Phenylephrine is the most popular oral decongestant in the country, but further scrutiny by scientists has found that the ingredient is actually no better than a placebo.

Chris Casey | September 19, 2023

You’re attending an international conference. The workshops have been carefully vetted, and rehearsed speakers are ready to share their cutting edge solutions to world problems.

What about the problems without solutions? What about the issues we can’t solve… yet?

Jordan Kellerman | September 18, 2023

When entering the lobby of the CU Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2018 alumnus Lee Amaya can be found immortalized in rap video he created while a student in the PharmD program, representing the diverse talent among the CU Pharmacy Alumni. Now just a few years later, Dr. Amaya recalls his student experience and those moments that impacted his learning and contributed to his success as a pharmacist today working in the specialty area of Infectious Diseases.

In honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15^th, we celebrate Dr. Amaya and other CU Pharmacy alumni of Latina/Latino descent for their significant contributions in the field of Pharmacy and to the community.

Jaron Bryant | September 01, 2023

The nation’s fentanyl overdose crisis appeared within a few steps of Eduardo Ornelas at a recent music festival in Colorado.

Chris Casey and Ryan Wuller | August 30, 2023

Colorado is one of the most progressive states in the nation in which to practice pharmacy. The state was one of the first in the nation to allow pharmacists to prescribe HIV medications, removing a barrier for the 15,000+ Coloradans living with HIV; one of the first to allow pharmacists to give immunizations, something that helped prevent severe disease and death during the COVID emergency; and one of the first states to grant pharmacists provider status, which allows pharmacists to effectively work with a greater healthcare team to optimize patient-centered care.

Jordan Kellerman | August 30, 2023

This article was originally featured on Walmart Health and Wellness Linkedin. Alumna Elizabeth Piehl, PharmD '22, has been working in community pharmacy as part of the Walmart team since she was a student. 

SOP Communications | August 14, 2023

This spring, Assistant Professor Kelly E. Anderson, PhD, MPP, watched as drug maker Ely Lilly slashed insulin prices – a move to make insulin more accessible to millions of Americans.

“It was a watershed moment,” she said. 

Jordan Kellerman | August 08, 2023

Researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus have helped confirm the dosing, safety and effectiveness of a drug formulation designed for treating children with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Laura Kelley | August 03, 2023

The alumni association for the CU Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences recently selected it newest board member to begin a three year term this July. As a member of the Class of 2003 and a faculty member, Dr. Monika Nuffer brings a broad perspective to help direct the goals of the association.

Jaron Bryant | July 30, 2023

The Alumni Association for the CU Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences is proud to unveil the recipients for the fourth annual alumni awards. This year's honorees are Susan Finstrom, RPh '86, Kristin Holmes, PharmD '13, and Paul Limberis, RPh '79. The awardees will be honored Friday, Nov. 3, 2023 during the 4th Annual CU Pharmacy Alumni Awards as part of Homecoming weekend. 

Jaron Bryant | July 30, 2023

2014 alumnus Norman Fenn recently joined the Alumni Association Board. As one of its newest leaders, Dr. Fenn explores his career since graduation and the lessons learned in that time.

Jaron Bryant | July 30, 2023

The National Prescription Drug Take Back Day aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of medications. In April, the scheduled Drug Take Back Day was organized at CU Anschutz students from the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) American Student Pharmacists chapter, over the counter medicine safety group and led by two PharmD students, Daniel Donovan and Benjamin Abraham.

SOP Communications | July 24, 2023

Tom Anchordoquy, PhD, hates cancer. And, for most of his professional life as a professor and researcher with the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, he’s been focused on new ways to deliver drugs to tumors. His latest research, however, is taking a different approach.

Lori Westermann | July 13, 2023

It's been said that two heads are better than one. That adage is especially true when it comes to scientific research and harnessing some of the most brilliant minds in the field. That collaborative spirit of discovery is the inspiration behind the Skaggs Scholars Program established in 2011.

SOP Communications | July 06, 2023

A trio of PharmD students set a record this spring, taking fourth place at the American Colleges of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP) Clinical Research Challenge (CRC) and clinching the highest win for any CU Pharmacy team in the history of the competition.

Jordan Kellerman | July 01, 2023

Dr. Andrew Webb, a 2013 alumnus of the University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, is an example of excellence and innovation in the field of pharmacy. Since graduating, Dr. Webb has embarked on a remarkable journey marked by his unwavering commitment to patient care and health informatics. This month's alumni spotlight provides a glimpse into his career path, highlighting his growth as a professional. 

Jaron Bryant | June 30, 2023

Clinical pharmaceutical research. Drug trials. Pharmaceutical trial patients. These medical buzzwords have a new home at CU Pharmacy – making the school a key player in not only developing new pharmaceuticals, but managing drug trials so new developments in pharmacy can be brought to the market, and one day save a life.

Jordan Kellerman | June 21, 2023

The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus this week announced the Anschutz Acceleration Initiative, a program to advance cutting-edge healthcare innovations that are poised to reach patients within the next three to five years.

Julia Milzer | June 07, 2023

Before she left to hike Mount Everest base camp, Chandler Follett, PharmD, Clinical Instructor, said it would be fine.

“Hiking is just walking around with your backpack, right?” she mused.

Jordan Kellerman | June 06, 2023

The journey from small-town roots provided 2007 alumnus Robert Willis an opportunity that not only directed and shaped his career as a pharmacist but also provided him the road map to self-discovery, making him the person he is today. In celebration of Pride Month this June, Dr. Willis reflects on his college experience that launched his Pharmacy career and brought him to the realization of his identity as a gay man.

Jaron Bryant | June 01, 2023

Erika Freitas, PhD, inaugural Assistant Dean for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, wants to level set on her position title. 

“To me, the order matters and it should be equity first,” she says, “because that’s where we have the potential to make more immediate impact. And without equity, diversity and inclusion will never achieve the needed depth for true transformation.”  

Jordan Kellerman | May 22, 2023

Research is critical to healthcare, from improving treatments to finding causes, and CU Pharmacy’s PhD graduates are up for the challenge.

Jordan Kellerman | May 21, 2023

Maria Trivino doesn’t stop moving. She runs. She swims. She works full-time. And for the last two years she’s been working on her master’s degree in Cannabis Science and Medicine at CU Pharmacy.

Jordan Kellerman | May 20, 2023

The CU Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences shined a spotlight on high-achieving students recently during the 2023 Awards Convocation Ceremony.  See the full list of award winners below:

SOP Communications | May 19, 2023

Determination doesn’t sleep, and neither does Lisa Chang, BS, MBA, and soon to be Doctor of Pharmacy from the North American-Trained PharmD program (NTPD).

Unlike traditional PharmD programs, where training is in-person, the NTPD program at CU Pharmacy is built for individuals already licensed to practice pharmacy but who want the added benefits of a doctoral degree.

Jordan Kellerman | May 17, 2023

When the Class of 2023 started at Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, it was the fall of 2019. COVID-19 did not even exist. Online learning was not totally mainstream. Eager to get started, the class came to CU Pharmacy ready to pave their own path.

Jordan Kellerman | May 15, 2023

The CU Pharmacy chapter of the national Rho Chi Pharmacy Honor Society had much to celebrate at their recent annual induction ceremony. In addition to commemorating the 75^th anniversary of their Alpha Theta chapter, they were also celebrating the fact that they beat out 131 other chapters to receive the national Rho Chi Chapter Achievement Award. The Chapter Achievement Award recognizes the full scope of chapter activities as documented in the Annual Chapter Report and reflective in a comprehensive video.

Lori Westermann | May 13, 2023

It’s no secret that Coloradans are struggling with substance use and mental health issues.

Laura Veith | May 12, 2023

Keep The Party Safe, Colorado’s awareness effort to prevent fentanyl overdoses, and AEG Presents: Rocky Mountains,have launched a new partnership to help educate concertgoers in Colorado about the risk of fentanyl contaminated recreational drugs across the state.

SOP Communications | May 10, 2023

The Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention, housed in the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, is part of a state-wide coalition recognized with a first-of-its-kind award. The John’s Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health issued its first official recognition of Excellence in the Application of the Opioid Litigation Principles to the State of Colorado for distinction in incorporating the Opioid Litigation Principles into its process for distribution of national opioid litigation settlement funds.

Brad Bobel | May 08, 2023

Giving up has never been an option for 2003 graduate Hien Pham. Not even a cancer diagnosis could disrupt her goal of becoming a pharmacist and living life to the fullest.

Jaron Bryant | April 30, 2023

The first Earth Day, celebrated on April 21, 1970, was the start of the modern-day environmental movement. Since that time, citizens around the globe have developed a heightened awareness of how human progress is impacting the health of the globe and therefore the health of the humans who inhabit the pale blue orb.

Lori Westermann | April 18, 2023

The Elliman Conference room in the Strauss Health Sciences building was filled close to capacity. Students and faculty from across the CU Anschutz Campus, healthcare professionals, along with students from Regis University, came together for one purpose: to learn how to administer naloxone to reverse a potentially fatal opioid overdose. They walked away with that, and much more.

Lori Westermann | April 10, 2023

In celebration of Arab-American Heritage Month this April, we feature 2016 CU Pharmacy alumna Lana Al-Omar as the Alumni Spotlight. Lana reflects on her time as a student on campus, catching us up to date on where she is today, along with sharing pearls of wisdom to guide future pharmacists.

Jaron Bryant | April 03, 2023

The recent Food and Drug Administration approval of the nasal spray Narcan is good news for music festival attendees hoping to carry the medication in case they witness an opioid overdose.

Laura Kelley | March 30, 2023

One of the most-anticipated veterans and military healthcare conferences in the Western Region will return to the Anschutz Medical Campus, April 21-23, 2023.

Bob Mook | March 27, 2023

At first glance, the Education South classroom at the CU Anschutz Medical Campus looked like any other health sciences education space. But the countdown clock prominently displayed on the screen, along with the playful tension in the room, indicated something a little different was going on.

Lori Westermann | March 14, 2023

Researcher and scientist Qiong Zhou, MS, finds herself, quite literally, at the center of drug discovery and innovation.

Kristen O'Neill | March 10, 2023

As professor and founding director of the Center for Drug Discovery (CDD) at the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Daniel LaBarbera, PhD, is leading the forefront of drug innovation.

Kristen O'Neill | March 10, 2023

International pharmaceutical corporation Ely Lilly and Company slashed the list price of insulin 70 percent, and capped patient insulin out-of-pocket costs at $35 per month. For University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Assistant Professor Kelly Anderson, PhD, MPP, the move, in conjunction with state and federal legislative efforts to cap insulin out-of-pocket costs, is a “watershed moment” in making prescription medications accessible and affordable.

Jordan Kellerman | March 07, 2023

Donald A. Vecchio  “Don” died February 8, 2023, a few months short of his 91st birthday. Don was a man of faith who loved life and lived it to the fullest.  He was the only child of Dominic and Mary Vecchio, raised in North Denver where he graduated from North High School. Don received his pharmacy degree at CU Boulder, followed by four years of service in the Army. 

SOP Communications | March 03, 2023

2003 alumna Hilda Bi Ndikum has experienced several transitions in the growth of the CU Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. As a student in the Doctor of Pharmacy program, she first took pharmacy courses when the School was located on the University of Colorado campus at Ninth Avenue and Colorado Boulevard. She joined the faculty when the School relocated to the Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, operating out of the Academic Office Building. She continues in her faculty role today with the School now in its own dedicated building at Anschutz.

Jaron Bryant | March 03, 2023

On Thursday, Feb. 23, CU Pharmacy transformed its regular lunch and learn into an Alumni Association panel discussion for Black History Month. Hosted by the CU Pharmacy Alumni Association, in collaboration with the Career Services Office and the School’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, the event provided the opportunity for students to network with alumni and ask questions about their journey in the pharmacy profession.

SOP Communications | February 27, 2023

Recently, The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy® (NABP®) released its most up-to-date North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination® (NAPLEX®) results, showing University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (CU Pharmacy) graduates had a first-time pass rate of 96 percent. Only two other schools in North America saw higher scores.

Jordan Kellerman | February 21, 2023

Roy Dean Brunson, Pharm.D. class of 2006, passed away on January 15, 2023. He was born February 12, 1955, in Fort Hood, TX, and spent his early childhood in Hawaii.  Roy had several careers before choosing pharmacy. Most notably, he was a tennis pro at the Coco Palms Resort in Kauai, HI, where he met his wife, Carol.  

SOP Communications | February 16, 2023

It felt like a virtual who’s who of pharmacy rockstars at the recent Research Roundtable hosted by the Honors Program at CU Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (SSPPS). From a second-year PharmD student who described her current foray into the research field, to a seasoned faculty researcher who once rounded with Dr. Fauci at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the passion for research, at all stages, was on full display.

Lori Westermann | February 11, 2023

Jeff Gold, PharmD, has a name fit for the bright lights, whether it’s the lights of a film crew, or the lights of a professional wrestling match. Those film lights found him for the Netflix documentary, “Take Your Pills: Xanax”, as he is a leading psychiatric pharmacist at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Aurora, Colorado and a specialist on medications like Xanax and other benzodiazepines.

Brad Bobel | February 06, 2023

CU Pharmacy alumnus Harold Okocha, PharmD ‘12, recently discussed his pharmacy career. As a board member of the CU Pharmacy Alumni Association and a member of the School’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, Dr. Okocha stands as a leader and role model for future pharmacists.

Jaron Bryant | February 03, 2023

The Protocol Review and Monitoring System (PRMS) in the University of Colorado Cancer Center’s Clinical Trials Office is under new leadership. 

Greg Glasgow | January 30, 2023

Based on the expressions from the elementary students in the room it looked like all fun and games. But as lighthearted as the event was, becoming a '"Pharmacist for a Day” held a serious message.

cupharmacy | January 30, 2023

The Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences is excited to welcome Dr. Manisha Patel as the new Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies. With her 20 years of research experience, Dr. Patel is bringing a range of experiences and passion for answering the unknown. 

Brad Bobel | January 24, 2023

The Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (CU Pharmacy) at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is thrilled to announce a pharmacy pipeline program with the University of Colorado Denver (CU Denver). The partnership programallows students to enter CU Denver as an undergraduate and seamlessly transition to CU Pharmacy to earn their Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD).  

SOP Communications | January 19, 2023

Pharmacists at the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences are leading the charge in the field of pharmacogenomics with their knowledge of how genetics influence how drugs work in the body.

Brad Bobel | January 09, 2023

CU Pharmacy 2016 alumna Kelsey Schwander returned to her alma mater as a Clinical Assistant Professor, practicing out of the Marcus Institute for Brain Health to provide assessments and medication recommendations for patients who have suffered from brain injury. Her body of work serves to fulfill her personal mission of empowering patients, providers, and businesses to create healthcare solutions.

Jaron Bryant | January 01, 2023

The School of Pharmacy keeps a running list of publications in partnership with Strauss Library to highlight published research. This page is updated at the end of each month, and we are working to refine our search and filtering fields. During this process we may inadvertently miss a research paper. If you notice this, please let us know by emailing sop.communcations@cuanschutz.edu.

SOP Communications | January 01, 2023

Was it really 2020 (too)? Or was 2022 much different than 2020? This year CU Pharmacy expanded its reach with awards, a new remote program, and in-person events (again!). Twenty twenty-two was not twenty twenty-too. It was a year to flourish.
 

SOP Communications | December 20, 2022

Over twenty-five years ago, the Distance Degrees and Programs (DDP) Office at the CU Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences changed how students access advanced education in healthcare with its breakthrough North-American Trained PharmD program. Recently, the  DDP office was recognized for its work when it was awarded the Global Education SIG 2022 Outstanding Program Award from the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) for its International Trained PharmD pathway. The award recognizes an established program or unit within a School or College of Pharmacy for their outstanding work and impact within the area of global education.

Jordan Kellerman | December 13, 2022

It was life full circle in 2022 as a return to normalcy occurred and in-person activity amped up. Along with the numerous alumni featured each month, a full schedule of activities kept CU Pharmacy alumni involved. Here is just a glimpse of the year 2022 as we draw the year to a close:

Jaron Bryant | December 05, 2022

Pharmaceutical Sciences Professor Manisha Patel, PhD, begins her term as president of the American Epilepsy Society (AES) at the conclusion of the Society’s annual meeting in Nashville, Dec. 2- 6. A medical and scientific society of 4,700 members, the AES is dedicated to advancing research and education for preventing, treating and curing epilepsy. Founded in 1946, AES is an inclusive global forum where professionals from academia, private practice, not-for-profit, government and industry can learn, share and grow to eradicate epilepsy and its consequences.

SOP Communications | December 05, 2022

The Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences’ (CU Pharmacy) faculty have a long history of holding leadership positions throughout the country. Associate Dean of Student Affairs, Brian Hemstreet, PharmD, has recently joined that list after being elected President of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP). Just like how his hobbies of biking and skiing take him to the mountains, he will be bringing his leadership skills to new heights.

Brad Bobel | November 29, 2022

Dr. Meghan Jeffres, PharmD, sounds off on using cephalosporin antibiotics when a patient has a penicillin allergy. Breakpoints is a podcast produced by the Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacists (SIDP).

SOP Communications | November 23, 2022

The national Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) strives to increase diversity in the scientific workforce. This year, the organization found the highest embodiment of its ideals at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.

Chris Casey | November 10, 2022

CU Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences’ Paul Reynolds, PharmD, joined a short list of elite educators earlier this month when he accepted the Critical Care Practice and Research Network (PRN) Educator Award from the American Colleges of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP) at its 2022 Global Conference. The award honors a member who has made substantial and outstanding contributions to clinical pharmacy education at either the undergraduate or the postgraduate level.

Jordan Kellerman | November 02, 2022

Fentanyl’s growth from its original design as an effective surgical pain management tool to a leading cause of overdose death and concern has happened quickly – with severe consequences. 

Matthew Hastings | November 01, 2022

The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus hosted its second annual Research Awards ceremony on Oct. 25. More than 125 people gathered to recognize the contributions of their fellow colleagues with cheers and standing ovations. With eight different award categories and over a dozen individual awardees, the event highlighted the significant depth, strength and teamwork of the CU Anschutz research community.

Megan Lane | October 31, 2022

The Alumni Association of the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences held their third-annual Alumni Awards which honored three outstanding alumni, spanning three generations of pharmacists.

SOP Communications | October 31, 2022

CU Pharmacy alumni spanning 60 years of graduates gathered with their friends and family, along with students, faculty, and staff, on the CU Boulder campus, Saturday, Oct. 29 to celebrate the annual Homecoming event at Ralphie’s Corral.

“We have represented with us today 60 years of alumni from 1959 to 2018 and we’re happy to have everyone here,” said Dean Ralph Altiere.

SOP Communications | October 31, 2022

In an American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP) journals podcast, Dr. Sara Wettergreen, PharmD, speaks on harnessing the power of placebos and mitigating nocebo effects. 

SOP Communications | October 19, 2022

In a Society of Healthcare Epidemiology of American (SHEA) podcast, Dr. Megan Jeffres, PharmD, BCIDP, discusses why intravenous (IV) to oral (PO) conversion has immense potential to benefit patients by preventing unnecessary intravenous therapy associated with risks such as prolonged length of stay, line-associated infections, and excess cost and inconvenience.

SOP Communications | October 12, 2022

Growing up in a family of machinists, Carlos Catalano was fascinated by the inner workings of devices. Wrist watches, especially, weren’t safe around the family home in Southern California.

Chris Casey | October 05, 2022

A new study published in today’s issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) analyzes the benefits and harms of prior authorization (PA) policies for Medicare and the impact these policies have on patients and clinicians. 

Julia Milzer | October 03, 2022

R. Brett McQueen, PhD, assistant professor at the University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, along with his colleagues at the University of Exeter, UK, have been awarded a two-year, $600K grant from JDRF to develop a comprehensive web-based tool to inform global public health adoption and therapeutic investment decisions on the costs and benefits of identifying people at risk of type-1 diabetes (T1D) world-wide. McQueen is principal investigator on the project, with Exeter co-investigators Dr. Richard Oram, MD, associate professor, Diabetes UK Harry Keen Fellow; Prof. Jonathan Fieldsend, Professor of Computational Intelligence; and Dr. Lauric Ferrat, PhD, applied mathematician.

Jordan Kellerman | October 01, 2022

2010 alumnus Charles Foster finds value in incorporating advanced technology to move forward the work of pharmacy. He’s even gone as far as to create a website specifically designed for pharmacy professionals to network through an online community.

Jaron Bryant | September 30, 2022

When Manisha Patel, PhD, was notified she had been awarded the Javits Award in Neuroscience, she was honored. The Javits Award is a conditional, seven-year research grant given to scientists for their superior competence and outstanding productivity. 

Jordan Kellerman | September 20, 2022

A new study suggests that therapeutic interventions to treat neurodevelopmental disorders may be more effective if done during the early stages of brain development.

Julia Milzer | September 01, 2022

Kevin Hines’ life certainly should have ended the day he threw himself off San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge.

Fortunately, he had a revelation the millisecond he took the jump and lived to tell his story with the mission of educating and inspiring others on what literally pushed him to the edge and what he’s learned through surviving.

Bob Mook | September 01, 2022

2012 graduate Michaela Hasan never imagined she'd return to the CU Anschutz Medical Campus. Through networking and reconnecting with faculty from her days as a pharmacy student, she found herself at the doorstep of the CU School of Pharmacy once again--this time returning as a member of the faculty at the newest facility operating out of the recently completed Health Sciences Building.

Jaron Bryant | September 01, 2022

Joseph Gal, PhD, was trained in chemistry, is fluent in French, and spent most of his career in medical science research. More recently, he focused his activities on the history of science and more specifically on the renowned French scientist Louis Pasteur.

Laura Veith | August 22, 2022

Among the biggest obstacles in studying and treating brain tumors are the blood-brain and blood-tumor barriers (BBTB). Generally, just a small amount of drug that is injected into the blood to treat brain tumors is able to penetrate blood vessel walls and accumulate in the brain.

Rachel Sauer | August 10, 2022

1972 CU Pharmacy alumnus Robert Fowler wears many different hats as a pharmacist, city coroner and minister, establishing a reputation for multitasking in order to meet community needs. For anyone who has ever thought about how far you can go with a pharmacy degree, Robert demonstrates the possibilities when you use your background knowledge to think outside of the box and apply your degree to areas that most would never consider as an option with a pharmacy degree.

Jaron Bryant | July 29, 2022

NOTE: This post originally appeared in PR Newswire on June 1, 2022. It has been edited for clarity and space.

The University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (CU Pharmacy) and TRC Healthcare (TRC) have launched a new training program to help pharmacists deliver better healthcare for patients who use cannabis products. The online program, known as RxAdvanced: Guide to Cannabis, gives pharmacists a foundational knowledge of cannabis that strengthens their role as stewards of public health.

SOP Communications | July 25, 2022

Is melatonin safe for children? Can you take it in addition to other medications? Luke E. Orth, PharmD, BCPPS, an assistant professor in the Department of Clinical Pharmacy at the University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences and a clinical pharmacy specialist at Children’s Hospital Colorado, addresses the factors to consider when taking melatonin to help you fall asleep.

Kiley Carroll | July 25, 2022

The Experiential Programs at CU School of Pharmacy are an integral part of its PharmD education, comprising over 33% of the curriculum. The hands-on learning allows students clinical training opportunities to ensure that students have the self-confidence and ability to practice independently upon graduation.

Jordan Kellerman | July 19, 2022

Could oxidative stress, a condition known to cause inflammation and cellular breakdown, impact the trajectory of Down syndrome cell development?

Guest Contributor | July 19, 2022

Since June, the number of COVID-19 infections started rising again, as the most transmissible omicron variant started picking up delta variant mutations leading to new subvariants BA.4/BA.5 and Deltacron variants. Out of all the five known variants of concern, which have been shown to evade therapeutic antibodies and vaccines developed against unmutated, original SARS-CoV-2 virus, delta is the most virulent leading to severe symptoms and increased mortality among infected people. A new peer-reviewed study provides answers to why delta is the most lethal variant of SARS-CoV-2.

Julia Milzer | July 15, 2022

The annual meeting of the Colorado Pharmacists Society (CPS) was held June 2-3, 2022, and many of our own were honored with distinguished awards. CPS improves patient care and public health by advancing and supporting the professional practice of pharmacy while serving as the voice of pharmacy in Colorado. CPS provides support and services to over 800 member pharmacists, technicians and associated pharmacy professionals. Congratulations to all of those honored.

SOP Communications | July 15, 2022

Note: Portions of this media release originally appeared on the FDA website. It has been edited for content and space.

On June 6, 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration revised the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir and ritonavir), to authorize state-licensed pharmacists to prescribe Paxlovid to eligible patients, with certain limitations to ensure appropriate patient assessment and prescribing of Paxlovid.

SOP Communications | July 11, 2022

The Alumni Association for the CU Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences is proud to unveil the recipients for the third annual Alumni Awards. This year's honorees are Edward Skaff, RPh '59, Kristin Speer, PharmD '12, and Laura Tydall, PharmD (RPh '82).

Jaron Bryant | July 01, 2022

2012 CU Pharmacy alumna Julia Slejko has traded places going from student to faculty with her career in academia. She had been working in biotech for about seven years before considering graduate school, taking pharmaceutical sciences courses as a non-degree student at the CU Skaggs School of Pharmacy in Pharmaceutical Sciences in the early 2000s. Then she discovered CU Pharmacy's Center for Pharmaceutical Outcomes Research (CePOR) degree program and found her fit in pharmacoenomics, the scientific discipline which compares the value of one pharmaceutical drug or drug therapy to another.

Jaron Bryant | July 01, 2022

Professor. Researcher. Fulbright awardee. Cindy O’Bryant, PharmD, can now add Associate Dean for Academic and Faculty Affairs to her impressive CV.

Jordan Kellerman | June 28, 2022

At the close of each academic year, we acknowledge outstanding students who have been recognized both within their program and from external organizations. Congratulations to all students for their hard work and continued dedication to the fields of pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences.

SOP Communications | June 20, 2022

NOTE: This release was originally published by the National Lipid Association on June 4, 2022. It has been edited for clarity and space.

SOP Communications | June 16, 2022

COVID-19 infections have plummeted, mask mandates are dropping, and the state of Colorado is welcoming the spring with a renewed sense of “post-Covid” enthusiasm. But not all Coloradans are breathing easier. According to the CDC, approximately 1.75 million people, or a third of the population in the state, have yet to be vaccinated. Many of these people are part of historically underserved, marginalized communities where access to health care is low and vaccination hesitancy is high.

Jordan Kellerman | June 14, 2022

At the close of each academic year, we recognize outstanding leadership and awards from our team of faculty and researchers. Congratulations to the Spring 2022 awardees.

SOP Communications | June 08, 2022

A new study published in today’s issue of Biochemistry is the first to explore the effects of multiple mutations in the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 variants. The findings can help scientists better understand the properties of current and new variants.

Julia Milzer | June 07, 2022

The alumni association for the CU Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences recently selected board members to begin terms this July. Each member brings a unique skill set and perspective to helping guide the work of the association.

Jaron Bryant | June 03, 2022

2012 CU Pharmacy alumna Renee Castilleja (née Torres) hits new stride in career as a long term care pharmacist, stepping out of her comfort zone and aligning her passion for working in geriatrics.

Jaron Bryant | June 03, 2022

“I’ve always been interested in science . . . but I had a personal, really adverse reaction to a medication, and I had to stop and think, what can we do to make medications better? And what can we do to make the best medications available to people who need them?”

Jordan Kellerman | May 25, 2022

She originally intended to be a medical doctor, but thought pre-med and biology sounded boring, so she majored in neuroscience in undergrad. Later, when she had free time in her course schedule, she took an elective on the history of country music. Now, Jordan Palan is graduating with her MS in Pharmaceutical Sciences with a concentration in pharmacokinetics – and she loves working at her fellowship with the CU Innovations Team.

Jordan Kellerman | May 24, 2022

Arjay Mendoza is an avid tennis player. He tries to play at least twice a week, at some newly renovated courts close to his house.

Jordan Kellerman | May 23, 2022

When Faithful Anane-Asane left Ghana at age 17, he knew he would be back. Born and raised there, he moved to the United States in 2007. More than a decade later, he returned for an Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) rotation, where he was able to combine his internship with a family visit to enjoy good food and education at the same time.

Jordan Kellerman | May 21, 2022

The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is a leader in the field of integrating pharmacogenomics into clinical care.

Megan Lane | May 17, 2022

NOTE: This article originally appeared in Pharmacy Practice News; Dave Doolittle, writer.

Cindy O’Bryant, PharmD, didn’t know quite what to expect in the days leading up to a trip to Nigeria late last year that was designed to help strengthen cancer treatment and care in the African nation. Although she has met several Nigerian healthcare professionals and students as a clinical pharmacy professor at the University of Colorado Anschutz Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences she had no first-hand knowledge of how her colleagues there treated cancer patients.

Guest Contributor | May 03, 2022

As this month’s 2022 Milestone feature, Kristin Speer (nee Braschler) looks back 10 years ago since graduating from the CU Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. She offers insight and advice for the next generation of pharmacists.

Jaron Bryant | April 29, 2022

The best part about being a student at CU Pharmacy is the ample opportunities we are granted through school. We have access to renowned preceptors and diverse experiences for our Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) rotations. I was lucky enough to have my elective APPE rotation with Gina Moore, PharmD, and Emily Zadvorny, PharmD, legislative chair/past president and current Executive Director of Colorado Pharmacists Society (CPS), respectively. This rotation was certainly unconventional being that it was not clinical at all, but rather policy and advocacy focused.

cupharmacy | April 25, 2022

An enzyme that has been identified as instrumental in the progression of many types of cancer is meeting its match in inhibitors synthesized and evaluated by University of Colorado (CU) Cancer Center researchers.

Rachel Sauer | April 04, 2022

This year marks the 100^th anniversary of Rho Chi, the academic honor society for pharmacy. In special acknowledgment of the occasion, this month’s alumni spotlight focuses on a former president of the CU Pharmacy Alpha Theta chapter of Rho Chi, Laura Tyndall. Laura marks her 40-year anniversary as a 1982 graduate of CU Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. She looks back on the last 40 years and the opportunities that have come her way in that time. Continuing with the feature on alumni milestones, Laura provides a retrospective on the changes she’s experienced in the pharmacy profession and her role in influencing those changes.

Jaron Bryant | March 29, 2022

William F. Carlyle, 97, passed away Monday, Feb. 7, 2022 in Urbana, IL. A 1950 graduate of the University of Colorado School of Pharmacy, Bill was a pharmacist and manager of McBride’s pharmacies on Main Street and Lincoln Square in Urbana until his retirement.

SOP Communications | March 09, 2022

For this month’s 2022 Milestone feature, Terrie Sajbel, RPh ’82 looks back over the past 40 years since graduating from the CU Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. As a two-time Preceptor of the Year through the School’s Experiential Programs, Terrie has nurtured future pharmacists adding to the community of highly regarded professionals in the industry.

Jaron Bryant | February 26, 2022

Before coming to CU Pharmacy, P1 Webster Cleveland had a career as an Aviation Electronics Technician (AT) for the U.S. Navy. He received accelerated advancement to E-4 3rd Class Petty Officer out of technical school, and soon after was promoted to the rank of E-5 2nd Class Petty Officer in his first enlistment.  When ATs reach the rank of Master Chief Petty Officer E-9, they are promoted to Avionics Technicians.  

Jordan Kellerman | February 23, 2022

In celebration of Black History Month, CU Anschutz is launching the “Get to Know” series to highlight Black excellence on campus year-round – leaders, innovators and change makers who are accomplishing the extraordinary in their fields every day. The “Get to Know” series will expand throughout the year as an inclusive platform for voices on our campus.  

Kiley Carroll | February 22, 2022

Tell us more about yourself. What shaped who you are today?
I was born and raised in Ghana, West Africa but have spent the majority of my life here in America. We did not have much growing up but my father was determined to change our circumstances for the better. He worked incredibly hard and sacrificed a lot to bring my mother, sister, and I here in hopes of opening up a new world of opportunities that would otherwise not be available to us.

SOP Communications | February 16, 2022

Black History is American History, and all February we are recognizing individuals who are standouts in their field in honor of Black History Month. Their dedication to their craft is moving our world forward, one step at a time. Check back all month as we update this page with more standout history makers!

SOP Communications | February 16, 2022

On Feb. 3, Kenny Yuan, PharmD, ’21, passed away unexpectedly. Born and raised in Richmond, VA, Kenny was completing his post-graduate-year-one residency in Arizona at the Southern Arizona Veterans Affairs Healthcare System. Before coming to CU Pharmacy, Kenny completed his undergraduate studies at the Virginia Military Institute and served six years in the United States Army. He attributed his studies in pharmacy and leadership experience in the military with guiding him through his work as a pharmacist. In particular, he was interested in clinical research, critical care, and infectious diseases.

SOP Communications | February 15, 2022

During their fourth year, all CU Pharmacy students participate in a series of six-week Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE). P4 Chase Allen spent his APPE working in an underserved rural hospital in Trinidad, Colorado. Listen to Chase share his experience from helping to redesign the new in-patient/out-patient pharmacy to lots of free minor league baseball and the best fajitas in the state!

cupharmacy | February 14, 2022

Opportunity has always been important to University of Colorado alumni Dan ’94 and Kristen ’88 Womer. It’s why they chose to include scholarships for the CU Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences and the College of Music in their estate plans. In their words, “If we can help even one student to graduate without debt, we will feel like we have left an important legacy to the university.”

SOP Communications | February 10, 2022

Artin (Art) Shoukas, PhD, a Johns Hopkins University professor emeritus, would have never dreamed he’d be using marijuana every night in his retirement years. He melts the medicinal form – mostly cannabidiol (CBD) with just a touch of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) – under his tongue before dinner.

Debra Melani | February 10, 2022

As a second-year pharmacy student, we complete our first hospital health system experience of our pharmacy career (as part of the CU Pharmacy Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience, IPPE). I am very passionate about rural pharmacy and so I matched to do this rotation experience in Salida, CO at Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center (HRRMC).

cupharmacy | February 10, 2022

Dr. David Gurule, PharmD, '16, joined us for 5 Minutes with a Pharmacist, a new series on why our alums live and work in Colorado. "I was born and raised in rural Colorado so to me it has always been what I have known," he says. "I really enjoy the people. I get to see most on a regular basis and have formed relationships with them and their families."

SOP Communications | February 09, 2022

2022 marks a milestone year for the classes of ‘82, ’92, ‘02, and ’12. All year long, we’ll be spotlighting alumni from each of these classes as they provide a retrospective on life at CU Pharmacy and their career success. ’02 alumna, Elisha DeLong Sieg kicks off the first 2022 alumni spotlight.

Jaron Bryant | January 28, 2022

Any medical professional will tell you that kids need special attention. So, when assistant professor Lucas Orth, PharmD, had the opportunity to work with the Colorado Pediatric Preparedness for the Emergency Room (COPPER) program, he knew it was worth his time.  

Jordan Kellerman | January 25, 2022

Perhaps Marguerite Cole Moore, ’60, was predestined to become a pharmacist. Her father, Wallace Cole, grew up in Salida, Colorado, and worked there for Wagoner’s Drug Store. When he graduated from high school in 1924, he worked in Denver for Maier Drug and Strickland Drug Company, prior to enrolling in the Capitol College of Pharmacy. After graduating in 1928, he purchased a drug store in Center, Colorado. Eventually, he ended up buying Pioneer Drug in Lamar, Colorado, which he renamed Cole’s Prescription Pharmacy. He received his fifty-year certificate of Pharmacy Registration in 1978.

SOP Communications | January 14, 2022

Omicron is hitting the nation hard, pushing delta out as it infects at a higher rate of speed than any SARS-CoV-2 variant so far. In past days, infection rates in some of Colorado’s mountain towns have topped the nation, even in areas with high vaccination rates.

Debra Melani | January 11, 2022

Throughout the pandemic, we have struggled to get ahead of COVID-19. Now, with research from the Mallela Research Lab at the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, scientists can take steps to be proactive instead of reactive – and possibly predict how the virus will act next.

Jordan Kellerman | January 10, 2022

For P4 Madison Ricco, pharmaceutical research has been a passion of hers as long as she can remember. As an undergrad, she led research projects at her institution. As a P1, she enrolled in the honors program for a research-intensive experience. And, as a P2, she enrolled in the Master of Science (MS) in Pharmaceutical Sciences degree; the first student to ever attempt both programs congruently.

Jordan Kellerman | January 10, 2022

“Story Slam always sticks out as this event, this kind of seminal event in their pharmacy training, where they really become a unified class.”

Jay Bolan, Senior Academic Coordinator for Experiential Programs, reflects on the annual event typically done in the spring of the P1year. Story Slam is a friendly competition of amateur storytelling in which the audience selects the best story, or storyteller. Each year, the P1 class gathers in one group to each tell 5-minute stories using one of three prompts – How I got here; Confirming Experience; and Do-Over.

Jordan Kellerman | January 10, 2022

The class of 2025 are the go-getters. The ones who did not let a pandemic derail their plans. The students who arrived this fall ready to jump in, be flexible, and learn. They came to CU Pharmacy from eight countries, sixteen states, and one U.S. territory. They came to thrive.

Jordan Kellerman | January 10, 2022

The School of Pharmacy keeps a running list of publications in partnership with Strauss Library to highlight published research. This page is updated at the end of each month, and we are working to refine our search and filtering fields. During this process we may inadvertently miss a research paper. If you notice this, please let us know by emailing sop.communcations@cuanschutz.edu.

SOP Communications | January 01, 2022

CU Pharmacy alumnus Andrew Maurer, PharmD ‘10, recently discussed his newest career as a Nuclear Oncology Radiotherapy Specialist. As chair of the Nomination Committee for the School’s Alumni Association, Dr. Maurer is regularly engaged with his alma mater as a leader and role model for future pharmacists.

Jaron Bryant | December 30, 2021

Robert 'Bob' Leslie Light, BS, '78, of Sun Lakes, Arizona passed away on November 8, 2021 after complications from COVID-19.

Bob is recognized as a pioneer of compounding who has helped the pharmaceutical industry maintain and exceed standards of quality set by state and federal levels, and whose methodologies have been adopted by Walgreens across the country. Bob traveled to Brazil to educate physicians about pharmacy compounding and said the experience was the exclamation point to an amazing pharmacy career.

SOP Communications | December 23, 2021

Alumnus Ronald “Ron” Lewis Kennedy, RPH, passed away on December 7, 2021. A 1968 graduate of the University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy, he was awarded the Distinguished Coloradan Award from the School in 2014 in recognition of lifetime achievement in the field of pharmacy.

SOP Communications | December 16, 2021

Manisha N. Patel, PhD, has been installed as First Vice President of the American Epilepsy Society (AES), a medical and scientific professional society with 4,500 members. Dr. Patel’s term started at the end of the society’s annual meeting, held in Chicago December 3-7, 2021. She will serve in the society’s presidential line and begin her term as president in 2023.

SOP Communications | December 13, 2021

Dr. Cindy O’Bryant, PharmD, Professor in the Department of Clinical Pharmacy, received a Fulbright Specialist Program Scholar Award. A program of the U.S. Department of State, the Fulbright Specialist Program is a unique opportunity for U.S. academics and established professionals to engage in two to six-week, project-based exchanges at host institutions across the globe. On November 27, Dr. O’Bryant left the U.S. for Nigeria with other oncology pharmacists to share her knowledge and experience in cancer care to advance pharmacy oncology practice. She made time to answer questions before her trip about her award, what she expects from the field, and what she hopes to share with medical professionals in Nigeria.

Jordan Kellerman | December 01, 2021

Earning a PharmD from her home in Window Rock, Arizona, Diedre Greyeyes is one busy lady. The full-time remote student at the University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences is also a full-time distance student at Colorado State University (CSU) earning an MBA. And because of the magic of technology, Greyeyes is able to do both from her home – a necessity when the closest Target is over two hours away.

Jordan Kellerman | November 30, 2021

CU Pharmacy Career Services Manager Laurie Sein chatted with Przemek Lott, PharmD ’19, recently about his journey to becoming a business intelligence pharmacy practitioner.

Jaron Bryant | November 29, 2021

Her cells, nicknamed HeLa cells, changed medicine’s path. They became the most-commonly used cancer cell line in biological research history, making profound contributions to science and saving countless lives. Years after the poor Black woman unknowingly provided those cells to scientists, her story emerged, shining light on patient rights.

Debra Melani | November 12, 2021

CU Pharmacy alumna, Jennifer Kobylarczyk, ’19, describes how she created a path for herself in building a career as a consultant pharmacist incorporating her experience in compounding pharmacy (the process of combining, mixing, or altering ingredients to create a medication tailored to the needs of an individual patient) and veterinary pharmacy (dispensing veterinary drugs, supplies or products and advising owners of companion animals and livestock). Career Services Manager Laurie Sein conducted the interview.

Jaron Bryant | October 30, 2021

NOTE: This article originally appeared in The Denver Gazette: Amanda Hancock, Writer; Chancey Bush, Photographer.

Maybe you’ve forgotten about this 170-year-old dynamic duo: Pharmaceuticals and sweet treats.

It has slipped from some memories, according to the surprised expressions of people who walk in this front door. Despite the sign out front and despite the smell of fresh waffle cones mixed with the distant sight of pill bottles, visitors are repeatedly confused about what’s offered here.

Special to the Pharmacy Newsroom | October 18, 2021

Vaccines remain the best shield against COVID-19, but for those who’ve been infected with the coronavirus, the treatment arsenal continues to expand. This month, the first antiviral pill to treat COVID was submitted to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for emergency authorization.

Chris Casey | October 12, 2021

The University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy announced that it is joining the RAPID Alliance Medications 360 Study, with a goal of transforming how medications and vaccines are delivered in the US from 2022 – 2031. The RAPID Alliance is a multi-stakeholder research consortium founded in the University of Louisville Center for Health Organization Transformation (CHOT), a National Science Foundation-funded research center.

cupharmacy | October 12, 2021

For today’s generation of medical researchers, the need for speed in the scientific world was never more pronounced than it was in 2020. As society hid from a deadly virus, the race for a treatment went full-throttle, pinning some scientists in their labs nearly 24/7.

Debra Melani | October 04, 2021

It's been said that two heads are better than one. That adage is especially true when it comes to scientific research and harnessing some of the most brilliant minds in the field. That collaborative spirit of discovery is the inspiration behind the Skaggs Scholars Program established in 2011.

cupharmacy | September 30, 2021

In her own words, 2018 CU Pharmacy alumna Chelsea Sax reflects on her experience completing the PharmD program and entering the corporate sector as a managed care pharmacist with the pharmacy benefit management (PBM) company Express Scripts in an interview conducted by Career Services manager Laurie Sein as part of a series on specialty careers in pharmacy.

Jaron Bryant | September 30, 2021

Dr. Tina Brock is excited to be the new Associate Dean of Education at the University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. And she said every word in the name of the school, almost without having to pause. Almost.

Jordan Kellerman | September 22, 2021

Career Services Manager Laurie Sein continues her conversations with CU alumni involved in new and novel fields of pharmacy. This time, Dmitriy Gekker, PharmD '20, takes center stage, discussing his role at STAQ Pharma as an intern production pharmacist.

Jaron Bryant | August 30, 2021

The Skaggs School of Pharmacy is renowned for our experiential programs. At the core of this meaningful student educational experience are our preceptors who dedicate their time and talent to mentor and train the next generation of pharmacy professionals. The 2021 Preceptor Award winners are:

SOP Communications | August 12, 2021

The Alumni Association for the CU Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences is proud to unveil the recipients for its second annual alumni awards. This year's honorees are Lucas Smith, PharmD '14 and Boris Tabakoff, RPh '66, PhD '70.

Jaron Bryant | July 28, 2021

Career Services Manager Laurie Sein puts the spotlight on 2018 graduate Bayli Larson, who completed an ASHP fellowship that evolved into her current role as a Strategic Initiatives Associate for the healthcare professional society.

Jaron Bryant | July 28, 2021

Editor's Note: This is the first in a periodic series of articles showcasing the creative talents of our faculty and students on the CU Anschutz Medical Campus. If you know of someone doing innovative work in the classroom, please send us a tip here.

Slaying creepy bugs with an arsenal of foreign firearms or being thrown into an escape room where the entire Front Range population dies if they fail are just average tasks for Meghan Jeffres’ students.

Debra Melani | July 22, 2021

Dmitri Simberg, PhD, an associate professor in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences in the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and a CU Cancer Center member, has released the results of a new study of the effectiveness of different types of fluorescent labels used to monitor the accumulation of liposomes in tumors.

Valerie Gleaton | July 08, 2021

As the CU Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences approaches the eve of its 110th anniversary, an interview with Morrison Brown, ’55 provided a walk through time in recounting his days on the Boulder campus as a pharmacy student and the opportunities afforded him as an advocate for the pharmacy profession.

Jaron Bryant | June 30, 2021

The alumni association for the CU Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences recently selected new officers and board members to begin terms this July. Each member brings a unique skill set and perspective to helping guide the work of the association.

Jaron Bryant | June 30, 2021

Is there a way to reduce the time spent in trialing different medications, such as antidepressants? Is there a way to predict who may be at increased risk of experiencing medication side effects?

Jordan Kellerman | June 21, 2021

In 2018, we chatted with PharmD student and Denver Barbarians Rugby player, Carmine Hernandez. At the time, Hernandez was a second year CU Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences student and fresh off winning the rugby Men's Division II National Championship with the Barbarians. Today, he is approaching graduation, planning his future, and excited about his residency. We caught up with Hernandez as he begins this new chapter.

Jordan Kellerman | May 22, 2021

Master of Pharmaceutical Sciences student Glenn Harter is ready to take on a PhD in organic chemistry this fall at the University of Southern California (USC), and he views his master’s degree at CU Pharmacy as a necessary step to achieve his considerable dreams.

Jordan Kellerman | May 21, 2021

For Omniah Elmorshedy, the path to a PharmD looked a little different than most. A student in our Distance Degrees and Programs Office, Elmorshedy already had a Bachelor’s of Pharmacy from Egypt and had been practicing pharmacy in her home country, where a doctor of pharmacy is not necessary. She moved permanently to the United States in 2015 where she had a seven-month internship, took and passed the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX), and was able to practice as a licensed Pharmacist – and yet, she wanted more. 

Jordan Kellerman | May 20, 2021

“I moved to the United States from Nigeria when I was seven years old, and when I was about to go to high school, my parents decided I needed to go back to Nigeria. So I did. I went to a boarding school in Nigeria for three years, and I noticed that so many diseases can be prevented by access to healthcare.”

Jordan Kellerman | May 19, 2021

Life in pharmacy school is not easy. As students progress through their doctoral program, studies, rotations, and exams take precedent. For two graduating CU Pharmacy students, the drill is all too familiar – and they added military service to their workload.

Jordan Kellerman | May 18, 2021

Listening to Dr. Meghan Jeffres and her students explain their infectious disease work brings to mind the 80’s arcade game Space Invaders, in which an intergalactic battle plays out between defending forces and evil alien elements. The researchers describe an inner world, specifically the large and small intestines, in which tricky bacteria use enzymatic mechanisms to destroy the antibiotic sent to destroy it. Welcome to the front line of the infectious disease battleground.

Lori Westermann | May 17, 2021

According to Kristofer Fritz, PhD, associate professor in the School of Pharmacy’s Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, bench-side research requires a lot of trial and error. Also, according to Dr. Fritz, it takes a certain kind of fortitude and dedication for a PharmD student to undertake an intensive lab-based research project due to the already-demanding academic rigors of a pharmacy degree.

Lori Westermann | May 14, 2021

Over the past year, despite its challenges, two University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences graduates excelled in their contribution to research. In recognition of their work, Mustafa Ibrahim, PhD, ’20, Clinical Pharmacology, and Colin Anderson, PhD, 20’ Toxicology, won the annual Harold C. Heim Award for Excellence in Research and Graduate Education. The distinction is accompanied by a $2000 cash award and was presented by Warren Heim, son of former Dean Harold C. Heim.

Jordan Kellerman | May 13, 2021

Longtime friend and supporter, Henry Leopold Strauss, 93, passed away peacefully on April 8, 2021 at the home where he lived for the past 60 years. Strauss, RPh '51 leaves a lasting legacy with the University and Colorado and the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, his alma mater.

SOP Communications | April 30, 2021

Assistant Professor Ashley Glode, PharmD, BCOP, was named a 2020 Advocacy Champion by the Association for Clinical Oncology (ASCO) during the Association’s 2021 Advocacy Summit in April. Advocacy Champions are ASCO volunteers who have made meaningful contributions to ASCO’s advocacy activities throughout the year to ensure that every patient with cancer has access to high-quality, high-value cancer care, no matter who they are or where they live.

cupharmacy | April 26, 2021

Former employee of the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Thomas G. Arthur, passed away April 3, 2021. Arthur joined the University of Colorado School of Pharmacy in 1979, as the Clinical Externship Coordinator, where he worked for the School until leaving the position in 1987. Aurthur, along with Dean Robert Piepho, PhD, helped pave the way for what is now the Doctor of Pharmacy degree at the School of Pharmacy.

cupharmacy | April 23, 2021

A new study of Medicare payments has found that over a five-year period, the payments for medications prescribed to people with neurologic conditions like multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson’s disease and epilepsy increased by 50% while the number of claims for these prescription medications only rose by only 8%. The study is published in the online issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. The study, funded by the American Academy of Neurology, also found that most of the increase was due to rising costs for neuroimmunology drugs, mostly for multiple sclerosis.

SOP Communications | March 24, 2021

Remote education is nothing new to the CU Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. As early as 1998, the School launched its innovative Distance Degrees Program (DDP), offering what was promoted at the time as iPharmD degrees for North American and International practicing pharmacists who lacked an advanced doctorate degree.

SOP Communications | March 22, 2021

According to former Skaggs School Director of Student Services Beverly Brunson, her career was a happy accident, spanning nearly three decades, changing thousands of lives, and redefining how we see the face of pharmacy.

Jordan Kellerman | March 22, 2021

New research from Dr. Meghan Jeffres, PharmD, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), and University of Porto in Portugal, indicates that most surgical patients with a history of penicillin allergy can safely be given the guideline-recommended antibiotic cefazolin to prevent infection instead of alternative antibiotics that are less effective and more expensive. The researchers reported in JAMA Surgery that the frequency of allergies to both penicillins and cefazolin was so small that most patients should receive cefazolin regardless of their allergy history.

SOP Communications | March 16, 2021