Items on the “save the date?list include:
- New: The deadline for applying for campus parking for 2008/09 is June 5. See www.wisc.edu/trans or contact Pratima Sharma in the Business Office.
- New: Put your foursomes together for the Pharmacy Alumni Association (PAA) annual golf outing on June 13. All proceeds benefit the PAA Scholarship Fund, and there are great prizes and wonderful food and company. See Pam French (Alumni Relations) for a registration form or go to www.pharmacy.wisc.edu/alumni/GolfOutingBrochure.pdf.
- New: Faculty input about various aspects/ideas of PharmD curricular revision is invited throughout the summer at periodic (probably weekly) discussions. As the name implies, these “Coffee, Carbs, and Courses” sessions will include energizing refreshments and will be held from 8:15-9:00 or so on various days of the week. Stay tuned for additional details about schedules and topics.
- A symposium honoring the distinguished career of Professor Emeritus C. Richard “Hutch” Hutchinson (PharmSci) entitled “Natural Product Biosynthesis, Engineering, and Drug Discovery” will be held on Friday, June 20.
- The next major event celebrating our 125th anniversary will be the US-Thai Consortium meeting in mid-July. See the US-Thai Consotrium web pages for registration and program information. Thanks to the Pharmacy Student Senate for providing financial support to two PharmD students to attend the meeting.
- New: A retreat of the faculty, focused mostly but not totally on the continuing discussion and decision-making about PharmD curricular revision, has been scheduled for Monday, August 25…details to follow. Please note: 28 faculty (all tracks, all ranks) are required to constitute a quorum to hold a formal vote
New information about FY09 salary adjustments: The pay plan for unclassified UW employees that will take effect on July 1 has recently been revised. The prior plan called for a 2% increase effective July 1, 2008 and an additional 1% increase effective April 12, 2009. The revised pay plan basically reverses things, such that the 1% increase will be effective July 1, 2008 and the 2% increase effective June 1, 2009. As you might imagine, this is in response to the continuing budget problems at the state level and also aligns the unclassified pay plan with that negotiated by the classified (unionized) employees.
New information about the “Smoke-Free Zone”: Thank you to SOP faculty, staff, and students who are respecting the recently-devised tobacco-free boundary around the UWHC and the entire health sciences campus. Two modifications to the boundary have recently been made that I wanted to bring to everyone’s attention. The smoke-free zone now includes all the area within the triangular property extending from in front of the American Family Children’s Hospital to the Waisman Center along University Bay Dr. and Highland Ave. In addition, the boundary has also been extended to cover the back parking lot of the Waisman Center…a revised map is attached. As before, we would like to support all efforts to quit smoking by SOP personnel who currently smoke. Valuable resources exist on campus, particularly through the Center for Tobacco Research and Intervention (CTRI), like their Tobacco Quit Line. We’re still planning to hold a "Thinking of Quitting?" session here at the School with experts from CTRI as well.
At the May 15 faculty meeting, the following motions were approved:
- Increase the maximum PharmD class size from 130 to 140.
- Increase the maximum percentage of non-WI residents in the PharmD class from 10% to 20%.
- Remove the state (country) of residence as a criterion for admission.
- Add 1 credit to PPD 425 in fall semester of the first professional year to begin to accommodate new accreditation standards for introductory pharmacy practice experiences (IPPEs).
- Remove Micro 303 from the PharmD curriculum and require Micro 101 or equivalent prior to admission, with advanced content incorporated into the PharmD curriculum.
The motion to remove Biostat 441 from the PharmD curriculum and require Stat 301 or equivalent prior to admission, with advanced content incorporated into the PharmD curriculum, was successfully modified to specify that the advanced content: (a) be up to 1 credit; (b) reside specifically in a required PPD course; and (c) be determined by the PPD faculty. The vote on the modified motion resulted in a tie. In consultation with Robert’s Rules of Order and with David Musolf (UW Secretary of the Faculty), it would be within my authority to cast a tie-breaking vote. However, I have decided not to do so in this case of a curricular revision decision, and I am asking that the Curriculum Committee and the faculty engage in further discussion and decision-making about the issue.
Warren Heideman (PharmSci/Research) recently sent the following message regarding use of the Affymetrix Instrumentation System housed at the UW Biotech Center that I thought was worth repeating… "[The SOP has] reached an agreement with Sandra Splinter BonDurant that allows School of Pharmacy researchers to use the equipment free of charge. They won't run your samples for you, but they will allow you to run them yourself after a short bit of training. Members of my lab have found the Biotech Center staff very helpful." See Warren for more details or contact Sandra at 890-0166.
Remembering Adam Nickel… Attached is the information sheet I sent out a couple weeks ago outlining two ways that have been arranged to honor the memory of our lost DPH-3 student, Adam Nickel. His commitment to raising funds for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society through the Team in Training Program will be expanded and enhanced by supporting classmate Sarah Balzar's participation in the Chicago Marathon later this year. Ashley Liegel (DPH-3) will also be running in Chicago in Adam’s memory. In addition, the Adam Nickel Memorial Scholarship Fund has been established to provide support to a like-minded PharmD student in Adam's honor each year. I will personally be matching all contributions to the scholarship fund made by SOP faculty, staff, and students through the end of 2008. More information and additional details can be found at www.pharmacy.wisc.edu/ran/. Many other events and activities have come together as well, and I appreciate everything that faculty, staff, and students have done already or have planned to honor Adam's memory. We'll be sending the flier throughout the state, as well as to all the other schools/colleges of pharmacy nationwide.
As mentioned previously, I’m in the process of sitting down individually with all members of the SOP faculty and staff to listen to your views about whatever aspects, features, areas you feel I need to hear about. Thanks in advance for taking the time to provide feedback to me in this way.
Faculty highlights that have crossed my desk:
- Congratulations to Al Hanson (ESP) who was named the inaugural Melvin H. Weinswig Chair in Extension Services in Pharmacy (4-year term) and to Mel (Dean and ESP emeritus) for being honored by his colleagues with the named chair.
- And to Jeanine Mount (SAS) who was named the next Hammel/Sanders Distinguished Chair in Pharmacy Administration (3-year term). Many thanks to Dave Mott (SAS), the previous Hammel/Sanders Chair holder for using the opportunity to further expand his contributions to pharmacy work force studies and for being such a great steward with alum Dave Sanders. (For our new faculty and staff, this chair is named for the colorful, legendary faculty member Bob Hammel (SAS) and alum Dave Sanders who funded the majority of the chair in Bob’s honor.)
- Congratulations also to Dick Peterson for being elected to a second term as chair of the Pharmaceutical Sciences Division.
- Jeanine also was recognized by the TRIO Program with a Brenda Pfaehler Award of Excellence (as was Amber Ault, below).
- Congratulations also go to Tom Thielke (PPD/UWHC) for being named the 2008 recipient of the prestigious John W. Webb Award from the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP).
- The Wisconsin Pharmacy Practice Research Initiative (WPPRI) Advisory Board recently approved the following allocations from various funding sources within PPD:
- To Orly Vardeny (PPD) to support Jonathan Badger (DPH-2) to attend the American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP) annual meeting from funds received for PPD faculty participation in Continuing Nursing Education.
- To Karen Kopacek (PPD) to study professional competency in community pharmacists from the Pharmacy Practice Research (aka Don Lindsey) Fund.
- To Warren Rose (PPD) to study molecular influences of vancomycin on S. aureus from the Pharmacy Practice Research Fund; to provide research exposure and experience to Suhani Patiel (DPH-1) to study methicillin-resistant S. aureus from the Larry Boh Fund; and to support Suhani to attend the ACCP annual meeting also from funds received for PPD faculty participation in Continuing Nursing Education.
- Additional funds will be reserved to facilitate faculty and student involvement with the new clinical training site recently established in Belize by Curt Johnson (PPD/Global Health) and Marty Kieser (PPD/Experiential Ed).
- Speaking of Global Health, I received special commendation for Connie Kraus’ (PPD/Global Health) “superb performance” during her recent visit to Nizwa University in Oman to review their pharmacy program.
- Lara Collier and Darin Furgeson (PharmSci) received $2,000 each from the Joseph R. Robinson Fund to support their travel to professional meetings. Thanks to both for their stewardship with Joe’s widow, Bonna.
- Michelle Chui (SAS) participated in the 2008 WI Idea Seminar, a 5-day jaunt around the state to learn about Wisconsin, to see how important UW-Madison is to the state, and to hear where our expertise and outreach could contribute more to benefit the state and its residents.
- Abdalla Saad, a recent graduate of the Master of Science in Biotechnology program, hopes to start a company based on the sophisticated drug delivery technologies being developed by Sandro Mecozzi and Glen Kwon (PharmSci) along with collaborator Bob Pearce (Anesthesiology) and coworkers. The potential spin-off was highlighted in the May 15 Wisconsin State Journal (www.madison.com/wsj/home/biz/index.php?ntid=286590).
- Dave Mott and Michelle Chui (SAS) will serve as the faculty advisors for two new graduate students (Grace Welham and Korey Kennelty, respectively), who were recently named as members of the first cohort of T32 scholars funded by the Institute for Clinical and Translational Research (ICTR).
Notable notes among the staff include:
- Gerri Wanserski (Ebling Library) has decided to retire on July 6 after many, many years at UW and almost 10 years as the liaison to the SOP. Please join me in saying thank you for everything, Gerri! Stay tuned for more information about a celebration for Gerri. And about Ebling’s plans to interface with and serve the SOP’s need moving forward.
- I mentioned last month that Amber Ault (Diversity/SAA) had been nominated for a Brenda Pfaehler Award of Excellence from the TRIO Program, which she did receive.
- Melanie Schneider (SAA) was recognized by our Multicultural Affairs in Pharmacy Program (MAPP) with their Supportive Staffer Award.
- Chris Bischel and Tina Rundel (SAA) attended the 18th Annual Conference for the Office Professional at the Alliant Energy Center in May.
A couple student and postdoc highlights include:
- Tisha King Heiden (Heideman/Peterson lab, PharmSci) received a National Research Service Award (NRSA) from the NIH to support her postdoctoral work. In addition, she has also been offered a terrific faculty position at UW-LaCrosse in the Department of Biology starting in the fall.
- Deepa Rao (Robinson/Kwon lab, PharmSci) and Jun Huang (Yu lab, PharmSci) both defended their PhD dissertations in May.
- Megan Heim (DPH-1) has started as a student assistant with the Student and Academic Affairs (SAA) Office. Thanks to Laura Jester (DPH-4) for her great work in that role for the past semester.
- Ofek-Bar Ilan recently received the Young Investigator Award from the Midwest Regional Chapter of the Society of Toxicology (SOT) for her work in the Furgeson lab (PharmSci) to support her attendance and presentation at the spring 2009 meeting.
- The hooding ceremony for PharmD, MS, and PhD candidates was the usual gala event on the Friday of graduation weekend with hundreds of family members and friends in attendance. Thanks to Becky Beebe (SAA) for her main role in organizing the whole thing, to Chris Bischel and Tina Rundle (SAA) and student volunteers for expertly directing traffic, to our special guests (Russ Jensen, President of PSW; Phil Berce, President of the PAA; and Cathy Lea, winner of the Larry Boh Clinical Instructor of the Year Award), and to Dave Kreling (SAS) who served as marshall at the Kohl Center. Graduation of our BS Pharm/Tox students followed on Saturday, with a lovely brunch with the families organized by Emily Gilbert (SAA). Diane Stojanovich (Communications) represented the School as marshall for that commencement ceremony. Thanks to everyone who contributed behind the scenes and to the faculty and staff who attended arguably the most important student events of the year.
Reprinted from the July 2007 First of the Month for all our new folks…
A special note on reimbursement for dinners with faculty candidates/guest speakers, etc.: To remind you of the situation with respect to dinner reimbursements for faculty candidates or seminar speakers, UW regulations limit reimbursement to $17 per person for dinner; no alcohol can be paid for with state/UW funds. This UW reimbursement has been supplemented recently by 200% from our unrestricted funds at the UW Foundation for a total of $51 per person, including food, beverages (including alcohol), tax, and tip.
Wise stewardship of our precious unrestricted funds is essential. That being said, the current dinner reimbursement does not appear adequate for a variety of reasons. While many meal expenses are under the control of the host, some are not, and I have no intention of putting people in an awkward position with our guests. The role of faculty or staff hosts in recruitment is vital, and I am fully aware of the time this takes away from your evenings and other activities.
Based on these features, I’ve decided to accept the Dean’s Advisory Council recommendation to increase the dinner reimbursement up to $75 per person, including food, beverages (including alcohol), tax, and tip. Reimbursement for alcohol will be limited to one or two reasonably priced cocktails, glasses of wine or beer per person; reimbursement for bottles of wine will be limited to $40 per bottle. These are maximal limits at the UW Foundation and will not be exceeded. As always, no more than the speaker/ candidate plus three others (no spouses/partners here, please) should be included. Approval for larger groups is required in advance with justification; exceptions will be rare. Requests for reimbursement for additional people will not be considered after the fact. If a candidate is visiting with a spouse/partner, hosts are welcome to bring their spouse/partner as well, up to a total of six people.
Breakfast and lunch do not seem to present the same challenges, so the current limits will remain in effect for these meals: UW per person limits ($8 for breakfast, $9 for lunch) supplemented by 200% from UW Foundation funds for a total per person reimbursement of $24 for breakfast and $27 for lunch including food, beverages (including alcohol), tax, and tip.
Thank you all for the role you play as hosts for our visitors. Thanks also for keeping associated expenses reasonable by the choices you make. It matters.
My thanks to Marty Kieser and Audrey Fish (PPD/Exp Ed) for organizing the accreditation site visit for our Community Pharmacy Residency Program. No lack of things to work on, with a more vibrant program to result. Thanks to all who participated in one way or another.
The Academic Working Group, focused on enhancing student contact with and knowledge about practice in underserved areas of the state, met again to talk about progress and discuss future activities. Thanks to Dave Mott (SAS), Marty Kieser (PPD/Exp Ed), and Melanie Schneider (SAA) for their valuable contributions and to the WI Hospital Association for hosting the meeting.
In the alumni, donor, and friend category:
- 125th anniversary/People & Programs (P&P) alumni gatherings continued in May:
- Linda Halsey (Development) and I accepted an invitation to attend a meeting of the Brown County Pharmacy Association in Green Bay and had a wonderful interaction with the very active group. Not all Badgers, but that's okay!
- I was also invited to participate in a "Listening Session" as well as a WI Alumni Association (WAA) Founder's Day gathering in Sturgeon Bay, which (not surprisingly) I managed to turn into a 125th/P&P celebration. There were several SOP alums in attendance, and I had the chance to meet other Door County Badgers as well. And spend a couple days with my husband exploring this beautiful part of the world.
- Linda and I also hosted a lively reception for alumni and friends in Milwaukee at the lakefront condo of Barbara Stein. Barbara was married to one of the SOP's very best friends and benefactors, Marty Stein, who played a key leadership role in the capital campaign that resulted in Rennebohm Hall.
- We also had a wonderful alumni dinner at the Beloit Country Club hosted by alum Jerry Sveum with a side trip to see alum Patty Brock at the Beloit Hospital, one of our important clinical training sites in the area.
- I'm continuing my visits to pharmacies and clinical instructors (who are mostly alums) in the Madison area. In May, Pam French (Alumni Relations), who organizes these outings, took me to Middleton to visit Bergmann’s Pharmacy (John Bibler, Heather Collins, Vesa Bollig, and Christine Walker), Walgreen’s on Branch St. (David Duffy, Gina Hastreiter, Stefanie Huebner, Carolyn Starr, and Daisy Dai), Chartwell Home Infusion (Gretchen Manthei, John Mattern, and Stacie Tomkins), and Women’s Health America (Judy Rapp and founder and CEO, Marla Ahlgrimm). WHA's specialized pharmacy, Madison Pharmacy Associates, is the first pharmacy in WI to earn the Seal of Accreditation by the Pharmacy Compounding Accreditation Board.
- I had a wonderful catch-up lunch with alum Bill Reay of Physicians Plus.
Wishing you a productive and enjoyable summer! Jeanette