EDUCATING LEADERS IN PHARMACY AND PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES SINCE 1886
October 2023
Welcome to the next edition of the Buffalo Pharmacy Bulletin (BPB) where we will continue to explore and discuss social 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.”
Celebrating Pharmacy and the Health and Wellness of Our Communities
Happy American Pharmacists’ Month! “Pharmacists’ Month” has been celebrated every October since 2004, but has its roots in “Pharmacy Week”, which dates to October 1925. It was established by the American Pharmaceutical Association in response to a proposal by Bob (not Babe) Ruth, a pharmacist from North Carolina.
Like the months, weeks, or days that commemorate other professions, Pharmacists’ Month provides an opportunity for pharmacists (and by extension those of us in academic pharmacy) to reflect on the value they (and we) bring to the provision of healthcare. It also gives us an opportunity, or at least an excuse, to celebrate our shared success.
Academic pharmacy is tasked with two straightforward responsibilities: developing people and creating new ideas and knowledge, all in support of improving the health and well-being of individuals and communities. And what a wonderful set of responsibilities to have; we truly are privileged to do the work that we do. I am confident that every one of my pharmacy dean colleagues agrees with that sentiment.
At the University at Buffalo, we also are privileged to be associated with a school that has a long and rich tradition of excellence. This school has prepared and fostered the development of highly successful clinicians, scientists, business leaders, and entrepreneurs. Over the years SPPS members have had an enormous impact on the way pharmacy is practiced and on how new therapeutic agents are identified, developed, and introduced into clinical use. No pharmacy school has had a larger intellectual footprint in its areas of specialization than the UB School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences!
I am privileged to have spent my career in academic pharmacy and honored to now serve as dean of this school where some forty years ago I completed my PhD training under the guidance of the founding fathers of pharmaceutical sciences. I am personally as well as professionally grateful to be able to carry forward this tradition of excellence for our future UB SPPS pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists.
Since 1886, SPPS has been a leader in the education of pharmacy students and pharmaceutical sciences researchers.
We continue our progressive journey into the 21st century with innovative research led by outstanding faculty along with the initiation of progressive educational paths, preparing our students to be the clinical and research leaders of the future.
We invite you to read more about our journey and how we are improving student success and creating solutions to address society’s most pressing health care needs.
Bies appointed Associate Dean for Graduate Education
Robert Bies, PharmD, PhD, professor, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, has been appointed associate dean for Graduate Education, effective September 1. In this newly established role, Bies will bring leadership to the PhD programming at UB SPPS. His primary responsibility will be growing our PhD programming and associated areas involving recruitment, budgeting and governance.
Kathleen Tornatore, PharmD, professor, Division of Clinical and Translational Therapeutics, Department of Pharmacy Practice, recently led a clinical study suggesting that older kidney transplant patients do not metabolize the immunosuppressive drugs as well as their younger counterparts. Tornatore noted that health care providers may need to make adjustments to the immunosuppressive dosing regimen based upon the recipient’s age to achieve a safe, therapeutic exposure over the survival time of the kidney transplant.
Gniazdowski selected for 2023-24 NACUBO Emerging Leaders Program
Kristin Gniazdowski, EdM, senior assistant dean, Finance and Administration, has been selected by the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO) for the 2023–24 Emerging Leaders Program. The program is designed for mid-level managers who want to advance their careers in higher education business and finance. Gniazdowski is one of 73 business officers across the country accepted into the program.
Mina Nakhla, PhD student, awarded UB Presidential Fellowship
Mina Nakhla, PhD student in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, was awarded a UB Presidential Fellowship in spring 2023. This program helps to fund outstanding graduate students. Nakhla's research interests are in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics modeling, specifically using mathematical modeling to guide clinical research decisions in drug development, and he will pursue these interests under the guidance of SPPS faculty.
SPPS presents at New York Chapter of ACCP Annual Meeting
On September 30, our SPPS students and faculty attended the New York chapter of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP) Annual Meeting where they presented poster presentations and networked with chapter members.
The following students presented posters and participated on the Student Brain Bowl Team:
- Michelle Maj, PharmD’24
- Emily Bui, PharmD’24
- Rylee Topel, PharmD’24
- Alex Leidolf, PharmD’24
- Diamond Orji, PharmD’24
SPPS hosts annual Wellness Week
From September 25-29, the Office of Student Success and Engagement collaborated with our student organizations and external partners to host the following wellness activities for our students and SPPS community:
- Midday breaks hanging out in hammocks on the Pharmacy Building lawn
- A presentation from Walgreens pharmacy on "Facing Imposter Syndrome," presented by Jared Reles, PharmD'10
- APhA Operation Open Heart yoga session
- Soccer game on Clark Lawn hosted by our Non-Pharmacy Options club
UB Pharmaceutical Sciences Alumni and Friends reception at AAPS 2023: October 23
Join our SPPS alumni and friends reception at the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS) Annual Meting on October 23 from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. EST! The reception will take place at the AAPS conference hotel: Hyatt Regency Orlando, Plaza International Ballroom, 9801 International Drive, Orlando, FL 32819. Light hors d'oeuvres will be served and a cash bar will be available.
UB Pharmaceutical Sciences Alumni and Friends reception at ACoP14: November 7
Join our SPPS alumni and friends reception at the Fourteenth American Conference on Pharmacometrics (ACoP14) on November 7 from 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. EST! The reception will take place at the ACoP14 conference hotel: Gaylord National Harbor Resort and Convention, 201 Waterfront Street, National Harbor, MD 20745. Light hors d'oeuvres will be served and a cash bar will be available.
SPPS Continuing Pharmacy Education Events
Featuring our new UB Compounding Pharmacy Continuing Education Activity, which meets the new three hour NYS pharmacy CE requirement.
SPPS Event Calendar
View our upcoming SPPS events!
UB Event Calendar
View upcoming events on the UB Events Calendar!
Thank you for reading our October 2023 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