Message from the Dean

The development of this newsletter began before COVID-19 became a global health crisis. While it is vital to stay abreast of news related to the pandemic, we decided to go forward with our scheduled release of this newsletter as a reminder of important work taking place in our College, as well as the achievements and activities of our faculty, staff and students. We hope that the information shared is helpful to you. I welcome your comments and input on these and other stories you would like to see included in our newsletter.

Before we go on to news from our College, I would like to share some information on our current situation.

The University of Manitoba continues to closely monitor the Coronavirus COVID-19 threat. Information related to coronavirus has the potential to change rapidly and the safety and wellness of our learners remains our top priority.

For updates related to Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, I encourage you to visit our resource page. Information that applies to the university as a whole is posted here.

I would also like to remind all faculty and staff of our UM Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP). This free, confidential resource is available to support plan members and their families with their mental well-being – call 1-800-387-4765 (English) or 1-800-361-5676 (French).

Finally, I would like to thank the members of the College of Pharmacy for their professionalism, dedication and commitment to our students during this unprecedented time. Your contributions are truly appreciated.

Pharmacists play essential role in COVID-19 response

As front-line health-care professionals, many pharmacists are playing an important role in patient care during the COVID-19 pandemic in community pharmacies, hospitals and other health-care settings including long-term care.

Rad the full article in UM Today

New scholarship honours influential figure in Canadian retail pharmacy

A new University of Manitoba scholarship has been established to honour one of the College of Pharmacy’s trailblazing alumni, Lori Fasano.

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Indigenization of pharmacy curriculum

Dr. Jaris Swidrovich visited the College of Pharmacy in January 2020 to share perspectives and insights from Indigenous teachings.

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Plaque unveiling

Therapy dog Rusty was honoured at the College of Pharmacy with the unveiling of a portrait and plaque in the Apotex Centre student lounge on December 6, 2019.

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Class of 1969 50th Class Reunion

The College of Pharmacy Class of 1969 celebrated their 50th anniversary with a visit to the College of Pharmacy on October 26, 2019. Following a welcome by Dr. Lavern Vercaigne, associate dean academic, alumni toured the Apotex Centre and later reminisced together over a celebratory dinner.

College of Pharmacy Leadership Series

The College of Pharmacy, in partnership with the James W. Burns Leadership Institute at the University of Manitoba, launched a pharmacy leadership series for students for the 2019/2020 academic year. Large group seminar presentations took place in the fall semester and the winter workshops began in January. The University of Manitoba Chair in Leadership Education, Professor Suzanne Gagnon of the Asper School, is running the winter workshops with a focus on hands-on skill development in selected areas.

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Early career UM pharmacy researcher wins CIHR award

Dr. Jillian Stobart, assistant professor in the College of Pharmacy, has received a CIHR Early Career Investigator Award in Circulatory and Respiratory Health.

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Resilient researchers continue important UM work from home during COVID-19 crisis

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Pharmacy researcher: One dose does not fit all dialysis patients

A new interdisciplinary study looking at therapies prescribed to dialysis patients could have a far-reaching impact on day-to-day protocols.

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Recently funded projects

The College of Pharmacy is pleased to be a part of a number of recently funded projects.

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Welcome

The College of Pharmacy would like to welcome the following additions to our team:

• David Vo, academic program assistant

• Khadija Ellis, administrative services manager

• Dr. John Murray, project coordinator for the development of a PharmD bridging program for pharmacists

The College of Pharmacy would also like to welcome following new graduate students who started in January 2020:

Karin Ens, supervisor Dr. Dana Turcotte; Sai Krishna Gudi, supervisor Dr. Silvia Alessi-Severini and Dr. Sherif Eltonsy; Sherin Paraplammoottil Cheriyan, supervisor Dr. Hope Anderson; and Madhumita Suresh, supervisor Dr. Hagar Labouta.

Departures

Farewell to staff members who have gone on to new roles:

• Karen Martindale, executive assistant to the dean

• Angela Shank, administrative manager

Pharmacy student-led study identifies link between IBD and substance use disorder

A new study published last month in the Oxford University Press Inflammatory Bowel Diseases journal has found that one in six persons with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) experience a substance use disorder in their lifetime.

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Pharmacy graduate student to study medications in breast milk

College of Pharmacy graduate student Uma Yakandawala wants to dig deeper into patient values and preferences when it comes to medications and breast milk.

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College of Pharmacy marked Pharmacist Awareness Month with full slate of events

March is Pharmacist Awareness Month and the Canadian Association of Pharmacy Students and Interns (CAPSI) and students from the College of Pharmacy celebrated with a variety of activities and events.

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Graduate studies awards and reception

The College of Pharmacy held its annual Graduate Studies Awards and Reception in December 2019 to celebrate the achievements of over 25 master’s and PhD students.

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Professional development week 2020

In January 2020, 33 College of Pharmacy student delegates attended Professional Development Week 2020 in Montreal, Quebec. Congratulations to all of the CAPSI competition winners from the College of Pharmacy!

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15th Annual Child Health Research Days

Pharmacy student Christine Vaccaro presented her summer research with Dr. Eltonsy at CHRIM’s Child Health Research Days last fall. Christine was one of five trainees invited to participate in Dr. Goodbear's Den oral competition. She successfully communicated her summer research effectively and engagingly in just five minutes.

Community pharmacy placement at Pinaymootang Health Centre

Fourth-year students Jakub Kornowski and Viacheslav Panchenko experienced a unique one-day clinical placement at the Pinaymootang Health Centre with preceptor Dan Kyrzyk from LifeSmart Pharmacy.

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Congratulations

Pease join us in congratulating our students on their many achievements, including the graduation of graduate students, presentations and scholarships.

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