e-Pulse
Your weekly update from ACPHS  
Calendar

 

February 19

Africana Film Series
Film #3 (7 pm)

February 21
Ghana Medical Mission
Information Session
SC 201 (11 am)

February 22
APhA-ASP Auction (VT)
6:00 - 9:00 pm

February 22
Deadline for Student Summer Research Awards Applications

Dominica Rotation Student Presentation
(6 pm)

February 24
Ski/Snowboard Club Trip to Mt. Snow

Feb. 26 - March 2
USCAA National Basketball Tournaments
Uniontown, PA

March 4
Deadline for PRI Nanotech/Biotech
Internship Applications 

March 18-22
Spring Break

March 22-23
Continuing Education: 
Pharm. Practice Institute

April 12
Relay for Life

April 13
Continuing Education:
Immunization Delivery

April 19-20
Springfest

April 27
Medication Takeback Event (Albany Campus)

April 28
Continuing Education: Nephrology Symposium

May 11
Continuing Education:
Barbara M. DiLascia Oncology Lecture Series 

May 18
Albany Campus (1 pm)

May 19
Vermont Campus (1 pm)
President's Day has us feeling patriotic at the e-Pulse. And we cannot tell a lie. This is the single greatest issue in the history of this storied newsletter. Have we taken any liberties with such a proclamation? We'll let history be the judge. Happy reading!
Professor Kane Awarded $45K Grant for Diabetes Drug Study

Professor Michael Kane recently received a $44,875 grant from Bristol-Myers Squibb to study the effectiveness of the drug Bydureon for treating diabetes patients. Bydureon was approved in January 2012 and is notable for having to be injected just once per week. Prior to Bydureon's approval, the comparable drugs on the market were Byetta and Victoza, which had to be administered twice daily and once daily, respectively. Dr. Kane and his resident, Sara Micale, will compare the utility of Bydureon vs. the other two drugs in at least 100 patients, exploring outcomes related to tolerability, efficacy, and weight loss.

APhA-ASP Auction Raises More than $3,200 for Local Addictions Center

The annual APhA-ASP Action Auction took place last week and raised a whopping $5,271.50. When combined with other fundraising activities during the year, the organization raised nearly $6,000! More than half of the money ($3,208.25) will be donated to the Addictions Care Center of Albany. APhA-ASP will use the remainder of the monies to help fund various patient care projects. The Vermont Chapter of APhA-ASP will hold their auction fundraiser this Friday.

Dr. Scarpace Goes to Washington

Assistant Dean and Associate Professor Sarah Scarpace traveled to Washington, DC last week on behalf of the Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association. As Chair of the organization's Health Policy Committee, Dr. Scarpace met with New York State Rep. Paul Tonko (pictured at left) and members of Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand's staff to discuss the roles of hematology/oncology pharmacists and clinical pharmacists in patient care. They also discussed issues related to drug shortages, oral chemotherapy parity, and biosimilars.

Both Men's and Women's Hoops Teams Invited to USCAA National Tournament

A vacation to Uniontown, PA at the end of February may not be everyone's first choice for a winter getaway, but for the men's and women's basketball teams, it sounds like paradise. That's because both teams have been invited to participate in the USCAA national championship tournament taking place Feb. 26 - Mar. 2 on the Uniontown campus of Penn State-Fayette. The men's team finished the season with a 13-6 record; the women's team wrapped up at 16-5. This will be both teams' first trip to the tournament.

ACPHS Faculty in the News

Associate Dean Bob Hamilton and Director of Continuing Education David Kile were both in the news recently. Dean Hamilton shared a pharmacist's perspective on Vermont's proposed "Death with Dignity" bill with local FOX affiliate WFFF-TV. Mr. Kile spoke with WNYT-TV's Benita Zahn about the recommendation of an FDA advisory panel to reclassify hydrocodone as a Schedule II drug. The move is being advocated to institute tighter controls on the drug and ultimately deter potential abuse.

Fine print
If you find yourself in Uniontown, PA with some time to kill, here are a few shopping and dining options for your consideration: the Winter Whimsy Art Show is running through March 3; you can stock up on home furnishings at Mundel's Furniture & Appliance Outlet; or stop by Wanna Waffle and have a bite to eat (hopefully you're in the mood for waffles). Starting to reconsider that Spring Break trip to Florida now, aren't you?