–2010. Schweitzer fellows are chosen annually to Nisanne Ghonem, PhD candi- work in underserved communities date, received a renewal of her T32 in the Greater Pittsburgh area. The fellowship from the University’s program fosters leadership and Clinical and Translational Science professional development. Institute for 2009–2010. Ghomen also received a fellowship from the Julie Lauffenberger (P4) Office of the Provost. Her research and Christina Martin (P4) were explores the ability of an investi- named to the American Society health research. Lauffenberger gational agent to protect against of Health-System Pharmacists was involved with a community ischemic-induced hepatic injury in Student Forum National Advisory clinic formulary in Malawi. Ray orthotopic liver transplantation. Groups for the 2009–2010 aca- will help to conduct the research demic year. Lauffenberger is a project “Surveillance of Folic Acid Rebecca Hammond, member of the Communications Usage and Maternal Education” graduate student, received a Advisory Group and Martin is at the Shoulder to Shoulder site in two-year National Research a member of the Membership Honduras next summer. Service Award from the National Advisory Group. Institute on Aging for the project The University of Pittsburgh The Role of GPR30 in Mediating Julie Lauffenberger and Alexa chapter of the Student National Estrogen Effects on Neurons Ray (P3) were two of 11 University Pharmaceutical Association and Cognitive Performance. students who received student (SNPhA) was represented at the Hammond works in the laboratory global health award travel grants National Convention meeting in of Professor Robert Gibbs. from the University’s Center for Chicago, Ill., on July 17–20 by Global Health. The awards support ten student members. Through travel expenses for advanced degree the hard work and efforts of the students pursuing international

Representing the University of Pitts- burgh chapter of the Student National Pharmaceutical Association (SNPhA) at the National Convention meeting in Chicago from left to right: Ritu Kan- nekanti (P3), Rachel Wagner (P3), Yardlee Kauffman (P4), Jerry Mascara (P3), Zack Snyder (P3), Bethany Petrik (P3), Ashley Tylavsky (P3), Sheena Teckchandani (P3), Adam Martin (P2), Melissa Ruminski (P2) FALL ’09 23 NEWS Our Students

The University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy welcomes the Class of 2013 to the PharmD program. The diverse class includes students from nine states, the countries of Cameroon and South Korea, and 17 different undergraduate institutions (seven AAU institutions), including 83% from the University of Pittsburgh.

students during the past year in members of the 2008 ACCP Program (PASP), was one of 45 underserved communities through National StuNet Advisory students who participated in the numerous outreach events, the Pitt Committee prepared the commen- 8th annual PASP Symposium in chapter was recognized with three tary. This was the first time that Washington, D.C., in June. More major awards at the convention: a student presented at an ACCP than 30 presenters and mentors 2008–2009 National Community national meeting. shared their expertise and offered Service Award Trophy–Best Small inspiration. PASP introduces health Chapter Membership of Region Michael Smith (P3) was one professions students to influential 1, Certificate of Recognition of four Pitt students and 44 top public health professionals and for Outstanding Participation student leaders from across the empowers them to be leaders and Achievement in Region 1, United States, Canada, and abroad in addressing the nation’s public Certificate of Participation for chosen to participate in the inaugu- health challenges. Poster Presentations: “Medication ral Hesselbein Student Leadership Therapy Management for Summit in July sponsored by Pitt’s Nicholas Wytiaz (P2) Underserved in Pittsburgh” by P3 Hesselbein Global Academy for was awarded the Clinical and students Gerard Mascara, Eric Leadership and Civic Engagement. Translational Science Institute Gardner, and Zachary Snyder. These students received training Short Term Access to Research from global experts on effective, Training at the University of Matthew Sapko (PharmD ethical, and innovative leadership. Pittsburgh (Start UP) Trainee ’09) presented the paper “Tenets Grant. Associate Professors of Professionalism for Pharmacy Zachary Snyder (P3), chosen Sandra Kane-Gill and Amy Students” at the American College by the Association for Prevention Seybert are his mentors. of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP) Teaching and Research for the national meeting in Louisville, Ky. 2009 Paul Ambrose Scholars PITTPharmacy in October 2008. He and other 24 Our Alumni NEWS

Class of 1959

Seated, Left to Right: Salvatore Gaetano, Regina Zeolla Summerville, Herbert Stein, Rouzeberry Bell, Charles Liken, Patricia Neal Gearhart, Carole Finelli Ladik. Standing, Left to Right: William DuVall, Robert LeWinter, Joseph Mazur, Albert Gardill, Norbert Cronin, Laurence Sykes. We thank the Class of 1959 for joining us at RxTravaganza 2009 Celebrating with Grace

Nicole Cerussi (PharmD ’07, Minnesota. The award is presented James Mastrian (BS ’65) MPH ’08) is the new manager annually to a pharmacist in each past NACDS Board of Director of the Falk Pharmacy. Cerussi state for individual excellence and member, received the Sheldon completed her two-year residency outstanding contributions in state W. Fantle Lifetime Achievement in Health-System Pharmacy at pharmacy association activities, Award for exceptional accomplish- Pitt. She had been serving as the community affairs and in profes- ments and contributions to the interim manager at Falk since April sional practice. The award is chain drug industry. 2009. sponsored by Pharmacists Mutual Companies. Larry Merlo (BS ’78) was Maria Croyle (BS ’92), associ- elected to serve as vice chairman ate professor of pharmaceutics at Trish Flint Klatt (BS ’92) visits of the NACDS 2009–2010 Board Top to bottom: the University of Texas at Austin area high schools and Boys & Girls of Directors. Marie A. Croyle College of Pharmacy, received clubs to educate young people John T. Tighe III grants from the National Institutes about topics such as asthma Dwight Stiff (BS ’81, PhD ’89) Nicole L. Cerussi of Health and the Canadian National awareness and proper nutrition. executive director of AAI Pharma Trish Flint Klatt Microbiology to develop a vaccine She has arranged for UPMC to has been living and working in against Ebola virus infection. donate medicines to treat diabe- Germany for the past 12 years. tes, asthma, hypertension, and AAI Pharma is a CRO special- Julie Gambaiani Fike depression to three of its local fam- izing in Phase I clinical trials, bio (PharmD ’99) has been named ily health clinics. When patients analysis, product testing, and small the 2009 Distinguished Young cannot afford the drugs needed to scale manufacturing of solid oral Pharmacist of the Year in manage their conditions, they will dosage forms.

not have to go without them. FALL ’09 25 NEWS Our Alumni

In Memoriam

Mario Esposito ’48 Tammy S. Ferringer ’91 Robert M. Fry ’52 Donald N. Myers ’55 James E. Peterman ’42

Dr. Venkat’s reunion participants, left to right: Present students Wen Chen and Kelong Han, doctors, Anil D’Mello’86, Shimin Zhang ’02, Arun Swaninathan ’97, Raman Venkataraman, Karen Habucky ’87, ’92, Vinod Ramachandran ’01, and student Shringi Sharma

On June 4, 2009, John Tighe III (BS ’78) received the Walter M. Aikman Entrepreneur of the Year award at the Mid-Atlantic Capital (MAC) Alliance annual luncheon in Philadelphia, Pa. The award recognizes entrepreneurs for their success in the development of a venture-backed business with significant growth in sales, market impact, and value.

Several of Professor Raman Venkataramanan’s students gath- ered for a reunion in New Jersey in July 2009 to celebrate his years in the School of Pharmacy and his recent mentoring awards. Since joining the School of Pharmacy in 1980, Venkataramanan has been the major advisor for 28 graduate students. His former students cur- rently have positions in academia, industry, and the government. Alexandra Sassi and Haitao Yang, School of Pharmacy PhD graduates, hold their caps high as they celebrate after the commencement ceremony at the Petersen Events Center on Sunday, April 26, 2009. PITTPharmacy 26 INVESTING IN Thrift Drug Founder Reuben Helfant THE FUTURE Honored at Dean’s Brunch

t the Dean’s Brunch this Drug and soon turned it into one Duquesne schools of pharmacy. past May, an annual event of the largest pharmacy chains in This internship program played Athat has become a fix- the world. At the time of Helfant’s a tremendous role in the lives of ture of the School of Pharmacy’s death in 1968, Thrift operated 165 many of our students, who then RxTravaganza weekend, we had stores in 10 states. When Thrift went on to successful careers at the pleasure of listening to our was merged into Eckerd (now Rite Thrift Drug and other companies. alumni as they shared stories about Aid) in 1996, it had expanded to He also helped finance fellow their lives and their careers as 550 stores in 11 states, and also alumnus Joseph Koslow’s (BS ’38) pharmacists. At the brunch, Dean ran 102 Kerr Drug stores and 272 education through a scholarship. Kroboth introduced the elegant Fay’s Drug stores. After her husband passed woman in pearls who had been Helfant was known for his away, Ethel Helfant established delighting the guests throughout “hands-on” management style. a scholarship in his name at the morning. “I know that some “He knew every manager at every the School of Pharmacy. Since of you have had the opportunity to store,” remembers daughter that time, the Reuben Helfant meet Ethel Helfant Feldman,” said Sherry Malone. One story has it Scholarship has provided more the dean with a smile. “However, that Helfant once visited a store in than $85,000 in student support. Rueben Helfant ’23, I’m not sure how many of you Downtown Pittsburgh and noticed Thanks to her generosity and to Co-founder of know that Ethel was the wife of that the windows were dirty. “So her husband’s example, those Thrift Drug one of the School of Pharmacy’s he told the manager to get soap students have since gone on to most prestigious alumni, Reuben and water, rolled up his sleeves, become the newest generation of Helfant (PhG ’23), co-founder of and washed the windows himself,” leaders in pharmacy. Thrift Drug.” recalls Sherry with a laugh. Almost everyone in the room Reuben and Ethel Helfant immediately recognized the name always knew how to give back. of one of the great leaders in Reuben Helfant established a pharmacy. In 1937, Helfant and scholarship-loan-training program Philip Hoffman founded Thrift for students at both the Pitt and

In Memory Fund

The School of Pharmacy In Name Year Gift Established Memory Award was established Kim Lawren Reighard (BS ’76) 2006 in 2005 to provide a deserving Samuel P. Conte (BS ’41) 2006 pharmacy student with an award in Eilene Stauchler Liepack (EDUC ’57) 2006 memory of all alumni, families, or Margaret Madarasz Gerson (BS ’52) 2006 friends whose memorial gifts have Fred G. Gatto 2007 come to the School of Pharmacy. Janet Ball 2007 Gifts have been made to this Carmen Muro 2007 endowment in memory of: Matthew O. Pecht 2007 Brian Haugh (BS ’98) 2007 James C. Meisner (BS ’48) 2008 Gerald Paulice 2008 Ethel M. Ritzman (BS ’58) 2008 Tara Feroce 2008 H. Lawton Snyder 2008 Robert M. Fry 2009 Frank Ulyan 2009 Rose Borrelli 2009 Patricia Kuchma 2009 FALL ’09 27 INVESTING IN THE FUTURE Class of 2009 Wants to Establish First-Ever Class Endowment

s their way of thanking the Class of 2009 alumni interested School of Pharmacy for pre- in contributing to the establish- Aparing them for successful ment of this endowment should careers, the Class of 2009 is initiat- send their checks payable to the ing an effort to establish an endow- University of Pittsburgh to: Graham ment fund that will provide support Ciraulo, University of Pittsburgh, to deserving pharmacy students. School of Pharmacy, 1102 This endowment will provide funds Salk Hall, 3501 Terrace Street, to be awarded annually to phar- Pittsburgh, PA 15261 macy students designated by the dean or School representative. The endowment would remain at the School of Pharmacy in perpetuity enabling students to receive sup- port long into the future.

Class of 2009 at the Graduation Hooding Ceremony and Dinner following Commencement

School of Pharmacy Golf Invitational a Success

For the sixth year in a row, the School of Pharmacy Golf Invitational was a resounding success. Thanks to our alumni, friends, and corporate sponsors, more than $17,000 was raised for student scholarships. We would like to thank all of the businesses who donated prizes and the students who volunteered to help make this year’s outing a fun time for all.

Doug McCullough, Tom Edinger (PharmD ’06), Cathy Custer (BS ’78) and Jeff Fink (BS ’95) at the 2009 Golf Invitational. PITTPharmacy 28 INVESTING IN Joseph Cippel Sr. Becomes Pharmacy’s THE FUTURE Newest Member of the 1787 Society

oseph Cippel Sr. (BS ’56) In fact, it was from School of Pharmacy. When asked has been inducted into the Klingensmith’s founder, Joseph why he feels it’s important to help JUniversity of Pittsburgh 1787 Henry Klingensmith, that Cippel Sr. young people begin a career in Society in honor of his decision to learned the importance of giving pharmacy Cippel responded, “It’s include the School of Pharmacy in to help a young person enter the the best health profession to get his estate. profession. Cippel began working into. You really can help people.” Cippel and his family are at Klingensmith’s when he was His only request was that the stu- already a legacy at the School of 12 years old, and when it came dents who benefit from his gift one Pharmacy. His two boys, David time for him to go to college, day do the same. Cippel (BS ’86) and Joseph Cippel his education was generously Jr. (BS ’88), are graduates of the financed by Klingensmith. Cippel School, as is his daughter-in-law eventually paid him back and pur- Paula Haines Cippel (BS ’88). chased his pharmacy. Their pharmacy, Klingensmith’s Cippel chose to follow in the Joseph Cippel Sr. Drugstore, has been a Ford City, footsteps of his mentor by mak- (BS ’56) Pa., institution for almost 70 years. ing a gift to help students at the

SNAPSHOT FROM Silent Cal’s Grimm History PHARMACY’S PAST

rescription number 1125, the 30th president of the United for Vice President Calvin States. PCoolidge (1872–1923), was The prescription was written on filled on April 29, 1923, at the Rolling Rock Club stationery, sug- Ligonier Pharmacy, Ligonier, Pa. gesting that he was a guest of the It was filled for Vice President Club at the time he developed an Coolidge by pharmacist John Lloyd eye infection. The prescription was Moonly for the amount of 50 cents. donated by Fred W. Hayes (BS ‘58) Upon the death of President and is displayed in the School’s Warren Harding on August 3, Elmer H. Grimm Sr. Pharmacy 1923, Coolidge succeeded him as Museum.

The prescription reads as follows:

RX

Atropine sulfate 1 grain (1/15.43 Gm.) Aqua destill. 2 drachm (1/4) Fl. Ounce

Sig Put one drop in right eye at bedtime D. Blair (or Blain) For Mr. Coolidge

It appears that the Vice President also needed some castor oil. FALL ’09 29 PRESIDENT’S PHARMACY ALUMNI MESSAGE SOCIETY BOARD 2009-2010

EXECUTIVE BOARD

elcome to the start of a fine academic Chairman of the Board year at Pitt School of Pharmacy! It is my Samuel Poloyac ’93 Wpleasure to serve as the president of your Past President Alumni Society. While we travel the folds of our pro- Iny Marks ’00 fession over the next year, I expect that we will see President vast changes to our health care system. There will be Timothy Davis ’97, ’00 one thing that remains constant though, and that is Vice President our Alma Mater. For 131 years, the steadfast capability Irene Damratoski ’63, ’66 bestowed unto Pitt students and courageously per- Secretary petuated by Pitt alumni has anchored our profession. Tanya Fabian ’98, ’03 This year we shall celebrate our heritage of strength Golf Committee Chair and plan our future of success. Please gather with us Joseph Gatto ’75 in camaraderie and generosity at the Homecoming party, golf tournament, and the RxTravaganza. Please BOARD-AT-LARGE continue to gift your time, talent, and financial sup- Antoinette Aceto ’90 port to nurture the next generation of pharmacists. Diane Ammerman ’98 And finally, please stay in contact with our Society to Kathleen Bartony ’76 remain active and engaged. Shelby Corman ’02 Lorraine Corsi ’69 Nicole DeAugustine Butteri ’00 Hail to Pitt, Richard Drozd ’88 Tim Davis (PharmD ’00) Amit Duggal ’02, ’05 Jeffrey Goff ’92 Joanne Kowiatek ’77 Randy Meyer ’03 James Pschirer ’76 Christine Ruby-Scelsi ’90, ’94 Ernest Sanchez ’02 Kara Sperandeo ’06 Janet Traynor ’87, ’95

STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES

Derrick Helon ’10 Alexa Ray ’11 Jaime Genovese ’12

EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS

Dean Patricia D. Kroboth ’80, ’83 Director of Development Lawton Snyder Alumni Coordinator Laraine Kuchma Development Associate Student Development Coordinator Tim Davis volunteers his time at the 2009 Career Roundtable event. Graham Ciraulo PITTPharmacy 30 CONTACT US

TELL US ABOUT YOU!

Please send us information about your career advancements, papers presented, honors received, appointments, and further education. Send us your news by e-mail! We’ll include your news in the Alumni section as space allows. [email protected] Photos are welcome. Please print clearly.

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News: Megan Sanchez (PharmD ’06) and Ernie Sanchez (PharmD ’02) at the Pittsburgh Pirates baseball game in May 2009.

Memories of RxTravaganza Gala 2009 (captions)

1. Ann Sykes, Mac Gearhart, light up the dance floor

Laurence Sykes (BS ’59), Pat 5. Faculty members Philip Gearhart (BS ’59) reunite after Empey, PhD, Sharron Con- Let us know if you belonged to any of the following student organizations. 50 years. nor, (PharmD), Thomas Nolin Please check all that apply. 2. Alexa Ray (P3), Josuha Clos- (PharmD ’99, PhD ’03) q Kappa Psi q Lambda Kappa Sigma – LKS sin (P4) put on a show q Phi Delta Chi – PDC q Phi Lambda Sigma – PLS 6. Carole Finelli Ladik (BS ’59, q Rho Chi – Alpha Omicron Chapter 3. Brian Bobby (PharmD ’03) and ’60) and husband Joseph Ladik Kelly Stell Bobby (PharmD ’03) Please complete and return to: University of Pittsburgh, PITTPharmacy News “wear their sunglasses at night” Attn.: Laraine Kuchma 7. 14 distinguished alumni “keep 4. Dan Damratoski (BS ’68) and Suite 1100 Salk Hall, Pittsburgh, PA 15261 good company.” Front Row: Irene Damratoski (BS ’63, ’66) Phone: 412-648-3304 E-mail: [email protected] James Kirkwood (BS ’65), Nancy

DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI Distinguished alumni are chosen on the basis of their educational, professional, and University-affiliated achievements. They are individuals who are renowned for their integrity and have exhibited the highest degree of passion, commitment, and diligence in their contributions to the profession of pharmacy. To nominate a distinguished alumnus, please visit our Web site www.pharmacy.pitt.edu/alumni. All School of Pharmacy alumni are eligible. You are welcome to nominate yourself or others.

The School of Pharmacy Web site is a wonderful way of keeping in touch with all that is happening at the School. We invite you to visit the Web site at: www.pharmacy.pitt.edu.

School of Pharmacy Suite 1100 Salk Hall 3501 Terrace Street Pittsburgh, PA 15261

Please let us know your e-mail address by sending an e-mail to Laraine Kuchma at [email protected]. SAVE THE DATE!

The Seventh Annual RxTravaganza 2010 School of Pharmacy Golf Invitational June 12, 2010

Friday, May 14, 2010 Westin Convention Center Hotel Quicksilver Golf Club Downtown Pittsburgh Midway, PA This Magic Moment