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2009 News Archive

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URI pharmacy researcher seeks participants for Lipitor metabolism study in patients with diabetes

Media Contact: Dave Lavallee, 401-874-5862

KINGSTON, R.I. – December 1, 2009 – A researcher in the University of Rhode Island’s College of Pharmacy is seeking subjects for a study focusing on the metabolism and side effects of Lipitor™ on patients with diabetes.

Fatemeh Akhlaghi, URI associate professor of biomedical and pharmaceutical sciences, has a $200,000 American Heart Association grant to examine the effects of Lipitor, also known by the generic name of atorvastatin, on 50 patients with diabetes and 50 without the disease.

Study subjects must be 18 to 65 years old, taking Lipitor, and be willing to have their blood drawn at URI Health Services or a South County Hospital laboratory at the South Kingstown Office Park on Salt Pond Road. Each participant will receive $40 compensation.

Akhlaghi said initial lab studies suggest that patients with diabetes are less able to metabolize Lipitor, which can lead to severe muscle pain.

Lipitor is the most frequently prescribed drug to treat high cholesterol, but its effects on diabetic patients have never been studied. Non-diabetic individuals on Lipitor are needed as a control group for the study.

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URI pharmacy students capture Pepto Bowl

Media Contact: Dave Lavallee, 401-874-5862

KINGSTON, R.I. – November 16, 2009- Answer: “University of Rhode Island pharmacy students.” The Question: “Who are the winners of this year’s annual Pepto Bowl?”

Three of URI’s own pharmacy students took home the handsome sterling silver bowl in this year’s “Jeopardy-style” National Association of State Pharmacists Associations and the Nonprescription Medicines Academy Pharmacist Self Care Championship, also known as the “Pepto Bowl.”

Endowed by Proctor & Gamble, the maker of Pepto-Bismol, this was the second year of the competition that tests pharmacist skills related to self-care counseling and over-the-counter drug knowledge.

It was held at the Mohegan Sun in Uncassville Conn. URI students Srilatha Vallabhaneni of Hopewell Junction N.Y., Caitlin Lucy of Bangor, Maine and URI alumnus Michael Hanley of Warren defeated defending champions the University of Connecticut, as well as two branches of the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences and Northeastern University.

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URI concludes Darwin anniversary lecture series

Media Contact: Todd McLeish, 401-874-2116

KINGSTON, R.I. – November 12, 2009 – As part of the University of Rhode Island’s continuing celebration of the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin’s birth and the 150th anniversary of the publication of his On the Origin of Species, Rutgers University Professor Debashish Bhattacharya will present a lecture on Nov. 16 entitled “Genomic Approaches to Understanding Red Tide.”

The lecture is free and open to the public and will be held in the Ryan Family Auditorium in the URI Center for Biotechnology and Life Sciences at 7:30 p.m.

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URI Indian Student Association to host Diwali celebration, Nov. 7

Media Contact: Jan Wenzel, 401-874-2116

KINGSTON, R.I. –November 2, 2009—The Indian Student Association at the University of Rhode Island will celebrate Diwali 2009: “We made the darkest night the festival of lights” on Saturday, Nov. 7 from 5 to 8 p.m. in the Rainville Ballroom, Memorial Union, 50 Lower College Road, Kingston. The popular event generally draws about 250 people.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $4 for children under 12. The student group will donate $1 of the ticket price to Bakul, a non-profit organization in India, which strives to restore basic rights to underprivileged children.

“Diwali is a festival of lights celebrated in India,” explains Supriya Kulkarni, president of the student group. “The festival signifies victory of good over evil, light over dark and hence the tagline. There are five days to the festival, each of them signifying certain specific sentiments. This year, Diwali actually was celebrated in the second week of October in India. However, we try to organize this function at the convenience of the graduate students, as they are the ones who will perform.”

A few other non-student performers will also take part this year. The performance, according to Kulkarni, will give the audience a glance into the culture of India.

Honorary guests this year are Nasser Zawia, interim dean, URI Graduate School and Ronald Jordan, dean of the URI College of Pharmacy.

URI's Making A Difference campaign hits $100 million mark, 15 months ahead of schedule

Media Contact: Tracey Manni, 401-874-2145

With more than a year remaining in the campaign, officials plan to "stay the course"

KINGSTON, R.I. -- October 17, 2009 – University of Rhode Island President David M. Dooley announced tonight that the University's Making a Difference capital campaign has achieved its $100 million goal, a full 15 months ahead of schedule. The campaign is scheduled to officially close December 31, 2010.

"Reaching the $100 million mark for the University's campaign is remarkable progress, and the willingness of so many of our alumni and friends to support the University is inspiring," said URI President David M. Dooley. "We have a strong foundation of excellence at URI, but it has only been recently that a lot of the critical pieces have come together for us to move aggressively toward even higher levels of distinction and achievement. We need to continue our course to reach the heights that the University is capable of achieving. Together, we can make amazing things happen."

Nearly 9 percent of campaign dollars raised have been earmarked to athletics, and another 7 percent has been designated for the annual fund (Fund for URI). Approximately $8.5 million has been donated to help support new building construction which is funded, primarily, through taxpayer approved bonds. This private support enhanced two buildings in the past year: the Graduate School of Oceanography's Undersea Space and Exploration Center and the Center for Biotechnology and Life Sciences building. Funds have also been raised and earmarked for other construction projects, including the new College of Pharmacy building.

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URI to celebrate annual achievement awards - Major capital campaign update to be announced

Media Contact: Tracey Manni, 401-874-2145

NEWS ADVISORY

October 16, 2009

WHO: URI President David M. Dooley and about 400 URI alumni, family, and friends.

WHAT: There will also be a special announcement about URI’s Making a Difference Capital Campaign during URI’s celebration of the fourth annual Distinguished Achievement Awards. The awards recognize the accomplishments of four alumni: Patricia Miller Anton ’79 (music) of Henderson, Nev., James Diller ’57 (physics) of Portola Valley, Calif., Edward M. Rudnic ’78, M.S. ’82, Ph.D. ’83 (pharmacy) of Potomac, Md. and Richard Kerr ’77 Ph.D. (oceanography) of Bethesda, Md. As well as 26 alumni and friends named to each college’s Dean’s Lists.

WHEN: Saturday evening, Oct. 17. Dinner and the awards ceremony will begin at 7:45 p.m. The campaign update is expected to be announced between 9:45 and 10:15 p.m.

WHERE: The Westin Providence, One West Exchange St., Providence, R.I.
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For more information about coverage, contact Tracey Manni, manager, development communications, URI Foundation, 401.874.2145 (office) 401.595-7017 (cell) or Linda Acciardo, director URI Department of Communications and Marketing, 401-874-2116 (o).

 

Live webcasts bring URI events into your living room

Media Contact: Todd McLeish, 401-874-2116

Watch Distinguished Achievement Awards ceremony live Saturday night

Thanks to the acquisition of a remarkable new technology, a wide variety of University events will now be available to view as live webcasts on your home computer. The Division of University Advancement recently acquired several remotely controlled video cameras that can be operated from anywhere using a joystick and a laptop computer. The cameras can revolve 360 degrees and zoom and pan, so almost any event can be presented with professional production values as if many more cameras were in use.

The technology has already been tested at events like the groundbreaking ceremony for the new College of Pharmacy building, the Big Thinkers lecture in Boston, and several lectures from this year’s Honors Colloquium. After the events are over, the videos are archived on the URI YouTube channel for viewing any time.

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URI Pharmacy students immunize people at nearby point of vaccination day

Media Contact: Dave Lavallee, 401-874-5862

KINGSTON R.I. – October 14, 2009 – If the University of Rhode Island ever wanted to provide students training to become among the state’s first pharmacy immunizers with an experience in a demanding and sometimes confusing environment, it could not have picked a better time than now.

Thanks to a collaboration involving URI’s College of Pharmacy and the Wellness Company, five URI students helped vaccinate Roger Williams University students, faculty and staff last month against seasonal flu. Part of Roger Williams “Point of Vaccination Day,” the event was held as people across the country are being given a crash course on H1N1 influenza and how it differs from seasonal flu.

But long before any of these students prepared a syringe for a real patient, they had to complete training held last January. In total 25 URI pharmacy students were trained as certified immunizers by the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) right on URI’s Kingston campus. This fall five of them were able to put their training into action, as there was a call for help with statewide clinics. The College of Pharmacy is involved with various state disaster and preparedness committees, which led to this opportunity for URI pharmacy students.

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URI continues Darwin anniversary lecture series with discussion of ‘beneficial microbial partners’ Oct. 19

Media Contact: Todd McLeish, 401-874-2116

LECTURE CANCELED
KINGSTON, R.I. – October 13, 2009 – As part of the University of Rhode Island’s continuing celebration of the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin’s birth and the 150th anniversary of the publication of his On the Origin of Species, University of Wisconsin Professor Margaret McFall-Ngai will present a lecture on Oct. 19 entitled “In Sickness and in Health: Our Co-Dependence with our Beneficial Microbial Partners.”

The lecture, sponsored by the URI College of Pharmacy, is free and open to the public and will be held in the Ryan Family Auditorium in the URI Center for Biotechnology and Life Sciences at 7:30 p.m.

McFall-Ngai is one of the leaders in the frontier field of the role of beneficial bacteria in health and disease. Her pioneering studies in this area began when she was a young faculty member at the University of Southern California, where she was given the Albert S. Raubenheimer Award for Outstanding Junior Faculty, and continued at the Kewalo Marine Laboratory at the University of Hawaii where she was awarded the Regents' Medal for Excellence in Research. McFall-Ngai was elected to the American Academy of Microbiology in 2002.

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URI announces Distinguished Achievement Awards recipients, Oct. 17

Media Contact: Jan Wenzel, 401-874-2116

KINGSTON, R.I. – October 6, 2009 — A retired president and chief of an airport food and beverage company that revolutionized the industry, a founder and retired executive of a pharmaceuticals company who has invented drugs that have helped millions, the vice chairman of PMC-Sierra, Inc. whose leadership created the blueprint for numerous semiconductor success stories, and an internationally recognized and respected science journalist will receive this year’s University of Rhode Island President’s Distinguished Achievement Awards.

Edward M. Rudnic ’78, M.S. ’82, Ph.D. ’83 (Pharmacy) of Potomac, Md. is founder, former chairman, and CEO of MiddleBrook Pharmaceuticals. He has more than 25 years of experience in the development and commercialization of a wide range of pharmaceutical products. His interest in delayed release, sustained release and continuous release oral drug delivery systems was developed at URI. Prior to founding Middlebrook, Rudnic directed U.S. research and development activities for Shire Pharmaceuticals, building a research team and product portfolio of Pharmavene, a drug delivery company that merged with Shire in 1997. The products he invented or co-invented, including Adderall XR have enjoyed more than $8 billion dollars in cumulative sales. Rudnic is the lead inventor or co-inventor on more than 80 U.S. and international patents.


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URI launches construction of $75 million pharmacy building

Media Contact: Dave Lavallee, 401-874-5862

To be key part of University’s new health, life science district

KINGSTON, R.I. – October 5, 2009 – When Fogarty Hall opened as the new home of the College of Pharmacy at the University of Rhode Island in 1964, it was designed to accommodate 150 students.

This semester, the 700 students and 45 faculty members in URI’s pharmacy college squeeze into this outdated facility. Fogarty Hall also houses a premier statewide biomedical research laboratory, an outreach program that provides thousands of senior citizens with medication counseling at no cost to them, a patient simulation lab and the Rhode Island State Crime Laboratory.

Today, after many years of planning, federal, state and University officials broke ground on a $75 million complex that will allow the College of Pharmacy to grow in its role as a center of excellence in teaching, learning, and research, and as a centerpiece of the state’s efforts to build an economic recovery that relies on biomedical research and other scientific efforts.

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URI to launch $75 million pharmacy building project Oct. 5

Media Contact: Dave Lavallee, 401-874-5862

NEWS ADVISORY


WHO: Donald L. Carcieri, governor of Rhode Island, Dr. David M. Dooley, president of the University of Rhode Island, Ronald P. Jordan, dean of URI’s College of Pharmacy and Thomas M. Ryan, chairman, president and chief executive officer of CVS/Caremark, as well as federal and state officials, representatives of the pharmaceutical industry, URI faculty, staff and students and alumni of the College of Pharmacy. About 300 members of the University community are expected for the event.

WHAT: URI College of Pharmacy groundbreaking for $75 million home for the college and another major step toward making the University a leading center of biomedical research. The 148,000-square-foot facility will be the second structure in the health and life sciences north district of the campus. The project is being supported by $65 million in general obligation funds approved by voters in 2006 and a $10 million campaign for private donations.

WHEN: Monday, Oct. 5, 2009, 11 a.m.

WHERE: University of Rhode Island, Kingston Campus, at the entrance to the former Biological Sciences Center, 100 Flagg Road.

HOW: Call Dave Lavallee, URI Department of Communications and Marketing at 401-874-2116 to make coverage arrangements.

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URI to sponsor lecture series to celebrate Charles Darwin anniversaries

Media Contact: Todd McLeish, 401-874-2116

KINGSTON, R.I. – September 14, 2009 – As part of the global celebration of the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin’s birth and the 150th anniversary of the publication of his On the Origin of Species, the University of Rhode Island will host a public lecture series featuring three noted biologists who will address evolutionary approaches to various aspects of modern biology and Darwin’s influence on 21st century science.

The lectures are free and open to the public and will be held in the auditorium of the URI Center for Biotechnology and Life Sciences at 7:30 p.m.
“The invited speakers each take a different approach to studying evolution, using molecular techniques that could not even be imagined in Darwin’s time, but that draw upon the central tenets of Darwinian evolution to understand biological complexity,” said Christopher Lane, assistant professor of biological sciences and co-organizer of the lecture series with Professor Jacqueline Webb.

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CVS Caremark Donates $2 million to URI College of Pharmacy

Media Contact: Tracey Manni, 401-874-2145

Gifts support new building campaign, research

KINGSTON, R.I. – September 1, 2009 – CVS Caremark Corp. has made a $2 million pledge to the University of Rhode Island in support of its College of Pharmacy.

The donation, the largest single corporate gift in the 52-year-history of the College of Pharmacy, is part of the $100 million Making A Difference capital campaign under way at URI.

Of the $2 million gift, $1.1 million will support construction of the new, $75 million home for the College of Pharmacy in the new science district of the northern portion of URI’s Kingston Campus. The remaining $900,000 will fund research in the area of clinical pharmacy practice.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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URI sets research grant record

Media Contact: Dave Lavallee, 401-874-5862

$85.5 million in awards helps boost economy

KINGSTON, R.I. – August 3, 2009 – The University of Rhode Island was awarded more than $85.5 million in research grants and contracts during fiscal year 2009, the most it has ever received and almost $20 million more than it was awarded the previous year.

The University also submitted more grant proposals than ever before (744) that requested more funding than ever ($414 million). Given the typical six-month delay between proposal submission and award announcement, this means that next year’s funding level will probably be even higher.

“We’re incredibly proud of the success we have had in attracting funding to the University,” said Peter Alfonso, vice president for research and economic development. “It’s a great reflection on our faculty, both younger faculty who have matured and are winning big awards and our senior faculty who continue to produce good work.”

Alfonso said that the greater funding success can also be attributed to efforts to enhance University and state policies and procedures that improve the climate for research on campus. For example, dedicated staff members in the URI Research Office serve as liaisons with faculty members to help them identify funding opportunities, prepare proposals, and submit them to appropriate agencies.

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URI co-sponsoring international drug safety, effectiveness conference in Providence

Media Contact: Dave Lavallee, 401-874-5862

800 from academia, government, industry to participate

KINGSTON, August 3, 2009 – Due in large part to the involvement of the University of Rhode Island’s College of Pharmacy, the International Conference on Pharmacoepidemiology and Therapeutic Risk will hold its next session in Providence, Aug. 16 through 19.

Previously held in such cities as Bordeaux, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Lisbon and Quebec, the conference chose Providence this year for its 25th anniversary international gathering. About 800 participants from six continents representing academia, government and industry will be attending the conference at the Rhode Island Convention Center. The presentations will focus on pharmacoepidemiology, the study of the safety, effectiveness, and interactions of drugs used by large population groups. The topics range from cancer to schizophrenia. Another major topic will be pharmaco-genetics, the study and development of customized medicines based on individual gene codes.

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URI offers new 4-year pharmaceutical science program

Media Contact: Dave Lavallee, 401-874-5862

Undergraduate degree to prepare students for research, industry careers

KINGSTON, R.I. – July 8, 2009 – A high school student wants to pursue a career as a researcher in the pharmaceutical industry, but she doesn’t want to become a pharmacist. Another student is thinking about working in pharmaceutical sales or in the management side of the industry. Like the potential researcher, he doesn’t want to pursue the now standard six-year doctor of pharmacy degree.

The University of Rhode Island now has the answer for those students with its four-year, bachelor of science in pharmaceutical science. The program in URI’s College of Pharmacy is accepting students for fall.

“The new BSPS degree will offer students an opportunity to enter the global pharmaceutical industry with a great degree of upward mobility,” said Ron Jordan, dean of URI’s College of Pharmacy. “The pharmaceutical industry needs employees who have strong backgrounds in the drug development, regulatory and health delivery systems. Our College of Pharmacy excels at these areas of teaching and research. Our faculties are internationally renowned and our history in pharmaceutics as a concentration is long and significant. Some of our most respected and successful graduates earned degrees from the college that prepared them for the industry, government and teaching in these areas. We expect this program to be very successful.”

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Ron Jordan named dean of URI’s College of Pharmacy

Media Contact: Dave Lavallee, 401-874-5862

East Greenwich resident served as interim dean since 2007

KINGSTON, R.I. – July 1, 2009 – Ron Jordan, formerly president of the largest professional pharmacy association in the world and who established himself as a founder and builder of numerous health care firms, has been named dean of the University of Rhode Island’s College of Pharmacy.

The East Greenwich resident has served as interim dean of the College for nearly two years. He succeeds Donald Letendre, who left the dean’s post in September 2007.

“Ron’s collaborative nature, understanding of pharmacy and the broader health fields, leadership skills and strong business sense are exactly what are needed at this time to complement the expertise of the faculty and to sustain our position as one of the leading pharmacy education, research and outreach programs,” said Donald H. DeHayes, URI provost and vice president for Academic Affairs.

“Ron brings passion for URI broadly as well as excitement and enthusiasm for the excellent work of our pharmacy programs,” he said. “I am very pleased that Ron has accepted this important position, and we look forward to his leadership and to working with him to advance the College during the years ahead.”

During his term as interim dean of the College of Pharmacy, Jordan has increased alumni support of the College to levels never before experienced. He secured commitments for $4 million in private funding for a new home for the College, and he helped raise $2 million in private support for research and scholarships. The building project, which will break ground later this summer, is also being supported by $65 million in bonds approved by Rhode Island voters in 2006.

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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.”

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URI double major makes getting an education a global experience

Media Contact: Dave Lavallee, 401-874-5862

http://www.uri.edu/news/releases/html/images/Mei-Ka-Fong-11NL.jpgHuntington 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.

 

 

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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

http://www.uri.edu/news/releases/html/images/Chris-Sibicky.jpgKINGSTON, 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.”

 

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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

http://www.uri.edu/news/releases/html/images/Cadorette11.jpgKINGSTON, 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.”

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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

http://www.uri.edu/news/releases/html/images/Grossomanides3.jpgKINGSTON, 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”.

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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.

 

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Narragansett resident honored by URI College of Pharmacy

Media Contact: Dave Lavallee, 401-874-5862

http://www.uri.edu/news/releases/html/images/Carver.jpgKINGSTON, 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

http://www.uri.edu/news/releases/html/images/Estus.jpgKINGSTON, 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.

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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.

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Rite Aid CEO discusses health care reform, the economy, technology in visit to URI

Media Contact: Dave Lavallee, 401-874-5862

http://www.uri.edu/news/releases/html/images/Sammonms66.jpgKingston, 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.”

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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

http://www.uri.edu/news/releases/html/images/Pharmacy_Prison9.jpgJoint 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.

 

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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

http://www.uri.edu/news/releases/html/images/Fatemah-photo.jpgUse 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.”

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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

http://www.uri.edu/news/releases/html/images/Davis53.jpgURI 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.

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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 University

KINGSTON, 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.

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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.”

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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.