November 2024

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.”

I find it helpful, or at least comforting, to periodically take stock of all the good things that permeate my life. In recognition that Thanksgiving (in the U.S., with apologies to our neighbors to the north) is occurring in two weeks, here are ten things that I am particularly grateful for as dean of the UB School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences:

1. That I work in a state that values higher education…and has the financial resources to invest in it
2. That I work for a university that values academic pharmacy and the pharmaceutical. sciences…and has the financial resources to invest in them.
3. That I have the opportunity to serve my alma mater…and in my opinion the best pharmacy school on the planet.
4. That I get to work with faculty and staff who are absolutely committed to the school’s mission and aspirational goals…and have the talent to pull them off.
5. That we have such a healthy organizational culture, with a remarkable level of mutual understanding and respect.
6. That we have such an extensive network of alumni and friends who are committed to the success of our school.
7. That we are able to recruit truly outstanding students into each all of our degree programs.
8. That our school’s educational product is so highly valued, and our graduates make a demonstrable impact across multiple sectors of the healthcare industry.
9. That the product of our school’s research and scholarly activities is so well-respected and is improving patient care.
10. That I get to see all four seasons progress through my office window.

To all of you who make my job an absolute joy…thank you!

My best wishes for a happy and relaxing Thanksgiving.

New appointments in ACCP's PRNs:

• Nicole Albanese, PharmD: inducted as chair-elect, ACCP Endocrine and Metabolism PRN.
• Collin Clark, PharmD: inducted as chair, ACCP Geriatrics PRN.

ACCP awards and recognitions:

• Nicholas Fusco, PharmD: honored with the Outstanding Practitioner Award for ACCP’s Pediatrics PRN.
• Nicole Cieri-Hutcherson, PharmD: recognized and inducted as a Fellow of ACCP.
  Nicole Albanese, PharmD: recognized and inducted as a Fellow of ACCP.
• Collin Clark, PharmD: recognized as a 2024 Outstanding Reviewer for ACCP’s Pharmacotherapy Journal.

Cieri-Hutcherson elected President of NYSCHP
Nicole Cieri-Hutcherson, PharmD, assistant director, Experiential Education and clinical associate professor, Department of Pharmacy Practice, has been elected president of the New York State Council of Health-system Pharmacists (NYSCHP). NYSCHP is the state’s premier provider of information, training and legislative representation for New York State’s health-system pharmacy professionals. Cieri-Hutcherson will be installed as president in April 2025, serving a 3-year term. As president, she plans to engage committee members and create a support system to reinvigorate council members.

Brierley, leader in strategic communications and alumni relations, retires
After 23 years at SPPS, Rebecca Brierley, assistant dean for Communications and Alumni Relations, is retiring. Throughout her tenure, Brierley has been a driving force at SPPS, leading numerous school-wide initiatives in two key areas: Strategic Communication Planning and Oversight—including content direction across print, digital, and social media; brand management; event promotion; and crisis communication—and Alumni Relations Planning and Oversight—including alumni engagement, events, data management, and strategic communications. Brierley’s other school-wide accomplishments include the Pharmacy Building New Build Project Planning and Oversight, a 10-year, $70 million capital project; the oversight of the Faculty-Staff Award Nomination Process which resulted in over 20 successful professional awards; and direction of the Annual Student Scholarship Golf Tournament, a 16-year outreach program which generated over 80 student awards. She has been recognized for her exemplary service with awards including the State University of New York Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service in 2018 and the SPPS Staff Member of the Year Award in 2022. As Brierley embarks on this new chapter, her legacy of dedication and leadership will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on our UB SPPS community.

Featuring our new UB Compounding Pharmacy Continuing Education Activity, which meets the new three hour NYS pharmacy CE requirement along with home study options.

View our upcoming SPPS events!

View upcoming events on the UB Events Calendar!

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.

Show your #UBTrueBlue spirit by sharing UB Pride photos, videos and stories!

Thank you for reading our November 2024 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