NEWS
Medication Management Center teams with WellPoint NextRx
Kevin Boesen, director of COP’s Medication Management Center, announced April 2 that the center has signed a one-year contract to provide medication therapy management (MTM) services for WellPoint NextRx, one of the nation’s premier providers of pharmacy benefits management services.
“This is a great opportunity for the center,” says Boesen. “WellPoint NextRx is an industry leader. They were looking for a pharmacist-run call center with experience doing MTM. WellPoint NextRx looked at other call centers, and they chose us because of our experience and expertise in successfully providing this service.”
The COP Medication Management Center employs pharmacists to provide MTM to participants over the phone. |
Center staff leading the new partnership (from left): Kevin Boesen,
Jim Kloster, Ann Kerschen and Reg Roy.
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MTM involves helping people understand their medications and take them properly, reviewing participants’ medication regimens and, when appropriate, recommending alternative therapies to the participants’ physicians.
Under the new contract, the center will embark on a pilot program, working with thousands of WellPoint NextRx’s participants who qualify for MTM benefits. The center's pharmacists will have the opportunity to review both prescription and health records. Another unique feature of the program will be the communication between the pharmacists providing MTM services and the participant’s own case manager.
“The intent is for us to provide this pilot program for two years,” says Boesen. “That length of time will allow us to measure our success in the areas of cost savings, reduction in potential adverse events, preventing hospitalizations and partnering with NextRx case managers. If successful, we hope to expand the program with NextRx in the future.”
Implementation of the new service is being led by Ann Kerschen, medication management specialist, and Jim Kloster, manager of long-term care services. The program will be supported by Kevin Barber, director of medication management data systems, who developed an MTM software system, and Reg Roy, coordinator of clinical services.
In addition to providing the pilot program MTM services to WellPoint NextRx participants, the project presents opportunities for research studies. “Grant Skrepnek, assistant professor in Pharmacy Practice and Science, is helping us develop some research strategies,” says Boesen. “For example, we might compare these clients with similar groups receiving other types of MTM services. We think National Institutes of Health funding is a real possibility.”
The contract with WellPoint NextRx is effective for the 2008 calendar year.
Student pharmacists help at refugee clinic
Students in the college’s PharmD program are helping people from around the world by volunteering at a clinic for refugees and people seeking asylum in the U.S.
For the first time, pharmacy students are participating in the College of Medicine’s Commitment to Underserved People (CUP) program, which runs a free clinic for resettled, uninsured patients from Central America, Africa and many other locations.
Jennifer Corrigan (left) and Cydney Marrs,
PharmD class of 2010 students, counsel a patient
at the CUP Shubitz Family Clinic.
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The CUP Shubitz Family Clinic sees an especially sensitive population: many of its patients have medical issues from years of absent or poor medical care in their home countries, and many of them have been victims of torture. Since 1979, when the Family Clinic began, it had been staffed only by medical students and volunteer physicians – until this semester.
“This is the first collaboration in the CUP program between medical, nurse practitioner, and pharmacy students in a clinical setting other than the hospital,” says Paula Hughes, CUP program coordinator. “We are very excited to have pharmacy students supporting our clinic. They fill an important need." |
During the clinic, which serves approximately four to 10 patients per week, pharmacy students work with medical students, advising them on medications they may not be aware of and counseling patients on how to take medications. The pharmacy students may participate in the clinic’s long-standing vaccination program for children and teens through State Vaccines for Children program.
“It’s a very rewarding experience,” says Dominique Bradford, a PharmD student who has been volunteering at the clinic. “A lot of the clients are grateful just to have a place to go. Working with the medical students, we are learning to develop a more integrated approach to treating patients.”
Elizabeth Hall-Lipsy, COP’s program manager for health disparities and outreach, helped get pharmacy students involved with the clinic.
“This is a rare opportunity to work with an underserved population with very special needs,” says Hall-Lipsy. “Our students are getting experience that goes beyond just practicing pharmacy skills; they are getting the opportunity to meet and serve people from other cultures.”
Kevin Boesen, experiential education director, says, “From a teaching standpoint, we asked, ‘What are we doing to give back to the community? Can we be involved in sustaining a long-term program?’ Family Clinic seems to fit the bill.”
Amanda Jones, experiential education program assistant, organized the pharmacy students’ participation. Nearly 20 pharmacy students volunteered at the clinic this semester. Faculty and students are looking for ways to expand and improve the services the clinic provides.
Bootman honored by Phoenix mayor
Dean J. Lyle Bootman was recognized at the Phoenix City Council meeting April 29 by Mayor Phil Gordon for his leadership in the creation of the Phoenix Biomedical Campus and for his recent receipt of the Remington Honor Medal.
The council meeting was followed by a reception in Heritage Square Park at the Lath House Pavilion. Approximately 50 guests attended, including William Harris, president and CEO of Science Foundation Arizona; Fred Duval, Arizona Board of Regents; Claude Maddox, District 5 City Council; and Barry Broome, president and CEO of the Greater Phoenix Economic Council.
Gordon spoke at both the council meeting and the reception about Bootman's leadership and his skill at bringing people together for the right reasons. |
Dean Bootman (left) accepts the "Friend of Phoenix"
award
from Phoenix mayor Phil Gordon.
(Photo by Laura Bootman)
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He recalled the first time he met the dean, and how impressed he was with Bootman’s interest in building the biomedical campus in Phoenix.
Duval thanked the dean for his positive
attitude, mentioning how pleased the regents are with bringing the three universities together on the biomedical campus.
Bootman received a "Friend of Phoenix" plaque, which cited his many contributions to pharmacy, pharmacy education and the city.
The reception was sponsored by The Apothecary Shops, where alumnus John Musil, Class of 1994, is president and CEO, and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, where Chris Hogan, Class of 1982, is vice president, pharmacy management.
Pulido conference room dedicated
The conference room adjacent to Dean J. Lyle Bootman’s office in Drachman Hall was officially dubbed "The Dean’s Mary Pulido Conference Room” on May 1 during a dedication ceremony attended by approximately 50 friends and relatives of Charles and Mary Pulido.
Charlie and Mary Pulido in front
of the new oil painting of Mary.
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Charlie Pulido is a 1952 alumnus of the college who practiced pharmacy in Tucson, Phoenix and San Diego and held leadership positions in professional organizations for many years. Mary is his wife of nearly 57 years.
The naming of the conference room was the tribute Charlie and his son Mark, a 1976 College of Pharmacy alumnus, chose to honor Mary's own leadership and contributions to the pharmacy profession. During the dedication, Mary was praised for decades of selfless volunteer leadership to the auxiliary of the Arizona Pharmacy Association (now the Arizona Pharmacy Alliance). While raising her family of six children and serving on many other community organizations, Mary held multiple positions with the auxiliary, and is thought to be the only person to serve as chair or president of both the Tucson and Phoenix chapters and the state organization. Auxiliary fundraisers during Mary's years of involvement often benefited the College of Pharmacy, through scholarships, student loans, library books and other gifts. |
The dedication ceremony included the unveiling of the oil portrait of Mary that now graces the room named for her. The celebration continued with a luncheon at the Arizona Inn, where Mark Pulido thanked his mother for demonstrating the "principles of self-efficacy" to all of her children.
Students make a difference in the community
Pharmacy students touched many lives in the community during Spring Semester 2008. By volunteering their time and skills at events such as medication reviews, health fairs and Pharmacy Day at the Capitol, students provided a myriad of services, from cooking dinner for families at Ronald McDonald House, to providing free health screenings, to educating hundreds of people on subjects from poison prevention to medication therapy management. In short, the quantifiable services students provided were as follows:
- Volunteered on at least 261 occasions (some students volunteered for more than one event)
- Raised at least $2,635 for charities
- Screened at least 942 people for various health conditions such as diabetes, asthma and hypertension
- Referred at least 57 people for further testing and follow-up because the results of their screening tests indicated possible health problems
Five lauded for outstanding achievements
The university celebrated faculty, staff and students from around the campus on April 21 at a reception for Outstanding University Achievements.
The event recognized those individuals who earned significant honors in their field during the 2007-2008 academic year, and for whom, consequently, the USS Arizona bell housed in the Student Union Memorial Center was rung.
At the reception, COP was well represented with five honorees, more than any other college. President Robert Shelton congratulated the award winners, who included Dean J. Lyle Bootman, faculty Brian Erstad and Laurence Hurley, and students Kylee Eblin and Atal Wassimi.
COP is tied with the College of Science for having the most faculty and students awarded during the past three academic years, with 10 successful nominations each.
In past years, the colleges of science and medicine have had the most awardees. |
Kylee Eblin and the USS Arizona
bell, which was rung in her honor. |
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Faculty
Marie Chisholm-Burns, PharmD, head, Pharmacy Practice and Science, wrote the article, “Diversifying the Team,” which was published in the American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education 2008.
Martha Fankhauser, MS, clinical professor, Pharmacy Practice and Science, presented “The Impact of Nutrition, Sleep, and Exercise in Psychiatric Disorders,” at the British Columbia Psychopharmacology Conference in Vancouver Feb. 15. She also presented “Nutrition during Cancer Treatment,” to UA College of Medicine Cancer Block medical students March 11.
John Murphy, PharmD, associate dean and professor, Pharmacy Practice and Science, published the article, “Development and Evaluation of Two Nomograms for Determining Gentamicin Dosing Intervals in Neonates,” in the April 2008 issue of the American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy.
Eric Snyder, PhD, assistant professor, Pharmacy Practice and Science, has three articles in press: “Human PNMT Genetic Polymorphisms and Exercise-induced Epinephrine Release,” Physiological Genomics; “Sildenafil Improves Alveolar Capillary Conductance following Hypoxic Exercise in Healthy Humans,” European Journal of Applied Physiology; “Genetics of β2 Adrenergic Receptors and the Cardiopulmonary Response to Exercise,” Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews.
Terri Warholak, PhD, assistant professor, Pharmacy Practice and Science, published “An Evaluation of the Validity of Inferences Made from Three Diabetes Assessment Instruments: A Rasch Analysis” in the March 2008 issue of Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy.
Students
Padma Sundareshan, Class of 2009, and Marie Chisholm-Burns, PharmD, head, Pharmacy Practice and Science, have been selected as one of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy’s 52 recipient pairs in the 2008 Wal-Mart Annual Conference Scholarship Program.
The COP has elected new Student Council officers for 2008-2009. Congratulations to the following students: Whitney Shields, president;
Lisa Sexton, vice president;
Mike Sisk, treasurer;
and Brittany Traylor, secretary.
IN THE KNOW: Research from COP
Sid Patanwala, clinical assistant professor, Pharmacy Practice and Science, is working to improve patient safety in the fast-paced world of hospital emergency departments.
Patanwala, who received a PharmD from Drake University and completed two residencies at The University of Arizona before joining the faculty in 2007, is observing nurses on 12-hour shifts to discover the types of medication errors made in the emergency department.
“During these shifts I record all actual and potential medication errors, as well as situations which can compromise patient safety,” Patanwala says. “By following nurses we are optimally positioned to observe the medication use process.”
Patanwala and his research group will compare the data he collects to a national database of medication errors. He believes the databases may be missing many potential errors or “near misses” since the data is voluntarily reported.
“Our ultimate goal is to improve patient safety,” Patanwala says. “This study will help us identify deficiencies in the medication use process that may contribute to medication errors. This may lead to system changes in the emergency department that would facilitate the minimization—and hopefully the elimination—of future errors.” |
