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Coming Soon! We are currently creating additional profiles of MSPS students, faculty and alumni. In the meantime we encourage you to read the faculty profiles by clicking the appropriate tab above.
Stephen O'Barr, PhD
Director of Graduate Education & Associate Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences
WesternU distinctive: The MSPS program at WesternU is unique in that students receive high contact time with all faculty, including their mentor. This close association between student and faculty creates an environment of growth and excellence lost in most programs at larger institutions were access to core faculty is hindered or non-existent. The result of our program is enhanced progression from “student” or “technician” to “independent researcher”. On interprofessional education: The diversity of our department and college faculty enhances student learning. Students in our program are exposed to experts in everything from peptide chemistry to molecular genomics, from drug delivery and manufacturing to behavior. Some of our department faculty also collaborates with research pharmacists within the college, allowing for direct involvement in patient research. This increased breadth in learning enhances student skill sets and broadens their knowledge base.
Arezoo Campbell, Ph.D
Assistant Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Current Research: I am actively involved in research at WesternU, I have my own laboratory and am currently working on two different projects. One project is in collaboration with Dr. Flemming Cassee (RIVM, The Netherlands) and involves assessing adverse effects of particulate matter, present in diesel exhaust or ambient air pollution, on the brain. The second project is in collaboration with Dr. Hans Keirstead (UCI) and the purpose is to determine whether human embryonic stem cells during different phases of differentiation to mature oligodendrocytes may have characteristics which allow them to be used as a future therapeutic tool in patients with multiple sclerosis. Humanism in Action: A new member of our faculty (Doreen Pon) recently traveled to Guatemala, Mexico to assist individuals in need of healthcare who could not afford their medications. Her devotion, kindness and care have taught me to try and be a better person and volunteer my time to help others. Most valuable aspect of a WesternU education: We as faculty truly care about the success of our students. We are always willing to give students one-on-one instruction and help them in any way possible to learn the material presented in lectures. Students become members of our large family and we try our best to insure the future success of our students. On Interprofessional Education: In today’s healthcare system, it is essential for students to learn to effectively communicate with different healthcare workers. The IPE curriculum will allow this essential experience.
Anandi Law, B.Pharm, PhD
Associate Professor and Chair, Pharmacy Practice & Administration
On research: A WesternU intramural grant helped fund one of my earliest research proposals when I joined here. The project was a survey of (40% of) California community pharmacies to determine the status and extent of disease management programs. The results from that project were published in a fairly high impact journal for pharmacy practitioners and researchers (Journal of American Pharmacists Association) and helped establish my work in this area as well as expand the scope of my practice based research as community (chain and independent) pharmacies contacted me to help start such programs in their settings. Currently WesternU is trying to expand its research infrastructure and I am looking forward to hearing more about the increased resources. WesternU distinctive: There are various unique aspects of the Pharm.D. program that define us: The block system is unique in the fact that students focus on only one area at a time; although personally I was more at ease with traditional programs, time and data have shown that the block system seems to be successful in increasing focus and depth in a topic area. It also helps faculty have focused time for their teaching and research during different times of the year without interruption. The Advanced Elective is another unique aspect – it serves as a capstone project for our students and is valued by all constituents – since it allows the student to take a project from conception to completion. About the WesternU community: WesternU is a smaller university, focused on the health sciences. The campus community is closely knit and has a real “community” feel. Everyone literally is a phone call or a few feet away and there are fewer layers in the university. It’s a great place for students because the focus is always on them. The university is currently undergoing growth and poised for major expansion of programs and perspective. On interprofessional education: The IPE initiative is really exciting in its attempts to have health care providers learn and develop positive attitudes and respect and have realistic expectations of other health care professionals so the team concept that we preach in patent-focused care moves to reality.
Jesse Martinez, PharmD, FASCP
Vice Dean, Academic Diversity and Development
WesternU distinctive: Each student must successfully complete a business plan for the purchase or start-up of an independently-owned pharmacy. Each business plan will be evaluated by the student’s preceptor at the conclusion of the course as well as the course coordinator. This career track is designed to offer specialized training in community pharmacy ownership/management through on-site experience, self-directed learning and team work. Why WesternU: WesternU is unique in that the faculty and students have an opportunity to establish a mentor/student professional relationship. The curriculum offers a unique system that allows the student to immerse into one subject matter at a time. Thus, all focus is universal for that “block” of time in the curriculum. I believe that this “block” system coupled with interactive group and team participation prepares the student for the challenges to become an accomplished and exceptional leader in the profession of pharmacy. Value of a WesternU education: WesternU offers the student to become more than a qualified health professional. WesternU offers experiences to become a leader in the profession. Best Advice: Western University of Health Sciences with Colleges in Pharmacy, Graduate Nursing, Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Allied Health, Optometry, Dentistry, Podiatry and Biomedical Sciences on one campus allows an educational experience that promotes interactive team work and collaboration with a wealth of health professions professionals in an exceptional teaching environment. On interprofessional education: The following ability based outcomes will be potentiated by the inter-professional education unique to the Western University campus:
Siu-Fun Wong, PharmD, FCSHP, FASCP
Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice
On interprofessional education: The best patient care is achieved through collaborative efforts of multi-disciplinary care. An IPE curriculum will better prepare our graduates to deliver optimal patient care by enhancing their recognition of other health care providers’ roles and utilize the knowledge and skills of others.
Cynthia Jackevicius, MSc, PharmD
Associate Professor, Pharmacy Practice
WesternU distinctive: The block system is unique to the Doctor of Pharmacy Program at Western University. It allows students to focus on one major therapeutic topic at a time and concentrate their learning in this area. Many students choose Western University since they enjoy learning in this system. On interprofessional education: Incorporating an IPE curriculum is an ideal way to teach health professionals since upon graduation, health professionals all work with each other to manage patient’s health issues.
Fadi Khasawneh, PhD
Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Why WesternU: I wanted to become part of a university which has research as an integral part of its mission statement. Since WesternU is one of the few private institutions which has the advancement of research as one of its strategic goals, I quickly realized that this is where I belong. I was also impressed by the high quality teaching that is provided by an outstanding group of faculty. The pace of development of this university is very high; the growth and progress opportunities have no limit at WesternU. On interprofessional education: As a professional and a practitioner, one does not operate in a vacuum or in segregation. Rather, as part of a multidisciplinary team with each member providing a complementary expertise. I believe that such a program will aid our future practitioners in their transition into their future careers and make them very competent. I believe that this is where most of the health science universities are going to be heading to, and I am glad that WesternU is among the leaders in adapting this new educational philosophy.
Roger Klotz, R.Ph, BCNSP, FASCP, FACA, FCPhA
Regional Coordinator & Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice
WesternU distinctive: Foundations of clinical practice builds the basic knowledge of students in the areas of health care financing, communications, drug information, patient assessment basic skills, and the introduction to self-care. Basic nutrition provides the student with the knowledge required to provide basic nutritional assessment of patients. While the parenteral and enteral nutrition provides the student with an understanding of how to provide complete nutrition to patients unable to follow a normal diet. Why WesternU: I was a preceptor for the College of Pharmacy from 1999 to the present time and had worked with the Associate Dean and the Dean at other Universities so I had a good understanding of their planned direction. I am particularly excited about the Universities commitment to interdisciplinary care. Have practiced in multiple health care environments I know how critical inter-professional communications and skills sharing is to patient care and good outcomes.
Sam Shimomura, PharmD, FASHP, CGP
Associate Dean for College Advancement, Professor of Pharmacy Practice and Administration
Beyond the classroom: I am the advisor to the CSHP/ASHP Student Chapter. The students and I have participated in numerous community-service activities, including health fairs; flu shot clinics, poison prevention programs and a fundraiser for the Salvation Army. WesternU distinctive: The pharmacy students work in small teams during the didactic portion of the curriculum. This helps students to develop communication, interpersonal and leadership skills. This experience also prepares students to work on the health care team once they start their clerkships. The planned inter-professional education curriculum will also enhance the student’s ability to work effectively in teams. Why WesternU: I chose WesternU because of the opportunity to teach at an innovative and caring College of Pharmacy. When planning the new college, over 200 innovative teaching ideas were considered and many were implemented including the block system, teams, additional clerkships and an advanced elective.
Gollapudi Shankar, MS, PharmD
Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice and Administration
Research interests: I am looking into working on the Comparative efficacy of antidepressants on cocaine-induced depression based on SSRI and dual-action properties. WesternU distinctive: A unique aspect of our program is combining didactics and practical experience in the experiential program. I found my students in the rotations are very interested in the pursuit of knowledge--unlike the classroom where they are more focused on exams. During rotations their attitude and goals are more focused on learning and they are usually very receptive to the assignments I give them. WesternU also has a very good faculty. For us, it is not just a job, we enjoy what we do and always want to do our job better so we can help our students Beyond the classroom: I coordinate with the chairs and student liaisons of APhA and NCPA and I am involved with students conducting health fairs through these organizations. It is really amazing how enthusiastic our WesternU students are about participating in community service projects. Best thing about WesternU: At WesternU I believe we provide a congenial atmosphere between faculty and students. The relationship between students and faculty is very informal—but professional at the same time--and in all schools we focus on problem-based learning as much as we can.
MSPS Alumni
Coming Soon! We are currently creating additional profiles of MSPS students, faculty and alumni. In the meantime we encourage you to read the faculty profiles by clicking the appropriate tab above. |
