News and Events
College Calendar
> Submit an item for the calendar
Submitted events will not appear immediately on the calendar as they are reviewed prior to posting. Please allow three business days for an event to be posted.
2009 News Archive
2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005
URI receives $18 million grant to strengthen biomedical research capacity in Rhode Island
Media Contact: Todd McLeish, 401-874-2116
Total funding for program since 2001 tops $42 million
KINGSTON, R.I. – May 20, 2009 – The University of Rhode Island has been awarded a five-year, $18 million grant by a branch of the National Institutes of Health to strengthen biomedical research capacity in Rhode Island. One of the largest grants in the University’s history, the grant is the third in a series of multi-million dollar awards the agency has given URI for this purpose since 2001, for a total of $42 million.
The grant was awarded to URI’s College of Pharmacy by NIH’s National Center for Research Resources, the same agency that awarded the University $8 million in 2001 and an additional $16.5 million in 2004. The earlier grants established a research network that resulted in the acquisition of key laboratory equipment and scientific collaborations among researchers at URI, Brown University, Rhode Island College, Providence College, Salve Regina University, and Roger Williams University. The program also reaches out to the Community College of Rhode Island for student training.
“Collaborative, multidisciplinary learning is a hallmark of the research and education experience here at URI, and this biomedical research program is a prime example of how successful this approach to problem solving can be,” said URI President Robert L. Carothers. “The tremendous growth of this initiative and the exciting results it has already generated are a testament to the strength of our College of Pharmacy and the network it has built with other institutions around the state.”
Click here to read the full article
URI double major makes getting an education a global experience
Media Contact: Dave Lavallee, 401-874-5862
Huntington Station, N.Y. resident earned degrees May 17 from URI
KINGSTON, R.I. – May 20, 2009 – University of Rhode Island pharmacy graduate and French major Mei Ka Fong has seen the world during her time at URI.
Fong is a resident of Huntington Station, N.Y. but was born in Macau, a region of southern China that was a Portuguese colony until 1999. She has been a globetrotter much of her life, spending time as a pharmacy intern in France, volunteering at a medical clinic in the Dominican Republic, and teaching English to children in Panama.
Aside from the clinical experience she gained in France, much of Fong’s traveling has been an offshoot of her church involvement. Fong is a member of the Long Island Alliance Church in Dix Hills, N.Y.
Click here to read the full article
Pictured above
New URI graduate Mei Ka Fong of Huntington Station, N.Y. URI Department of Communications and Marketing photo by Nora Lewis
Graduating pharmacy major believes URI taught him ‘to be the best of the best’
Media Contact: Dave Lavallee, 401-874-5862
KINGSTON, R.I. – May 15, 2009 – University of Rhode Island graduating pharmacy major Chris Sibicky experienced many facets of the University during his six-year tenure in Kingston.
“It is a big school but it is also a small school. Anywhere you need to go on campus is a 15 minute walk at the most, and there are so many different resources close by,” said Sibicky.
On May 17, the Griswold, Conn. native will graduate with a doctor of pharmacy degree and a sense of confidence as he enters the world of professional pharmacy.
When looking at colleges to attend, URI stood out to Sibicky because of its strong science programs. “In high school, I was good at chemistry and good in the sciences. I had a medical and science background, I just needed to decide what I wanted to do, and pharmacy was the answer,” said Sibicky. “URI has a great pharmacy program.”
Click here to read the full article
Pictured above
(CHRISSIBICKY.jpg) University of Rhode Island pharmacy major Chris Sibicky will graduate on May 17 with a doctor of pharmacy degree.
URI Pharmacy student is king of involvement
Media Contact: Dave Lavallee, 401-874-5862
KINGSTON, R.I. – May 8, 2009 -- It is common knowledge that the University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy offers a difficult and competitive program, but fourth-year student Andrew Cadorette has taken his learning well beyond the classroom and laboratory walls.
The Biddeford, Maine resident became a leader within his college as a member of the American Pharmacists Association and a representative to the Council of the Provost. But he didn’t stop there. He has served the campus as a tour guide, orientation leader, fraternity brother and URI 101 mentor. With so many campus connections and enthusiasm for all things URI, it was no surprise when the student body chose him as the 2008 homecoming king.
For Cadorette, leading within his major has meant doing what he can to learn about the different avenues within the field such as retail, working in a hospital, senior care, management and even academia. Cadorette likes the idea of exploring these different niches within the pharmacy field as he has been exploring the different groups around the URI campus. He started by joining the Pharmacy fraternity, Kappa Psi. “One day we’re playing football against the new incoming pledge class,” Cadorette said. “Getting bruised and bloodied, and the next day we’re at a regional meeting, dressed to impress, with other chapters discussing the future of pharmacy. Kappa Psi provides that great balance between work and play.”
Click here to read the full article
Pictured above
Fall 2008 Homecoming king, Andrew Cadorette, ready for anything in his ZBT letters, pharmacy lab coat and holding his tour guide jacket. Photo by Dave Lavallee
Westerly resident wins URI’s 2009 Campbell Award
Media Contact: Dave Lavallee, 401-874-5862
KINGSTON, R.I. – May 7, 2009 The University of Rhode Island’s College of Pharmacy presented the Dr. Norman A. Campbell Award for Ethics and Excellence in Healthcare to alumnus John Grossomanides. The award was presented at the University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy’s Seminar by the Sea, earlier this spring.
A 1984 graduate of the College of Pharmacy, he earned his doctor of pharmacy degree from URI in December of 2000. Currently, Grossomanides is working with Advanced Pharmacy Concepts where he is the senior clinical pharmacist.
According to the plaque presented to Grossomanides, "The Dr. Norman A. Campbell Award was created to honor individuals in the health care profession who have shown a profound dedication to the well-being of society. Through courageous and extraordinary words and actions, recipients serve as role models for future generations of health care professionals. Recipients, during times of tumultuous situations, will stand as beacons guiding health care to remember that mankind is our business."
“Dr. Grossomanides has been a role model for students in the professional fraternity Kappa Psi Pharmaceutical Fraternity for decades,” said URI Interim Pharmacy Dean Ronald P. Jordan. “He has been a leader in this organization, which is dedicated to developing the industry and high ideals of pharmacy students in that group. Kappa Psi serves the community through service charitable work and it develops the leadership skills and patient care dedication of pharmacy students. The fraternal bonds of Kappa Psi help pharmacists succeed in their careers by providing them with a close professional network of brothers who face the same opportunities and challenges”.
Click here to read the full article
Pictured above
John Grossomanides, center, receives the 2009 Norman A. Campbell Award for Ethics and Excellence in Healthcare. Presenting him the award is URI Pharmacy Dean, Ronald P. Jordan, left, and Norman Campbell, URI pharmacy professor emeritus, for whom the award is named. URI Department of Communications and Marketing photo by Nora Lewis
Public health announcements earn URI pharmacy students national acclaim
Media Contact: Dave Lavallee, 401-874-5862
KINGSTON, R.I. – May 6, 2009 – Two teams of University of Rhode Island pharmacy students finished among the top 15 colleges in a national video public service announcement contest sponsored by the University of Minnesota School of Public Health.
There were 67 entries, many aided by substantial production budgets, in the contest called, “It’s Global.” The URI students produced their videos without any funding support.
The two video spots were among eight prepared as part of a semester-long project in URI Clinical Associate Professor of Pharmacy Jeffrey Bratberg’s class, “Public Health Consequences of Infectious Diseases.” The pharmacy students researched the content for their ads, and were the actors in two of the commercials.
Click here to read the full article
Narragansett resident honored by URI College of Pharmacy
Media Contact: Dave Lavallee, 401-874-5862
KINGSTON, R.I. – May 6, 2009 – The University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy recently named Narragansett resident and URI alumna Linda Carver the Introductory Pharmacy Preceptor of the Year.
The Preceptor of the Year award is given annually to honor outstanding preceptors, who serve as mentors to pharmacy students while overseeing their clinical experiences. Students nominate candidates for the award, which is given to a preceptor of introductory level pharmacy students and a preceptor of advanced level pharmacy students. Carver was honored for her work with introductory level students.
Carver works as a pharmacist at Rite Aid in Narragansett and also serves as president of the Rhode Island Pharmacists Association. The student who nominated Carver served an internship at Rite Aid under Carver’s supervision and had prior experience working under Carver for academic credit.
“I was surprised to win the award. I have been doing this for a long time and it’s just one of the things that I do,” said Carver.
Carver said her experience as a preceptor is important to her because she understands how critical clinical experiences are to the development of a student. “I was fortunate to have some fantastic preceptors when I was in school and I try to ensure that my students have good experiences as well,” said Carver. “I feel that it is important to have members of the community actively involved with our students to help teach them and serve as an example for them.”
Carver says that she benefits from working with students and enjoys doing so. “Having the students with me also helps to keep me on my toes. They are a terrific resource for me.”
Pictured above
MODELING THE WAY: Brett Feret, clinical associate professor at URI’s College of Pharmacy, joins Linda Carver, left, a pharmacist at Rite Aid in Narragansett and URI alumna, as she displays the plaque she was awarded for being named the Introductory Pharmacy Practice Preceptor of the Year. URI Department of Communications and Marketing photo by Nora Lewis
Wakefield resident honored as “Preceptor of the Year”
Media Contact: Dave Lavallee, 401-874-5862
KINGSTON, R.I. – May 5, 2009 – Clinical Assistant Professor Erica Estus was named the University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy Advanced Pharmacy Practice Preceptor of the Year for her work with doctor of pharmacy students in advanced level experiential programs.
The Preceptor of the Year award is given annually to honor outstanding preceptors, who serve as mentors to pharmacy students while overseeing their clinical experiences. Students nominate candidates for the award.
Estus teaches pharmacy students performing internships as part of their sixth and final year at the College of Pharmacy. She works with students at three practice sites specializing in the area of geriatrics; the St. Elizabeth Home in East Greenwich, Omnicare Pharmacy in Coventry, and South Bay Manor in Wakefield.
Click here to read the full article
Pictured above
ROLE MODEL: Kathleen Fisher, director of Experiential Learning at URI’s College of Pharmacy, joins Erica Estus, left, URI clinical assistant professor of pharmacy, as she displays her plaque for being named the Advanced Pharmacy Practice Preceptor of the Year. URI Department of Communications and Marketing photo by Nora Lewis
URI College of Pharmacy professors win national teaching competition
Media Contact: Dave Lavallee, 401-874-5862
KINGSTON, R.I. – May 4, 2009 – Three University of Rhode Island pharmacy professors are celebrating the University’s first victory in the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy Innovations in Teaching Competition.
Clinical Assistant Professor Erica Estus of Wakefield, and Professors Anne Hume of Portsmouth and Norma Owens of Providence received the award for their work in a professional level elective course offered at URI since the fall of 2007. The class, “Advanced Pharmacotherapy in Geriatrics,” covers broad issues in pharmacotherapy for older persons, such as age-related physiologic changes.
“The elective emphasizes innovative active learning strategies and diverse teaching methods to engage pharmacy students,” said Estus on the award application. “The results demonstrate a significant improvement in knowledge, aging perceptions, and ability to communicate with older adults.”
“The purposes of the Innovations in Teaching Competition are to identify innovative teaching and learning strategies and assessment methods. The competition provides an opportunity to engage faculty in a process of documenting their scholarly approach to teaching and learning,” said Jennifer Patton, director of institutional research and data systems for the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy.
For winning, the pharmacy professors will have the opportunity to present their work during the association’s annual meeting, which will take place from July 18 to 22 in Boston.
Though URI has not won the competition before, it has been recognized in the past. In 2006, Associate Professor Kelly Orr received an honorable mention in the competition for a research article she wrote titled “Integrating Virtual Patients into a Self Care Course.”
Mario Family Foundation Makes $500,000 Gift to URI
Media Contact: Tracey Manni, 401-874-2145
Multi-year pledge will support construction of new College of Pharmacy building
and specifically fund 3-D Visualization Auditorium
KINGSTON, RI – April 8, 2009 – The University of Rhode Island Foundation today announced that the University has received a gift commitment for $500,000 from the Mario Family Foundation, based in Princeton, New Jersey. The gift is part of the University’s Making a Difference $100 million capital campaign.
The president of the Mario Family Foundation, Dr. Ernest Mario, received his master’s degree and doctorate from URI’s College of Pharmacy in 1964 and 1966, respectively. He received his undergraduate degree from Rutgers University.
This most recent gift from the Mario family will support the College of Pharmacy’s planned construction of a $75 million, state-of-the- art facility to become home to the University’s fast-growing and highly regarded pharmacy program. The gift will, in particular, support the inclusion of a 167-seat 3D “visualization auditorium” within the building. This space will take the college’s use of 3D technology to a new level with a huge IMAX® like projection system delivering 3D content ranging from the molecular to the anatomical; enhancing understanding and student engagement.
Click here to read the full article
Rite Aid CEO discusses health care reform, the economy, technology in visit to URI
Media Contact: Dave Lavallee, 401-874-5862
Kingston, RI – March 31, 2009 – The chief executive officer of Rite Aid Pharmacy told University of Rhode Island pharmacy students during a recent visit that the personal touch is still the key to successful patient-pharmacist interactions.
Rite Aid chief Mary Sammons also spoke with URI College of Pharmacy students about health care reform, the role of technology, the challenging economy and careers at Rite Aid.
In a small group discussion, Andrew Bundeff, a fourth-year pharmacy student from Cumberland expressed concern that an increase in the use of robotics by pharmaceutical companies would result in less of a demand for pharmacists. Sammons largely disagreed, stating that technology would give pharmacists more time to work one-on-one with customers.
“Technology will help pharmacists deliver quality care. The reason for technology is to free up time for pharmacists to spend time with patients.”
Click here to read the full article
Pictured above
STRAIGHT FROM THE TOP: Rite Aid CEO Mary Sammons makes a point with URI pharmacy students during a visit to the Kingston campus.
URI Department of Communications & Marketing photos by Michael Salerno Photography
URI College of Pharmacy, Dept. of Corrections collaboration results in $12 million savings for taxpayers
Media Contact: Dave Lavallee, 401-874-5862
Joint effort wins national award for innovation in pharmacy management
KINGSTON, R.I. – March 27, 2009 – A seven-year old program involving the University of Rhode Island’s College of Pharmacy and the Rhode Island Department of Corrections has saved the correctional system $12 million in prescription medicine costs.
The initiative, which has been in place since 2002, has reduced medication waste by nearly 75 percent and held the trend line on expenditures despite significant drug cost inflation and increases in the inmate population.
While such a successful enterprise is a source of pride for the University and the Department of Corrections, the management model also gained national praise. The Pharmacy Benefit Management Institute presented a 2009 Rx Benefit Award to URI and the Department of Corrections for its new Collaborative Management Model.
It is the first time the institute has honored a collaboration involving a university or college and a state agency. Based in Scottsdale, Ariz., the institute provides research, education, and publication services to help health care benefit executives work with pharmacy benefit managers and other pharmacy professionals to design prescription drug benefit programs.
Click here to read the full article
Pictured above
NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED: Representatives of the University of Rhode Island and the Rhode Island Department of Corrections display the 2009 Rx Benefit Awards given by the Pharmacy Benefit Management Institute. From left are pharmacy students Brian Touhey and Matt Coty, Rita Marcoux, URI assistant professor of pharmacy research; Dr. Michael Poshkus, Department of Corrections medical director; E. Paul Larrat, associate dean of the URI College of Pharmacy; Joseph Marocco, associate director of Health Care Services for the Department of Corrections and Larry Myerson, the URI on-site pharmacy manager. URI Department of Communications and Marketing Photo by Michael Salerno
URI pharmacy professor has patent pending for pain-free method of monitoring drug levels in transplant patients
Media Contact: Dave Lavallee, 401-874-5862
Use of saliva would reduce need for blood tests
KINGSTON, R.I. – March 27, 2009 –The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office is reviewing a University of Rhode Island pharmacy professor’s proposal to use saliva as a non-invasive way to monitor concentrations of anti-rejection drugs in patients that undergo transplants.
Associate Professor of Pharmacy Fatemeh Akhlaghi said saliva offers a pain-free way to measure levels of immunosuppressive agents such as cyclosporine, and mycophenolic acid, which are essential in preventing organ rejection after transplantation. She is also researching the use of saliva for monitoring the concentration of two other immunosuppressive drugs, tacrolimus and sirolimus.
“Routine concentration measurement for these agents is essential for their efficacious and safe use. This is currently done through blood tests that are usually administered twice a week in a clinic or hospital,” Akhlaghi said. “Our method uses saliva to measure these drug levels. Saliva tests are good for children and elderly. With the elderly, blood draws can be difficult because of the loss of muscle and connective tissue, making the veins less stable and more prone to bruising.”
Click here to read the full article
Pictured above
SEEKING PARTNERS: Associate Professor of Pharmacy Fatemeh Akhlaghi is seeking commercial partners to help her team expand its research into use of saliva as a pain-free way to monitor concentrations of anti-rejection drugs in patients that undergo transplants. Photo courtesy of Jeff Foley—American Heart Association.
Campus involvement gives pharmacy student confidence
Media Contact: Dave Lavallee, 401-874-5862
URI Pharmacy student does it all.
KINGSTON- March 25, 2009 - The University of Rhode Island’s College of Pharmacy, was a natural fit for Rebecca Davis, but she never thought her involvement here would lead to her being named the 2008 URI Homecoming Queen.
Rebecca Davis, better known to her peers as Becky, has worked in a pharmacy ever since she was 16 years old. She started at a small independent pharmacy in Rochester, N.H. The owners of CARE Pharmacy inspired Davis to pursue the field, and encouraged her to check out their alma mater.
“I fell in love with the campus on my first tour,” Davis said of URI. “It has such a homey feel.” But as a freshman pharmacy student from Berwick, Maine, Davis was a little intimidated to jump in and get involved. “ I was quite shy,” Davis admits.
As a sophomore she heard about the pharmacy professional sorority Lambda Kappa Sigma, LKS, and has held an executive position since joining in her second year. Now in her fourth year, she is the President of the URI chapter. “I love it …a lot! I love watching the members grow from this experience, like I have,” Davis said. This year the organization has grown to 157 members and was nominated for the URI Rainville Leadership Award.
Click here to read the full article
Pictured above
Rebecca Davis, fourth year pharmacy student, posed at the URI Catholic Center with her lab coat and Homecoming crown. URI Department of Communications & Marketing photo by Michael Salerno Photography.
Champlin Foundations boost hands-on study at URI
Media Contact: Shane Donaldson, 401-874-4894
Funding for bone density scanner among five grants received by UniversityKINGSTON, R.I. – February 3, 2009 – Osteoporosis is a major health threat for 44 million Americans – or 55 percent of the people 50 years or older, according to the National Osteoporosis Foundation.
Thanks to funding from the Champlin Foundations, University of Rhode Island students in kinesiology and nutrition and food science will be better trained in how to assess and treat patients at risk for Osteoporosis, a disease that causes low bone mass and deterioration of bone tissue.
The $97,750 grant to purchase a dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) unit was among five grants totaling $578,510 received by the University of Rhode Island from the Champlin Foundations.
The University was awarded four grants to upgrade laboratories in kinesiology, nursing, pharmacy, engineering and the College of Arts and Sciences. A fifth grant will be used for renovations on the W. Alton Jones Campus.
Click here to read the full article
URI pharmacy student targeting breast cancer, AIDS in her research
Media Contact: Dave Lavallee, 401-874-5862
KINGSTON, R.I. –January 9, 2009—For Jessica Lehmann, a fourth-year pharmacy student and member of the University of Rhode Island track and field team, her fight against killers like cancer is personal. That’s because her mother is a breast cancer survivor.
The Park Ridge, N.J. resident took that personal interest and worked last summer as a Summer Undergraduate Research Fellow with URI Pharmacy Professor Keykavous Parang, focusing on breast and colon cancer research. She paid particular attention to a certain protein that gets over-expressed and causes these types of cancer. The intent was to turn off the gene that causes the problem and expresses the protein. Lehmann and Parang worked to develop a molecule to bind with the gene to prevent the production of the protein.
“I’ve always wanted to do research within my field and I felt that the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship was a great opportunity to try this out,” said Lehmann who is enrolled in the six-year doctor of pharmacy program. “I liked working on anti-breast cancer agents because my mother is a breast cancer survivor so it really hits home for me.”
Click here to read the full article
Pictured above
STUDENT RESEARCHER: URI pharmacy student and track and field team member Jessica Lehmann of Park Ridge, N.J., at a research lab at the University. URI Department of Communications & Marketing photo by Michael Salerno Photography.
