Faculty Highlights

December 2020

Karen Bastianelli, associate professor and director, Pharmaceutical Care Learning Center, has been named an American Pharmacists Association (APhA) 2021 fellow. She is recognized by APhA for education and support to early-career pharmacists and directly giving back to her community. https://bddy.me/3mcXaWq

Presentation Lucas B, Blue H, assistant professor. Utilization of Prothrombin Complex Concentrate in a Community Hospital. American Society of Health Systems Pharmacists Midyear Clinical Meeting. December 10, 2020. [virtual]

Presentation Klein A, assistant professor. Pruriception and Neuronal Coding in Nociceptor Subtypes in Human and Nonhuman Primates. University of Minnesota Pain Interest Group. December 18, 2020. [via Zoom]

Meena Muragappan, Social & Administrative Pharmacy (SAPh) graduate student and mentee of Randy Seifert, professor and associate dean for student and professional affairs, is the recipient of the Biruta K. and Peter A. Olstein Fellowship awarded to a full and -time CoP PhD graduate student with exceptional potential in their field.

Trang Dang, SAPh graduate student and mentee of David Stenehjem, associate professor and associate department head, was offered a Traineeship through Hillrom, a medical technology provider, in the Health Outcomes and Economic Research Division and will provide funding for the next year. This is a new traineeship and partnership between the SAPh graduate program and Hillrom.

Zach Rivers, PharmD, SAPh graduate student and mentee of David Stenehjem, has accepted a post-doctoral fellowship at the Fred Hutchinson Institute for Cancer Outcomes Research with Scott Ramsey, MD, PhD, contingent on defending his dissertation in March/April 2021.

November 2020

Kerry Fierke, associate professor and associate department head, has been elected Chair of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy SIG Cabinet Administrative Board.

Tim Stratton, professor of pharmacy practice and longstanding member of the Department of Pharmacy Practice and Pharmaceutical Sciences, has accepted the position of senior associate dean (interim). He will provide leadership for the College of Pharmacy campus in Duluth.

October 2020

Posters presented at the American College of Clinical Pharmacy Annual Meeting (Virtual), October 27, 2020:
• Blue H, assistant professor. Solving the Toxicology Mystery: An Educational Program Focused on Team-based Problem-solving.
• Schweiss S, assistant professor, Hager K, associate professor and co-associate dean for clinical affairs, Moon J, Lounsbery J, Pestka D. Impact of Postgraduate Year 1 (PGY-1) Residency Training on Pharmacy Residents Philosophy of Practice.

Kerry Fierke, associate professor, has accepted an associate department head position in the Department of Pharmacy Practice and Pharmaceutical Sciences (PPPS). In this new role, Fierke will work closely with department head Grant Anderson to increase the focus on strategic planning and organizational effectiveness in the department. They will also work to strategically enhance the connection between PPPS faculty and the student experience in the professional program on the Duluth campus.

Presentation Hager KD. Helping Patients with Addiction…While Helping Yourself Get Through the Day. Minnesota Pharmacists Association Annual Learning and Networking Event Roundtable. October 1, 2020. [via Zoom]

Presentation Hager KD. Faculty/Preceptor Development to Facilitate Interprofessional Learning Track Lead. Nexus Summit. October 6, 2020. [via Zoom]

Presentation Hager KD. CMM Implementation in a Substance Use Disorder Clinic. American College of Clinical Pharmacy Annual Meeting. Virtual. October 20, 2020. [pre-recorded]

Amanda Klein, assistant professor, participated in the NIH Study Section: 2021/01 NSD-A Neurological Sciences and Disorders A, October 19-20, 2020. [via Zoom]

Presentation Okoro O, assistant professor. COVID-19 Racial Disparities: Views and Voices of the Northland Black Community. AHC Duluth Research Seminar. October 7, 2020.

Laura Palombi, associate professor, and Keri Hager, along with team members from the University and Minnesota communities, received the University of Minnesota Extension 2020 Dean’s Distinguished Diversity and Inclusion Award for their work in opioid-related prevention, intervention and recovery efforts in Minnesota and South Dakota rural and Tribal communities. This award recognizes a team or an individual's special accomplishments and innovation in achieving and sustaining diversity and inclusion efforts within the Extension organization.

Paul Ranelli, professor, is a 2020 recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Pharmacy Section of the American Public Health Association. A virtual award ceremony is scheduled for October 25, 2020.

Paul Ranelli was interviewed by student pharmacist and section member, Randi Wright (Maryland Eastern Shore) for the American Public Health Association Pharmacy Section Special Session, "Through the Looking Glass: Incorporating the Humanities and Arts into Public Health Education." October 26, 2020. [via Zoom]

Presentation Stenehjem D, associate professor and associate department head. Real-World Data of Immunotherapy in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Evidence for  Precision Medicine Approach? University of Minnesota Precision Medicine Collaborative Precision Medicine Seminar Series. October 2, 2020.

Abstracts/Posters at the 2020 North American Conference on Lung Cancer (IASCL-NA) Worldwide Virtual Event, October 16–17, 2020:

• Stenehjem DD, Lubinga SL, Betts KA, Tang W, Jenkins M, Yuan Y, Hartman J, Rao S, Lam J, Waterhouse D. Treatment Patterns in Patients with Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) in the Era of Immunotherapy (IO).
• Waterhouse D, Lam J, Betts KA, Yin L, Gao S, Yuan Y, Hartman J, Rao J, Lubinga SJ, Stenehjem DD.  Real-World Outcomes of Immunotherapy-Based Regimens in First-line Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

Presentation Van Hooser JC, assistant professor. Fishing for Answers: Assessing the Role of Omega-3s in Patients with Dyslipidemia. Minnesota Pharmacists Association Annual Learning and Networking Event Roundtable. October 1, 2020. [via Zoom]

September 2020

Heather Blue, assistant professor, is featured in a September 17, 2020, Facebook post about how having pharmacists in the St. Luke's Emergency Department benefits patients. https://www.facebook.com/stlukesduluth/videos/330071584772472/?extid=aTp9MnBCSC8qVZKf

Presentation Blue H. Medication Assisted Treatment; Tools in the Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder. Minnesota APRN Coalition Fall Pharmacology Review. September 17, 2020. [virtual]

Presented at the University of Minnesota Biennial Pharmacogenomics Virtual Conference on September 10-11, 2020:

• Brown J, assistant professor. A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the CPIC Evidence Review Process for Drug-Gene Pairs.
• Brown J. Providing Pharmacogenomics-Guided Care in the Absence of Clinical Guidelines.
  Session moderated:
• Brown J. Primacy Care Pharmacogenomics.

Presentation Dooley K, Elstad B, Hager KD, associate professor and co-associate dean for clinical affairs, Becher E, Tomaszewski R, Medina S, Palombi L, associate professor. Recovery in Northeast MN: Results of a Needs Assessment. University of Minnesota Clinical and Translational Science Institute Annual Poster Session (virtual). September 16, 2020.

Presentation Palombi L, Gurno M, Hernandez D. Naloxone to Reverse Opioid Overdose. Virtual training for Bois Forte Tribal Nation (recorded). September 2, 2020.

Presentation Palombi L, Gurno M, Hernandez D, Bilden B. Naloxone to Reverse Opioid Overdose. Virtual and recorded training for St. Louis County Group Residential Housing (GRH) Staff. September 16, 2020.

Abstract/Poster Stenehjem DD, associate professor and associate department head, Van Ness B. Aggregated Pharmacogenetic Results of Conference Attendees.  University of Minnesota Pharmacogenomics Conference. Virtual. September 10-11, 2020. [pre-recorded]

Abstracts and on-demand posters at the European Society of Medical Oncology Virtual Congress on September 17, 2020:

• Stenehjem D, King SB, Betts KA, Rao S, Castriota F, Mahin M, Orvis E,  Marathe S, Ma J, Lubinga S. Trial-based costs of all-cause adverse events in first-line therapy for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer: Findings from CheckMate-9LA. 
• Lubinga S, King SB, Betts KA, Rao S, Castriota F, Mahin M, Orvis E, Marathe S, Ma J. Stenehjem D. Trial-based costs of all-cause adverse events in first-line therapy for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer: Findings from CheckMate-227.

Zachary Rivers, mentee of David Stenehjem, received the Social and Administrative Pharmacy St. Peter & Leiner Family Outcomes Research Fellowship Award, September 2020.

Michael Swanoski, associate professor and senior associate dean, was interviewed by Slate Magazine about the general concept of medications or supplements being viable options to improve memory for the September 29, 2020, article, "Hypothetically, Would Adderall Turn Joe Biden Into a Debate Whiz?" https://slate.com/technology/2020/09/joe-biden-drug-test-trump-adderall-debunk.html

Presentation Van Hooser JC. Navigating NOACs in NVAF. Minnesota APRN Coalition Pharmacology Conference 2020. September 15, 2020. [via Zoom]

Presentation Van Hooser JC, assistant professor. Keeping Up to Date with Literature. Rho Chi Monthly Meeting. September 24, 2020. [via Zoom]

August 2020

Presentation Hager KD, associate professor and co-associate dean for clinical affairs. Putting Out the Welcome MAT for M.A.T. (or how to support people getting the help they need). Itasca County Health and Human Services. August 31 and  September 4, 2020 (Zoom). Funded by SAMHSA Technical Assistance Award 1H79T108900-01.

Presentation Hager KD, Thompson B. Putting Out the Welcome MAT for M.A.T. (or how to support people getting the help they need). Pine County Health and Human Services. August 19, 2020 (Zoom). Funded by SAMHSA Technical Assistance Award 1H79T108900-01.

Presentation Palombi L, associate professor, Gurno M, Hernandez D. Naloxone to Reverse Opioid Overdose. Virtual training for Sixth Judicial Treatment Court staff and participants. August 17, 2020.

Michael Swanoski, associate professor and senior associate dean, was selected to receive the University of Minnesota Pharmacy Alumni Society Faculty Recognition Award, which recognizes contributions to the Pharmacy Alumni Society/University of Minnesota Alumni Association, as well as alumni, the College of Pharmacy, the University of Minnesota and/or the profession of pharmacy.

July 2020

Presented at the Virtual Pharmacy Education 2020 AACP Annual Meeting, July 6-24, 2020:

• Maxwell WD, Zumach GM, Portillo EC, Smith K, Fierke KK, associate professor. Design Your Next Leadership-based Program or Scholarly Initiative: A Leadership “Think Tank” and Networking Session.
• Van Hooser J, assistant professor, Swanson S, Conway JM, Brown J, assistant professor. Assessing Pharmacy Students Burnout, Stress, Quality of Life, Empathy, and Tolerance for Ambiguity. (Poster)
• Van Hooser J, Rupnow N, Stoa M. Integrating Interprofessional Learning and Collaboration: Linking Pharmacy and Veterinary Medicine. (Poster)
• Stoa M, Van Hooser J, Rupnow N. Pass/Fail or A-F: Measuring Changes in Stress and Motivation in a Laboratory Skills Course. (Poster)

Keri Hager, associate professor, has been named College of Pharmacy co-associate dean for clinical affairs, effective July 6, 2020.

June 2020

Amanda Klein, assistant professor, participated in the NIH Study Section 2020/01 ZDA1 SXM-M (04) S Cutting Edge Basic Science Awards (NIDA), June 2-4, 2020, in Bethesda, MD (via Zoom).

Summer Tran (Social and Administrative Pharmacy mentee of David Stenehjem, associate professor and associate department head) was selected as a recipient of the ASHP-AFPE Pre-Doctoral Fellowship for 2020-2021. Tran was also awarded a Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship from the University of Minnesota Graduate School.

May 2020

Congratulations to Duluth recipients of Pharm.D. teaching awards:

• PD2 Teacher of the Semester S20: Sarah Schweiss, assistant professor
• PD3 (Duluth awarded) Teacher of the Semester S20: Heather Blue, assistant professor
• PD3 (TC awarded) Teacher of the Semester S20: David Stenehjem, associate professor and associate department head
• PD2 Teacher of the Year 2019-2020: Jared Van Hooser, assistant professor
• PD3 Teacher of the Year 2019-2020: Michael Swanoski, associate professor and senior associate dean

The St. Luke's PGY2 Pharmacotherapy residency program led by Heather Blue has been awarded a full 8-year ASHP accreditation.

Keri Hager, associate professor, was selected to receive a 2020 Emerging Teaching Scholar Award from the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) for excellence in scholarly teaching and the scholarship of teaching and learning.

Poster O’Donnell C, Jackson S, Nelson Albee J, Yapel A, adjunct assistant professor (affiliated), Nash C, MacDonald D, adjunct assistant professor (affiliated), King A, Schneiderhan M, associate professor, Hager KD. Enhancing Education of Family Medicine Residents: Survey Results of Interprofessional Psychiatry and Medical Care Conferences Across Two Outpatient Health Systems. Encore Presentation, American College of Clinical Pharmacy Virtual Poster Symposium, May 26, 2020.

Laura Palombi has been promoted to associate professor with tenure.

Laura Palombi is the 2020 recipient of the University of Minnesota President’s Community-Engaged Scholar Award. The honor recognizes Palombi's community-engaged work in the area of reducing substance abuse and eliminating drug overdoses in Northeastern Minnesota.

Laura Palombi and student Hannah Van Octen were invited to present "Pharmacists on High Alert for Human Trafficking" as a national webinar for the American Pharmacists Association on May 20, 2020.

Amy Renne, academic and career advisor for the College of Pharmacy, Duluth, received a "Recognizing Access Award" from the University of Minnesota Duluth Disability Resources Center for her work in advancing access and inclusion of people with disabilities on the Duluth campus during the 2019-2020 academic year.

Tim Stratton, professor, has been named College of Pharmacy senior associate to the dean for program evaluation and accreditation. Stratton will oversee programmatic evaluation of college operations, mission based initiatives as well as accreditation activities for the professional program.

Tim Stratton is quoted in the May 26, 2020, Pharmacy Practice News article, "Trying Telepharmacy? Here's What you Need to Know."

April 2020

Heather Blue, assistant professor, received the St. Luke's Good Catch Award for catching a potentially dangerous pediatric medication error and then working with the pediatric medication safety team to make systemic changes to prevent similar errors. This weekly award requires nomination from a department outside of your own and is voted on by the managers and directors of the hospital.

Webinar Fierke KK, associate professor, Turner K, Vaillancourt A, Birnbaum A, Griffin B. Student Leadership Development: How Do We Train the Next Generation? American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy Graduate Education and Leadership Development Special Interest Group Webinar Series, April 24, 2020.

Webinar Hager K, associate professor, Keeling F. Helping Patients with Addiction - While Helping Yourself Get Through the Day. Duluth Area Pharmacists, Duluth, MN, April 13, 2020.

Presentation Friedrich C, Hager KD, Borman-Shoap E, Thompson-Buum H, Benbenek M, Pereira C. Interprofessional Workshop for Graduate Level Nursing and Medical & Pharmacy Residents to Cultivate Skills in Team-based Care. National Organization for Nurse Practitioner Faculty 46th Annual Conference, Chicago, Illinois, April 25, 2020. [recorded via zoom technology April 3, 2020]

Poster presented at the College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists (CPNP) Virtual Conference held April 27-May 1, 2020: Maglalang PD, Scheible MV, Skurat MK, Jackson SK, Belknap JN, Ostfeld L, Fahy M, Nguyen T, Bui H, Little MM, assistant professor, Seifert R, professor and associate dean. Impact of Continuing Education Focused on Drugs of Abuse for High School Faculty and Staff.

A study led by Glenn Simmons, Jr., of the Medical School Duluth and Olihe Okoro, assistant professor, is highlighted in the April 27, 2020, Medical School post, "Using Social Networking to Provide Health Education to African American Men."

Laura Palombi, assistant professor, was featured in the article, "States tap pharmacists to combat human trafficking," published by the American Journal of Health-Systems Pharmacy on April 1, 2020.

Laura Palombi was a panelist at the University of Minnesota Office of Public Engagement's Seminar, "Leveraging Our Community-Engaged Research:  Policy Change and Community Development," on April 21, 2020

Laura Palombi was interviewed for the April 27, 2020, Minnesota Daily article, “COVID-19’s impact on UMN community research.”

Paul Ranelli, professor, received two “Research Sprints” from the UMN Library’s 2020 call for proposals. The first was with Sonja Kuftinec, Luverne Seifert, and Michael Valdez (UMN Dept of Theatre Arts and Dance) to deepen our collaborative exploration of performance as a medium to animate science and pharmacy communication. The second was with Jes Reyes, Avivo ArtWorks, for a printed catalog of our project and art exhibit, To Really See, which described medication-use experiences, especially with behavioral-health medications, as a way to challenge stigma through visual art.

Jared Van Hooser, assistant professor, is featured in the Healthline article, "What to Know About Diabetes, Blood Pressure Meds and COVID-19."

Poster presented Pederson C, Van Hooser J. Assessing the Change in Interprofessional Collaboration-Related Skills Through the Interprofessional Standardized Patient Experience. 2020 Best Practices in Health Sciences in Education, April 30, 2020 (online/virtual).

March 2020

Presentation Keeling F, Hager KD, associate professor. Helping Patients with Addiction…While Helping Yourself Get Through the Day Part 2. Duluth Family Medicine Residency Program Noon Conference, Duluth, MN, March 10, 2020.

Presentation Keeling F, Hager KD. Helping Patients with Addiction…While Helping Yourself Get Through the Day. Essentia Health Noon Conference, Duluth, MN, March 13, 2020.

Amanda Klein, assistant professor, participated in the NIH Study Section ZNS1 SRB-C 04: NINDS Special Emphasis Panel Translational Neural, Brain, and Pain Relief Devices, March 19-20, 2020, in Bethesda, MD (via Zoom).

Presentation Okoro O, assistant professor, Johnson LA, Devuyst-Miller SA. An Integrative Approach to Patient Cases to Enhance Cultural Competency. AACP Webinar moderated by Haack S; hosted by Health Disparities and Cultural Competence SIG, March 5, 2020.

Presentation Palombi LC, assistant professor, Bilden B, Gurno M, Hernandez D. Naloxone to Reverse Opioid Overdose. Accend Naloxone Training, Duluth, MN, March 3, 2020.

Presentation Palombi LC. Community Solutions Series. Hibbing Community Forum on Heroin, Meth and Mental Health, Hibbing, MN, March 4, 2020.

Presentation Palombi LC, Katras MJ, Becher E. Partnering to Address the Opioid Crisis in Rural Minnesota. Partnering with Minnesota: Connecting the University with Urban, Suburban, and Rural Communities through Public Engagement Conference, Minneapolis, MN, March 5, 2020.

Presentation Palombi LC, Bilden B, Gurno M, Hernandez D. Naloxone to Reverse Opioid Overdose, Human Development Center Naloxone Training, Duluth, MN, March 10, 2020.

Refereed Poster presented at the Society of Student-Run Free Clinics Annual Meeting held March 7-8, 2020, in Orlando, FL:

• Lloyd W, Anderholm K, Cashman L, Rumley J, Nistler J, Nyquist C, Qu W, Vang C, Christensen RG, Seip AM, Stratton TP, professor. Community Collaboration to Improve Health Disparities.
• Nistler J, Anderholm K, Cashman L, Lloyd W, Rumley J, Nyquist C, Qu W, Vang C, Christensen RG, Seip AM, Stratton TP. SDF: Bridging the Gap in Urgent Dental Care.

Jared Van Hooser, assistant professor, has been nominated Duluth PharmD Teacher of the Class of 2020.

Presentation Van Hooser J. Deciding on a DOAC. Duluth Area Pharmacists, March 26, 2020 (online/virtual).

February 2020

Posters presented at the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy Annual Rho Chi Research Symposium on February 26, 2020, in Duluth, MN:

• Armbruster D, Horne-Dunn B, Brown J, assistant professor, Schweiss S, assistant professor. Patient Support System Impact on Attitude and Understanding of Diabetes Mellitus.
• Lundeen D, Schuttemeier B, Schweiss S. “Be the Patient” Experience:  Key Takeaways From Pharmacy Students Who Participate in Lifestyle Modification Challenges.
• Sheetz K, Van Hooser J, Murphy-Bakken C, lecturer, Schweiss S. Impact of an Interprofessional Care Model to promote Optimal Diabetes and Cardiovascular Care.
• Tapp M, Renier C, Hines R, Schweiss S. Effect of Pharmacy Based Prior Authorization Processing for Self Administered Medications on Provider Satisfaction and Quality Metrics.
• Van Hooser J, assistant professor. Assessing the Change in Interprofessional Collaboration-related Skills Through the Interprofessional Standardized Patient Experience.
• Baysinger L, Leipold A, Van Hooser J. Assessing the Relationship of Lab Office Hour Attendance and Lab Ratings.

Presentation Keeling F, Hager KD, associate professor. Helping Patients with Addiction…While Helping Yourself Get Through the Day Patient Role Plays. CHI St. Gabriel’s Medication-Assisted Treatment ECHO, Little Falls, MN, via Zoom technology, February 19, 2020.

Presentation Palombi L, assistant professor, Bilden B, Gurno M. Naloxone to Reverse Opioid Overdose. Minnesota Student Nurses Association Annual Convention, Minneapolis, MN, February 8, 2020.

Presentation Palombi L, Bilden B, Gurno M, Hernandez D. The Pharmacists Role in Harm Reduction and Naloxone Distribution. Duluth Area Pharmacists and Minnesota Health Systems Pharmacists Shared Meeting, Duluth, MN, February 11, 2020.

Presentation Palombi LC. Opioid Overdose First Aid and Naloxone. SALT Churches Meeting, Culver, MN, February 19, 2020.

January 2020

Congratulations to Duluth recipients of Pharm.D. teaching awards: Joe Johnson, associate professor, PD1 Teacher of the Semester F19; Jared Van Hooser, assistant professor, PD2 Teacher of the Semester F19; Mike Swanoski, associate professor and senior associate dean,  PD3 Teacher of the Semester F19.

Presentation Palombi LC, assistant professor, Bilden B, Gurno M, Hernandez D. Naloxone to Reverse Opioid Overdose. Duluth Family Medicine Center Naloxone Training, Duluth, MN, January 7, 2020.

Presentation Palombi LC, Miller P, Adult Mental Health First Aid. Pine County Mental Health First Aid Training, Sandstone, MN, January 8, 2020.

Laura Palombi and Marcia Gurno of the St. Louis County Public Health and Human Services Department led naloxone training for Medical School and College of Pharmacy students on the Duluth campus on January 21, 2020. The event was featured in the Duluth News Tribune story, "Naloxone kits distributed to Duluth medical, pharmacy students." 

Laura Palombi is featured in the January 24, 2020, UMN Medical School story, "Combating the Opioid Crisis: Duluth Campus and College of Pharmacy Team-Up for Interprofessional Naloxone Training Workshop." 

Presentation Palombi L, Hernandez D, Gurno M. Naloxone: A Critical Tool to Fight the Opioid Crisis. Pine County and Mille Lacs Band Naloxone Trainings, Sandstone, MN, January 28, 2020.

Presentation Palombi L. Naloxone for School Staff. Floodwood School Staff Naloxone Training, Floodwood, MN, January 29, 2020.

December 2019

Keri Hager, associate professor, was featured in the December 13, 2019, Office of Academic and Clinical Affairs Clinical Connections article, "Collaborating to Advance Opioid Treatment for Patients." It highlights Hager's work offering clinical pharmacy services within the Center for Alcohol & Drug Treatment's residential treatment homes and Opioid Treatment Program.

Poster presented at the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists Midyear Meeting, held December 8-12, 2019, in Las Vegas, NV: Oswald M, Bookstaver P, Fierke KK, associate professor, Griffith N, Davis S, Catchings E, Worrall C, Grant A, Magagnoli J, Maxwell W. Behavior and Communication Styles of PharmD Students Pursuing and Matching for Post-graduate Pharmacy Residency Training.

Podium presented at the NYU College of Dentistry on December 9, 2019, in New York, NY: Klein A, assistant professor. KATP Channels as Downstream Targets of Opioid Signaling: Involvement in Opiate Efficacy, Tolerance and Withdrawal.

Presentation Palombi LC, assistant professor, Bilden B, Gurno M. Naloxone to Reverse Opioid Overdose. St. Louis County Supportive Housing Naloxone Training, Duluth, MN, December 12, 2019.

Paul Ranelli, professor, received word that he has been recommended for a Fulbright U.S. Scholar award (Italy) through a peer review process organized by the Institute of International Education’s Council for International Exchange of Scholars (IIE/CIES). This is the first phase of a rigorous review process that Fulbright applicants undergo.

Oral presentation (Presenter: Willis) and abstract at the Society of Neuro Oncology on November 20, 2019, in Phoenix, AZ: Au T, Willis C, Peters K, Colman H, Cohen A, Nghiemphu P, Taylor J, Reblin M, Ormond D, Willmarth N, Menon J, Ma J, Singh P, Marshall A, Watanabe A, Korytowsky B, Stenehjem D, associate professor and associate department head, Brixner D. QOLP-09. Impact of glioblastoma (GBM) patients’ clinical and treatment characteristics on caregiver burden and quality of life (QOL). Neuro-Oncology 21(Supplement_6), vi199-vi199. https://dx.doi.org/10.1093/neuonc/noz175.829.

Poster presented at the Epigenetics Symposium: 15 Years of Lysine Demethylases: From Discovery to the Clinic on December 16, 2019, in Philadelphia, PA: Reed D, DuBois SG, Gorlick R, Mascarenhas L, Harrison D, Metts J, Lessnick SL, Crompton BD, Loeb DM, Chawla S, Meyers P, Setty B, Dugan M, Duncan A, Horrigan S, Santiesteban S, Skingley L, Stenehjem DD. A Phase I/II Clinical Trial of the Reversible LSD1 Inhibitor, Seclidemstat, in Patients with Relapsed/Refractory Ewing Sarcoma.

November 2019

Kerry Fierke, associate professor, presented "Developing a Leadership Legacy: A Lifetime in the Making Begins Now" at the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists PharmSci 360 Conference held November 3-6, 2019, in San Antonio, TX.

Amanda Klein, assistant professor, participated in the NIH Study Section ZDA1 SXM-M (04) S: NIDA Cutting Edge Basic Science Awards on November 4, 2019, in North Bethesda, MD.

Presentation (poster) at the Undergraduate Research and Artistic Showcase, University of Minnesota Duluth, on November 12, 2019: Doucette A, Johnson K, researcher 2, Watts VJ, Klein AH. Intrathecal Knockdown of Adenylyl Cyclase 1 Inhibits Morphine Tolerance.

Meg Little, assistant professor, and Randy Seifert, professor and associate dean, presented "A Partnership for Continuing Education on Substance Use & Prescription Drug Misuse" to Waconia, MN, school faculty, nurses, and staff on November 8, 2019.

Presented at the American Public Health Association Annual Meeting held November 2-6, 2019, in Philadelphia, PA:

• Podium Okoro O, assistant professor, Simmons G, Witherspoon S, Witherspoon S, Nelson C. Community-engaged Education to Promote African-American Men’s Health - A Program Evaluation.
• Roundtable Okoro O, Garza O. Incorporating Cultural Competency in Pharmacy Education to address Health Disparities in the US.

Presentation Palombi LC, assistant professor, Miller P. Kanabec County Mental Health First Aid Training. Kanabec County Public Health, Mora, MN, November 6, 2019.

Presentation Palombi LC, Bilden B, Gurno M, Hernandez D. Naloxone to Reverse Opioid Overdose. College of St. Scholastica Naloxone Training, CSS Social Work Department, Duluth, MN, November 16, 2019.

Presentation Palombi LC, Bilden B, Gurno M, Hernandez D. Naloxone to Reverse Opioid Overdose. College of St. Scholastica Health Services Naloxone Training, Duluth, MN, November 19, 2019.

Posters presented at the 21st Annual Whiteside Memorial Lecture and Poster Session on November, 14, 2019, at the University of Minnesota Duluth:

• Ronayne CT, Nelson GL, Solano LN, Jonnalagadda SK, Jonnalagadda S, Rumbley J, assistant professor, Holy J, Rose-Hellekant T, Drewes LR, Mereddy VR, professor.  Development of Novel Silyl Cyanocinnamic Acid Derivatives as Metabolic Plasticity Inhibitors for Cancer Treatment.
• Gardner Z, Williams M, Schumacher T, McParlan M, Ronayne C, Holy J, Mereddy V, professor. Repurposing FDA-Approved Clinically Used Non-Cancer Drugs for Pancreatic Cancer Treatment.

Presentation (poster) at the 34th Annual Meeting of the Society of Immunotherapy of Cancer held November 7-10, 2019, in National Harbor, Maryland: Willis C, Bauer, H, Au T, Unni S, Akerley W, Sekhon A, Badin F, Villano J, Schabath M, Xia B, Gustafson B, Gupte-Singh K, Korytowsky B, Thomas J, Krigsfield G, Lubinga S, Brixner D, Stenehjem D, associate professor and associate department head. Association of Tumor Mutational Burden With Clinical, Genomic, and Treatment Characteristics in Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.  https://doi.org/10.1186/s40425-019-0763-1

Tim Stratton, professor, and Karen Bastianelli, associate professor, along with Drs. Jen Pearson and Amy Greminger from the Medical School Duluth, participated in a Q&A panel discussion as part of an inaugural health education event conducted by students from HOPE Clinic and MPSA on November 7, 2019, at the Steve O'Neill Apartments. Adult audience members asked panel members health-related questions while younger participants busied themselves with fun health-related educational activities created and supervised by pharmacy and medical students.

October 2019

Grant Anderson, associate professor and department head, presented "Prions and Zombie-like Infectious Disease" at the University of Minnesota Duluth Zombiefest 2019 on October 30.

Presentations at the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy Leadership Institute held October 21-23, 2019, in Herndon, Virginia:

• Fierke KK, associate professor, Robinson ET. Embracing Change as Leaders.
• Fierke KK. Building Dynamic Teams: The Art and Science of Team Success.

Keri Hager, associate professor, was asked to serve as the American Association of Collages of Pharmacy (AACP) designee to the Get the Medications Right (GTMRx) Institute Practice & Care Delivery Transformation Care Delivery Subgroup.

Presentations (poster) at the Opioids in Our Community: Prevention, Treatment & Recovery, Essentia Health Learn4Life program, held October 14, 2019, in Duluth, MN:

• Hager KD, Nash C, Yapel A, adjunct assistant professor, MacDonald D, adjunct assistant professor, Hanson A, Prusak L, Wood J, Silverness T, Innis T, Latimore M, Dean K. Hand in Hand: Building Community Capacity for Barrier Free Recovery Care.
• O’Donnell C, Hager KD, Blue HL, assistant professor, Kosobuski L, Brearly A, Northrop E, Palombi LC, assistant professor. The Impact of Interprofessional Collaboration in Finding Solutions for Opioids Case Studies. [Encore presentation]

Amanda Klein, assistant professor, participated in an NIH Study Section, ZDA1 IXR-Q( 07) S: Exploring Epigenomic or Non-Coding RNA Regulation in the Development, Maintenance, or Treatment of Chronic Pain (R61/R33 Clinical Trial Optional) on October 4, 2019.

Presentation (poster) at the Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting, held October 19-23, 2019, in Chicago, IL: Sakamaki GT, Johnson K, researcher 2, Mensinger M, Klein AH. Comparison of Fentanyl, Buprenorphine, and DAMGO Analgesic Efficacy and Potassium Flux in Mice Lacking KATP Channel Activity.

Olihe Okoro, assistant professor, co-led to two roundtables at the Culturally and Spritually Responsive Healthcare Conference held October 24-25, 2019, at the College of St. Scholastica, Duluth, MN:

• Cross-Cultural Concerns Surrounding Men’s Health Addressing Barriers
• Experienced by Underrepresented Communities in the Healthcare System

Anthony Olson, teaching specialist, was awarded the 2019 MPhA Distinguished Young Pharmacist Award by Pharmacists Mutual Companies, which recognizes one pharmacist in each state within his/her first 10 years of practice who has distinguished himself/herself in the field of pharmacy. The award was presented at the 2019 MPhA Annual Meeting held October 3-4, 2019, in Brooklyn Park, MN.

Laura Palombi, assistant professor, and Brent Thompson organized and facilitated a three-part session focused on the pharmacists role in addressing addiction titled "Where’s the Interface with Public Health and Pharmacists Engagement in the Opioid and Substance Use Epidemic?" at the MPhA Annual Learning and Networking Event held October 3-4, 2019, in Brooklyn Park, MN.

Presentation Palombi LC. Community Partnerships to Address the Opioid Crisis. 2019 College of Pharmacy, Duluth, PED Rx Event, Duluth, MN, October 11, 2019.

The work of Laura Palombi and team is featured in the October 15, 2019, Clinical Connection: On Community story, "Community-based Solutions to the Opioid Crisis in Rural Minnesota."

Paul Ranelli, professor, was interviewed for the "10 Minutes to Better Patient Communication" podcast hosted by Dr. Anne Marie Liebel. He spoke on the topic of “Giving and Gathering” Information.

Ranelli presented "To Really See: Exploring the Medication-taking Experience Through Story and Person-centered Art" at the annual meeting of the Engagement Scholarship Consortium, October 8, 2019, in Denver, Colorado.

Ranelli gave the second keynote presentation, “Exploring the Medication-taking Experience Through Performing and Visual Arts,” at the Minnesota Society for Public Health Education 2019 Health Education Summit held October 24, 2019, in St. Peter, MN

Sarah Schweiss, assistant professor, gave an invited presentation titled "Resiliency Curriculum Training for Postgraduate Year One (PGY-1) Pharmacy Residents: Beat the Burnout" at the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists National Pharmacy Preceptor Conference held October 17-19, 2019, in Dallas, TX.

Abstracts and Posters presented at the 2019 American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP) Annual Meeting held October 26-29, 2019, in New York, NY:

• Armbruster D, Horne-Dunn B, Brown J, assistant professor, Schweiss S. Patient Support System Impact on Attitude and Understanding of Diabetes Mellitus.
• Brown JT, MacDonald D, adjunct assistant professor, Yapel A, adjunct assistant professor, Schrecengost R, Luczak T, post-doctoral associate, Hundertmark M, Stenehjem DD. Assessing Pharmacogenetic Testing via Clinical Pharmacy Services in an Outpatient Family Medicine Clinic.
• Hundertmark ME, Waring S, adjunct professor, Stenehjem DD, MacDonald D, Sperl DJ, Yapel A, Brown JT. Pharmacist's Attitudes and Knowledge of Pharmacogenomics in a Large, Multi-state, Health Care System.
• Lempicki K, Arellano R, Schweiss S. 2019 Accomplishments and Initiatives of the ACCP Ambulatory Care PRN.
• Oswald M, Bookstaver P, Fierke K, Griffith N, Davis S, Catchings E, Worrall C, Grant A, Magagnoli J, Maxwell W. Affective Domain Predictors of Successful Matching for Post-graduate Pharmacy Residency Training.
• Hooser JV, assistant professor, Murphy-Bakken C, Schweiss S. Implementation and Impact of a Pharmacist-led Collaborative Opioid Taper Protocol.
• Walburg K, Lounsbery J, Schweiss S, Moon J. Use of Validated COPD Assessment Test (CAT) to Improve Care for Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) in a Primary Care Setting.

Jacob Brown also moderated the ACCP Pharmacokinetics/Pharmacodynamics/Pharmacogenomics PRN and Global Health PRN Focus Session -- Precision Medicine in Diverse Populations: Global Considerations for Pharmacogenomics.

September 2019

Heather Blue, assistant professor, presented "Oh! That's What You Meant; Setting Expectations for Pharmacy Learners" at the Minnesota Society of Health-System Pharmacists Preceptor Development Conference in Robbinsdale, MN, on September 19, 2019.

Blue presented "Medication Assisted Treatment; Tools in the Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder" at the APRN Fall Pharmacology Review in Duluth, MN, on September 21, 2019. The presentation was co-authored by Keri Hager, associate professor.

Podium presented at the Minnesota Society of Health-System Pharmacists Midyear Clinical Meeting in Brooklyn Center, MN, on September 20, 2019: Fierke KK, associate professor. Emotional Intelligence: Bringing our Leadership Strength.

Presentation (poster) at the 79th FIP World Congress of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences held September 22-26, 2019, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates: Sobotka JL, Fierke KK, Zumach GM. Virtual Symposium: Connecting Leadership Across Pharmacy Education.

Presentation Hager KD. Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT): Getting People the Help They Need. Center for Alcohol and Drug Treatment Mandatory Annual Training, Duluth, MN, September 6 and 27, 2019.

Presentation Hager KD, Prusak L. Putting Out the Welcome MAT for M.A.T. (or how to support people getting the help they need). Saint Louis County Health and Human Services, Duluth, MN, September 12, 2019.

Assistant professor Nam Chul Kim’s research is a featured in the September 18, 2019, U of M Brief story, “Super fly.”

The work of Laura Palombi, assistant professor, and colleagues is featured in the September 5, 2019, Duluth News Tribune story, "Pharmacies in Carlton County dispensed the second-highest rate of naloxone in state."

Presentation Palombi L. Community Partnerships to Address the Opioid Crisis. Minnesota Social Services Association Regional Conference, Cloquet, Minnesota. (September 6, 2019)

Randy Seifert, professor and associate dean, gave an invited round table presentation titled "Integration of Clinical Pharmacist Services into the Mental Healthcare System" at the Minnesota Association of Community Mental Health Programs Business Summit held September 11, 2019, in Brainerd, MN.

Seifert and pharmacy student Nadira Mohamed were invited to participate in a discussion on the opioid crisis in the Somali community at the Abubakar As-Sadique Islamic Center in Minneapolis, MN, on September 29, 2019.

David Stenehjem, associate professor and associate department head, is featured in the September 28, 2019, Cancer Therapy Advisor article, “Real-World Survival Rates Reported for Nivolumab in Previously Treated NSCLC.”

Presentation (podium) at the Big Ten Cancer Research Consortium Summit, Correlative Science Session held September 20-21, 2019, in Chicago, IL: Stenehjem DD. Biomarkers of Response to Anti-angiogenic Cancer Therapy.

Presentation (poster) at the European Society of Medical Oncology held September 27-30, 2019, in Barcelona, Spain: Stenehjem D, Lubinga S, Gupte-Singh K, Zhang Y, Le Trong K, Penrod J.  Real-world Effectiveness of Nivolumab Monotherapy After Prior Systemic Therapy in Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) in the United States.  https://doi.org/10.1093/annonc/mdz260.020

Zach Waters, SAPh graduate student and advisee of Stenehjem, has been selected to receive a Wertheimer Leadership Fellowship from the SAPh Graduate Program.

August 2019

Minwoo Baek, research specialist, presented a poster titled "Two Axes of CHCHD10^S59L Dominant Toxicity: TDP-43 and PINK1" at the UKC 2019 Conference held August 14-17, 2019, in Chicago, Illinois. His poster won third place in the competition.

Heather Blue, assistant professor, presented "From the Pharmacy to the Emergency Department: Opportunities for Pharmacists Amid the Opioid Crisis" at the AACP/NABP District V meeting on August 8, 2019, in Duluth, MN.

Poster presented at the Collaborative Research on Addiction at NIH (CRAN) Mentored Career Development Meeting held August 13-14, 2019, in Bethesda, MD: Fisher C, researcher 2, Jurgenson T; Okerman T, Luu W, Salo E, Entenmann N, Bjork J, Johnson K, researcher 2, Klein A, assistant professor. Decreased Activity and Function of KATP Channels Subtypes in the Nervous System Contribute to Loss of Morphine Anelgesia and Increased Morphine Tolerance.

Presented at the International Forum on Active Learning Classroom held August 7-9, 2019, in Minneapolis, MN:

• Demonstration Fierke K, associate professor, Lepp G, education program specialist 2. Use Intention/Reflection (I/R) to Engage the Active Learner.
• Demonstration Lepp G. Overcoming barriers to active learning: Improve your lecture in 5 minutes or less.

Meg Little, assistant professor, is quoted in the August 27, 2019, Pine Journal story, "Pharmacy students tour Cloquet facilities: Inter-professional relationships on display in Cloquet."

Laura Palombi, assistant professor, was interviewed by MPR News for an August 13, 2019, segment titled "As stigma lessens, prescriptions of anti-overdose meds surge - Doctors are prescribing naloxone more frequently in Minnesota and across the nation."

Presentation Palombi L, Hernandez D. Naloxone: A Critical Tool to Fight the Opioid Crisis. Itasca County School Nurses, Continuing Medical Education, Grand Rapids, Minnesota. (August 26, 2019)

Presentation Palombi L, Katras MJ. Community Based Solutions to the Opioid Crisis in Rural Minnesota. University of Minnesota Extension, Dean’s Citizen Advisory Council Meeting, Minneapolis, Minnesota. (August 28, 2019)

July 2019

Heather Blue, assistant professor, is quoted in the July 28, 2019, Duluth News Tribune article, "Who's selling opioids in Minnesota?"

Keri Hager, associate professor, presented "Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT): Getting People the Help They Need" to Itasca County Health and Human Services on July 10, 2019, in Grand Rapids, MN.

Meg Little, assistant professor, was accepted to the American Holistic Nurses Association Research Committee whose goals are to foster the growth of knowledge and expertise in individual holistic nurses and in the organization, and prepare holistic nurses to utilize and conduct holistic nursing research.

Paul Ranelli, professor, has been appointed to the 2019-20 AACP Council of Faculties Nominating Committee.

Presented at the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) Annual Meeting Annual Meeting held July 13-17, 2019, in Chicago, IL:

• Poster Fierke KK, associate professor, Zumach GM, Sobotka JL, Bzowyckyj AS, Jones K, Crowl AN, Portillo EC. Innovative Virtual Symposium: Connecting Leaders Across AACP.
• Poster Moon J, Lounsbery J, Schweiss S, assistant professor, Pittenger A. Mapping Postgraduate Year-one Pharmacy Residency Graduation Standards to the Core Entrustable Professional Activities.
• School Poster Hager KD, Anderson G, associate professor and department head, Chen J, Frail CK, Janke KK, Schullo-Feulner A, Westberg S, Zordoky B. Integrating the PPCP Across Clinical, Basic, and Social Sciences Using the “IESA” MTP Assessment Framework.
• Podium Cooley J, Hager KD, Trovinger S, Wheeler J (moderator). Tackling PPCP Challenges: Tactics for Engaging Preceptors through the Pharmacists’ Patient Care Process.
• Podium Tran T, Muzyk A, Baugh GM, Palombi LC, assistant professor, [Hager KD, pinch-hitter], Hill LG. Successful Attributes of Interprofessional Education in Substance Use Disorder.
• Podium Arya V, Shrader S, Alexander A, Novatt J, Meyer S, Ranelli P (moderator). Using the Arts and Humanities to Develop and Enhance Student Communication Skills and Empathy.
• Podium Stratton T, professor, Baker D (moderator). Ethical Dimensions of the Prescription Opioid Abuse Crisis.

June 2019

Heather Blue, assistant professor, is featured in the Duluth News Tribune story, "St. Luke's Pharmacist Heather Blue Receives 2019 Minnesota Society of Health-System Pharmacists Outstanding Pharmacist Award."

Blue was invited to present "Opioids, the Good, the Bad, and the Crisis" at Bethel Lutheran Church in Hudson, WI, on June 18, 2019.

Blue and Laura Palombi, assistant professor, in collaboration with Nate Wright from the Department of Health, presented  "Mapping Opioid, Hepatitis C, and Pharmacy Date to Identify Areas for Interventions" at the Minnesota Rural Health Conference in Duluth on June 17, 2019.

Kerry Fierke, associate professor, presented "Navigating the Wilderness: Tales of Leadership" as keynote speaker at the MPhA Leadership Summit and House of Delegates Meeting held June 12, 2019, in Roseville, MN.

Presented at the UMDF Mitochondrial Medicine 2019 Conference held June 26-20, 2019, in Arlington, Virginia:

• Podium Kim NC, assistant professor. The PINK1/Parkin Pathway Mediates Dominant Mitochondrial Toxicity in CHCHD10-induced ALS-FTD.
• Poster Choe Y-J, post-doctoral associate, Baek M, research specialist, Kim NC. The PINK1/Parkin Pathway Mediates Dominant Mitochondrial Toxicity in CHCHD10-induced ALS-FTD.

Amanda Klein, assistant professor, participated in the June 11, 2019, NIH Study Section: RFA Panel ZRG1 IFCN-S 50, Analgesic Properties of Minor Cannabinoids and Terpenes.

Presented at Pain Mechanisms: From Molecules to Treatment (a course co-directed by Karolinska Institutet and University of Minnesota) held June 3-7, 2019, in Minneapolis:

• Oral Klein A. Molecules Involved in the Transduction of Pain and Itch.
• Oral Klein A. Potassium Channel Involvement in Opioid Tolerance and Withdrawal.

Presented at the American Holistic Nurses Association 39th Annual Conference held June 1-7, 2019, in Tulsa, Oklahoma: Little MM, assistant professor. Whole-Group Caring: Wise Practices for Indigenous Health.

Mike Swanoski, associate professor and senior associate dean, participated in a live interview on SiriusXM's Doctor Radio for a June 27, 2019, segment on managing multiple medications safely. He also took calls from listeners.

May 2019

Karen Bastianelli, associate professor, has been invited to participate in the 2019-2020 Cohort 16 AACP Academic Leadership Fellows Program. The Academic Leadership Fellows Program supports and contributes to the development of leaders in academic pharmacy and higher education. The four session, year-long program provides an opportunity for Fellows to expand relationships with peers and colleagues in other institutions, as well as within their own college and university.

Presented at the Best Practices in Health Sciences Education Conference on Outcomes Based Health Sciences Education: Translating Data to Best Practices held May 1-2, 2019, in Minneapolis, MN:

• Poster Blue H, assistant professor. The Active Learning Hotdish: A Recipe for the Expert Cooks in our Pharmacotherapy Kitchen."
• Poster Swanson S, Schweiss S, assistant professor. Resident Perceptions of a Resiliency Curriculum in a Postgraduate Year 1 (PGY-1) Pharmacy Residency Program.
• Poster Moon J, Lounsbery J, Schweiss S, Pittenger A. Mapping Postgraduate Year-one Pharmacy Residency Graduation Standards to the Core Entrustable Professional Activities.

Presented at the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) 115th Annual Meeting held May 16-18, 2019, in Minneapolis, MN: Poster Armbruster D, Horne Dunn B, Brown J, assistant professor, Schweiss S. Patient Support System Impact on Attitude and Understanding of Diabetes Mellitus.

The College of Pharmacy is mentioned in the Business North story, "UMD’s Labovitz MBA Program Ranked #2 in Minnesota."

Congratulations to 2018-19 PharmD Teaching Award recipients:

• Duluth PD1 class: Joe Johnson, associate professor (F18); Grant Anderson, associate professor (S19)
• Duluth PD2 class: Anne Schullo-Feulner, TC associate professor (F18); Sarah Schweiss, assistant professor (S19)
• Duluth PD3 class: Mike Swanoski, associate professor (F18); Venkatram Mereddy, professor (S19)

Amanda Klein, assistant professor, is serving on the International Association for the Study of Pain Membership and Chapter Committee (MCC) through August 2020.

Laura Palombi, assistant professor, is quoted in the Duluth News Tribune story, "Overdose reversal drug employed as part of fight against opioid epidemic in the Northland" and mentioned in The Ely Echo story, "St. Louis County Board presents public health achievement awards to Ely Community Care Team, Palombi." She was also included in the Duluth News Tribune's "Health Notes: Public health achievers honored" and the Forest Lake Times story, "Combating the roots of the opioid problem."

Presentation Palombi L. Aitkin Community Forum on Substance Use, "The Opioid Crisis in Rural Minnesota," University of Minnesota, Aitkin County Public Health, Aitkin, Minnesota, United States. (May 2, 2019).

Presentation Palombi L, Gurno M. Rural Hospital Drug Conference, "Naloxone to Reverse Opioid Overdose," Mercy Hospital, Moose Lake, Minnesota, United States. (May 3, 2019).

Presentation Palombi L, Gurno M, Bilden B, Hernandez D. Cloquet High School Staff Opioid Overdose Training, "Opioid Overdose Prevention and Naloxone Rescue," Birch Tree Mental Health Center, Duluth, Minnesota, United States. (May 7, 2019).

Presentation Palombi L. Malmo Community Forum on Substance Use, "The Opioid Crisis in Rural Minnesota," University of Minnesota, Aitkin County Public Health, Malmo, Minnesota, United States. (May 7, 2019).

Presentation Palombi L, Blomberg J, Randall A. SBIRT Training of Public Health Nurses, "Screening, Brief Intervention, Referral to Treatment for Substance Use Disorders," Carlton County Public Health, Pike Lake, Minnesota. (May 13, 2019).

Presentation Palombi L, Gurno M, Bilden B, Hernandez D. Cloquet High School Staff Opioid Overdose Training, "Opioid Overdose Prevention and Naloxone Rescue," Opioid Abuse Response Strategies (OARS) Workgroup Meeting, Minnesota, United States. (May 16, 2019).

Podium presented at the Pharmacy Quality Alliance (PQA) Annual Meeting held May 15-17, 2019, in Baltimore, Maryland. Ranelli P, professor, Arya V, Warholak T. Carriers of the Patient Voice: Intersection of Science, Theatre, and Clinical Practice. 

The following were presented at the 54th Annual U.S. Public Health Service Scientific & Training Symposium: Better Health Through Better Partnerships held May 6-9, 2019, in Minneapolis, MN:

• Tim Stratton, professor, "It Takes a County: Carlton County Jail's Reducing Admissions by Prevention Program"
• Randy Seifert, professor, Captain Cindy Gunderson, and Commander Kailee Fretland, "Red Lake Indian Health Service Pharmacist Value-based Health Outcomes Model"
• Randy Seifert, Commander Michael Verdugo, and pharmacy student Sean Byrne, "Building Capacity to Address Public Health Priorities: USPHS Pharmacists Preparing Pharmacy Students to Treat Tobacco Use"

Presented to the Lake Superior Oncology Journal Club in Duluth, MN, on May, 2, 2019: Stenehjem DD, associate professor and associate department head. Thromboprophylaxis with Direct Anticoagulants in Ambulatory Cancer Patients: Evidence from AVERT and CASSINI.

Abstract and Poster presented at ISPOR 2019 held May 18-22, 2019, in New Orleans, Louisiana: Menon J, Willis C, Unni S, Au T, Yoo M, Biskupiak JE, Brixner DI, Ndife B, Joseph GJ, Bonifacio G, Shami P, Stenehjem D. Health Resource Utilization (HRU) By FLT3 Status Around Midostaurin Use In Acute Myeloid Leukemia At A Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Mike Swanoski, associate professor and senior associate dean, is quoted in The Washington Post story, "A good Rx for lowest prices, best service at a pharmacy."

Alumnus Steve Turner is featured in the May 6, 2019, UMD News story, "Leap of Faith."

Jared Van Hooser, assistant professor, presented a poster, "Crossing Barriers for Interprofessional Learning and Collaboration: A Pilot Bridging Pharmacy and Veterinary Medicine (encore)," at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine Education Day, May 17, 2019, in Minneapolis, MN.

Presented at the Best Practices in Health Sciences Education Conference on Outcomes Based Health Sciences Education: Translating Data to Best Practices held May 1-2, 2019, in Minneapolis, MN:

• Oral Lepp GA, education program specialist 2, Fierke KK, associate professor, Friedrich C L, Mead Kim H, Sick B. Using an Intention/Reflection Activity to Establish Personal Goals and Make Meaning from an Escape Room Learning Experience.
• Poster Fierke KK, LaRue A, Palombi LC. A Departmental Multi-step Consensus-building Process to Define Community Engagement.
• Poster Anderson G, Westberg S. Interdisciplinary Group Project and Shared Peer Teaching Using Active Learning Classrooms Linked Between Two Campuses.
• Poster Van Hooser J. Interprofessional Standardized Patient Experience: Sharing Practical Skills to Enhance Teamwork and Collaboration.
• Poster Van Hooser J. Crossing Barriers for Interprofessional Learning and Collaboration: A Pilot Bridging Pharmacy and Veterinary Medicine.

April 2019

Heather Blue, assistant professor, has been selected as recipient of the Minnesota Society of Health-System Pharmacists (MSHP) Outstanding Pharmacist Award. It was presented to her at the MSHP's 2019 Annual Conference in Duluth on April 12.

Yun-Jeong Choe, post-doctoral associate, Minwoo Baek, research specialist, and Nam Chul Kim, assistant professor, presented a poster and Kim gave a podium preview talk on "The PINK1/Parkin Pathway Mediates Dominant Mitochondrial Toxicity in CHCHD10-Induced ALS-FTD" at the 60th Annual Drosophila Research Conference, held March 27-31, 2019, in Dallas, Texas.

Posters presented at the College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists Annual Meeting held April 7-10, 2019, in Salt Lake City, Utah:

• O’Donnell C, Hager KD, associate professor, Kading M, Yapel A, adjunct assistant professor, Nelson Albee J, MacDonald D, adjunct assistant professor, Nash C, Renier C, Dean K, Schneiderhan M, associate professor. The Use of Group Concept Mapping to Improve Transitions of Care Between a Mental Health Center and a Family Medicine Clinic.
• O’Donnell C, Hager KD, Blue HL, Kosobuski L, Brearly A, Palombi LC, assistant professor. The Impact of Interprofessional Collaboration in Finding Solutions for Opioids Case Studies.

Rachel Gilbertson and Hager presented and facilitated a discussion about "Self-Care in the Work of Social Justice" at the UMD Intercultural Leadership Development (ILD) all cohort lunch gathering on April 9, 2019.

Presentations at the American Pain Society Scientific Meeting held April 3-6, 2019, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin:

• Oral by Amanda Klein, assistant professor, "Potassium Channels as Downstream Targets of Opioid Signaling: Involvement in Opiate Efficacy, Tolerance and Withdrawal"
• Oral by Amanda Klein, "Potassium Channels Facilitate Crosstalk Between Cannabinoid and Opioid Signaling"
• Poster Travis Okerman, Erin Salo, Taylor Jurgenson, Amanda Klein. Involvement of the PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathway in the Peripheral and Central Nervous System in the Development of Morphine Tolerance.

Laura Palombi, assistant professor, is featured in the April 7, 2019, Duluth News Tribune article, "Overdose reversal drug employed as part of fight against opioid epidemic in the Northland."

Presentation Palombi L. Keewatin Community Forum on Substance Use, "Substance Use in Minnesota," Itasca County Public Health; USDA Rural Health and Safety Grant, Keewatin, Minnesota, United States. (April 18, 2019).

Presentation Palombi L. McGregor Community Forum on Substance Use, "The Opioid Crisis in Rural Minnesota," University of Minnesota, Aitkin County Public Health, McGregor, Minnesota, United States. (April 23, 2019).

Presentation Palombi L. Deer River Community Forum on Substance Use, "The Opioid Crisis in Rural Minnesota," University of Minnesota, Itasca County Public Health, Deer River, Minnesota, United States. (April 25, 2019).

Presentation Palombi L. Grand Rapids Community Forum on Substance Use, "The Opioid Crisis in Rural Minnesota," University of Minnesota, Itasca County Public Health, Grand Rapids, Minnesota, United States. (April 30, 2019).

Paul Ranelli, professor, has been accepted to the Fulbright Specialist Roster for a tenure of three years (April 2019-April 2022). As such, he is eligible to be matched with projects designed by host institutions in over 150 countries globally.

Ranelli is profiled on the State Services for the Blind website.

David Stenehjem, associate professor, has been selected to participate in the 2019-20 University of Minnesota Northern LITeS (Leadership for Innovative Team Science) cohort, a year-long program designed for senior or advanced mid-career faculty leaders involved in clinical/translational research and/or with responsibilities related to academic administration or education and training programs in which clinical/translational research is involved. The program provides executive level training tailored to the needs of academics in biomedical, clinical, and health-related sciences. Participates will engage in extensive training of skills for leadership, creativity, and team process development in such areas as: conflict management, communication skills, influence strategies, negotiation, change management, building team productivity, and creating environments to support and include diverse ideas and enhance scientific creativity. In addition to enhancing leadership skills, LITeS fosters team science by creating a network of colleagues who serve as resources for one another across the University and the CTSI network, expands opportunities for cross-disciplinary collaboration, and ensures that the next generation of clinical and translational scientists receives the highest quality training for science leadership. This program is based upon a highly successful program that has been operating at the University of Colorado for the past 10 years and that almost all Deans, Chairs and other senior leaders have participated in. For this inaugural UMN year, we will have the benefit of on-site leadership from their program directors, Judith Albino, PhD, Director and University of Colorado President Emerita and Susan Johnson, PhD, Associate Director.

March 2019

Presented at the 2019 Endocrine Society Annual Meeting held March 23-26, 2019, in New Orleans, LA: Anderson G, associate professor and department head, Wang R, graduate student. Maternal Iron Deficiency Alters Brain Glucose, Lactate and Thyroxine Transport in Developing Neonatal Rats.

Heather Blue, assistant professor, has been nominated Duluth Teacher of the Class of 2019.

Keri Hager, associate professor, received an academic scholarship from the Institute for Healthcare Improvement to cover 50% of the cost to attend its Leadership and Organizing for Change course. Her project for the course will focus on improving care for people with opioid use disorder in the Duluth area.

With UMD colleagues Julie Slowiak and Rachel Gilbertson, Hager presented "Trouble sleeping? What can you do?" at the March 21, 2019, UMD Wellness Collaborative meeting.

Amanda Klein, assistant professor, participated in the March 15, 2019, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Special Emphasis Panel at the Translational Neural, Brain, and Pain treatment Device Review Meeting ZNS1 SRB-S (01) in Washington, DC.

Venkatram Mereddy, professor, is the 2018-2019 recipient of the University of Minnesota Duluth Outstanding Graduate Faculty Advisor Award, which honors one faculty member from UMD’s Graduate School who has demonstrated outstanding service to the University through advising and mentoring.

Olihe Okoro, assistant professor, presented at the Annual Conference of  the Center for Healthy African American Men through Partnerships (CHAAMPS) held at the University of Minnesota on February 28-March 01, 2019:

• Invited speaker "Leveraging the Influence of Women to Address Cancer Disparities in African American Men."
• Poster Okoro O, Simmons G, Witherspoon S, Witherspoon S, Nelson C. Engaging Women in Community-based Education to Address Health Disparities in African-American Men.

Okoro presented a mini workshop on the "Impact of Microaggressions on Health of Black Women: Becoming Aware & Taking Action" for Community Action Duluth staff on March 11, 2019.

Laura Palombi, assistant professor, has been recognized by the Minnesota Prevention Resource Center (MPRC) as a Prevention Champion for her work in supporting rural Minnesota communities with the opioid crisis.

Palombi is the recipient of the St. Louis County 2019 Public Health Achievement Award for her leadership, collaboration, advocacy and contributions to the public health system.

Palombi presented an AACP Substance Use Disorder SIG Webinar titled "Strategic Engagement in Substance Use Prevention and Intervention: Utilizing Opportunities for Community-Engaged Research" on March 4, 2019.

February 2019

Kerry Fierke, associate professor, et al. presented a February 12, 2019, webinar titled "Leadership Development SIG’s Virtual Symposium: A guide to creating your own virtual program" for the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy Webinar Series.

Poster presented at the Opioid Crisis and the Future of Addiction and Pain Therapeutics: Opportunities, Tools, and Technologies Symposium, held February 7-8, 2019, in Bethesda, Maryland: Jurgenson T; Okerman T, Luu W; Salo E, Entenmann N; Bjork J; Johnson K, researcher 2, Fisher C, researcher 2, Klein A, assistant professor. Decreased Activity and Function of KATP Channels Subtypes in the Nervous System Contribute to Loss of Morphine Analgesia and Increased Morphine Tolerance.

Amanda Klein presented "Pain Signaling Molecules in the Nervous System" to the Department of Chemistry at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota, on February 15, 2019.

Laura Palombi, assistant professor, is featured in multiple stories on her $1.5 million in grants to target opioids in rural northern Minnesota. Duluth News Tribune, Pine Journal, Aitkin Independent Age, Hibbing Daily Tribune, Mesabi Daily News, Minnesota Daily.

Palombi presented "Community Based Solutions to the Opioid Crisis in Rural Minnesota" for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education Team Seminar on February 15, 2019.

Palombi, Marcia Gurno, and Elisabeth Bilden presented "Naloxone: A Critical Tool to Fight the Opioid Crisis" for University of Minnesota Duluth Health Services Naloxone Training on February 21, 2019.

Rho Chi Research Day was highlighted in the February 12, 2019, Fox21 News segment "UMD Pharmacy Students Take Part in Annual Research Symposium."

Stenehjem DD, associate professor, Santi I, Gupte-Singh K, Penrod JR, Venkatachalam M. Estimated costs of grade 3/4 all-cause and treatment-related adverse events for stage IV or recurrent non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in the CheckMate 227 (CM-227) trial. https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/170366/abstract (ASCO-SITC Clinical Immuno-Oncology Symposium, February 28, 2019, San Francisco, CA, USA)

Michael Swanoski, associate professor and senior associate dean, was interviewed by thrive. for an article on how medications impact the body as we age. thrive. is a health and wellness magazine from Blue Plus especially for SecureBlue^SM (HMO SNP) Minnesota Senior Health Options members and caregivers.

Swanoski is quoted in multiple stories about the rising cost of insulin: Duluth News Tribune, MPR, and Pioneer Press.

January 2019

Heather Blue, assistant professor, presented "PharmD in the ED: Initiating Clinical Services within an Emergency Department" for the College of Pharmacy Clinical Affairs Seminar Series on January 8, 2019.

Laura Palombi, assistant professor, Blue, and Brandon Hankey presented "Responding to the Opioid Crisis: Using Valuable Tools" at the Arrowhead EMS Annual Conference on January 27, 2019, in Duluth.

Mike Swanoski, senior associate dean and associate professor, was interviewed live on SiriusXM's Doctor Radio by Dr. Nieca Goldberg for a segment titled "Ask the Pharmacist" on her Beyond the Heart show on January 17, 2019. In addition to the interview, he also fielded questions from listeners.

Jared Van Hooser, assistant professor, presented "Medication Therapy Management and Cardiovascular Drugs" to the St. Luke's Mended Hearts Support Group on January 15, 2019, in Duluth, Minnesota.

Legislative Commission Briefed on Mental Health Efforts
December 2016
Randy Seifert testified at the December 6, 2016, Legislative Health Care Workforce Commission at the State Capitol regarding the College of Pharmacy's community engagement and efforts in mental health.

Two Adjunct Faculty Join PPPS
November 2016
Ann Yapel and Danielle MacDonald, pharmacists at Duluth Family Medicine Clinic and Essentia Health, have joined PPPS as adjunct faculty.

Annual Flu Clinic Off to Record Start
October 2016
A record-setting 1,098 flu shots were given during the first of two flu clinics sponsored by UMD Health Services, the College of Pharmacy (CoP) and the Employee Health and Wellness Center for the UMD campus community. CoP Duluth students staffed the October 12, 2016, event and faculty precepted.

CoP Duluth Staff Appointed Board Chair
October 2016
Sean Hall has been appointed Board Chair of the NorthEast Alliance for Telecommunications (NEAT), a consortium for education, communication and technology.

Dr. Swanoski to Serve on ASCP Committee
October 2016
Mike Swanoski has been elected to serve on the Pharmacy Educators and Research Committee of the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP) for 2016-2017.

Dr. Carlson Receives Prestigious MPhA Award
September 2016
Dawn Carlson received the Harold R. Popp Award, which is the highest honor bestowed by the Minnesota Pharmacists Association (MPhA). The award was established in 1969 in honor of the late Senator Harold R. Popp to recognize one pharmacist annually for their outstanding service to the profession of pharmacy.

Dr. Palombi Appointed Adjunct in School of Public Health
August 2016
Laura Palombi has been appointed adjunct faculty in the School of Public Health for its Public Health Practice program.

Dissemination Workshop on HIV Prevention a Success
August 2016
Olihe Okoro hosted a two-day dissemination conference/training workshop titled "HIV Prevention in the African Born Immigrant Communities: Strategies and Approaches that Work" on July 21-22, 2016, at the Continuing Education Conference Center, in St. Paul, MN. There were 113 registered participants and 21 community collaborators/vendors.

Dr. Ranelli Appointed to Governing Council
August 2016
Paul Ranelli was elected to a two-year, at-large seat on the Governing Council representing unaffiliated members of the Pharmacy Special Primary Interest Group (SPIG) of the American Public Health Association (APHA). The Governing Council is the representative legislative body of the APHA and consists of voting and nonvoting members who represent different constituencies within APHA.

Associate Member Appointee
July 2016
Keri Hager has been accepted as an Associate Member in the Wulling Center for Innovation & Scholarship in Pharmacy Education for her work as an emerging scholar in teaching and learning.

Meritorious Service Award Winners Named
June 2016
Congratulations to 2015 College of Pharmacy Meritorious Service Award recipients honored at an Employee Recognition Event at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum on May 20, 2016. Duluth awardees included: Eric Shilinski, Olivia Buncher, Sean Hall, and Katie Vukelich.

Dr. Undeberg Participates in Local Discussion with Senator Franken
March 2016
Megan Undeberg participated in a roundtable discussion at Essentia Health-Hermantown Clinic on the affordability of medications for senior citizens as part of Senator Al Franken's visit to the northland on March 29, 2016.

Duluth Teacher of the Class
March 2016
Mike Swanoski has been selected as Duluth Teacher of the Class of 2016.

Faculty Awarded Fulbright Grant
March 2016
Michelle Johnson-Jennings has been awarded a Fulbright Core US Scholar grant to study "Developing an Innovative Indigenous Framework for Indigenous Traditional Healing and the Integration within Western Medicine" at the University of Waikato in Hamilton, New Zealand, and University of Auckland, as well as visiting Sidney, Australia. This will occur during spring 2017-fall 2017.

Weaver Medal Recipient Named
February 2016
Tim Stratton, Ph.D., professor and senior associate to the dean for assessment and accreditation at the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy, has been selected as the 2015 Lawrence C. and Delores M. Weaver Medal recipient. The award is given annually to someone who supports the college and its students through service to education, the profession, research and the community. A faculty member since 2004, Stratton was recognized for providing outstanding and sustained contributions to the college and its students, communities in Greater Minnesota and underserved populations.

Dr. Carlson Selected for Leadership Program
February 2016
Dawn Carlson has been selected for the Grand Rapids cohort that will participate in the Blandin Community Leadership Program (BCLP) beginning with a retreat on March 14-18, 2016, followed by three one-day workshops over a six-month period. The BCLP is nationally recognized and works with emerging and established leaders in rural communities to deepen their understanding of community dynamics and strengthen their skills for initiating and managing change. It is centered on three core competencies of community leadership that are essential for building and sustaining healthy community: framing, building social capital, and mobilizing.

Teachers of the Semester Named
December 2015
Congratulations to PPPS faculty Mike Swanoski and Yao Yao who were among College of Pharmacy faculty selected as fall Teachers of the Semester by the Class of 2017 and 2018, respectively.

Dr. Schweiss Appointed Vice-Chair of ACCP Committee
November 2015
Sarah Schweiss has been appointed to a one-year (2015-2016) term as Vice-Chair of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP) Ambulatory Care PRN's Networking Committee. The Networking Committee is responsible for developing and organizing networking functions that foster interaction among members at numerous national pharmacy meetings.

Students Participate in Operation Community Connect
October 2015
Pharmacy and Medical School students participated in Operation Community Connect, a resource day for the homeless in Carlton County held October 20, 2015. Students were given an opportunity to work alongside multiple agencies to provide hundreds of residents of rural Carlton County with the services and resources needed to get back on their feet again. Pharmacy students provided point-of-care screenings for glucose cholesterol and blood pressure and served at intake and childcare stations with their Medical School colleagues. In addition, Pharmacy students helped administer 60 flu vaccines by pairing up with public health nurses and a nursing student as part of a new interprofessional model of immunization practice.

Faculty Fellow Named
October 2015
Michelle Johnson-Jennings has been selected as a Spirit of EAGLES Cohort 3 Hampton Faculty Fellow.

Dr. Okoro Attends Cultural Competency Training
October 2015
Olihe Okoro has been accepted to The Cross Cultural Health Care Program's Training of Trainers Institute on "Closing the Gap: Cultural Competence in Health and Human Services."

Academic Health Center Women's Mentoring Program
October 2015
The goals of the program are:

• To promote a supportive and positive environment for the career development of women faculty in Medical School, Duluth campus and College of Pharmacy Duluth
• To assist participants in career development and achieving balance between career and personal life
• Provide opportunities to learn new skills, exchange ideas and advice, network, and problem solve.

Community Forum Held
October 2015
Laura Palombi and numerous tribal, city, county, and state collaborators organized and hosted a successful Carlton County Opioid and Heroin Community Forum on Monday, October 5, 2015, in Cloquet, MN. More than 100 people attended this powerful public event to create awareness about the problem of drug abuse in Carlton County.

Panel Discussion on Opiates
September 2015
Laura Palombi participated in a pharmacy and distribution panel at the Pain. Pill. Problem. Conference held August 25, 2015, in Minneapolis, MN. The conference, co-organized by the Office of Governor Mark Dayton and the U.S. Attorney's Office, examined the many facets of Minnesota's issues with opiate abuse. More than 1,000 people from Minnesota's medical, justice, and social service communities attended.

Student Team a Finalist in Competition
August 2015
A student team from the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy Duluth and Twin Cities campuses has been named a finalist in the 2015 Good Neighbor Pharmacy National Chain Pharmacists Association (NCPA) Pruitt-Schutte Student Business Plan Competition. They will present their business plans in a live competition October 10 at NCPA's Annual Convention in the Washington DC area. Faculty advisor is Randy Seifert, Sr. Associate Dean and Professor.

Team Receives AACP Award
May 2015
Keri Hager and TC colleagues Kristin Janke, Jim Beattie and Shannon Reidt received the highly-competitive Innovations in Teaching Award from the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) for their project, "When Drug Literature Evaluation Isn't Enough: Implementing a Longitudinal Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM) Sequence with a First-Year Milestone EBM Assessment."

Three Individuals Received Recognition Through UMD's 2015 Student Awards Program
April 2015
Kerry Fierke received the Outstanding Faculty Award, which is given to members of the faculty who have displayed outstanding abilities in the realm of teaching and instruction, calling attention to their contributions to the educational advancement of students, to the UMD community, and the general pursuit of knowledge by all.

Sean Hall received the Outstanding Staff award, which is given to any non-student, non-faculty employee of the university who has demonstrated support and concern for the well-being of students and the University. This individual has gone above and beyond requirements to aid students.

Anthony Olson, a fourth year student on the Duluth campus, received the Bulldog Award (Graduate), which is awarded to graduate students who have served in at least one area where outstanding service has positively affected the University community within the past calendar year.

Meritorious Service Awards Announced
January 2015
Anna Firoozi, Terri Krause, and Julie Smith received staff meritorious service awards and were recognized at the College of Pharmacy's Employee Day Celebration held January 5, 2015, in Duluth.

Dr. Schweiss Earns Advanced Certification
December 2013
Sarah Schweiss recently passed the Board Certified Ambulatory Care Pharmacist (BCACP) exam through the Board of Pharmacy Specialties. Her certification is valid through 2020.

Dr. Hager Leads Study with Local Trucking Company
November 2013
The Halvor Lines blood pressure study led by Keri Hager was highlighted in the Duluth News Tribune story, "Northland truckers navigate new road to health" on November 3, 2013.

Dr. Undeberg Appointed to Selection Committee
November 2013
Megan Undeberg will serve on the 2013-14 selection committee for the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) Rufus A. Lyman Award, which is presented annually to the author(s) of the best paper published in the American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education.

Duluth Program Celebrates Milestone
November 2013
The College of Pharmacy, Duluth, celebrated its 10th anniversary on October 4, 2013, at the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center.

Dr. Schweiss Appointed Residency Director
August 2013
Sarah Schweiss has been appointed Assistant Residency Director of the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy Ambulatory Care Residency Program.

Dr. Swanoski Retains Advanced Certification
May 2013
Mike Swanoski passed the Certified Geriatric Pharmacist (CGP) exam which extends his CGP credentials an additional five years. CGPs, as defined by the Commission for Certification in Geriatric Pharmacy, demonstrate an advanced level of knowledge, education, experience, and skills beyond the requirements for licensure in pharmacotherapy for seniors.

Drs. Seifert and Hager Appointed MPhA Officers
May 2013
Randy Seifert has been named President-Elect of the Minnesota Pharmacists Association (MPhA) and Keri Hager has been re-elected as Board Member-at-Large for a two-year term.

Student-run Clinic in the News
May 2013
Duluth Pharmacy students Abby Steele and Bill Vouk and colleagues from the Medical School Duluth were featured in an April 17, 2013, segment on FOX 21 News titled "Students Bring 'HOPE' to Duluth." It highlighted their work at the Health of People Everywhere (HOPE) clinic, a student run clinic located in the CHUM center in downtown Duluth.

Dr. Anderson Named Department Head
April 2013
Grant Anderson, PhD, was appointed Department Head for Pharmacy Practice and Pharmaceutical Sciences (PPPS) effective April 15, 2013. Anderson joined the College of Pharmacy, Duluth, in 2003 as one of its original eight faculty members. He currently serves as the director of graduate studies for PPPS and as co-chair of the Curriculum Revision Steering Committee.

Alumnus David Salo Receives Award
April 2013
Duluth class of 2008 and pharmacist in charge at Essentia Health, David Salo, is the 2013 recipient of the Minnesota Society of Health-System Pharmacists (MSHP) Rising Star New Practitioner Award. This award is presented to a newly licensed health-system pharmacist practitioner (in the first 5 years of practice) in recognition of outstanding performance and enthusiasm for the profession as well as active involvement in MSHP.

Dr. Hartz and Alzheimer's Research
March 2013
Anika Hartz and her research in Alzheimer's Disease were featured in the Northland's NewsCenter Making a Difference segment, which aired March 14, 2013, during the 10 PM newscast.

Dr. Johnson-Jennings Appointed to NIH Work Group
March 2013
Michelle Johnson-Jennings has been appointed to the National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) American Indian/Alaska Native Researchers and Scholars Work Group. This group provides recommendations to NIDA on research needed to better understand, prevent, and treat substance abuse and addiction in American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) populations and to develop addiction research capacity development in AI/AN communities.

Dr. Undeberg Volunteers for Nationwide Study 
February 2013
Megan Undeberg was interviewed for the Northland's NewsCenter story, "The American Cancer Society Seeks Volunteers for Nationwide Study," which aired February 27, 2013.

Dr. Swanoski Participates in Panel Discussion
February 2013
Mike Swanoski was a panelist on the WDSE public television program, Doctors On Call, on February 22, 2013, where he, two physicians and a physician moderator discussed and responded to viewer questions on "Hypertension."

Dr. Mereddy Appointed to Editorial Board
February 2013
Venkatram Mereddy has joined the editorial advisory board of the Biochemical and Biophysical Journal of Neutron Therapy & Cancer Treatment.

Dr. Bauer Appointed to Steering Committee
February 2013
Bjoern Bauer has been elected to the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists Drug Transporter Focus Group Steering Committee for a three-year term.

Dr. Hartz Awarded McKnight
February 2013
Anika Hartz was selected as a recipient of the University of Minnesota McKnight Land-Grant Professorship, a unique two-year award designed to enhance the careers of its most promising junior faculty. The Professorship is for the period July 1, 2013, through June 30, 2015.

Dr. Hager and UMD Employee Wellness Team
January 2013
The University of Minnesota Duluth achieved Fit Friendly Company recognition from the American Heart Association for the second consecutive year. The Fit-Friendly program recognizes employers who champion the health of their employees and work to create a culture of physical activity and health in the workplace. Keri Hager, director of the Medication Therapy Management Clinic at UMD, is a member of its employee wellness team.

Dr. Tomaszewski Offers Expertise
January 2013
Dan Tomaszewski was interviewed by two local TV stations (Northland's NewsCenter and KQDS Fox 21) regarding the flu outbreak.

Dr. Tomaszewski Participates in Live Broadcast 
December 2012
Dan Tomaszewski appeared on the WDSE public television program, Doctors on Call, on December 20, 2012. The topic was "Healthy Living and Seeking Balance."

Sr. Associate Dean Randy Seifert Receives Award
November 2012
Randy Seifert was named recipient of the Pharmacy Alumni Society Faculty Recognition Award, which is given in recognition of support and extraordinary contributions to alumni, the College of Pharmacy, the University of Minnesota and/or the profession of pharmacy.

Dr. Hager Elected to Steering Committee
October 2012
Keri Hager, assistant professor, was appointed to the Essentia Institute of Rural Health Family Medicine Residency Education Steering Committee as a pharmacist member.Paul Ranelli, interim department head and professor, was elected to one of the Section Councilor positions in the Medical Care Section of the American Public Health Association (APHA). His term begins after the APHA annual meeting in October 2012 and runs until fall 2015.

Staff Receive Awards
August 2012 
Several staff received 2012 College of Pharmacy (CoP) Meritorious Service Awards at the CoP Employee Day celebration held August 10 at the Duluth Depot. Receiving P&A awards were: Terri Krause, administrative manager; Amy Renne, associate academic advisor; and Stacy Tomhave, coordinator. Receiving civil service/bargaining unit awards were: Anna Firoozi, executive operations/student services specialist; and Britt Johnson, junior scientist.

Dr. Anderson Appointed to Boards
July 2012
Grant Anderson, associate professor and director of graduate studies, was appointed to a one-year term on the Perchlorate Advisory Panel of the US Environmental Protection Agency Science Advisory Board (SAB). Their purpose is to conduct an advisory activity related to the development of a maximum contaminant level goal for perchlorate. Anderson was also appointed to a four-year term on the editorial board of the Journal of Neuroendocrinology, an international journal intended to act as a focus for the newest ideas, knowledge and technology in the neurosciences.

Dr. Bauer Named Handling Editor
July 2012
Bjoern Bauer, assistant professor, was asked to serve a three-year term as handling editor for Fluids and Barriers of the CNS, an open access, peer-reviewed, online journal whose focus is on CNS fluids and barrier systems in health and disease.

Dr. Hager Appointed to Boards
May 2012
Keri Hager, assistant professor, was elected to the Minnesota Pharmacists Association (MPhA) Board of Directors for a one-year, at-large position beginning June 2012. Hager was also elected to the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy Century Mortar Club Board of Directors for a three-year term beginning May 2012.

Dr. Johnson-Jennings Named Co-Director of Center
May 2012
Michelle Johnson-Jennings, assistant professor, and Melissa Walls of the Medical School Duluth were named co-directors of the Research for Indigenous Community Health (RICH) Center—an interdisciplinary American Indian health equities research collaboration between the College of Pharmacy and School of Medicine. RICH seeks to build research collaborations within and across campuses and tribal entities to address American Indian health inequities and disparities.

Dr. Ranelli Named Badger of the Year
April 2012
Paul Ranelli, professor, was selected as Badger of the Year by the Twin Ports Badgers Chapter of the Wisconsin Alumni Association. This award is given annually to a University of Wisconsin-Madison graduate who lives in the Duluth area and has made a difference in our community. He accepted the award at a Founders’ Day 2012 chapter event in Duluth on April 25, 2012.

Student Organization Takes First Place in Competition
March 2012
The UMD Multicultural Pharmacy Student Organization (MPSO) took first place in the 4th WorldQuest International Trivia Competition hosted by the Alworth Institute on February 23, 2012. Twenty-three teams of eight competed to answer questions on flags and capitals, geographical features and international borders, and people and events in the news. Teams of UMD students, faculty and staff competed alongside teams from the University of Wisconsin-Superior and the local community. Each placing team received a gift to an international non-profit of their choice.

Dr. Tomaszewski Appointed to Drug Formulary Committee
February 2012
Dan Tomaszewski, graduate instructor, was appointed to the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) Drug Formulary Committee for a three-year term. The Drug Formulary Committee functions as a pharmacy and therapeutics (P&T) committee for Minnesota Health Care Programs (MHCP) advising the DHS on drug coverage issues.

Dr. Tomaszewski Participates in Live Broadcast 
December 2012
Dan Tomaszewski appeared on the WDSE public television program, Doctors on Call, on December 20, 2012. The topic was "Healthy Living and Seeking Balance."

Sr. Associate Dean Randy Seifert Receives Award
November 2012
Randy Seifert was named recipient of the Pharmacy Alumni Society Faculty Recognition Award, which is given in recognition of support and extraordinary contributions to alumni, the College of Pharmacy, the University of Minnesota and/or the profession of pharmacy.

Dr. Hager Elected to Steering Committee
October 2012
Keri Hager, assistant professor, was appointed to the Essentia Institute of Rural Health Family Medicine Residency Education Steering Committee as a pharmacist member.Paul Ranelli, interim department head and professor, was elected to one of the Section Councilor positions in the Medical Care Section of the American Public Health Association (APHA). His term begins after the APHA annual meeting in October 2012 and runs until fall 2015.

Staff Receive Awards
August 2012 
Several staff received 2012 College of Pharmacy (CoP) Meritorious Service Awards at the CoP Employee Day celebration held August 10 at the Duluth Depot. Receiving P&A awards were: Terri Krause, administrative manager; Amy Renne, associate academic advisor; and Stacy Tomhave, coordinator. Receiving civil service/bargaining unit awards were: Anna Firoozi, executive operations/student services specialist; and Britt Johnson, junior scientist.

Dr. Anderson Appointed to Boards
July 2012
Grant Anderson, associate professor and director of graduate studies, was appointed to a one-year term on the Perchlorate Advisory Panel of the US Environmental Protection Agency Science Advisory Board (SAB). Their purpose is to conduct an advisory activity related to the development of a maximum contaminant level goal for perchlorate. Anderson was also appointed to a four-year term on the editorial board of the Journal of Neuroendocrinology, an international journal intended to act as a focus for the newest ideas, knowledge and technology in the neurosciences.

Dr. Bauer Named Handling Editor
July 2012
Bjoern Bauer, assistant professor, was asked to serve a three-year term as handling editor for Fluids and Barriers of the CNS, an open access, peer-reviewed, online journal whose focus is on CNS fluids and barrier systems in health and disease.

Dr. Hager Appointed to Boards
May 2012
Keri Hager, assistant professor, was elected to the Minnesota Pharmacists Association (MPhA) Board of Directors for a one-year, at-large position beginning June 2012. Hager was also elected to the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy Century Mortar Club Board of Directors for a three-year term beginning May 2012.

Dr. Johnson-Jennings Named Co-Director of Center
May 2012
Michelle Johnson-Jennings, assistant professor, and Melissa Walls of the Medical School Duluth were named co-directors of the Research for Indigenous Community Health (RICH) Center—an interdisciplinary American Indian health equities research collaboration between the College of Pharmacy and School of Medicine. RICH seeks to build research collaborations within and across campuses and tribal entities to address American Indian health inequities and disparities.

Dr. Ranelli Named Badger of the Year
April 2012
Paul Ranelli, professor, was selected as Badger of the Year by the Twin Ports Badgers Chapter of the Wisconsin Alumni Association. This award is given annually to a University of Wisconsin-Madison graduate who lives in the Duluth area and has made a difference in our community. He accepted the award at a Founders’ Day 2012 chapter event in Duluth on April 25, 2012.

Student Organization Takes First Place in Competition
March 2012
The UMD Multicultural Pharmacy Student Organization (MPSO) took first place in the 4th WorldQuest International Trivia Competition hosted by the Alworth Institute on February 23, 2012. Twenty-three teams of eight competed to answer questions on flags and capitals, geographical features and international borders, and people and events in the news. Teams of UMD students, faculty and staff competed alongside teams from the University of Wisconsin-Superior and the local community. Each placing team received a gift to an international non-profit of their choice.

Dr. Tomaszewski Appointed to Drug Formulary Committee
February 2012
Dan Tomaszewski, graduate instructor, was appointed to the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) Drug Formulary Committee for a three-year term. The Drug Formulary Committee functions as a pharmacy and therapeutics (P&T) committee for Minnesota Health Care Programs (MHCP) advising the DHS on drug coverage issues.

Meritorious Service Awards Announced
November 2010
Pam Gustaveson, administrator, and Terri Krause, executive office and administrative specialist, each received a College of Pharmacy Meritorious Service Award for outstanding service to the College. The awards were presented at the 2010 College of Pharmacy employee appreciation day held November 30 at Glensheen.

Dr. Ranelli to Serve on AACP Committee
November 2010
Paul Ranelli, professor, was appointed to the Public Health Special Interest Group (SIG) Program Committee of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) for 2010-2011. The main charge of the committee is to develop the public health SIG program for the AACP Annual Meeting in San Antonio, Texas, in July 2011.

PPPS Faculty/Colleagues Lend Expertise
September 2010
Several College of Pharmacy faculty and colleagues were asked to participate in the next season of the PBS eight television production, “Doctors on Call.” The invitation was due, in part, to the success of interprofessional activities and MTM practice sites. The tentative schedule is as follows:

September 30 – Heart Disease (Megan Undeberg, assistant professor)
October 14 – Infectious Disease/Immunizations (Keri Naglosky, assistant professor)
November 18 – HTN (Mike Swanoski, assistant professor)
January 6 – Diabetes (Audrey Imberg, SMDC-Duluth Clinic pharmacist)
February 10 – Allergies and Skin (Tim Cernohous, graduate student)

Dr. Worley to Lead Section
August 2010
Marcia Worley, associate professor, was named chair elect of the Economics, Social and Administrative Science (ESAS) Section of the American Pharmacists Association (APhA).

PPPS Faculty Member Receives Tenure
May 2010
Grant Anderson, assistant professor, was promoted to associate professor with tenure.

Dr. Bauer Appointed to Editorial Advisory Board
May 2010
Bjoern Bauer, assistant professor, was appointed to the Editorial Advisory Board of the Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics.

Study Shows Targeting the Blood-Brain Barrier May Delay Progression of Alzheimer's Disease
April 2010
A study supported by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) shows that by targeting the blood-brain barrier, researchers are able to slow the accumulation of a protein associated with the progression of Alzheimer's disease. Results of the study, "Restoring blood-brain barrier P-glycoprotein reduces brain amyloid-beta in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease," are published in the May issue of Molecular Pharmacology. Bjoern Bauer, assistant professor, is senior author, and Anika Hartz, research associate, Medical School Duluth, is lead author on the study.

MPSO Sponsors Bone Marrow Registration Drive
March 2010
The Multicultural Pharmacy Student Organization (MPSO), with help from numerous College of Pharmacy, Duluth, students, faculty, and staff volunteers, hosted a very successful bone marrow registration drive to help DKMS Americas register potential bone marrow donors. The drive, held March 31 at the Kirby Student Lounge on the Duluth campus, was open to the campus community as well as the general public. Nearly 1,070 people "got swabbed" and will be added to the national bone marrow donor registry. The event was made possible by a grant from the Target Foundation.

CoPD Acknowledged for Environmental Stewardship
January 2010
The College of Pharmacy, Duluth (CoPD), received the 2009 Special Recognition Environmental Stewardship Award presented by the St. Louis River Alliance. This award recognizes outstanding contributions to environmental stewardship in the St. Louis River area. The CoPD was nominated for its role in the Western Lake Superior Sanitary District's (WLSSD) Medication Cabinet Clean-Out Days in 2007 and 2008.

Dr. Einat Named Associate Editor
December 2009
Haim Einat, associate professor, was named Associate Editor of Frontiers in Psychopharmacology – a new Frontiers’ journal and publishing platform that is working to create a very novel way of interaction between editors, reviewers and authors through open discussion to develop better manuscripts.

Drs. Stratton and Worley Recognized by AJHP
September 2009
Timothy Stratton, professor, and Marcia Worley, associate professor, were awarded the prestigious American Journal of Health-System Pharmacists (AJHP) Foundation Literature Award for Innovation in Pharmacy Practice. Their article, "Implementing After-Hours Pharmacy Coverage for Critical Access Hospitals in Northeast Minnesota," was published in AJHP 2008; 65:1727-34. This was a collaborative effort with colleagues at St. Luke's Hospital Pharmacy and SISU Medical Systems in Duluth.

Dr. Anderson to Serve on Editorial Board
August 2009
Grant Anderson, assistant professor, accepted an invitation to serve on the editorial board of the journal, Endocrinology, for the term 2010-2013.

Dr. Stratton Assumes MRHA Presidency
June 2009
Timothy Stratton, professor, was elected to a one-year term as president of the Minnesota Rural Health Association (MRHA) whose mission is to bring together diverse interests to address rural health issues and advocate for and with rural Minnesotans.

Dr. Seifert Receives Award
June 2009
Randy Seifert, senior associate dean and professor, was awarded the Harold R. Popp Award at the annual meeting of the Minnesota Pharmacists Association (MPhA). The Popp Award, established by MPhA in 1969 in honor of the late Senator Harold R. Popp, is the highest honor awarded by MPhA. Intended to recognize one pharmacist annually for outstanding services to the profession of pharmacy, Dr. Seifert received the award for his efforts to establish Medication Therapy Management (MTM) practices and benefits in the Duluth area.

Dr. Bumgardner Receives National Award
April 2009
Melissa Bumgardner, assistant professor, is the recipient of the 2009 National Phi Lambda Sigma (PLS) Outstanding Chapter Advisor Award. This award was established in 2006 to recognize a PLS chapter advisor who has promoted student leadership, actively contributed to the achievements of their local chapter, and served as a leader and mentor through his/her service to the profession and/or the community. In addition to the recipient award, the chapter receives a cash award, both of which are presented at the PLS Awards Banquet held in conjunction with the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) Annual Meeting in San Antonio, Texas, in April.

Dr. Ranelli Interviewed by Local Media
October 2008
Paul Ranelli, professor, was interviewed for a Northland’s NewsCenter story on health care workforce shortages.

Three PPPS Faculty Receive Promotion and Tenure
May 2008
Three faculty members were recommended for promotion and tenure by Senior VP for Health Sciences Frank Cerra and Senior VP for Academic Affairs and Provost E. Thomas Sullivan and approved by the University of Minnesota Board of Regents. They are:

Haim Einat, PhD, Promotion to Associate Professor with tenure
Timothy Stratton, PhD, BCPS, FAPhA, Promotion to Professor
Marcia Worley, PhD, R.Ph., Promotion to Associate Professor with tenure

Student Appointed to National Council
March 2008
David Stenehjem, P3, has been appointed to the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) Council on Therapeutics. This council is concerned with ASHP professional policies related to the safe and appropriate use of medicines.

Ms. Sisson Receives MSHP Award
February 2008
Debbie Sisson, assistant professor and associate director, experiential education, was selected to receive the Minnesota Society of Health-System Pharmacists (MSHP) highest honor—the Hallie Bruce Memorial Lecture Award. This award is given annually to an individual of high moral character, good citizenship, and high professional ideals who has made significant contribution to the profession of pharmacy in Minnesota. These contributions may have been in the form of sustained exemplary service in pharmacy, or a combination of accomplishments advancing the profession of pharmacy and, through it, humanity and public health. The award will be presented to Ms. Sisson at the annual meeting of MSHP in April.

Dr. Swanoski Earns CGP Distinction
February 2008
Michael Swanoski, assistant professor, passed the Certified Geriatric Pharmacist (CGP) exam. CGPs, as defined by the Commission for Certification in Geriatric Pharmacy, demonstrate an advanced level of knowledge, education, experience, and skills beyond the requirements for licensure in pharmacotherapy for seniors.

Students and Faculty Provide Free Health Screens
February 2008
Drs. Timothy Stratton, Michael Swanoski, and Melissa Bumgardner, together with a group of 25 Pharmacy students, participated in the 26th Annual Mariner Mall Community Health Expo on February 2nd in Superior, Wisconsin. The group screened over 85 patients and offered cholesterol, blood glucose, and blood pressure tests at no charge. This was made possible through a grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HERSA) and funds received from TCF Bank, Walgreens, and pharmacy student fundraising.

University Medication Therapy Management Clinic Opens
December 2007
The UMD Employee Health and Wellness Center celebrated its grand opening of services designed to help employees and their families obtain and maintain good health. Among these services is the University of Minnesota Medication Therapy Management (MTM) Clinic staff by College of Pharmacy faculty. The pharmacy-specific component of the grand opening included an appearance by Buddy, the student pharmacist medication safety mascot, discussions about the role of medication therapy management, generic medications, safe medication disposal and the safety and efficacy of over-the-counter cough and cold remedies. Toddlers and preschoolers from the UMD Children’s Place were taught about medication safety and awarded certificates as newly appointed “Buddy’s buddies.” Student pharmacists screened several participants for high blood pressure and several appointments were scheduled for the MTM clinic.

Faculty and Students Participate in Medicine Cabinet Clean-Out Event
October 2007
Seven pharmacy students and two faculty participated in the inaugural Medicine Cabinet Clean-Out Event hosted by the Western Lake Superior Sanitary District (WLSSD) on October 6. One hundred sixty-six households took advantage of this day-long event, offered as an environmentally friendly alternative to flushing unwanted/expired medications down the toilet or washing them down the sink. More than 250 pounds of medications (filling nearly three 55-gallon drums) were turned in for destruction, about 10 percent of which were controlled substances.

Paddock Laboratories Pharmacy Education Center Opens
September 2007
The College of Pharmacy, Duluth, celebrated its grand opening of the Paddock Laboratories Pharmacy Education Center located in the newly renovated Life Science building. The purpose of the event was fourfold: (1) to celebrate the success of the Duluth expansion, (2) to thank Bruce Paddock for his donation to the College of Pharmacy, (3) to recognize Stephen Hoag for his excellent leadership as senior associate dean, and (4) to celebrate graduation of the Class of 2007—the first combined Twin Cities-Duluth class.

Meritorius Service Awards Announced
August 2007
Anna Firoozi, executive office and administrative specialist, and Adam Moren, information technology professional, each received a 2007 College of Pharmacy Meritorious Service Award for outstanding service to the college. The awards were presented to them at a College of Pharmacy staff appreciation day in Stillwater, Minnesota.

Dr. Gulseth Publishes Book
June 2007
Michael Gulseth, assistant professor, is the lead author and editor of a newly released book published by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists titled, Managing Anticoagulation Patients in the Hospital; The Inpatient Anticoagulation Service.

Dr. Randy Seifert Accepts Deanship
June 2007
Randall Seifert has accepted the position of Senior Associate Dean of the College of Pharmacy, Duluth. He will also serve as department head of the Department of Pharmacy Practice and Pharmaceutical Sciences (his current role) until a new department head is hired. He will replace Stephen Hoag who has done a masterful job of implementing the program in Duluth. Steve will remain as a member of the faculty.

Dr. Noreddin Accepted into Fellows Program
May 2007
Ayman Noreddin, associate professor, was accepted into the American Association of Clinical Pharmacy (AACP) Academic Leadership Fellows Program. As a fellow, he will participate in a number of AACP meetings and projects during 2007-2008.

Ms. Sisson Receives Honorary Membership Award
April 2007
Debbie Sisson, assistant professor and associate director, experiential education, was selected to receive the 2006-07 Phi Lambda Sigma honorary membership award for her commitment to students and their education and for advancing the profession of pharmacy through her leadership efforts.

Dr. Gulseth Voted President-Elect of Minnesota Pharmacist Organization
April 2007
Michael Gulseth, assistant professor, was voted president-elect of the Minnesota Society of Health-System Pharmacists (MSHP) and will assume presidency responsibilities in 2008. MSHP represents pharmacists who practice in hospitals and health systems in the state of Minnesota. Their mission is to provide visible leadership, education, advocacy, and networking opportunities which support its members as they enable people to make the best use of medications.

Dean Hoag Receives Kabat Award
April 2007
Senior Associate Dean Stephen Hoag was presented with the Minnesota Society of Health System Pharmacists (MSHP) Hugh F. Kabat Award at its 2007 annual meeting. The award, presented to an individual in recognition of leadership or innovation in Minnesota pharmacy practice, is a fitting tribute to Dean Hoag for his leadership of the Duluth program.

Student Award Winners Announced
April 2007
We proudly recognize these Duluth student award winners: Katherine Backes, P1, Wulling PharmD I Student Award; Heather Blue, P4, APhA Mortar & Pestle Professionalism Award; Jennifer Brandenburg, P4, Bruce Memorial Award; Philip Brummond, P4, Pharmacy Alumni Society Graduating Student Award; Timothy Cernohous, P3, College Board PharmD III Award; Kristen Chisholm, P1, Rho Chi Award; Jeremy Gustafson, P3, Michelle Mentzer Memorial Award; Katie Hiscock, P3, Dean's Research Award; Audrey Imberg, P3, Dean's Award, MPhA/ASP President's Award; Missy Ostroski, P4, Lilly Achievement Award, Phi Lambda Sigma Award; Bryan Schuler, P4, Gisvold Medicinal Chemistry Award, Merck Award; Rebecca (Asleson) Senst, P4, Award of Excellence in Nonprescription Medication Studies; Nicole Skinner, P1, Kasper Memorial Award; Sean Stewart, P2, Breckenridge Memorial Award.

Dr. Bastianelli Continues Work on Meth Task Force
March 2007
Karen Bastianelli, assistant professor, and Karen (Casey) Lacore, UMD community program specialist, continue to work with a group of community volunteers on Duluth's Methamphetamine Task Force to help find ways to overcome a drug epidemic which has taken a hard hit at northern Minnesota. They add their expertise to a county-wide task force made up of county officials, advertising professionals, emergency personnel, and the medical community. In keeping with the task force’s mission to educate people on the topic of methamphetamines and the dangers of the drug, the College of Pharmacy, Duluth, and CHIP-D, along with Lake Superior Advertising Federation, co-sponsored a public presentation by meth survivor, David Parnell, at the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center Auditorium on March 27. The event was part of a four-day initiative on meth education that reached over 7,000 people in the Duluth community.

Ms. Sisson Appointed to Task Force
March 2007
Debbie Sisson, assistant professor and associate director, experiential education, has been appointed to the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) Task Force for Inpatient Student Rotations. The charge of this task force is to develop resources and tools to guide inpatient care practitioners who offer student pharmacy practice experiences.

Student Receives Fellowship Award
February 2007
Arinzechukwu Nkemdirim Okere, P1, and Stephanie Root, P2, were each awarded an AHC Office of Clinical Research 2007 Summer Pre-doctoral Fellowship in Clinical and Translational Research.

Dr. Ranelli Appointed to Family Council
February 2007
Paul Ranelli, professor, accepted a one-year, voting member appointment to the newly-formed Duluth Children's Clinic Family Council. Duluth Children’s includes St. Mary's Children's Hospital, Duluth Children’s Clinic, Miller-Dwan Children's Health Care, and Polinsky Children's Rehabilitation Center.

Drs. Traynor Earn BCPS Certification
February 2007
Laura Traynor, assistant professor, and Andrew Traynor, assistant professor, recently passed the Board of Pharmaceutical Specialties pharmacotherapy specialty exam. Pharmacotherapy is that area of pharmacy practice that is responsible for ensuring the safe, appropriate, and economical use of drugs in patient care. The Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist (BCPS) has responsibility for direct patient care, often functions as a member of a multidisciplinary team, and is frequently the primary source of drug information for other healthcare professionals.