The University at Buffalo School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences is proud be one of the top 15 highest ranked pharmacy schools in the nation based on US News and World Report 2021 rankings of Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) schools and programs. 

The school moved ahead eight places from 2016 and still maintains its spot as the No. 1 ranked pharmacy school in New York State.

Although our School Awards Ceremony was postponed, we'd like to recognize our 2020 award winners. We look forward to celebrating in person—stay tuned for details!

• Nicholas Fusco, clinical associate professor, pharmacy practice, and Assistant Director of Experiential Education, was selected as the PharmD Class of 2020 Faculty Member of the Year for his approachability and for helping the class through these challenging times. 
• Erin Slazak, clinical assistant professor, pharmacy practice, was selected as the SPPS Teacher of the Year for her compassion and going above and beyond to help her students.
• Fred Doloresco, director of assessment, clinical associate professor and research assistant professor, pharmacy practice, was elected chair-elect for 2020-2021 for the Technology in Pharmacy Education and Learning Special Interest Group of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy.
• Robin DiFrancesco, research assistant professor, pharmacy practice, was recognized for her exemplary service to the Society of Quality Assurance for her work with the ICH m10 Rapid Response Team.
• Clinical Assistant Professor Christopher Daly discussed the challenges surrounding COVID-19 testing in New York State pharmacies on Spectrum News.
• Gene Morse, SUNY Distinguished Professor and director, Center for Integrated Global Biomedical Sciences, spoke as part of the Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Health Seminar Series.
• The University at Buffalo School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences and the College of Staten Island have formed three new collaborative agreements that provide students opportunities to earn a doctor of pharmacy degree.

Photos from School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences faculty, staff, students and alumni during their experiences and leadership throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

The University at Buffalo School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences graduated 150 students at its 174th commencement ceremony on May 16, 2020. It was the first virtual commencement ceremony in the school’s history.

Mark Sinnett (BS ’83 and PharmD ’87) was the keynote speaker, offering students his tips for success in the pharmacy profession. He currently serves as Director of Clinical and Educational Services at Montefiore Medical Center in New York City.

The ceremony was followed by an online Zoom celebration with faculty and graduates sharing congratulations and thanks. 

• Kira Voyer (PharmD '21) was elected as one of the Members-at-Large of Phi Lambda Sigma, the pharmacy leadership society, on April 19, 2020, during the 45th House of Delegates.
• Jake Kinley (PharmD/MBA ’21) was appointed Regional Student Officer for the Northeast Region of the Industry Pharmacists Organization (IPhO) for the 2020-2021 academic year.
• Nine pharmaceutical sciences students virtually presented their research posters at the annual UB Celebration of Student Excellence:
  • Maureen Wang
  • Nicole Jarvi
  • Shivani Avasthi
  • Brandon Bordeau
  • Kyle Wieczorek
  • Nicholas Cheung
  • Yao Heng Huang
  • Anthony Jerez
  • Elizabeth Hayden

A group of extraordinary alumni from the UB School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Class of 1981 are leaders in local area healthcare systems—and their roles took on new meaning during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the early stages of the local outbreak, Adele Battaglia’s hospital was converted into Catholic Health’s official COVID-19 Treatment Facility, where she is lead pharmacist.

As Senior Director of Pharmacy Services for Kaleida Health, Andrew DiLuca held daily meetings with clinical pharmacists and administration to review the latest data for quick application to patient treatment plans.

Since the beginning of March, Walter Ludwig’s role as president of Kenmore Mercy Hospital has been focused on COVID-19 and how to support the surrounding community.

Barry Martin observed his team of pharmacists at Millard Fillmore Hospital becoming closer during the pandemic, despite the mounting challenges presented to them.

The pandemic brought Jim Millard out of retirement and back into the workforce to lead efforts at Western New York’s only dedicated COVID-19 Treatment Center as their Incident Commander.

Edward Swinnich’s team was integral in transitioning St. Joseph’s Campus from a community hospital to a COVID-19 Treatment Center with 24-hour pharmacy services.

• Gayle Brazeau (PhD '89) received the 2020 American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy Robert K. Chalmers Distinguished Pharmacy Educator Award. The award recognizes an individual's excellence in pharmacy education.
• Gauri Rao (PharmD '11 & MS '15), an assistant professor at the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy’s Division of Pharmacotherapy and Experiential Education, received a $3 million grant from the National Institutes of Health, titled "Pharmacology of intrathecal/intraventricular polymyxins: A systems-based approach."
• Joseph Bertino (BS '76 & PharmD '78) received the 2020 American College of Clinical Pharmacology Excellence in Achievement Award.

Charles Goodwin, Sr., BS '50

Leonard Ressell, BS '55

Peter Rocci, BS '65

Paul Carter, BS '70

Thank you for reading our Spring 2020 edition of Buffalo Pharmacy eNotes. Please stay in touch! Send us updates on your own personal and professional accomplishments by filling out our alumni update form.

Look for our next edition of eNotes later this summer.

Best regards,
James M. O’Donnell, PhD
Dean and Professor