EDUCATING LEADERS IN PHARMACY AND PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES SINCE 1886
February 2025
Welcome to the next edition of the Buffalo Pharmacy Bulletin (BPB) where we will continue to explore and discuss issues in health care and how we as academicians, practitioners and scientists can lead and support these issues. The BPB will also keep you updated on the latest school news, highlighting the outstanding work of our UB SPPS community.
“The best way to ensure we can support and mentor our future pharmacists and research scientists is to make sure we are reviewing and discussing what is currently happening in the dynamic and ever-changing world we live in.”
Persevering Through Challenges
With my “old guy” hat firmly in place, I have been reflecting on the many challenges higher education has faced and subsequently overcome during my time in academic pharmacy.
Since 1979, the U.S. has weathered half a dozen recessions, spanning 28 fiscal-year quarters. These economic downturns made it more difficult for students to pursue undergraduate and advanced degrees, impacting enrollment and, consequently, university budgets. Federal research funding also became more competitive, slowing the progress of research universities and faculty advancement through the professorial ranks.
Over the past 40 years, international conflicts and periods of social tension have influenced the recruitment of international students and postdoctoral fellows who are vital to many scientific disciplines. In particular, the events of Sept. 11, 2001 led to stricter immigration policies and a decade-long decline in international student enrollment.
Periods of social and political tension, driven by societal stressors, have also influenced campus climates and challenged “town and gown” relationships between academic institutions and their surrounding communities.
And, of course, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted nearly every aspect of academic operations, enrollment, and research across the country.
In the face of these challenges, higher education persevered and some programs emerged stronger than before. Time and again, the institutions that weathered these storms most effectively did so by staying focused on their core mission, supporting their students, faculty, and staff as much as possible, and looking ahead—rather than longing for the past or becoming overwhelmed by the fears of the day.
As we enter a new period of multifaceted challenges in higher education, our school’s values, mission, and aspirations remain steadfast. We will meet challenges as they arise, continue to support our community to the best of our ability, and, as we always have, persevere.
Warm regards,
Gary M. Pollack, PhD '84
Dean and Professor
Collaboration with SUNY Oneonta opens doors for future pharmacists
SPPS and SUNY Oneonta have formed a new collaborative agreement providing qualified SUNY Oneonta students a streamlined path to earn a doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) degree.
With the new collaborative 3+4 agreement, the program will guide students to complete three years of undergraduate study at SUNY Oneonta, then apply to UB's pharmacy program. Once accepted, students will have their first-year pharmacy courses applied toward completion of their bachelor’s degree at SUNY Oneonta. Rather than taking four years to complete a bachelor’s degree and another four years to complete the PharmD degree, students will complete both programs in seven years. The pharmacy program will guarantee spaces each year for qualified SUNY Oneonta students.
UB awarded $28.4M NIH award to enhance health outcomes and address disparities in Western New York
The University at Buffalo has been awarded a $28.4 million Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to enhance health outcomes and address disparities in Western New York. Faculty from SPPS are integral to this initiative.
David Jacobs, PharmD, PhD, assistant professor of pharmacy practice, will lead a project embedding community health workers in local pharmacies within underserved Buffalo neighborhoods. This approach aims to improve health outcomes by providing screenings and connecting patients to essential resources.
Sterzinger appointed associate director, alumni engagement
We're pleased to announce Sarah Sterzinger, MS, has been appointed as our new associate director of alumni engagement, effective Jan. 27. In this role, Sterzinger will provide strategic leadership for all school-wide alumni engagement initiatives. Her experience cultivating meaningful alumni connections, executing alumni events and fostering long-term engagement will further strengthen our alumni network both regionally and nationally.
PharmD Class of 2024 scores among highest NAPLEX first-time pass rates in NYS
Congratulations, UB PharmD Class of 2024!
A total of 106 recent PharmD graduates took the NAPLEX, achieving an impressive first-time pass rate of 86.8%. This strong performance places UB at the top of New York State pharmacy schools and well above both state (75.3%) and national (77.5%) averages.
We’re so proud of our graduates, as well as the faculty, staff and preceptors who positioned them for success.
UB Pharmacy students impact communities during medical trips abroad
Over winter break, several of our PharmD students participated in short-term global health experiences in Ghana and Belize, where they provided compassionate patient care to underserved populations.
This annual collaboration among the UB health sciences schools allows our PharmD students to work alongside peer students in medicine, nursing, dentistry and public health, learning the value of interprofessional teamwork in delivering high-quality health care.
Want to take your career to the next level?
See our new online/part-time degrees and micro-credential program offerings!
Online MS Degree Programs
Online Micro-credentials
Rare Can Be Anywhere: Feb. 28
Join the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences and the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences for Rare Can Be Anywhere, an event to mark Rare Disease Day. The event aims to raise awareness of rare diseases through education, networking and advocacy and will be held on Friday, Feb. 28 from 1-5 p.m. at the Jacobs School.
SPPS Continuing Pharmacy Education Calendar
Featuring our annual Resident and Fellow Lunchtime Continuing Education Series, hosted by our SPPS residents and fellows live via webinar throughout March. Each activity is accredited for one (1) contact hour of continuing pharmacy education.
SPPS Event Calendar
View our upcoming SPPS events!
UB Event Calendar
View upcoming events on the UB Events Calendar!
UB Alumni Webinars
Join UB alumni experts from across the globe as they share professional insights and advice during Webinar Wednesdays. Engage in upcoming webinars along with past sessions.
Share Your UB Pride
Show your #UBTrueBlue spirit by sharing UB Pride photos, videos and stories!
Thank you for reading our February 2025 edition of the Buffalo Pharmacy Bulletin. Please stay in touch! Send us updates on your own personal and professional accomplishments by filling out our alumni update form.
Regards,
Gary Pollack, PhD '84
Dean and Professor