Pharmacy News and Stories

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 (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

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

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

“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 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pivot might be the word of the past year. With COVID-19 continuing into fall of 2020, the CU Pharmacy PharmD program needed to develop a new plan to fit its service-learning curriculum. Previously fulfilled by an elementary school education program, with K-12 schools in limbo, the department got creative – and fulfilled an un-met community mental health need for isolated older adults.

Jordan Kellerman | March 10, 2021

The Experiential Office at the CU Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences is a model for hands-on pharmacy programs across the nation. Known for providing clinical opportunities starting in the first year of pharmacy school, the program is used to activating students to respond to community needs. In a normal year, those requests are generally along the lines of providing wellness checks or administering flu vaccines, but this year the stakes are higher and the request much more urgent.

Lori Westermann | January 20, 2021

From faculty who worked on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic to researchers who worked on treatments for COVID-19 to the students who prepared to play a vital role in vaccine distribution, the CU Pharmacy community proved it could make an impact on health in dire circumstances.

SOP Communications | December 29, 2020

As Aubree Turner relaxed her arm and waited for the poke, the importance of the vaccination training with her fellow students that September day weighed more heavily on her mind than usual. With flu season near, and a pandemic not relenting, Turner knew this clinical exercise soon would be put to a real test. 

SOP Communications | December 10, 2020

Two days after Dario Martinez graduated from high school, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps. At just 17, he wasn’t old enough to sign his contract himself, so his mom had to sign it for him.

Sara Knuth | November 11, 2020

The University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences hosted the 2020 American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) Clinical Skills Competition, an annual event put on by the Colorado Student Society of Health-System Pharmacists (CSSHP) on Oct. 15.

Madison Ward and Brittney Sjulstad | October 27, 2020

When the rest of the higher education world was reacting to COVID-19 and doing an immediate pivot to online student interviews, the University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences was ahead of the curve. 

Jordan Kellerman | October 23, 2020

After challenging pharmacy schools from across the nation, three University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences students won the American College of Clinical Pharmacy’s Clinical Pharmacy Challenge in New York.

Sara Knuth | July 13, 2020

Industry analysts say the market size of cannabinoid-based pharmaceuticals could generate up to $2 billion by the end of 2020 — and legal sales could earn up to $23 billion by 2025.

SOP Communications | July 13, 2020

Throughout the summer, University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, faculty and students were hard at work and bringing home awards and national recognition.

Sara Knuth | July 11, 2020

Growing up, Eric Hartsfield never thought he would go on to study pharmacy. In fact, he spent half of his life working in retail — a field he fell in love with and imagined sticking with.

Sara Knuth | July 11, 2020

Neemat Srour, a spring 2020 PharmD graduate, has lived and worked all over the world.

From earning a Master’s degree in France to working as a hospital pharmacist in Saudi Arabia, she has grown an international career with a major goal in mind: one day expanding the profession of pharmacy in Lebanon, her home country.

Sara Knuth | July 09, 2020

When Aleta Yushkevich was still in high school, she knew which career path she wanted to take — and exactly where she wanted to go to school — not only for her undergraduate education, but also for a health profession education. 

Sara Knuth | July 08, 2020

Since he was a teen, computers and pharmacy have fascinated Dean Marucci, PharmD, a 2018 graduate of the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. Thanks to a pivotal P4 rotation, he has found a job that blends both interests perfectly.

SOP Communications | July 02, 2020

Jennifer and Nicholas Tomlinson were both emergency medical technicians in Georgia when they decided it was time for a career change. The couple, married since 2015, found that as they worked on ambulances, they saw impacts on patients when they didn’t take their medications. 

Sara Knuth | July 01, 2020

Megan Williams was about to begin pharmacy school when her 5-year-old nephew was diagnosed with medulloblastoma, a cancerous brain tumor that starts in the lower back part of the brain. 

Sara Knuth | June 30, 2020

The CU Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences shined a spotlight on high-achieving students, alumni and faculty members recently during the 2020 Awards Convocation Ceremony.

Sara Knuth | May 01, 2020

Starting out in pharmacy school, it’s common for students to begin thinking about where they might fit into the wide world of pharmacy. 

Sara Knuth | December 17, 2019

Two University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences faculty members and a student were honored with awards that recognize pharmacy innovators from across the U.S.

Associate Professor Sarah Anderson, PharmD, Assistant Professor Rhianna Fink, PharmD, and student Nashel Patel were all honored in the Next-Generation Pharmacy Awards, sponsored by Pharmacy Times and Parata Systems. The awards honor 30 finalists from across the country in 10 categories.

Sara Knuth | October 25, 2019

Eight people earned the first certificates awarded in Integrative Health and Medicine (IHM) by the University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences in spring 2019.

The IHM certificate is a nine-credit-hour, online program developed to provide any practicing health care professional or pharmacy student with a greater understanding of herbal medicines, non-botanical dietary supplements, and other related modalities in the treatment of human disease.

SOP Communications | September 16, 2019

Mais Humaideh embraces Dr. Sahar Al Fahoum, her mentor in Syria at the CU School of Pharmacy.

Mais Humaideh was just a few days into her pharmacy courses and more than 6,000 miles from Syria when her world got just a little bit smaller earlier this month.

Humaideh is one of seven University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences International-Trained PharmD (ITPD) students taking part in a monthlong on-campus session at the CU Anschutz Medical Campus.

Sara Knuth | July 31, 2019

The University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences made three major changes to streamline the admissions process and increase diversity in its pool of candidates.

Effective immediately, the school will no longer require the Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT), will allow all prerequisites to be completed at the community college level and will begin offering the option for a virtual interview.

Sara Knuth | July 17, 2019

Stanislava Manojlovic poses for a photo with her nephew, Maksim Morris, May 24 after the 2019 Commencement Ceremony.

Stanislava Manojlovic’s dreams of becoming a pharmacist started when her mother was injured while tending to sheep in her home country of Serbia. Her family didn’t have any other access to medical care, and her mother’s ankle, cut by a leash, was starting to get infected.  

So Manojlovic’s neighbor, a pharmacist, cared for her mother until she was healed.  

Sara Knuth | June 05, 2019

As the fall 2016 semester wrapped up, Erin Terrio prepared for finals the same way as any other student.

“She was in the middle of finals, and she was doing all the crazy stuff you do during finals week: staying up all night and studying and studying,” said her sister and roommate, Jennifer Terrio, who is a student at the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine. “Until the very last second, she was trying to get through all of her finals.”

Terrio was halfway through her second year with the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences and almost done with finals when she died of complications from cystic fibrosis, a disease that causes lung infections and makes it harder to breathe because of thick, sticky mucus that clogs the airways.

Sara Knuth | May 30, 2019

In a night of recognition and remembrance, more than 40 University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences students took home awards and scholarships during the school’s annual Awards Convocation event.

The event, hosted May 3 on the CU Anschutz Medical Campus, marked the first time three new scholarships were awarded: The Erin Terrio Memorial Scholarship, the Glenn D. and Jennifer M. Appelt Scholarship and the C. David Elm Pharmacy Practice Scholarship.

Sara Knuth | May 06, 2019

John Song is a third-year student at the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences because chemotherapy gave his beloved cousin, Stephanie Maurer, extra time to live before she died of cancer at 34.

“She was diagnosed with lymphatic cancer and was expected to survive three months,” recalls Song. “Because of the chemotherapy she received, she lived for a full year and was able to experience the birth of her niece, hold her, and play with her.”

SOP Communications | February 25, 2019

"Volunteering for the AHEC health screening booth at the National Western Stock Show has become one of my favorite volunteer opportunities thus far. I first volunteered last year as a first-year pharmacy student. As a first-year student, I jumped at the chance to have more direct patient care experiences and was excited to do so in such a fun environment like the stock show. This opportunity was more rewarding than I had hoped, and I volunteered again to participate in this year’s stock show. This year I not only was able to complete health screenings, but I also helped coordinate and administer donated flu vaccines.

Bringing resources directly to patients, such as free health screenings and free flu shots, helped reach a patient population that is often left underserved. I could not count the number of patients I spoke with that do not have a relationship with a primary care physician in their community or don’t see a doctor on a regular basis. Providing resources in a relaxed environment in which they are comfortable, helps us build rapport and create that first link with the healthcare system.

SOP Communications | January 31, 2019

Approximately 280 4th graders from local elementary schools in Aurora visited campus over winter break to participate in the award-winning and ever-popular event called "Pharmacist for a Day." A spin-off of the Service Learning Program, this event is a way to engage youth in health education while providing pharmacy students the opportunity to develop their skills as healthcare professionals. Translating pharmacy education into something that is both accessible and meaningful to diverse groups of children proves to be a valuable exercise in effective communication.

"This program is a great opportunity to introduce kids and elementary school teachers alike to the field of pharmacy in a fun, safe environment,” said Patricia Meyer, IPPE Student Coordinator. “The kids really enjoy digging in to the science activities and while we don’t know if this translates into them pursuing pharmacy as a career, it’s always good to increase awareness of pharmacy as a health profession.”

SOP Communications | January 31, 2019

Sheldon “Shelly” E. Steinhauser knows the value of pharmacy – it was instilled in him during his childhood. His father, an immigrant, was a Navy doctor and, later, a neighborhood physician who worked closely with a trusted community pharmacist.

“My father wouldn’t make a key decision about prescribing drugs for his patients without consulting the pharmacist,” said Shelly. “Today, people are just as likely to turn to pharmacists whenever they have questions about prescription drugs and other health aids. They’re critical to our health care system.”

Caren Henderson | December 31, 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

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

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

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

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

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

When I decided to pursue a career in pharmacy, I didn’t anticipate that policy would be a significant part of this path. However, nearly every national pharmacy society has an operation focusing on policy, and we are often reminded how important it is for pharmacists to advocate for their profession and their patients. That is why I signed up for a day at the Denver capitol building with fellow pharmacy, nursing, physician assistant, physical therapy, public health, and other healthcare professional students for CU AMC Advocacy Day.

cupharmacy | June 01, 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

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

Sara Azimi comes from a family of medical professionals and CU alums who have helped her determine a career path that is right for her. While both of her parents and sister are in the physical therapy field, and her brothers are physicians, Sara has chosen a different healthcare path. She will be entering CU Skaggs' PharmD program in the fall of 2018 to pursue her dream of becoming a pharmacist.

cupharmacy | April 18, 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

Sue and Tim Mead (CU Pharmacy alums '79 and '75 respectively), together with their daughters, have built a strong family bond by building houses for others. "In addition to learning how to roof, stucco and cut wood, the experience taught us how to give back, to see that we are part of a bigger world, and to reflect on how much we have," says Sue Mead.

cupharmacy | March 29, 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

In the far southwest corner of Colorado sits the charming and mountain-encased town of Durango.  The breathtaking landscape and friendly residents alone warrant enough enticement to rank this location as a rotation site,  but the experiences I have gained at Rivergate Pharmacy and Animas Internal Medicine were the most fulfilling aspects. 

cupharmacy | March 22, 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 building seemed more exquisite up close than it was from the long distance that I was used to seeing it. The many walls of glass were a vision of innovation, and the renaissance-like structures dotting the exterior landscape of the building paid a respect to tradition. I'd like to think that the University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences is innovative, yet values tradition.

cupharmacy | March 12, 2018

February 22-24 marked the 2018 Colorado HOSA State Leadership Conference at the Renaissance Hotel in Stapleton, CO. The annual event attracts high school students interested in healthcare careers and encourages them to participate in a variety of educational sessions to improve their skills regarding the healthcare setting.

cupharmacy | March 05, 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

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

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

Skaggs numbers soar
Pharmacy school celebrates high-quality programs, successful recruitment

There’s good news to share from the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (CU Pharmacy). Applicant numbers at CU Pharmacy rose 30 percent for the incoming class of 2017, even as applications to pharmacy programs nationwide are down 3 percent.

cupharmacy | December 05, 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

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

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

At the age of 17, it's not easy deciding on a career pathway. At that time, I was interested in finding out about medications, though. I wanted to be somewhat like my mother who is a physician in Egypt. I liked the way she knew what she was doing when anyone was sick. She would provide advice and make decisions when it was related to us getting sick or anyone else in the family or neighbors.

I entered pharmacy school (which in my country only requires a bachelor's degree). I asked so many questions and nothing motivated me. 

cupharmacy | August 03, 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

"Ever since I was 16 I wanted to go to med school," says second-year pharmacy student Miya Holley. Being diagnosed with Type I diabetes at 16 allowed Holley to see more of the system, "especially from a patient's perspective and it interested me."

Like many undergraduate students, Holley fumbled around with a variety of majors and finally settled on microbiology.

cupharmacy | July 20, 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

Thousands of high school students interested in health care careers descended upon Disney World and became more acquainted with pharmacy during International HOSA's (Health Occupations Students of America) annual conference in Orlando. CU Skaggs School of Pharmacy featured prominently in various activities, including a popular interactive exhibit and five workshops.

cupharmacy | June 30, 2017

MaLaura Creager has experienced quite a lot in her life. She and her brother are the first in their family to obtain bachelors’ degrees. And, MaLaura will be the first to attain her Doctor of Pharmacy degree when she graduates from CU Skaggs School of Pharmacy later this week.  “My family is so, so proud,” says Creager, who will have her own cheering section at Commencement when 20 family members descend on Colorado to share her excitement.  “They are so impressed that I will be a pharmacist.”

For Creager, the mantra “it’s not if you go to college, but when” that many families embrace was not reality.  

cupharmacy | May 26, 2017

At my internship I shadow a lot of people. Many of them pharmacists, but some of them are researchers like James Griffon. I was in Dr. Simberg’s research laboratory shadowing James and I watched him go about his daily duties. The lab is a very different environment compared to some of the other settings I have shadowed. I always find my lab experience to be fun and relaxing. James is always doing something , so consequently, I'm always seeing something. Whether it be old or new, I find the lab work to be interesting. This time James was working with mice skin and freeze it on dry ice so that later they can slice it and get pictures of cells. He also transferred some cancer cells into new media, which kills an enzyme that attacks and kills the cancer cells.

cupharmacy | May 08, 2017

I am Joshua Lucero and I want to be an educated drug dealer. Okay, so what I mean is that I want to be a pharmacist. I recently had the opportunity to participate in an executive internship program through Pickens Technical College and my high school in Aurora -- Rangeview. Because of my interests in pharmacy, pharmaceutical sciences and bioengineering I was paired with the University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.  In my internship I learned that there is a lot more to being a pharmacist than just counting pills.

cupharmacy | April 28, 2017

On April 8, CU Skaggs School of Pharmacy hosted its Spring Interview Day, titled Hire CU Pharmacy.  Twelve employers representing industry, retail and hospital environments were on site interviewing 80 students and alumni for a variety of positions. Two-hundred and five interviews were conducted in six hours and five offers were extended on-the-spot!  Employer surveys indicated that 80% plan to extend an offer to a candidate they interviewed. 

cupharmacy | April 17, 2017

Fourth-year student Anna Zhou, recalls her latest rotation experience. And as she notes, sometimes "rural" in Colorado, is an upscale ski town.

The anticoagulation clinic at Vail is a great rotation experience, and I would recommend it to any student looking to fulfill their underserved rotation requirement. You will be traveling between Vail, Edwards, and Eagle (all within 15-30 minutes of each other) and seeing Coumadin patients on your own.

cupharmacy | April 10, 2017

As a senior from Rangeview High School I never thought I would be fortunate enough to have the opportunity to intern at the University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy. I worked with Kim Wisneski from the Pickens Technical College’s Executive Internship Program to intern at the school. However, if it wasn’t for Dana Brandorff and the faculty I shadowed, there would be no way that I would have been able to participate in such a great internship.

cupharmacy | March 24, 2017

Approximately 750 high school and post-secondary students from around the state of Colorado recently participated in a state conference organized by the Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA).  Among the 15 exhibitors representing health science related organizations was the University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.

cupharmacy | March 17, 2017

On January 18th, the Student Winter Symposium took place at CU Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. The involvement of the graduate students of the three PhD programs (Pharmaceutical sciences, Toxicology, Pharmaceutical outcomes research) at the School, as well as from the PharmD program was outstanding.

cupharmacy | February 21, 2017

In his ninth installment, P-4 Ahsun Babalmorad interviews fellow fourth-year student Adam McHenry about compounding and research he is working on.

cupharmacy | February 16, 2017

Ellen Fulp, PharmD, believes that CU's new palliative care program is just what the doctor ordered! Working for a hospice pharmacy benefit management (PBM) company in North Carolina specializing in geriatrics, Ellen Fulp, PharmD, sees a lot of patients who are dealing with life-limiting illnesses. These same folks are usually taking multiple medications. “I love what I do, but so much of it I learned on the job, and not during pharmacy school,” says Fulp. “As a pharmacy student, I didn’t get a lot of information on ending meds or withholding or removing therapy… and so frequently that’s what we are faced with as pharmacists specializing in geriatrics and hospice care,” Fulp laments. From her experience, the palliative care approach is “hope for the best, plan for the worst.”

cupharmacy | February 13, 2017

Learn more about preceptors and specific rotations from our students.  From local to out-of-state rotations, several fourth-year students share a variety of experiences. 

cupharmacy | January 25, 2017

Forty very enthusiastic fourth graders from Montview Elementary in Aurora were participants in the “Pharmacist for the Day” event at the University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy on January 10.

cupharmacy | January 20, 2017

Fourth-year CU pharmacy student, Lindsay Case, was recently interviewed by Tony Guerra for the PharmacyFutureLeaders podcast. The following is a transcript of the interview.  Click through to hear the podcast.

cupharmacy | January 13, 2017

Learn more about preceptors and specific rotations from our students.  From local to out-of-state rotations, several fourth-year students share a variety of experiences. 

cupharmacy | January 04, 2017

Ryan Duong and Justin Cheung didn’t know each other at Bear Creek High School – Duong is a year older – but their educational paths have been almost in lockstep since leaving the Lakewood school. They both point to an innovative CU pre-collegiate pipeline program that exposed them to careers in health care. 

cupharmacy | December 28, 2016

Discover why CU’s Anschutz Medical Campus is leading the nation in how it educates the next generation of health care professionals. Find out how students and faculty from all disciplines learn from each other and work together to provide the best outcomes for patients. Don't take our word for it, check out what students have to say about the interprofessional education they are receiving at CU Anschutz Medical Campus.

cupharmacy | December 19, 2016

We're #1! Two University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences students took top honors in the American Society of Health Systems Pharmacist (ASHP) Clinical Skills Competition in Las Vegas, Nev. With gold finishes in 2014 and 2016 and a silver finish in 2015, this is the third year in a row that students from CU's program have proven themselves to be among the best in the nation.

Jillian Bishop and Chelsea Mitchell, both fourth-year students, bested 130 teams of student pharmacists in the largest competition since the events inception in 1996.

cupharmacy | December 11, 2016

CU PharmD student, Than Thai, discusses what led her to a career in pharmacy.

cupharmacy | December 05, 2016

First-year CU pharmacy students Jennifer Wang and Marci Stovall recently placed first and third, respectively, at this year’s Rocky Mountain Public Health Case Competition.

cupharmacy | November 16, 2016

On Saturday, Nov. 5, students from CU’s Student National Pharmacist Association (SNPhA) hosted a health fair at Paris Elementary that served more than 100 families living in the Aurora area. The fair was free and open to the public.

cupharmacy | November 10, 2016

The annual CU Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Seminar Research Poster Session put third-year students in the hot seat on Nov. 1 as they presented on topics they had been researching since their P2 year.

cupharmacy | November 03, 2016

On Saturday, CU’s Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences and the Anschutz Police Department teamed up for the DEA’s Drug Take Back Day, collecting more than 155 pounds of old or unused medications from the community. Statewide, more than 18,000 pounds of unwanted, unused and expired drugs were collected.

cupharmacy | October 26, 2016

Greetings! My name is Ryan, and I am a P1 student fresh from Hawaii, by way of Seattle, and I am writing to give all prospective students an idea of what there is to do in Colorado when you aren’t buried in books or studying for the next big exam. Here are my top 5 things to do in Colorado when going to SSPPS!

cupharmacy | October 21, 2016

Over the summer, I was fortunate enough to take part in an eye-opening learning experience at Kaiser Permanente Central Support Services. I applied for, and was accepted to participate in, a six-week-long managed care independent study worth two elective credits.

cupharmacy | October 19, 2016

Rachel Visage is a P4 with a passion for pediatric pharmacy.

cupharmacy | October 03, 2016

CU Pharmacy students Casey Barrett, Phuong Nguyen and Kelvin Pham from APhA-ASP are teaming up with students in SNPhA to participate in this year’s Tour de Cure, an annual cycling race dedicated to creating support for the American Diabetes Association and finding a cure for diabetes. The race is set for Sept. 24.

cupharmacy | September 23, 2016

It all started back in 2008 when I attended pharmacy school in Grenoble, France -- straight out of high school. The French program is a bit different than the U.S. It is six years, followed by four years of residency. My fellow students and I were lucky enough to get exposure to the teachings and practice of clinical pharmacy, with several of our professors who imported the concept from Canada. It was a very special training that no other school in the country was able to offer at that time.

cupharmacy | September 13, 2016

I don’t have one of those stories where I knew since elementary school exactly what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. In fact, I didn’t decide on pharmacy school until I was three years out post-master's. In 2011, I graduated with a degree in toxicology and a plan to work as an environmental scientist. Things changed abruptly when the grant for that position fell through. My faith tells me that when things like that happen, it’s wise to step back and reevaluate. I had a niche degree, 5 years of college and no idea what to do with it….sooo, I traveled.

cupharmacy | August 31, 2016

Recently, P3 Eric Yang and nine other CU Skaggs School of Pharmacy students completed the Colorado Ragnar Relay, a two-day, two-man, 200-mile relay race from Copper Mountain to Aspen. It was no doubt an experience that would last a lifetime.

cupharmacy | August 24, 2016

Orientation week for the Class of 2020 culminated in the great marshmallow challenge, the White Coat ceremony and annual barbecue.  With 162 P-1 students, this year's class was the largest in the school's history.  In addition to being presented to their family and friends as pharmacy candidates, the students were led by fellow P-1 Ryan Sutherlan in reciting the Oath of Professional Pharmacy Student, which they created during orientation week.  According to Drs. Kari Franson and Laura Borgelt, "This was the best oath ever." Check out the oath below.

cupharmacy | August 23, 2016

Hello! My name is Kristen Haeger, and I am an incoming P1 student at the CU Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. I am a Colorado native, born and raised in Arvada, a suburb of Denver. I recently graduated from the University of Denver (DU) with a bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences. For as long as I can remember, I have wanted to work in the medical field, with a focus on helping patients overcome their illnesses and injuries.

cupharmacy | August 15, 2016

On Saturday, Aug. 6 eight third-year pharmacy students and one second-year student staffed a booth during the inaugural Art of Aging Expo, and plied their recently acquired knowledge in the classroom on unsuspecting attendees.

cupharmacy | August 10, 2016

A new rotation based out of Guatemala gave P-4 students Matthew McClure, Melissa Laub, and Chandler Follett the experience of a lifetime.

cupharmacy | August 08, 2016

Over 50 metro-area high school girls recently got an inside look at several centers operating on the CU Anschutz Medical Campus, including the Skaggs School of Pharmacy. The day-long program, "Exploring Careers in Health Care," is hosted by the Center for Women's Health Research and UCHealth.

cupharmacy | August 03, 2016

Fourth-year student Aubrey Jones and Kaiser Permanente (KP) preceptor Roberta Shanahan were highlighted in the August 1, 2016 edition of the Douglas Digest, a national communication of KP pharmacy staff and created for Kaiser Permanente Outpatient Services Vice President Joe Douglas. Read the article here.

cupharmacy | August 01, 2016

So, let me tell you my main goal in the next few years. My grandparents are both 83 years old, and are moving down to Denver so they can be closer to more of our family. My goal is to make these years, if not the best years of their lives, years’ worth remembering. Maybe I'm shooting myself in the foot here, since it's not related to pharmacy—not directly, at least, but the lessons I've learned in Dr. Linnebur's class as well as the overarching philosophy of my long-term care pharmacy's consultant have educated me tremendously in my perspective on geriatrics. It is a small goal of mine in the next few years to try to become a pharmacy consultant as I feel a lot of good can be done.

cupharmacy | July 27, 2016

Driss Gaieb comes from a family of pharmacists. Growing up in Tunisia where his father and uncle were rural pharmacists, he learned first-hand the role they play in their communities.

cupharmacy | July 25, 2016

In his seventh installment, Ahsun Babalmorad interviews P-4 students Josh Sanchez and Cameron Phillips about what is was like completing a rotation in the Office of Student Services. 

cupharmacy | July 21, 2016

For many students, the path to pharmacy is clear. They graduate high school, go on to college, and eventually continue on for four more years in pharmacy school. But for Robert Minchin and Daniel Saltzman, their paths were a little less traditional, having enlisted in the military prior to pharmacy ever crossing their minds.

cupharmacy | July 04, 2016

Last week, 10 CU Skaggs School of Pharmacy students and staff members boarded a plane to the HOSA International Leadership Conference with seven suitcases, multiple carry-ons, and a goal of talking to as many high school students interested in health care as possible.

cupharmacy | June 28, 2016

I admit I am a big fan of the pathos of writing—while I do ultimately strive to balance the logos of my arguments as well, I do think the rhetoric of writing—that is, making the narrative come to life—is an important and neglected part of the scientific writing community. George Orwell wrote six basic rules of writing in "Politics and the English Language":

1. Never use a metaphor, simile, or other figure of speech which you are used to seeing in print.
2. Never use a long word where a short one will do.
3. If it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out.
4. Never use the passive where you can use the active.
5. Never use a foreign phrase, a scientific word, or a jargon word if you can think of an everyday English equivalent.
6. Break any of these rules sooner than say anything outright barbarous.

cupharmacy | June 27, 2016

Taylor Alford always knew she had a doppelganger. But few people at the Anschutz Medical Campus knew.

Her identical twin, Naomi Willden, was enrolled in the School of Dental Medicine Doctor of Dental Surgery program while Taylor studied pharmacy. During their three years on campus together, fellow students and faculty would often ask Taylor, "Where's your scrubs? Why did you change your clothes? Why are you wearing a lab coat?"

cupharmacy | June 20, 2016

Michael Carpenter’s experience at CU’s School of Pharmacy has been vastly different than most. As part of CU Peru, Carpenter has gained a unique global experience unlike any other.

cupharmacy | June 16, 2016

The Class of 2016 is known for being involved. From service learning projects to community fund-raising events to holiday drives and health fairs, the Class of 2016 has been actively involved with the community since the day students arrived on campus. And that involvement has been paying off in terms of national recognition.

cupharmacy | June 09, 2016

When life closes a door, you sometimes need to smash open a window. I've learned this the hard way, but you cannot simply expect the window to open itself for you. You must be the one to instigate that change—force it open, throw a brick through it—whatever it takes, you are the one that drives that miraculous window to open, even if you have to crawl over broken glass to do so.

cupharmacy | June 06, 2016

Hats off to the CU Pharmacy Class of 2016! This year, 149 students from the entry-level PharmD program and 63 from the distance degree program received their Doctor of Pharmacy degrees. Eleven students received their Doctor of Philosophy.

cupharmacy | May 27, 2016

With commencement right around the corner, excitement is in the air.

cupharmacy | May 25, 2016

Excitement was in the air during the 2016 Scholarships and Awards Convocation on Friday, April 29,  when students and faculty were recognized for their achievements throughout the year.

cupharmacy | May 13, 2016

By Michael Chan

I remember a year ago sending an email to Director Brunson at the School of Pharmacy asking a rather simple, but rather absurd question: Would I get in trouble for working in a marijuana dispensary? Would I get kicked out of school? Yes, I seriously did contemplate it, and in some regard, I like to dream and think of strange possibilities. Who knows, maybe 20 years from now students will be doing cannabis rotations. Odder things have happened in this world, like the discovery of vaccinations, sliced bread, or beta-blockers for HFrEF. Isn't it weird how, once upon a time, these were considered contraindications in heart failure but are now standards of care? Or how about bread— seriously, who thought it would be a good idea to add fungus to flour dough?

cupharmacy | May 09, 2016

From coffee cans to briefcases filled with expired and unused medications, students from the University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences assisted law enforcement and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) with its annual prescription drug take back event Saturday, April 30 at a variety of locations throughout the state.

cupharmacy | May 03, 2016

Few people can say that they have attended elementary, junior high, high school and graduate school together and remained friends throughout. But Trevor Juth and Lydia Hebbert can.

cupharmacy | April 26, 2016

When 16-year-old Hari Sowrirajan says, “You can’t just buy nanoparticles at the supermarket,” you realize quickly that this down-to-earth high school student is doing some out-of-this-world science.

What you don’t know is that Sowrirajan has been working with researchers at the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences since he was a 13-year-old middle schooler—too young to step inside a CU Anschutz laboratory—all because he wrote a single email to a researcher he had never met.

cupharmacy | April 20, 2016

Dear Incoming P4 Student,

There’s a lot to be said about your achievement thus far. The first three years of pharmacy school were far from easy, and I’m pleased to inform you that all those long nights of studying have finally come to fruition. The sleepless, caffeine-fueled nights are finally paying off.  I’m talking, of course, about your fourth-year rotations. You will now have the opportunity to take all the knowledge gained over the past three years of training and implement them in ways you never realized. However, I can assure you that you will continue to impress not only your preceptors and fellow healthcare providers, but also yourself.

cupharmacy | April 18, 2016

Dear Incoming P3 Student,

Congratulations on completing your first two years of pharmacy school! The transition from the P2 to P3 year was the most exciting for me as a pharmacy student. It’s the point where I began to feel confident in my knowledge of the material I learned and the ability to counsel patients. It’s also the point that I realized that I was really going to graduate pharmacy school and have a career as a pharmacist. This may sound silly to some, but for me it was a turning point.

cupharmacy | April 13, 2016

Seeking a residency? Then listen up.

cupharmacy | April 12, 2016

Dear Incoming P2 Student,

Congratulations! You have made it through your P1 year, the “Year of Firsts” – your first verbal exam, the first time you may have stepped foot in an actual pharmacy, the first time you’ve counseled a patient (whether real or standardized), etc.  All of these firsts make it a challenging, yet very exciting and quick-paced year.  The P1 year was a year to really get your feet wet and discover what being a pharmacist really entails.  So now you may be wondering what to expect for P2 year…

cupharmacy | April 11, 2016

Dear P1 Student:

Before you know it, you will be where I am.  It may seem hard to fathom now, but soon you will be nearing graduation.  And even though four years of learning separate you and I, we both will be pharmacists in the blink of an eye.

cupharmacy | April 08, 2016

Students at the CU Anschutz Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences continue to impress. While one group was recognized for its work with underserved residents of Aurora, another was continuing a strong tradition in the Medisca Student Pharmacist Compounding Competition.

cupharmacy | April 07, 2016

As a pharmacy student, it is crucial to have a sound work/school/life balance, and any break is a good one. After a week of presentations and exams, Spring Break 2016 finally arrived. I quickly packed up all of my backpacking gear and hit the road with my sister. Our week’s schedule was simple, but busy; hike the Grand Canyon, spend a day in Las Vegas, and backpack Zion National Park. Check out my trip in pictures from the start in Boulder to a beautiful moonlit night in McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area. 

cupharmacy | March 28, 2016

Having just nabbed second place at the Medisca Student Pharmacist Compounding Competition, CU School of Pharmacy students have proven once again they’re among the best for the third year in a row.

cupharmacy | March 24, 2016

While many students were taking it easy over the winter break, CU’s Skaggs School of Pharmacy fourth year students were adding some extra value to their learning.

This year, the School launched Intersession 2016, a new mid-winter program that focusses on re-engaging, cultivating, and energizing fourth-year pharmacy students before they graduate and head out into the real-world.

cupharmacy | March 21, 2016

Cody Scott loves going to various sporting events and working out at the gym – when he has time, of course. Scott is not only completing his PharmD, but also pursuing his Master’s in Business Administration at Regis University while working at Walgreens and completing his advanced Interprofessional Pharmacy Experience at the University of Colorado Hospital.

cupharmacy | March 14, 2016

In early February 2016, University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy students Kyle Troksa (P-3), Eric Yang (P-2), Rupa Parikh (P-2), Jenn Tunoa (P-2), Niko Kovacich (P-1), and Laura Becker (P-1) visited Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. to lobby for pharmacy provider status.

cupharmacy | March 11, 2016

“I never thought I’d be working with and teaching fourth graders during pharmacy school, but I can see how it’s helping me learn and understand the material,” says first-year pharmacy student Adam Link.

cupharmacy | March 08, 2016

Eduardo Ramirez had no idea his life would change so dramatically in September 2013 when he was jumped by four men and brutally beaten. The incident would leave him needing brain surgery. Anticipated to cost thousands of dollars, it was an operation the construction worker simply couldn’t afford.

cupharmacy | March 02, 2016

Three University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy second-year students -- Steve Henke, Megan Wary and Andrea Jones -- compete for a spot in the Red Bull Challenge, where 165 student teams from 50+ countries across the globe will have seven days to travel across Europe using only cans of Red Bull as currency. Similar to the hit TV show the Amazing Race, it’s a journey of adventure, charm and strategy.

cupharmacy | February 23, 2016

Fourth-year pharmacy students Jillian Dann and Kailynn DeRonde represented our school during the ASHP Clinical Skills Competition in New Orleans and did us proud!

cupharmacy | January 25, 2016

If you're interested in getting a fellowship, then this is the Talk Pharmacy edition for you.

cupharmacy | January 19, 2016

Considering a career in pharmacy, or do you already have your PharmD and want a change of scenery? Since Jan. 12 is National Pharmacist’s Day, here are 12 jobs you can do with a PharmD:

cupharmacy | January 12, 2016

With more than 2,000 items collected and donated by faculty, staff and PharmD students for the Colfax Community Network, this year's Holiday Drive was tremendously successful. Socks were the clear gift of choice with more than 685 pairs collected, which will definitely warm many feet and hearts this holiday season!  Teams consisted of each PharmD class pitted against each other and a team of faculty/staff.

cupharmacy | December 14, 2015

Graduates of the University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences are capturing some of the most sought after residencies in the nation. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists reported that in 2015 4,358 candidates competed for only 3,006 PGY1 (Post-Graduate Year 1) positions. Despite there being more candidates than residencies, our students are finding themselves competitive, with students placing in top programs at University of California Davis, Johns Hopkins, Stanford University, University of Illinois at Chicago, University of Chicago, and Mayo Clinic Health System.

cupharmacy | December 09, 2015

'Tis the season for holiday parties, festivities and drives! 

cupharmacy | November 16, 2015

CU’s Skaggs School of Pharmacy’s annual research poster presentation featured great research from nearly 200 P-3 students on Tuesday, Oct. 27. The exhibit, which is a collaborative effort between the Departments of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Clinical Pharmacy, allows students the opportunity to conceptualize research ideas and create practical pharmaceutical solutions to real-world problems. Forty groups presented posters on topics ranging from substance abuse to cancer.

cupharmacy | November 03, 2015

In his fourth installment, third-year CU pharmacy student Ahsun Babalmorad interviews P-3 student Kimberly Uweh, president of CU’s Student National Pharmaceutical Association.

cupharmacy | October 21, 2015

Third-year pharmacy student, Aubrey Jones, presented at Collaborating Across Borders V IPE Conference Oct. 1 in Roanoke, Virginia. And according to Associate Dean for Professional Education, Kari Franson, PharmD, PhD, "She rocked her presentation, generating a ton of questions."

cupharmacy | October 15, 2015

“The Career Exploration Seminar was extremely eye-opening to a new and developing field of pharmacy that goes beyond the typical work of a pharmacist.” ~ P-2 Danielle Pilgreen.

According to students, the Sept. 29^th Career Exploration Seminar, hosted by the CU Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Alumni Association, was one of its best yet.

cupharmacy | October 09, 2015

Pharmacy students who participated in the KEZW radio Veterans Fair learned that age is just a number. A 91-year-old WWII veteran was proof of that.  With blood pressure numbers and bone density readings that were the envy of people half his age this WWII veteran made all the students shake their heads in wonder. "Every year that I have done this event, I have met the nicest people," says P-3 Jimmy Mitchell. "Their attitudes are amazing."  With hundreds of attendees, this year's fair was another successful event.

cupharmacy | October 07, 2015

Students from the CU Student National Pharmaceutical Association (CU-SNPhA) joined together for a 5K at Denver’s Washington Park Sunday, Sept. 20, in support of finding a cure for Polycystic Kidney Disease, an inherited disorder in which of cysts develop primarily within the kidneys. Several of the CUSNPha members volunteered at the registration table, while others, like Felicity Burke, participated in the walk.

cupharmacy | October 06, 2015

This Saturday, students and faculty from CU’s Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences will participate in the seventh annual KEZW Veteran’s Fair, one of the state’s largest resource events for veterans.

cupharmacy | October 02, 2015