URI Health Services pharmacist named
Preceptor of the Year

KINGSTON, R.I. -- December 7, 1999 -- Raymond Ciarleglio tells his pharmacy interns to serve customers with a smile. Recently, Ciarleglio has been the one smiling, as he has been named Preceptor of the Year for 1999 by URI's College of Pharmacy.

The award, which is sponsored by Roche Laboratories and honors pharmacists for their skill and dedication in mentoring URI pharmacy interns, was presented to Ciarleglio at a banquet last month.

Ciarleglio, of Wakefield, is a supervisor in the preceptor program, which links fifth-year pharmacy students to more than 100 clinical sites to provide students with experiences outside the classroom. The students are placed in a variety of settings, including hospitals, retail stores, managed care facilities, health maintenance organizations, and in URI's Health Services pharmacy. They work full time for six weeks with no pay, and receive a grade at the end of the period.

Ciarleglio, who is a pharmacist in URI's Health Services, works with one student at a time, teaching them the "tools of the trade."

"Basically, I supervise them and show them how to function and do the job of a pharmacist, from filling orders to working with customers. They learn a lot about proper pharmacy practice and how to be a professional. It's a great experience for them," said Ciarleglio.

Ciarleglio also enjoys coaching football because it gives him another outlet to work with students. He has been offensive backfield coach with URI's football program under head coach Bob Griffin, and assistant coach at Narragansett and North Kingstown high schools.

Charles Henderson, director of URI's Health Services, said he can think of no better person to receive the award.

"He is totally focused on the students, whether they are preceptor students or students who are receiving care through health services. He has such a good nature, and a real love of the students and of his job," remarked Henderson.

Henrique Pedro, coordinator of the College of Pharmacy's externship program, echoed Henderson's sentiments.

"A preceptor is one who spends a great deal of time with students and has an enormous amount of patience. Raymond Ciarleglio truly reflects these qualities," he said.

Ciarleglio, a 1987 graduate of URI's College of Pharmacy, worked at Brooks Pharmacy before coming to URI. For him, one of the best parts of his job at URI is the location and the opportunities it provides.

"The best part of it for me is simply where I work. Being a pharmacist may be tedious and stressful at the retail level, but at the University I have the chance to work with a great population, which is very knowledgeable, and where I am constantly learning new information. And, I get to work with the students. It really makes my job great," he said.

"It was an honor to receive this award. I didn't expect it at all. I'm only 36! I really hope I can live up to it."

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For More Information:Dave Lavallee, 401-874-2116