Pharmacy News and Stories

When typing the term sabbatical into Google, out spits the following, “a period of paid leave granted to a university teacher or other worker for study or travel, traditionally one year for every seven years worked.” Toggling to Wikipedia yields, “In recent times, "sabbatical" has come to mean any extended absence in the career of an individual in order to achieve something. In the modern sense, one takes sabbatical typically to fulfill some goal, e.g., writing a book or traveling extensively for research.” University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences faculty member Jon Campbell, PhD, recently got to take a sabbatical and chose to go to Hungary.

Stephanie Carlson | December 05, 2018

According to the American Society of Clinical Oncology, more than 14 million people will be diagnosed with cancer this year, worldwide, and more than 9 million people will succumb to the effects of cancer. This is equal to approximately 22,000 cancer deaths per day, and this cancer mortality rate is expected to continue to rise.

Despite all the advances in technology to both diagnose and treat cancer, many of these therapies are ineffective against the later stages of cancer.

Stephanie Carlson | November 25, 2018

CU pharmacy students, Nashel Patel and Tracie Vanhorn took to the "streets" of the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus to see what students and faculty know about Human papillomavirus (HPV) and the vaccine.

Stephanie Carlson | November 20, 2018

Sheridan Health Services, a University of Colorado College of Nursing nurse-led community health center in the Denver metro area, recently passed the Health Resources & Service Administration (HRSA) Compliance Review with a 100 percent rating. Faculty and students from CU Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences also play an integral role at the clinic.

Stephanie Carlson | November 15, 2018

The leaders in Colorado’s fight against the opioid epidemic gathered at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus for the Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention’s annual meeting. Attorney General Cynthia Coffman, a longtime supporter of the Consortium, spoke to the audience about her office’s work fighting the opioid epidemic and the impact the Consortium has made.

Stephanie Carlson | November 09, 2018

Instead of taking the summer off third-year University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy student, Anushka Tandon, spent ten weeks in the Netherlands doing independent study, interning with the Center for Human Drug Research, "It was a working vacation so I can't complain," she said.

Stephanie Carlson | November 08, 2018

The American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP) held their Global Conference in Seattle at the end of October. There were ten presentations from CU Pharmacy faculty and over 20 poster presentations from faculty and students.

Stephanie Carlson | October 30, 2018

Saffron, cumin, thyme and pepper, mixed into things like guacamole, quinoa, fruit salad, and an herb butter stick. Faculty member Monika Nuffer, PharmD, teaches the elective course, Special Topics in Integrative Health and Medicine (IHM) and makes tasty snacks during the first week of classes each fall. They're not just good - but good for you!

Stephanie Carlson | October 16, 2018

James Roede, PhD, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, was recently awarded two different Administrative Supplement Awards attached to his prestigious Outstanding New Environmental Scientist Award from NIEHS (National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences) - a division of NIH (National Institutes of Health).

Stephanie Carlson | October 09, 2018

It’s now easier to quit smoking in Colorado. People can go to a pharmacy, instead of waiting several days to get in with a provider, to get prescription anti-smoking medications, “People can come into a pharmacy and visit their pharmacist, and through a simple screening process and consultation, they can be subscribed smoking cessation medications,” explains Emily Zadvorny, PharmD, a University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy faculty member and Executive Director of the Colorado Pharmacists Society.

Stephanie Carlson | October 02, 2018

Kilts, bagpipes, haggis…and pharmacy! Over a dozen CU Pharmacy faculty and staff recently descended upon Glasgow, Scotland for the 78th International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) World Congress of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, “Our presence at FIP speaks volumes about our school’s commitment to and impact on global pharmacy education, clinical practice and research,” said Dean Ralph Altiere.

Stephanie Carlson | September 24, 2018

The ALSAM Foundation recently invested an additional $2 million to continue the Therapeutic Innovation Grants Program at the CU Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.

The funding supports a second phase of grants for projects focused on drug discovery and development.

Stephanie Carlson | September 20, 2018

CU Pharmacy alumnus Richard Onufrock balanced two worlds - the worlds of pharmacy and art. Throughout his life, the graduate of the Class of 1961 worked as a pharmacist and an accomplished illustrator.

Stephanie Carlson | September 07, 2018

On Monday, August 6, 2018, Dr. Steven Henke, a 2018 graduate of the PharmD program at CU Pharmacy passed away unexpectedly. In his obituary, his family says he passed due to complications from a muscle deterioration disease.

Stephanie Carlson | August 28, 2018

The wrap up for orientation week for the Class of 2022 included the marshmallow challenge, White Coat ceremony, and annual barbecue. 143 first-year students received their white coats and then signed and recited the Oath of the Professional Pharmacy Student, which they created as a class.

Stephanie Carlson | August 21, 2018

Generally, you can't eat chemotherapy. That’s because your digestive system breaks down the molecules you eat into smaller pieces that can be absorbed through the gut into the bloodstream.

Stephanie Carlson | August 08, 2018

In many countries, healthcare reimbursements for drugs are directly related to their value or net health benefits in treating disease.

But a new study by researchers at the University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, in collaboration with a group of international clinical and economic experts, shows that’s not the case in the U.S.

Stephanie Carlson | August 07, 2018

The American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy's (AACP) annual meeting, Pharmacy Education 2018, was held July 21-25 in Boston and CU Pharmacy received several awards and had presentations and posters from students, faculty, and staff. 

Stephanie Carlson | August 01, 2018

I have always had a passion for working with our nation’s veterans and was excited to begin my advanced pharmacy practice experience (APPE) rotation at the Colorado State Veterans Home at Fitzsimons.

Stephanie Carlson | July 27, 2018

When Erlynn Frankson was a teen, her grandfather moved in with her family so her mother could take care of him. “She was a nurse and the most equipped of her five siblings to be his caregiver,” says Frankson.

Frankson experienced palliative and hospice care on a personal level. It’s what she came home to after school every day and shaped who she is today. “I saw suffering and it stuck with me 10-20 years down the road.”

Stephanie Carlson | July 17, 2018

"It's a passion that's made me the person I am today." For Carmine Hernandez, a second-year CU Pharmacy student, that passion is rugby. He's been playing since he was 15 years old, trained for seven months in New Zealand after high school; and his team, the Denver Barbarians, recently won the Men's Division II National Championship, beating the Detroit Tradesmen 39-38!

Stephanie Carlson | July 11, 2018

Adedoyin D. Abraham is one lucky guy.

Of Nigerian heritage, Abraham won a diversity immigrant visa in 2005 through the U.S. visa lottery system. The visa lottery allows foreign-born nationals to migrate, and eventually US citizens.

Stephanie Carlson | July 06, 2018

Cancers are one of the leading causes of disease-related fatalities worldwide. Prostate cancer, in specific, affects about 6 out of 10 men over the age of 65. In US male population, it is most common malignancy after skin cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths. This highlights the need for immediate and effective prevention and intervention strategies.

Stephanie Carlson | June 29, 2018

Having spent the last seven years earning his PharmD through the Distance Degrees & Programs, Lokendra Upadhyay is ecstatic to be able to spend his weekends not studying.  “For me, it’s been a great investment of time and energy,” says Upadhyay.

Twenty-five years ago, Upadhyay had the opportunity to tack one more year onto his BS and obtain his PharmD from CU but declined. “I was ready to get out and start earning money. In retrospect, it would have been a lot easier, but then I wouldn’t have all my life experiences,” says Upadhyay.

Stephanie Carlson | June 28, 2018

Originally from Alaska, Rebekah and Carlo Balmes met in middle school and began dating in high school, where they both shared a passion for science. Rebekah, the youngest of three girls, and Carlo, the oldest of three boys, were drawn to each other. They moved to Colorado for pharmacy school and married the summer after their second year. “My mom finally got a girl!” says Carlo enthusiastically.

Stephanie Carlson | June 18, 2018

When Joe Oropeza was 17 years old he wanted to become an Army Ranger, one of the most elite soldiers in the U.S. Army. But two strokes and open heart surgery — prior to his high school graduation — put an end to his military career before it started.

“I was 17 and invincible,” says Oropeza, who recently celebrated his 12th-anniversary post-surgery.

Stephanie Carlson | June 14, 2018

Americans spend about $34 billion annually out-of-pocket on supplements, but most don’t report the use to their healthcare provider. This causes problems if the patient is on a medication that could have an adverse reaction to the dietary supplements they’re using.

Stephanie Carlson | June 11, 2018

For seven years, Dan Galipeau served in the US Army as a military musician, playing saxophone and sometimes piano. Performing for deployed troops, their families at home, international audiences and dignitaries including the President of the United States offered Galipeau a window to the world. “My military career took me to more than 15 countries representing the US Army and NATO,” says Galipeau.

Stephanie Carlson | June 01, 2018

Kickball is fun, especially when you have a chance to beat CU Pharmacy faculty members and raise money for a good cause at the same time! 

Stephanie Carlson | May 24, 2018

Lee Amaya, stage name SouLee PharmD, is our very own rapping pharmacist.

Amaya fell in love with rap music and poetry during high school. “I became infatuated with the flow and rhyme schemes of songs while listening to my favorite artists. The raw passion displayed and the topics they rapped about resonated with me,” says Amaya.

Stephanie Carlson | May 18, 2018

The University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy on the Anschutz Medical Campus is located in Aurora, CO. While Aurora is not among the most publicized cities in America, it is definitely among one of safest, largest, and diverse cities in the whole country.

Stephanie Carlson | May 09, 2018

This year marks 25 years for the Theresa McMahan-Schulkin Memorial Scholarship.  The award was created in memory of Gene McMahan's daughter, Theresa, who graduated from CU Pharmacy in 1976 and passed away in 1994.

Stephanie Carlson | May 03, 2018

Congratulations to Clay Cuny, PharmD, a PGY2 Oncology resident and 2014 CU Skaggs School of Pharmacy graduate! His research project was chosen as a Top 10 Trainee Research Poster at the Hematology Oncology Pharmacy Association (HOPA) 2018 Annual Conference. This is a huge accomplishment as there were 188 trainee abstracts presented at the meeting!

Stephanie Carlson | May 01, 2018

Each year, faculty at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus are recognized for their accomplishments. The Faculty Excellence Awards are special because the winners are nominated by students and chosen by faculty peers and selection committees comprised of previous award winners. There are several faculty members from the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences on the 2018 list.

Stephanie Carlson | April 25, 2018

At the CU Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Annual Preceptor Recognition Event seven awards were handed out to extraordinary preceptors and faculty members. On Saturday, April 14, around 50 attendees gathered at the CU South Denver Campus Wildlife Experience to recognize Emily Kosirog, PharmD, Toral Patel, PharmD, Tammy Lopez, PharmD, William Finn, MD, Cody Taylor, PharmD, Jacob Beyer, PharmD, and Susan Finstrom, RPh.

Stephanie Carlson | April 20, 2018

Two fourth-year CU Pharmacy students took time out of their rotation in Delta County, Colorado to share pharmacy with hundreds of 8th grade students.

Stephanie Carlson | April 12, 2018

March was Women's History Month and several women from the University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy, and other Aurora businesses, participated in an International Women's Day Celebration. This is the second official year for the event and it included more than 125 women, from 30 countries with 15 sponsors and exhibitors.

Stephanie Carlson | April 09, 2018

Over 400 people gathered at this year’s Benefactor Recognition Dinner in the Seawell Ballroom at the Denver Performing Arts Complex. The event recognizes and celebrates those behind philanthropic gifts to the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.

Among those in the crowd were Edward and Karen Skaff, CU alums and longtime supporters of the CU Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Stephanie Carlson | April 03, 2018

When in Rome...meet Italian pharmacists! That's exactly what fourth-year CU Pharmacy student Karly Bergquist did on her vacation to the country. 

Stephanie Carlson | March 26, 2018

Congratulations to the Rho Chi - Alpha Theta Chapter at The University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy! The organization received the Chapter Achievement Award during the American Pharmacists Association’s (APhA) Annual Meeting and Expo in Nashville, TN for all the great work they did in 2017, and continue to do.

Stephanie Carlson | March 20, 2018

The American Pharmacists Association's (APhA) Annual Meeting and Expo is going on this week in Nashville, TN and the University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy will be there.

Stephanie Carlson | March 14, 2018

Close to one thousand Colorado high school and post-secondary students participated in this year’s Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) State Leadership Conference.

Stephanie Carlson | March 02, 2018

The University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences has been selected as the recipient of the 2017 Lawrence C. Weaver Transformative Community Service Award from the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP).

Stephanie Carlson | February 27, 2018

Instead of taking some time off between his second and third-year, CU Pharmacy student Pulkit Jain turned his summer vacation into a learning opportunity. He volunteered in Cambodia, assisting medical teams under the supervision of physicians.

Stephanie Carlson | February 20, 2018

Most of what you know about opioid pain relievers such as Vicodin and OxyContin is wrong. Your perception of the type of person who becomes addicted to heroin and the underlying causes of the opioid and heroin epidemics might be wrong as well.

Correcting myths and challenging preconceptions were running themes during an evening of TED talk-style presentations about the opioid epidemic held at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus in January.

Stephanie Carlson | February 05, 2018

It has taken all four years of pharmacy school but student Rupa Parikh has now completed her study on emergency contraception (also known as the morning after pill) availability, specifically in Arizona and Utah, and she’s getting a lot of recognition.

Stephanie Carlson | January 29, 2018

CU Skaggs School of Pharmacy students and faculty spent a lot of time volunteering at the National Western Stock Show in Denver this year. They helped provide free health screenings to members of the community and, on certain days, also offered flu shots.

Stephanie Carlson | January 19, 2018

Hundreds of fourth graders from Aurora Public Schools recently descended onto the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus to learn all about pharmacy.

Stephanie Carlson | January 18, 2018

Just one chip, that's all it is, but it is a chip made with one of the hottest peppers on the planet. The Paqui Carolina Reaper Madness chip is made with the Carolina Reaper pepper, which has an average Scoville Scale score of over 1.5 million.

Stephanie Carlson | December 27, 2017

Researchers from the University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, selected to estimate the cost-effectiveness of the newly approved CAR-T therapies, have found the clinical benefit may justify the expensive price.

Stephanie Carlson | December 21, 2017

The totals are in for our annual Holiday Drive, which benefits the Colfax Community Network, and our first-year students came out on top!  Each on-campus class, along with faculty and staff, held a friendly competition to see who could collect the most.

Stephanie Carlson | December 20, 2017

Several students and faculty from the University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences were at ASHP Midyear 2017, in Orlando, Florida, earlier this month. Attended by more than 25,000 people, ASHP's (American Society of Health-System Pharmacists) Midyear Clinical Meeting and Exhibition is one of the largest gatherings of pharmacy professionals.

Stephanie Carlson | December 14, 2017

The fifth annual Rocky Mountain Region Public Health Case Competition was held in the Health Science Library on the Anschutz Medical Campus earlier this month.

Stephanie Carlson | November 28, 2017

The CU Skaggs School of Pharmacy student chapter of the OTC Medicine Safety Operation, through the American Pharmacists Association (APhA), hosted an event with local Boy Scouts to talk about responsible medicine use.

Stephanie Carlson | November 21, 2017

The University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences has an ongoing relationship with Hospital 57357, also known as Children’s Cancer Hospital Egypt (CCHE) in Cairo, Egypt. The hospital is one of the largest in the world that specializes in children's cancer. This collaboration makes it possible for the hospital's "57357 Academy" to now offer a PharmD program.

Stephanie Carlson | November 15, 2017

On Tuesday evenings healthcare students, faculty and staff of the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus gather to do something a little different, they sing. They're members of the Anschutz Campus Choir, formally known as the Arrhythmias. The choir has been a part of the campus for several years. Third year CU Skaggs School of Pharmacy student, Susan Kang, just joined this year. "I’ve always enjoyed singing and just wanted this to be a way to incorporate music into my life, even with my busy school schedule," she explains.

Stephanie Carlson | November 08, 2017

Around 70 alumni, students, faculty and staff with the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences paraded the grounds of the University of Colorado Boulder campus to support the CU Buffs football team as they played against the California Golden Bears, Sat., Oct. 28^th for this year's homecoming weekend.

Stephanie Carlson | November 01, 2017

University of Colorado researchers recently calculated the return on investment of one activity of the federal Prevention and Public Health Fund. Their study found that the activity has saved 35 million dollars since it was put into place in 2013.

Stephanie Carlson | October 30, 2017

Oncology pharmacists are in high demand. By 2020 cancer patient visits will increase by 48% with only a 14% increase in oncologists, according to the American Association of Medical Colleges Center for Workforce Studies. Oncology pharmacists can help offset this projected shortfall in patient visits.

Stephanie Carlson | October 23, 2017

This week marks one month since Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico. The category 5 storm was the strongest to make landfall on the island in 85 years. It knocked out power, destroyed homes and caused widespread flooding. Among the devastation, several practice sites for University of Puerto Rico School of Pharmacy students were also damaged or destroyed.

Stephanie Carlson | October 20, 2017

Four hundred and forty two Colorado high school students, undergraduate students and pre-health advisors, attended the third annual CU Pre-Health Day on the Anschutz Campus, Sept. 23.  With just over 200 students attending the first event in 2015, it shows tremendous growth for the event.

Stephanie Carlson | October 02, 2017

Undergraduate college students spent time on campus this summer through the Undergraduate Pre-Health Program, or UPP. The Office of Diversity and Inclusion partners with Kaiser Permanente Health Plan of Colorado for the 13-month program. The program gives historically underrepresented students the opportunity to explore all types of health careers. They get direct access to faculty, deans and staff on the Anschutz Medical Campus and are able to work in research, both clinical and scientific, and shadow health care professionals.

Stephanie Carlson | September 05, 2017

“It’s really opened my eyes to the medical field and different opportunities that are available,” says high school junior Sanam Dean, she’s one of the students that participated in the CU Pre-Health Scholars Program (CUPS) this summer. The program is designed to motivate high school students to pursue a college education and enroll in a professional health career or graduate school program.

Stephanie Carlson | July 26, 2017

There’s currently a national shortage of sodium bicarbonate, yes baking soda, for use in medical procedures.  The shortage of injectable sodium bicarbonate, is prompting health care providers to postpone some non-emergent procedures and operations, so they have some on hand for emergencies, “One form is an emergency syringe, used in some patients who have a cardiac event. When hospitals don't have enough of that, they get really nervous that a cardiac event might occur in one place, and they wouldn't have some readily available," explains Peter Rice, PharmD, PhD with the University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy.

Stephanie Carlson | July 14, 2017

Nearly two dozen students from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, including pharmacy, recently visited Rio Grande County in Southern Colorado for Rural Immersion Week. The experience is for health professions students who are interested in living and working in a rural area “I really enjoyed the Rural Immersion Week! We got to meet with local community leaders and learn what it was like to live in a rural community,” says third year student Amanda Howard, who represented the school along with Jhani Williams, Dario Martinez and Nicola Maude.

Stephanie Carlson | July 11, 2017

A great preceptor doesn’t just give professional guidance and help mentees grow academically, they also help students grow personally and learn to believe in themselves. That’s exactly what Dr. Erin Johnson-Mundo does, and because of that is the winner of this year’s Health-System Excellence in Precepting Award.

"She is truly an exceptional preceptor," says University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences fourth year student Ursula Fiala, “Erin was supportive, encouraging and patient during the entire rotation which really helped to build my confidence. She also treated me with respect kindness and compassion."

Stephanie Carlson | June 22, 2017