Alums to Watch
2022 Five of the Future
This second-annual feature celebrates rising stars from each of the School of Pharmacy’s degree programs. From creating new platforms to improve the accessibility of health care to helping to develop new diagnostics that improve patient outcomes, these five are pushing research and patient care into the future in unique ways.
Prime Preceptors
National Master Preceptor
Kate Hartkopf (PharmD '08) is recognized by a national pharmacy organization among an elite group of preceptors for student pharmacists and residents.
2022 Larry Boh Awardee
Nominated by the School’s student pharmacists, Joshua Lee is celebrated with the School's 2022 Larry Boh Clinical Instructor Excellence Award.
Congrats, grads!
Gallery: PharmD Awards
Before the Hooding Ceremony kicked off, PharmD Graduation Award recipients gathered to receive their honors. See the event.
Gallery: Hooding Ceremony
Our 2022 Hooding Ceremony celebrated more than 100 graduates from the School's PharmD, Health Services Research in Pharmacy, and Pharmaceutical Sciences programs.
Gallery: PharmTox Brunch
To commemorate all they have achieved, our PharmTox graduates gathered for a breakfast and award ceremony. View the gallery.
Improving Practice
Caffeine for Preemies
Caffeine is one of the most commonly prescribed therapies for premature infants. To improve its dosing and infant outcomes, Assistant Professor Sin Yin Lim led a study that is earning him recognition from the Pediatric Pharmacy Association.
Leveraging Pharmacists for 'Whole Health'
Social determinants of health account for up to 80% of health outcomes, but only 16% of clinic practices report screening their patients. That’s why Christina Nguyễn (PharmD '21) led a study to see how pharmacists can fill that gap.
New Toolkit for Safer Opioids
Developed by School of Pharmacy faculty, staff, and alumni, such as Tyler Prickette (PharmD '17), the toolkit aims to save lives, especially in rural areas hit the hardest by opioid misuse.
Improving Inclusivity
Alumni Enhance Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in Pharmacy
At state and national levels, six School of Pharmacy alumni are working to improve representation and inclusion in the pharmacy profession. Learn how Tabarius Smith (PharmD ’03), Melissa Theesfeld (PharmD ’06), Jenevieve Van Order (PharmD ’21), Dawn Moore (MS ’01), Melissa Ortega (MS ’12), and Bruce Scott (BS ’79) are helping pharmacists to feel represented and to better serve diverse patient populations.
Renowned Faculty
Vilas Awards
The Vilas awards and professorships are some of UW–Madison's most prestigious awards. In 2022, two School of Pharmacy faculty are receiving the honor. Learn why.
Expanding COPD CARE
A new $16.7 million grant from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Rural Health is helping Assistant Professor Ed Portillo expand his life-changing service for veterans with COPD. See how.
Photo Galleries
Alumni Innovators - Milwaukee
The School held a reception to bring Milwaukee-based alums together to hear from pharmacy innovators Annie Biesboer (PharmD ’10), Kwadwo Owusu-Ofori (PhD ’10), and Dalia Saleh (PharmD ’14), and to reconnect over a meal.
Alumni Innovators - Madison
This Madison-area alum event featured talks from alumni and faculty who are advancing their fields, including Steve Rough (BS ’91, MS ’94), Scott Canfield (PharmD ’13), Sara King (BS ’99), Ed Portillo (PharmD ’14), Professor Paul Hutson and more.
Student Excellence
Record-Setting Residency Match Rate
In 2022, the School of Pharmacy’s graduates earned one of their best ASHP Residency Match Rates to date: 92%. Learn where some of these grads are headed for their residency, what they’re focusing on, and what they think helped them stand out as competitive applicants.
3 National Awards
The School's Wisconsin Society of Pharmacy Students is honored by two national pharmacy organizations for their outreach. Learn about the awards.
Managed Care
The School's PharmD students land two achievements through the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy: a Best Poster Award, and a trip to the semifinals for the P&T competition. See why.
From the Dean
DEAN’S CORNER
As the School’s 2021-22 academic year comes to a close, School of Pharmacy Dean Steve Swanson reflects on some of the greatest accomplishments of the School’s students and faculty, and looks forward to what challenges the School will be tackling next to remain one of the best pharmacy schools in the nation.
READ HIS MESSAGE
SUPPORT STUDENTS BY JUNE 30
The student experience at the School of Pharmacy is top-notch thanks to alumni support for critical career programming and community-building activities.
Make a gift today to help us reach 139 total by June 30 and unlock an additional $18,250 from Board of Visitors members. Graduated in the last 10 years? Your gift will be matched by the Pharmacy Alumni Association (up to $2,500).
Support Student Success >
Award-winners
PharmTox Alum of the Year
"Without knowing this job existed, I was preparing for it,” says Allison Gardner (BS '99). Now a leader in continuing education for healthcare professionals, she's being honored by the Pharmacy Alumni Association.
GI Treatment Pioneer
Tom McCourt (BS '80) has championed major breakthroughs in treatments for GI diseases, including Prilosec. In 2022, he's being recognized nationally for his pivotal contributions.
Leading Research
National Presentations
Three PharmD and two Health Services Research in Pharmacy students were selected for coveted podium presentations at the 2022 American Pharmacists Association meeting, sharing their impactful research.
Cancer-Fighting Gel
A new biodegradable gel, developed by Assistant Professor Quanyin Hu and collaborators, improves the immune system’s ability to keep cancer at bay after tumors are surgically removed.
Data Visualization Award
Director of Global Health Laurel Legenza (PharmD '13) and Health Services Research in Pharmacy graduate student Apoorva Reddy are winners in a national competition for their visualization of data on suicide and overdose deaths.
Alumni Impact
New Institute for Drug Development
Through the support of renowned alum Leon Lachman (PhD '56), the School is launching a new Institute to harness expertise and enhance collaboration to move therapies from the lab into the clinic. Learn about the Institute's goals.
Life-Changing Support
Nearly 40% of the School's PharmD students receive a scholarship, thanks to alumni support, which can greatly impact the trajectory of students' careers. Students and alumni reflect on how scholarships have helped them.
Research Talks
Pharmacy Experts: Naloxone Injection Administration for Opioid Relapse Prevention
Watch the School of Pharmacy’s full Pharmacy Experts webinar, hosted by Assistant Professor Jay Ford, featuring Eric Jachthuber, John Lemke (PharmD ’15), Thad Schumacher, and Jenni Villeneuve (PharmD ’02). These experts discuss how pharmacists can get involved in treatment for substance misuse disorder.
University Place: Psychedelics and Mental Health
Assistant Professor Cody Wenthur is featured on PBS’ University Place series discussing how psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy may be used to treat end-of-life anxiety, treatment resistant depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Watch his full talk here or catch it on the Wisconsin Channel: June 19 at 6 am or June 20 at 4 pm.
From the PAA
PAA CORNER
As she prepares to leave the Pharmacy Alumni Association board, alumna Kim Lintner (PharmD ’01) reflects on how the organization has evolved and expanded over the years to build connections and offer support to all School of Pharmacy alumni.
Read her reflection >
Making Headlines
Class Notes
SUMMER 2022 CLASS NOTES
Our Pharmacy Badgers are kicking off the summer with professional and personal achievements, awards, new jobs, bigger families, and more. Keep in touch with your School of Pharmacy alumni peers through class notes.
READ WHAT’S NEW >
SUBMIT YOUR CLASS NOTE >
Upcoming Events
23nd Annual PAA/WSPS Golf Outing
Alumni, faculty, and current students unite for a day of golf and catching up with good friends and colleagues. Proceeds from this event benefit student scholarships.
August 18, 2022, 9 am-4:30 pm
Alumni & Friends Tailgate
After a year off, this popular alumni gathering is back on the books! Join alumni and friends of the School to cheer on the Badgers as they face the New Mexico Aggies.
September 17, 2022, 2.5 hours before kickoff
Reminder: Alumni Link Sign-Up
The Badger Pharmacy network is a priceless resource. Through Alumni Link, we connect established alums with recent grads to help them take their first steps into the profession.
Sign up by June 20 to connect
Webinar: Digital Therapeutics
Dalia Saleh (PharmD ’14) and physician Steven Driver discuss the history, future, and regulatory landscape of digital therapeutics, where software acts as medicine for patients.
July 19, 2022, 7:30 pm
PAA Luncheon at PSW Annual Meeting
Join the Pharmacy Alumni Association to hear updates on alumni activities and celebrate the Alumni of the Year, who will be announced at the luncheon.
August 27, 2022, 12 pm
Continuing Education
Pharmaceutical Science Opportunities
2022 Bioanalytical LAND O’ LAKES CONFERENCE | Madison, WI | July 11-14, 2022
2022 Pharmaceutical LAND O’ LAKES CONFERENCE | Madison, WI | August 1-4, 2022
CMC Project Team Leadership | Madison, WI | October 3-6, 2022
Save the Date
2nd Annual UW–Madison Psychedelic Symposium will be held October 27-28, 2022 at the Wisconsin Institute of Discovery on the UW Campus. More information and registration coming soon.
Pharmacy Invitational Conference on Antithrombotic Therapy (PICAT) will be held virtually this year on December 5, 2022. More information and registration coming soon.
Connect With Us
DISCOVERX STAFF
Editor-in-Chief | Katie Gerhards
Photographer | Sally Griffith-Oh
Contributing Photographers | Todd Brown, Ingrid Laas, Paul L. Newby II, Deanne Fitzmaurice, Carla Osberg, Stephanie Howard
Contributing Writers | Katie Ginder-Vogel, Jessica Steinhoff, Eric Butterman
Editorial Interns | Brianna Foth, Ben Cadigan
Editorial Advisors | Alyson Kim, David Mott
DiscoveRx magazine is a quarterly digital publication by the University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Pharmacy.
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