THE GEORGIA PHARMACIST MAGAZINE VOLUME 73 2020-2021 The LETTER FROM THE DEAN DEDICATION: BRIAN SEAGRAVES Georgia Dear Class of 2021 PharmDawgs: The Georgia Pharmacist Magazine honors a beloved College of Pharmacist Pharmacy faculty member who has committed himself to his Congratulations on your recent graduation from the University of students and colleagues. It is evident to anyone who interacts with Magazine Georgia College of Pharmacy! We are proud of your commitment, him that he has a tangible passion for the field of pharmacy and hard work, and determination that allowed you to reach this maintains genuine care for his students and patients. UGA’s CoP is excited and proud to dedicate this year’s Georgia Pharmacist momentous milestone. You have committed yourself to the service Volume 73 Magazine to Dr. Brian Seagraves. This is the third year he has of others through the profession of pharmacy. For that, I am received this coveted designation, which is determined by the 2020-2021 honored to call you a pharmacy colleague. graduating PharmD class at the College. I am certain that one of your fondest memories from your academic As a 2004 graduate of UGA’s College of Pharmacy, Dr. Seagraves Published career will be the people with whom you spent the last four years. has committed almost two decades to serving others as a Clinical Encapsulated in this e-magazine are profiles of your fellow students; Pharmacist. After receiving his Doctor of Pharmacy degree, he annually for the photos from your unprecedented Commencement Ceremony at began working in a private pharmaceutical practice. Then, in University of Stegeman Coliseum; highlights of the poignant Commencement 2016, Dr. Seagraves returned to his alma mater to teach the next speech delivered by your class president, Dr. Nick Rozelle; and generations of pharmacists. Georgia College overviews of the 17 student organizations that found new ways to operate this year. The dedication of this e-magazine is the capstone Dr. Seagraves can detect the abilities and potential in his students, of Pharmacy and he strives to make them realize their own capabilities. One of the document. Dr. Brian Seagraves was selected by your class to of his students detailed how “…his door is always open to his Athens, GA. receive this coveted recognition – the third time he has received students – starting from day one. He is always there to listen and this honor. You will enjoy reading his profile. provide support in any way he can.” Another student observed On the Cover: how “…he has unwavering belief in students, even when they Whether you are in a residency program, embarking on your first question themselves. He has always encouraged me to be a well- job, or entering an advanced degree program, I wish you well! rounded pharmacist, because that’s how you can be most effective The Pharm.D. Remember: once a PharmDawg, always a PharmDawg! in terms of working as a team, taking care of your patient, and Class of 2021 taking care of yourself.” Commencement Good Luck and Always Be Learning! Ceremony in Dr. Seagraves’s commitment goes well beyond his work with the CoP. He has served as the director of the Mercy Health Center’s Hep-C Clinic, a free hepatitis C treatment location, for more than 14 years. He is the current Chair of the Stegeman Coliseum. Athens Nurses Clinic, which offers another free hepatitis C treatment site. In addition, he is on the board for Women to the World. Dr. Seagraves explains, “I have a strong love for people and a strong desire to serve my community. I wholeheartedly believe that civic involvement is what will make our community robust and prosperous.” Former Associate Dean Dr. George Francisco, a previous recipient of this honor, notes that “Dr. Seagraves is truly Kelly M. Smith, Dean dedicated to the profession of pharmacy as demonstrated by his long hours and tireless efforts at the College, the UGA College of Pharmacy considerable amount of time he serves at community health care practices, and his daily interactions with other pharmacists.” Instead of focusing on the difficulty of situations that he is confronted with, Dr. Seagraves embraces the opportunity to have an impact in all he does. “It is such an honor to receive this award again. It is extremely reassuring to know that I am actually making a positive impact on my students, colleagues, and surrounding community.” Along with receiving this honor twice before – in 2018 and 2020 – Dr. Seagraves was previously awarded: 2010 – 2011 UGA College of Pharmacy APPE Preceptor of the Year (2010); Mercy Health Center Volunteer of the Year (2011); 2015 Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine College of Pharmacy APPE Preceptor of the Year (2014); Joseph D. Greene Community Service Award (2016); UGA CoP Teacher of the Year (2020); UGA CoP Teacher of the Year Nominee (2018); Georgia Society of Health-System Pharmacists (GSHP) Community Service Award (2019). It’s not uncommon to see him sporting a superhero tie, socks, or other sci-fi accessories. He remains a superhero to all…and a super instructor for generations of pharmacists to come. Congratulations, Dr. Seagraves on this prestigious award! Editors Lillian Ballance Anna Jensen Mickey Montevideo ACADEMY OF MANAGED CARE PHARMACY COMMENCEMENT REMARKS FROM CLASS PRESIDENT NICK ROZELLE Thank you to Dean Smith, distinguished faculty, family, and to you, the class of 2021. I am Nick Rozelle. It gladdens me to be back in Athens, with you. Here. Now. In this moment. This moment is Golden with Pride. One of these transformative memories that punctuates life. Because it represents growth and transformation and change. When we change from student pharmacist to pharmacist, candidates to colleagues. When who we are is redefined. This is the destination, the peak long-sought we’ve imagined so much it feels like a memory. But before it came a journey. A journey of long nights and early mornings, of day-to-day rigor, of challenge and failure and growth. A journey punctuated by golden memories. Of accomplishment: after a successful Pharmtoberfest, after all the tents and tables are put away. Of meeting a classmate for the first time, not knowing, but feeling they would become one of your closest friends. Studying long-hours on pharmacokinetics in the library because we didn’t get it the first time, or the second, or the third. Sometimes these golden moments come when you don’t expect them. Almost 4 years ago, sitting on a bench outside the creamery. We’d just finished finals and our first pharmacy semester, discussing the challenge of finals; how glad we were to have made it through. About how fast the semester and the rest of the journey would fly by...and boy howdy did it. And despite how innocuous it was to simply sit down...That golden memory of a conversation sitting in the shade on a bench outside of Pharmacy South will stick with me. Because it was then in that simple moment that I realized how fast this journey would go and how precious our time together would be. Take a moment to recall your own golden memories we’ve made and shared over the last four years: Small and large, Moments that pushed you, challenged you to be better, Moments filled with laughter and joy. These golden memories matter because they define and redefine who we are. They mark the path we walk. Over 10-years ago, we got the news you never want to hear. My mom was diagnosed with cancer. Now, where is the golden memory in that? The Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy and pharmaceutical industry. Nationally, Maybe I was too young to understand the gravity, but throughout treatment and recovery, I don’t recall despair, I chapter at the University of Georgia AMCP is an association of pharmacists and don’t recall sadness. But I remember the strength and support and love of family. The selflessness when mom never promotes student interest in careers associates who serve the public through stopped being mom, even when it was tough. That’s where the golden memories are. Don’t miss these moments, these memories that stick with us, that define us...even in the dark...especially in the dark. What are these moments in your in managed care organizations and the the promotion of wellness and rational life? And where will we find them stepping forward? pharmaceutical industry. Each year, a drug therapy by applying managed wide variety of professionals and alumni care principles. AMCP empowers their Find the golden memories, in dark valleys, when we get the news that no one wants to hear, in illness and loss, stuck share experiences and insight into the members to develop leadership, clinical, upon ridges that feel too steep, and on peaks we never expected. role of a Pharm.D. in various industry and business skills through varied career paths. The chapter actively opportunities at the local, regional, There is a whole world out there and it’s loaded with golden memories. We’ve made many in the last 4 years: in participates in the AMCP National and national level. AMCP also provides moments grand and small, forged through effort, or hidden as silver linings of the dark, made in simple moments Pharmacy & Therapeutics competition members opportunities to network with shared. and student members can qualify to managed care professionals, providing compete on the national level. Our career information and assisting with So when we walk from this place, we walk transformed. By this moment, by the journey we’ve taken, together, by innovative chapter focuses on building securing fellowships, residencies, and what we’ve experienced and all we’ve learned.