College of Pharmacy Recognized by AACP with Designation, Individual Awards

By Benjamin Waldrum

The American Association of College of Pharmacy (AACP) recently recognized the UAMS College of Pharmacy with a prestigious designation and handed out national awards to two faculty members, one preceptor and a student.

The College of Pharmacy was one of only 17 schools of pharmacy nationwide selected as an inaugural Academia-Community Transformation (ACT) Community Pharmacy Center of Excellence. This designation recognizes schools and colleges of pharmacy that are committed to advancing community pharmacy practice.

Chris Johnson, Pharm.D., M.Ed., assistant professor of pharmacy practice, was one of four pharmacy faculty nationwide recognized as a national Emerging Teaching Scholar. Laura Lumsden, Pharm.D., a local pharmacy owner and longtime College of Pharmacy preceptor, was named a Distinguished Preceptor. Marty Perry, Ph.D., associate professor and vice chair for professional education in the college’s Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, was named to the AACP’s prestigious Academic Leadership Fellows Program (ALFP).

Amberly Clifton, MBA, a third-year pharmacy student, was selected to the AACP’s Aspiring Academics Program. The program aims to facilitate a deeper understanding of career paths in academic pharmacy.

College of Pharmacy Recognized by AACP with Designation, Individual Awards

(From left) Christopher Johnson, Pharm.D., M.Ed., Laura Lumsden, Pharm.D., Marty Perry, Pharm.D., and Amberly Clifton each received individual awards from the AACP. The College of Pharmacy was also recognized by AACP as a ACT Community Pharmacy Center of Excellence.

UAMS Nuclear Pharmacy Program Has Strong National Presence

By Benjamin Waldrum

One of the nation’s leading pharmacy schools, the UAMS College of Pharmacy excels in an area few others do: nuclear pharmacy. UAMS is one of only a handful of nuclear pharmacy programs in the United States that offers the full 200-hour Authorized Nuclear Pharmacy Certificate Program in this specialized field.

Radioactive materials are used in imaging and treatment for thousands of patients across the world, and nuclear pharmacists undergo rigorous training to ensure proper handling of these materials so that radioactive drug products and dosages are prepared correctly and safely. Since radioactive isotopes can have a short half-life, (that is, the amount of time that there is a sufficient amount of the radioactive drug needed for imaging or therapy) nuclear pharmacists are regularly on-call day or night to prepare dosages when they are needed.

The ANP certificate that the College of Pharmacy offers is necessary to become a nuclear pharmacist. This designation is recognized by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and its Agreement States, which are specially granted authority to license and inspect byproduct, source or special nuclear materials. This certificate is combined with 500 hours of hands-on training in a nuclear pharmacy with radioactive materials to learn proper safety and handling.

UAMS Nuclear Pharmacy Program Has Strong National Presence

Fatima Al-Doori, Pharm.D. (center, next to white coat) with the nuclear pharmacy team from an internship she served as a College of Pharmacy student. For a small but growing field, networking is crucial. Image by Fatima Al-Doori

UAMS Graduates 1,134 Health Care Professionals

By Chris Carmody

The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) on May 18 conferred degrees and certificates to 1,134 students in its five colleges and graduate school.

UAMS awarded 175 degrees or certificates to students in the College of Medicine, 172 in the College of Nursing, 583 in the College of Health Professions, 78 in the College of Pharmacy, 86 in the Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health and 78 in the UAMS Graduate School. Thirty-eight students earned dual degrees.

Degrees and certificates conferred at this year’s commencement ceremony included doctor of philosophy; doctor of medicine; doctor of pharmacy; doctor of nursing practice; master of science; master of nursing science; bachelor of science in nursing; doctor of public health; master of public health; master of health administration; master of science in health care data analytics; postbaccalaureate certificate in public health; and a variety of allied health disciplines, including doctor of audiology, doctor of physical therapy, master of physician assistant studies, master of science and bachelor of science.

For a complete list of the 2024 graduates, follow the link below.

UAMS Graduates 1,134 Health Care Professionals

UAMS students take part in the May 18 commencement ceremony at Barton Coliseum in Little Rock. Image by Bryan Clifton

College of Pharmacy Seniors, Alumni Announce Residency and Fellowship Matches

By Benjamin Waldrum

Seventeen UAMS College of Pharmacy seniors and nine recent alumni announced their residencies and fellowships May 14 in a ceremony held on the UAMS campus in Little Rock.

Upon completion of their Doctor of Pharmacy degree, students are able to join the workforce or continue to develop their skills in a specific area through residencies, fellowships or graduate programs. Residents further develop their professional competence beyond entry-level practice, as well as build leadership skills to improve services and patient care outcomes.

“Soon-to-be residents, we are so proud of you and the work that you’ve done, and we’re so excited to see your careers unfold,” said Cindy Stowe, Pharm.D., dean of the College of Pharmacy. “I hope that you take on these challenges with a smile and confidence that you’re learning and improving in the ability to care for your patients and make a difference in their lives. My advice is simple: stay curious, stay compassionate and stay committed to excellence.”

College of Pharmacy Seniors, Alumni Announce Residency and Fellowship Matches

College of Pharmacy students pose with their match signs at the Little Rock ceremony May 14. Over the past four years, College of Pharmacy students and alumni have matched to programs in 21 states. Image by Benjamin Waldrum

PGY-1 Residencies

Whitney Austin — Little Rock (Baptist Health Medical Center)

Jeffery Davis Jr. — Little Rock (Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System)

Victoria Hoggard — Searcy (Unity Health, White County Medical Center)

Alexis Jacobus — Searcy (Unity Health, White County Medical Center)

Kennede McLeroy-Charles — Dallas (Baylor Health Enterprises)

Maria Neal — Jackson, Mississippi (University of Mississippi Medical Center)

Kendall Perkins — Memphis, Tennessee (Methodist University Hospital)

Benjamin Quattlebaum — Rogers (Mercy Hospital Northwest Arkansas)

Alexa Ramick — Charleston, South Carolina (Medical University of South Carolina)

Austin Richards — Columbus, Mississippi (Baptist Memorial Hospital – Golden Triangle)

Amanda Russell — Jonesboro (St. Bernards Medical Center)

Mary Rose Siebenmorgen — Searcy (ARcare)

Katherine Snider — Rogers (Mercy Hospital Northwest Arkansas)

Victoria Tang — Tacoma, Washington (MultiCare Tacoma General Hospital)

Rachel Ward — St. Louis (Sisters of St. Mary Health St. Louis University Hospital)

Dylan Yowell — Little Rock (Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System)

National Community Pharmacists Association Fellowship

Emily Carter — Maumelle (Achor Family Pharmacy)

PGY-2 Residencies

Elma Abdullah — Searcy (ARcare)

Emily Campbell — Little Rock (Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System)

Taylor Connor — Little Rock (UAMS College of Pharmacy)

Justin Dino — Tulsa, Oklahoma (Oklahoma State University Medical Center)

Michelle Hernandez — Little Rock (UAMS College of Pharmacy)

Brendan Midkiff — Little Rock (Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System)

Madeline Poush — Little Rock (UAMS Medical Center)

Morgan Tracy — Little Rock (Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System)

Jasiha Welch — Little Rock (UAMS College of Pharmacy)

APhA Annual Meeting Recognizes College of Pharmacy Students, Alumni with Awards

By Benjamin Waldrum

UAMS College of Pharmacy students and alumni received multiple awards this year at the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) annual meeting, held March 22-25 in Orlando.

The APhA-Academy of Student Pharmacists (ASP) awards and honors program is the most comprehensive recognition program for students in the profession of pharmacy.

“Both our students and alumni have a strong track record for exceptional professional advocacy, scholarship and patient care, which these awards affirm,” said Cindy Stowe, Pharm.D., dean of the College of Pharmacy. “Building a legacy of excellence begins during their time as students and continues on into their long and successful careers. I am so incredibly proud of all their accomplishments.”

APhA Annual Meeting Recognizes College of Pharmacy Students, Alumni with Awards

The UAMS College of Pharmacy's APhA Academy of Student Pharmacists chapter received the national Division AA Chapter of the Year award. This is the eighth time UAMS has won in its division. From left to right: Hayden Wood, Mary Kate Record, Kerigan Bradshaw, Jenae Powell, Olgaaurora Rodriguez, Erik Hsu, Chris Johnson, Pharm.D., M.Ed.

College of Pharmacy Pinning Ceremony Recognizes Third-Year Students

Members of the College of Pharmacy Class of 2025 posed for a group photo in Little Rock following this year's ceremony. A total of 87 students were recognized in Little Rock and Northwest Arkansas. Image by Evan Lewis

By Benjamin Waldrum

The UAMS College of Pharmacy recognized third-year students with commemorative pins at a joint ceremony held March 8, marking the transition to patient care for their final school year.

Third-year pharmacy student Nicholas Hollowell (right) receives his pin from Dean Cindy Stowe, Pharm.D.Evan Lewis

Ceremonies were held on the UAMS Little Rock campus and UAMS Northwest Regional Campus, recognizing a total of 87 students from the College of Pharmacy Class of 2025. The annual tradition marks the end of in-class instruction for pharmacy students.

Dean Cindy Stowe, Pharm.D., welcomed the students and faculty present, as well as a packed house of friends and family members. Addressing the class, she told them to be “practice-ready.”

College of Pharmacy Pinning Ceremony Recognizes Third-Year Students