WELCOME FROM THE DEAN

QUARTERLY—SUMMER—JULY 29, 2009 VOLUME 3, ISSUE 3

Appalachian College of Pharmacy

Susan Mayhew Dean

CLASS OF 2009 COMMENCEMENT A SUCCESS — 59 RECEIVE

DOCTOR OF PHARMACY DEGREES

THE SCRIPT

Reprinted in part with permission of the Virginia Mountaineer

The Appalachian College of Pharmacy celebrated its

second commencement ceremony on Saturday at Riverview

Elementary/Middle School with the graduating class of

2009. A total of 59 students made up the second graduating

class, who all received their Doctor of Pharmacy degrees

and ceremonial robes during the event on Saturday

morning. The ceremony began with the marching of the

students and the playing of the National Anthem.

ACP President Mickey McGlothlin welcomed all family

and friends of the students in his address and reminded the

students that while commencement marked the end of the

academic period, it is the beginning of a new journey."Now

that you are here, you have been trained to think like

pharmacists, act like pharmacists and be pharmacists,"

McGlothlin said in his opening remarks.

ACP President Michael G. McGlothlin welcomed the Class of 2009 and their families to the 2009 Com-mencement Ceremony.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

McGlothlin praised the hard work and dedication of the faculty and staff of ACP. "We are blessed with a hard

working staff and faculty," McGlothlin said. In his closing remarks, McGlothlin expressed his admiration for

the class of 2009 and its accomplishments at the pharmacy college. "We are very proud of all the graduates," he

said. "We will follow your profession with invested interest."

The Appalachian College of Pharmacy has

had an exciting summer term starting off with

the commencement and hooding ceremony for

the Class of 2009 on May 16th. While the

Class of 2009 has left us as students we look

forward to welcoming them back often as

alumni. We wish our graduates the best of

luck on their pharmacy licensing examinations

and congratulate those who have already

passed.

The completion of the new academic building

has created a flurry of activity on campus and

has now brought the faculty, staff, and stu-

dents together on one campus. This is an ex-

citing step forward in our efforts to enhance

the academic program and student life.

We look forward to welcoming the Class

of 2012 on campus in August and are

pleased to announce that a full class of

68 incoming students is expected for fall

term.

The College continues to expand its fac-

ulty and welcomes Dr. Rodney Siwale

and Dr. Vicky Mody to the Department of

Pharmaceutical Sciences. Dr. Tonya Bu-

chanan has transitioned into the Director

of Experiential Education position. Shams

Rahman and Sherry Clevinger join Dr.

Buchanan as new staff members within

the Experiential Office.

PAGE 2 THE SCRIPT

Dr. Stacy Sowers, 2009 graduate of the ACP, is the recipient of

the 2009 United States Public Health Service (USPHS)

Excellence in Public Health Pharmacy Practice award. The

USPHS recognizes and encourages students to become

involved in public health issues in their community as well as

increase awareness of the Public Health Service and its mission

to protect, promote, and advance the health and safety of the

Nation. During the fall of 2008, Dr. Sowers led a team of

students in the development and implementation of a tobacco

cessation program for coal miners in Appalachia. The project

was a culmination of collaboration between the Appalachian

College of Pharmacy, C-Health, PC and Dickenson Russell

Coal Company. Dr. Sowers is employed as the Pharmacist-in-

Charge for Kroger in Salem, Virginia.

Lisa Thomas, a second year student was recently honored by

RxPortfolio with the RxPortfolio National Achievement

Award. Lisa was selected from a pool of 9000 RxPortfolio

participants based upon the content, quality of writing and

professional achievements as presented in her RxPortfolio. Lisa

is from Tazewell, Virginia.

ACP RHO CHI CHAPTER INDUCTS 13 NEW MEMBERS

Lisa Thomas, Class of 2011, was awarded the RxPortfolio National Achievement Award

Front Row (L-R): Natasha Combs, Kristen Hodge,

Ritha Lyimo, Magaly Wong, Fadeke Olanegan,

Sarah Ramezan

Back Row (L-R): Brett Price, Adriann Deguzman,

Benjamin Price, Danh Phan, Tony Vu, Jared

Padgett, James Clevinger

On May 12th, 2009, the ACP Rho Chi Pharmaceutical

Honor Society held its annual induction ceremony during

Graduation week. A total of thirteen students from the

Class of 2010 were inducted into the Delta Alpha Chapter

in a ceremony held in the gymnasium at the Garden

Campus. The Rho Chi Society recognizes the academic

achievement and seeks recognition of its members as

individuals dedicated to lifelong intellectual achievement

and excellence in the field of pharmacy. Induction into

Rho Chi requires that each individual must be in the top

20% of their class after completing 33% of the required

professional hours towards their degree.

Dr. Charles Breese, the Delta Alpha Chapter Co-Advisor

along with Dr. Donna Adkins, welcomed the inductees,

friends, families, and current Rho Chi members to the

ceremony. Joel Thornbury, R.Ph., an ACP preceptor and

member of Rho Chi, gave the keynote address.

Mr. Thornbury emphasized and encouraged all of the inductees to rise up and meet the challenges and ex-

pectations that accompany membership in the Rho Chi Honor Society. Following Mr. Thornbury, the in-

ductees were individually recognized for their achievement. The initiation ritual was led by the Rho Chi

officers from the Class of 2009, including Gavin Counts, Adam Stitt, Jeri Howard, Mital Patel and Chastity

Robinson. Following the initiation ceremony, a brief reception was held in the student lounge. Members

of the Class of 2010 include: James Clevinger, Natasha Combs, Adriann Deguzman, Kristen Hodge, Ritha

Lyimo, Fadeke Olanegan, Jared Padgett, Brett Price, Benjamin Price, Danh Phan, Sarah Ramezan, Tony

Vu, and Magaly Wong.

ACP GRADUATE AND SECOND YEAR STUDENT HONORED

Dr. Stacy Sowers accepting the USPHS Excellence in Public Health Pharmacy Practice Award from Associate Professor Dr. Sarah Melton

PAGE 3 VOLUME 3, ISSUE 3

ACP FACULTY MEMBER AWARDED 2009 INNOVATIVE PRACTICE AWARD

Sarah T. Melton, PharmD,BCPP,CGP, Associate Professor

at the Appalachian College of Pharmacy (ACP), was

awarded the Innovative Practice Award at the College of

Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists (CPNP) Annual

meeting held April 19-22 at The Hyatt Regency, Jackson-

ville, Florida. The purpose of the CPNP award is to recog-

nize excellent investigators and practitioners presenting ab-

stracts during the meeting. The title of Dr. Melton’s presen-

tation was “Role of the Pharmacist in Collaborative Care

for Mental Health and Addiction Treatment in Medically

Underserved Appalachia.” Dr. Melton presented her inno-

vative practice during a platform presentation and displayed

her poster during the first two days of the meeting.

Dr. Melton is a board certified psychiatric pharmacist and

certified geriatric pharmacist. She completed a Fellowship

in Psychiatric Pharmacy Practice in 1996 at the Virginia

Commonwealth/Medical College of Virginia School of

Pharmacy and has been practicing in the field of mental

health since that time.

Dr. Sarah Melton (right) receives the 2009

Innovative Practice Award at the Annual

Meeting of the College of Psychiatric and

Neurologic Pharmacists from Dr. Vicki

Ellingrod, CPNP 2009 Poster Chair.

Dr. Melton’s practice is based at C-Health P.C. in Lebanon, Virginia and All-Care for Seniors in Cedar Bluff,

VA. “It was exciting to be able to present what we are doing in the areas of mental health and addiction in

Appalachia by using a collaborative, interdisciplinary team approach in the primary care setting,” Dr. Melton

stated. “We are using cutting edge technology to deliver care that is focused directly on the needs of the pa-

tient. By using the team approach that includes a focus not only medication therapy, but psychosocial treat-

ments as well, I hope we are helping to break down the stigma and cultural barriers to treatment of mental

illness in Appalachia.

Dr. Susan Mayhew, Dean of the College of Pharmacy offered that the program developed by Dr. Melton and

the other providers at C-Health, PC “is a valuable component of the experiential program at ACP. The inno-

vative practice is a fulfillment of the mission of ACP, which is to address the health-related needs of rural and

underserved communities, particularly those in Appalachia, through education, service, and scholarship.”

Saumil Vaghela, a third year student, recently represented ACP at the American Association

of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) annual meeting as a recipient of an AACP/Wal-Mart

Scholarship. Mr. Vaghela and his faculty mentor, Dr. Sarah Melton, were one of 65 student-

faculty mentor teams to attend the AACP Annual Meeting in Boston, Massachusetts this

July 19th-22nd. The goal of the AACP/Wal-Mart Scholarship program is to identify and pre-

pare pharmacy students interested in academic pharmacy to meet projected faculty needs

due to the growing number of schools of pharmacy nationwide. “At the Appalachian Col-

lege of Pharmacy, it is our mission to provide healthcare to the underserved and rural popu-

lation of Appalachia. However, there are many schools in suburban areas whose students

never observe firsthand the plight of underserved populations. It sparked a sense of pride to

know that our institution is paving the way in addressing a problem that pervades so much of

our nation” said Mr. Vaghela. “I strongly encourage any current P1 or P2 student interested

in pharmacy education as a possible career option to contact Dr. Melton to apply for the

2010 AACP/Wal-Mart Scholars Program. It is an excellent opportunity to network with pro-

fessionals and gain insight into the profession of pharmacy education”, added Mr. Vaghela.

ACP WALMART SCHOLAR ATTENDS AACP ANNUAL MEETING IN BOSTON

Saumil Vaghela

ACP GRADUATES 59 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

PAGE 4 THE SCRIPT

ACP Dean Susan L. Mayhew then introduced commencement student speaker Ed

Talbott, a native of Buchanan County. Talbott, was a graduate of Grundy Senior

High School who went on to graduate from the Virginia Military Institute with a

degree in physics. Talbott would then serve in the U.S. Navy. "Today, we leave

here as pharmacists," Talbott said. "Now we get ready to go out into the world and

leave our mark." Talbott expressed to the students that they had accomplished a

crowning achievement of entering and graduating from graduate school with a

doctorate degree, which is no easy feat. "I've have done many things during my

time on earth," Talbott said. "This is the hardest thing I've ever done in my life."

Finally, Talbott said the students at ACP came from many different places

throughout the U.S. and the world and they all will achieve a common goal in

helping others in the field of pharmacy. He encouraged them to keep reaching for

dreams and strive in accomplishments. "We are the University of Appalachia

College of Pharmacy Class of 2009," Talbott said. "Our voices will be heard and

we will make a difference."

Following Talbott's student address, Mayhew introduced Pharmacy Management

Services Professional Compounding Centers of America, Inc. Vice President

William Letendre, MS, RPh, MBA, FIACP. Letendre said this was a critical time

for the pharmacy profession and market and it is a time of much change,

considering the high cost of health care services and medicines.

Letendre also told the graduating students that he hoped that they will become the

leaders who will take initiatives in improving health care services and help bring

affordable care to Americans. "Your career choices are only limited by your

imagination and willingness," Letendre said.

During his address, Letendre said to the students there was a wide range of 500

special pharmacy related professions they could pursue and the marketplace is

always looking for hard workers and new leaders. "Decide for yourself on how

pharmacy is to be practiced," Letendre said to the graduating class. "You are the

future leaders of our profession and you shall expect nothing less."

In his closing statements, Letendre told the students to never compromise their

integrity, pursue goals and take risks because, "leaders take risks."

ACP Chairman Frank Kilgore and McGlothlin assisted in awarding the degrees to

the graduating class, which was then followed by the pharmacist's oath directed by

Mayhew. The ceremony ended with a reception event at the college's Garden

campus.

Members of the ACP graduating class of 2009 include: Thomas Wesley Adams,

Brandy L. Barber, Heather Michelle Bray, Joseph Stephens Broten, Aaron Steven

Burnette, Amber Michelle Copeland, Gavin Seth Counts, Deanna R. Donaldson,

Christopher Matthew Edelen, Adekunle Eniboken, Steven Dale Finkenbinder,

Edgar Talbot, III,

Pharm.D., was elected

by the Class of 2009

to serve as the student

commencement

speaker.

William Letendre,

Vice President –

PCCA, Ltd gave the

commencement

speech

Wendy Gayle Stout Fleenor, Seth Edward Graham, William B. Hardy IV, Ida Misty Nichole Harris, Jennifer

Marie Hasis, Shannon Colby Haynes, Eric Shane Hendrick, Kim-Tu Ngoe Ho, Lisa Marie Howard, Jeri Lynn

Howard, Johnna Brianne ison, Stephanie Rose Jones, Pascal Kemelong, Felix Kigen Kipchirchir, Kynsi Leigh

Kline, Anita Mary Koshy, Ai Li, Michael Wayne Logsdon, Daniel Manobianco, Amanda Reene Matney,

Gregory H. May, Lara Alicia May, Noella Endam Mbah, Kalina Beth McGlothlin, Paul Anthony Meozzi, Ab-

dolali Moradimehr, Roger Brendan Napier, Luong Nguyen, Mital Patel, Zankhana A. Patel, Thao Pham, An-

drea Rachelle Raines, Jamie Nicole Ratliff, Stephanie Dye Roberts, Chastity Amber Robinson, Mohamad

Husein Salem, Amy Beth Showers, Jessica Nikole Slone, Stacy Lynn Sowers, Tabitha Noel Stanley, David

Levi Steinberg, Jackie Lee Stiltner II, Adam Joseph Stitt, Edgar F. Talbott III, Bridgette Reene Thacker,

Hoang Mai Tran, Mark A. Yap, Amanda Susanne Young.

PAGE 5 VOLUME 3, ISSUE 3

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Phone: 276.498.4190

Fax: 276.498.4193

newsletter@acpharm.org

INNOVATIVE PHARMACY PRACTICE

& EDUCATION

P LEA SE VIS IT US ON THE

INTERNET AT

WWW . ACP HARM . ORG

Appalachian

College of Pharmacy

FACULTY NEWS

ACP presented two school posters at the 2009 American

Association of Colleges of Pharmacy Annual meeting held in

Boston, Massachusetts.

Dr. Susan Mayhew and Dr. Donna Adkins presented a

poster titled “Implementation of a Longitudinal

Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience within a

Long-Term Care Setting in Rural Appalachia.”

Dr. Sarah Melton and Dr. Jackie Hackney presented a

poster titled “Interprofessional Collaboration and

Development of an Innovative, Mission-Focused

Experiential Site in Rural Appalachia.”

Dr. Tonya N. Buchanan, Pharm.D., Director of Experiential

Education presented Drugs of Abuse, at the Addiction in the

Workplace Seminar for Cumberland Mountain Community

Services Board and The Department of Mines, Mineral and Energy

on May 29, 2009 at Mountain Empire Community College in Big

Stone Gap, VA and June 12, 2009 at the Southwest Virginia

Technology Development Center in Lebanon, VA.

Dr. Rodney Siwale, Ph.D. has joined the faculty and will teach in

the area of pharmaceutics.

Dr. Vicky Mody, Ph.D. will join the College’s faculty in August

2009 and teach in the area of medicinal chemistry.

The Appalachian College of Pharmacy is certified to operate in Virginia by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia.

TWO FACULTY MEMBERS PROMOTED

The Appalachian College of Pharmacy

is pleased to announce the promotion

of two faculty members. Dr. Donna

Adkins, Pharm.D., Associate

Professor, has been named Chair of the

Department of Pharmacy Practice. Dr.

Adkins has been with the College since

2006 as an Associate Professor. Dr.

Adkins is a graduate of the University

of Kentucky School of Pharmacy and

is a life-long resident of Southwest

Virginia.

Dr. Tonya Buchanan, Pharm.D., has

been named Director of Experiential

Education and Assistant Professor of

Pharmacy Practice. Dr. Buchanan is a

graduate of Campbell University

School of Pharmacy and Garden High

School.

Dr. Donna Adkins

Dr. Tonya Buchanan

American Society of Health-System Pharmacy (ASHP)

ACP Chapter President Craig Landry along with the

Chapter’s Clinical Skills Coordinator Robert Wood rep-

resented the College at the ASHP summer meeting in

Chicago. The meeting comprised over 150 students

from various pharmacy schools from around the coun-

try. While there, Craig and Rob attended workshops on

professionalism, policy development, and leadership.

They also played an integral role in legislative hearings

in which rural health was addressed.

STUDENTS ATTEND NATIONAL MEETING

ASHP Chapter Officers: L to R: Laurie Peery, Levi McAllister, Wes Caldwell, Rob Wood, Craig Landry, Samantha Brownlow