The event was held at the Gozzo Student Center on campus and included faculty, staff and family members.

Students are nominated for these awards by faculty, staff, administrators or preceptors. A committee comprising three faculty members and three staff members review and choose the recipients based on the nominations received.

Awardees Include:

First-Year GPA, highest:

• First place: Zuzanna Hitchcock, BS Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Second place: Amanda Palisi, BS Pharm Sci – Skills Track with PharmD

Second-Year GPA, highest:

• First place: Zain Ahmad, BS Public Health
• Second place: Deepika Lankipalli, BS Public Health
• Third place: Hannah Spong, BS Public Health

Third-Year GPA, highest among all bachelor鈥檚 programs:

• First place: Justin Morehouse, BS in Psychology
• Second place: Khai Ceaser, BS in Public Health
• Third place: Ejoraa Ninche, BS in Microbiology

P1 Professional GPA, highest:

• First place: Ria Amo, Doctor of Pharmacy
• Second place: McKayla Roberts, Doctor of Pharmacy

P2 Professional GPA, highest:

• First place: Jolie Bishara, Doctor of Pharmacy
• Second place: Isabella Ramp, Doctor of Pharmacy

Highest Standing in Math, end of 1st Year

• Coey Ni, BS in Biomedical Sciences

Dr. Lawrence H. MacDonald

• Andrew Wadie, BS in Biomedical Sciences

General Excellence in the Bachelor鈥檚 Program:

• First Place: Reem Abdu, BS in Forensic Science
• Second Place: Samantha Lozier, BS in Clinical Laboratory Sciences
• Third Place: Hailey Mahy, BS in Public Health

Be the Change Award:

Given by the Class of 2011 to a student(s) in the professional pharmacy program on the Albany Campus who demonstrates professionalism, leadership, service, encourages others to be better, and exudes an aura of friendliness.

• Matthew Romack, Doctor of Pharmacy
• Nico Lee, Doctor of Pharmacy

Legends Never Die:

Awarded to P3 students for obtaining the highest professional GPA.

• Madison Gagne, Doctor of Pharmacy
• William Muzzy, Doctor of Pharmacy

Congratulations to all of these incredible students!

The post Students Honored for Excellence appeared first on 糖心vlog.

A native of Albany, Karissa competed against 18 students from schools such as University of South Carolina, University of Arkansas, and more.

The P3 student learned of the competition through PPA鈥檚 which is designed to educate students about the fundamental concepts of pharmacy practice in the pediatric population. Students learn how to manage common pediatric illnesses, counsel patients of all ages, and choose dosage forms that will safely and efficiently deliver the medication.

All participating students have approximately three months to complete the 21 recorded lecture hours, and are expected to complete practice questions for each topic, and complete a comprehensive exam after reviewing all the required content. Any students who completed 70% of the student certificate program topics by March 2nd were eligible to participate in the pediatric clinical skills competition during the annual spring meeting to demonstrate their abilities.

According to Karissa, “It was three rounds: the first was Kahoot with basic information questions for all 18 students and only nine students moved on to the next round which included short cases and questions (vaccines, oral syringe dosing etc.). The final only included the top three finalists who were asked more complex clinical decision-making case and questions.鈥�

What an amazing accolade for Karissa who plans to complete a residency after graduation and specialize in pediatrics and become a pediatric clinical pharmacist.

The post Karissa Kendall 鈥�27 Wins 1st Place in the inaugural Pediatric Pharmacy Association Student Clinical Skills Competition appeared first on 糖心vlog.

More than 200 undergraduate, graduate, dual-degree and PharmD students are expected to cross the stage to receive their diplomas at the 10 am ceremony. Graduating students have earned degrees in one or more of ACPHS鈥� 19 academic programs spanning the Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, Social and Behavioral Sciences, and Clinical and Health Sciences.听

The graduates come from various towns and cities throughout New York state as well as:

• Twenty-three additional states, including: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina, New Hamphire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Virginia, Vermont, and Washington.听
• Two U.S. territories: Guam and Puerto Rico听

• Nine countries, including: the United States, Antigua & Barbuda (St. John), Canada, India, Israel, Kenya, Nigeria, South Korea, Taiwan听

In total, there will be 260 degrees awarded to听210 people, including:

• 114 Bachelor of Science candidates听

• • 49 BS Pharmaceutical Sciences (BSPK) degrees awarded concurrently to PharmD students听
  • One BS Public Health degree awarded concurrently to a PharmD student听

• 48 Master of Science degree candidates听

• 11 Bachelor of Science/Master of Science combined degree program candidates听
• 87 Doctor of Pharmacy degree candidates听

2026 Commencement Speaker鈥�听

Stack retired in January 2024 from Pacira Biosciences after serving for 17 years as chairperson and CEO. He built the organization into a fully integrated acute care company with a non-opioid pain portfolio responsible for treating more than 17 million patients in the United States.

Prior to leading Pacira, he served in a number of leadership positions in the biotech industry including as managing director of MPM Capital; managing partner of Stack Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; and president and CEO of The Medicines Company. He was also named president and general manager at Innovex, Inc.; vice president, Business Development/Marketing at Immunomedics; and he held various positions including therapeutic world leader for infectious disease, virology and oncology at Hoffmann La Roche.听

Following his graduation from 糖心vlog in 1976, he started his career as a pharmacist at St. Mary鈥檚 Hospital.听

Graciously sharing his business acumen and expertise, Mr. Stack has supported more than a dozen private and public company boards, including the ACPHS Board of Trustees, and was the chairman of Chiasma until its sale in 2021.听

He was the founding donor for the College鈥檚 Stack Family Center for Biopharmaceutical Education and Training (CBET), which is committed to bridging academia and industry together on biopharmaceutical education and innovation. He also developed the听Stack Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Siena University and was named the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2003, New Jersey-Healthcare.听

He听holds a BS in Pharmacy from Albany College of Pharmacy, a BS in Biology from Siena College, and a Doctorate of Humane Letters from ACPHS.听

Commencement will be live streamed via the听ACPHS website听for families and friends who cannot attend in person.听听听

For details about the ceremony such as directions, tickets, hotel accommodations, parking and complimentary shuttles to the event, please visit the听2026 Commencement听web page. 听

The post 2026 Commencement appeared first on 糖心vlog.

The Alliance, announced during a press event March 18 at Albany High School, brings together public and private institutions, representing community colleges, four-year colleges, research universities, professional and law schools, online and in-person models, and rural and urban institutions under a shared mission: to increase higher education attainment across the Capital Region, elevate completion rates and shape a confident, student-centered conversation about the value of earning a degree.

Together, Alliance members offer a full continuum of opportunity, ensuring that no matter where someone is in life, the right next step is here in the Capital Region.

Grounded in the belief that College Is a Brave Choice, the Alliance affirms that choosing higher education reflects long-term thinking and belief in one鈥檚 future. Its institutions commit to matching that courage with the support, opportunity and measurable outcomes worthy of students鈥� ambition.

鈥淗igher education remains one of the most reliable pathways to opportunity in the Capital Region,鈥� said Dr. Matthew Shaftel, President of Russell Sage College and Chair of the Alliance. 鈥淐ollege is a brave choice. But it is not always an easy choice. Students commit time, effort and resources toward growth and opportunity, often before the return is realized. As institutions, we have a responsibility to meet that courage with transparency, accountability and meaningful outcomes. This Alliance ensures that we are backing up that conversation with results and doing that work together.鈥�

The economic and social evidence is clear in our own region. In the Albany metro area, average annual earnings rise from approximately $31,400 for someone with only a high school diploma to about $53,000 with a bachelor鈥檚 degree, and more than double to around $67,000 with a graduate degree.

Unemployment rates also drop significantly with higher attainment. Adults with only a high school diploma are nearly twice as likely to be unemployed as those with a bachelor鈥檚 degree, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Higher education鈥檚 impact extends beyond wages. National research links educational attainment to improved health outcomes, including an average increase in life expectancy of nearly 11 years compared to those without a high school diploma, and nearly 7 years compared to high school graduates without any college experience.

Yet the Greater Capital Region faces an attainment gap. Just four in 10 adults over 25 years old hold an associate degree or higher, compared to more than half in peer metro regions such as Boston and Washington, D.C. Closing that gap is essential to long-term economic vitality and regional competitiveness.

New York also faces its own gap. The nonprofit Lumina Foundation reports that only 45.7% of New York State鈥檚 labor force holds a college degree or credential of value, while their goal is to maintain US global competitiveness by increasing postsecondary attainment to .

The Alliance aims to increase attainment by amplifying the value of higher education and highlighting the region鈥檚 unique strengths: an impressive array of colleges and universities offering a wide range of programs and pathways, including vocational training, certificates, and micro-certificates; strong transfer opportunities and financial aid access; and a regional economy that continues to add jobs across professional and business services, education and health services, and government, according to the New York State Department of Labor.

The Capital Region also serves as a national hub for semiconductor research and nanotechnology, anchored by NY CREATES鈥� Albany NanoTech Complex.

鈥淭he Capital Region already has the institutions, talent and infrastructure in place,鈥� said Dr. Marion Terenzio, President of SUNY Cobleskill and Vice Chair of the Alliance. 鈥淔rom workforce certificates and community college pathways to bachelor鈥檚 degrees, law degrees and advanced health sciences programs, students have access to a full range of options here. When they choose college, they are choosing opportunity. The Capital Region is already built for those who blaze their own way.鈥�

The Capital Region Higher Ed Alliance will work collectively to elevate the value of higher education among students, families, employers, policymakers, and the broader community. Through shared messaging, coordinated advocacy and regional partnership, the Alliance seeks to strengthen workforce pipelines, expand opportunity and reinforce that attainment is essential to the region鈥檚 future.

In addition to ACPHS, institutions in the Capital Region Higher Ed Alliance include:

• Albany Law School
• Columbia-Greene Community College
• Excelsior University
• Hudson Valley Community College
• Maria College
• Russell Sage College
• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
• Siena College
• Skidmore College
• SUNY Adirondack
• SUNY Cobleskill
• SUNY Empire State University
• SUNY Schenectady County Community College
• Union College
• University at Albany

.

The post ACPHS Joins Colleges in Bold, New Conversation About Higher Education appeared first on 糖心vlog.

Ty Rheaume 鈥�25 knew he should be prepared for anything. So, when one of the dental providers at the Nueva Santa Rosa medical clinic asked the ACPHS pharmacy student for help with a patient, Rheaume donned a pair of gloves and stepped in.

What happened next, though, was a surprise: The dentist handed him instruments to actually assist with a tooth extraction.

鈥淚 thought I was just going to be holding the light,鈥� Rheaume said.

Assist Rheaume did, learning something about the root system of upper molars in the process鈥攗nexpected, yet totally in keeping with the spirit of work at the temporary clinic, set up for a week each spring by the Glens Falls Medical Mission Foundation (GFMMF). Their goal was to work as a team wherever the need was, to help the small Guatemalan town鈥檚 residents in whatever way they could before shutting down at week鈥檚 end.

Rheaume鈥檚 experience in April 2025 was part of the first ACPHS pharmacy rotation in Guatemala, one of the many ways the College is expanding global experiential opportunities for students and faculty through the vision of alumni.

The rotation grew from the efforts of twin brothers, Drs. Benjamin and Bernard Graham 鈥�71. Ben, who earned a pharmacy degree and later became a dentist, has made 22 trips to the clinic in almost as many years with GFMMF. A military veteran, he enjoys the camaraderie and the sense of accomplishment after a long day, knowing he has made a difference in people鈥檚 lives.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a feeling of satisfaction: You鈥檙e doing something,鈥� he said.

His enthusiasm inspired several family members to join him early on, including sister Beth Magin 鈥�79 and daughter Amy Carroll 鈥�96. He was most keen on enlisting brother Bernie, the founding dean of the Nesbitt School of Pharmacy at Wilkes University in Pennsylvania, as the clinic needed pharmacy volunteers. Dr. Bernard Graham was indeed able to inspire pharmacy students to participate on a voluntary, non-credit-bearing basis, with more than 14 Wilkes students making 30 trips at their own expense over the years; students from St. John鈥檚 University joined in too. Bernie himself made 11 trips.

Ben Graham thought students at their alma mater could also benefit from the experience. Several years ago, he ignited a passion for the cause in ACPHS鈥� Associate Professor Dr. Kate Cabral, who signed up for a Guatemala tour in 2023 to scope out its appropriateness as a setting for a credit-bearing clinical experience. The Guatemala mission bug bit her, and she has gone back each year since. She brought her resident, Dr. Emily Persson, in 2024, and then Rheaume and classmate Christina Jung 鈥�25 for the inaugural pharmacy student rotation in 2025. (Both graduates from the ACPHS Class of 2025, the former students are now properly Dr. Rheume and Dr. Jung.)

Dr. Cabral gave the inaugural students high praise.

鈥淚 never once had to say, 鈥楥an you please help do something?鈥欌�� she said. 鈥淭hey were just constantly working, asking, 鈥榃hat can we do next?鈥欌��

Drs. Rheaume and Jung conceded they were spent at the end of each day. Yet they described the rotation, the last one before their Commencement, as a grand finale. In part, that was because they were allowed to put their full array of skills to practice, more than they might have been allowed at a U.S. clinic.

鈥淭his was way above and beyond my expectations,鈥� Dr. Jung said. 鈥淚 was counseling patients. I was administering antibiotics to patients, especially kids.鈥�

They prepared with Spanish refresher lessons and training on tropical conditions such as parasite infections, as well as a review of a formulary of prescriptions not all commonly used in the United States.

They traveled expecting to join a team that was all-hands-on-deck, though they could often be surprised by what that meant.

The April clinic is one of only two held each year, for one week each time, in a rural town of about 13,000 people some 70 miles from Guatemala City. On the first day of their 10-day sojourn, the 32-person Glens Falls-based team stocked shelves with medications and supplies. On day two, patients lined up after long journeys on foot or bike to get care, the queue stretching the length of many city blocks. Whole families came together, parents holding children鈥檚 hands, mothers swaddling babies. The team was together all day, starting from a hotel that Dr. Rheaume described as upscale by Guatemalan standards. They ate breakfast together each morning, savoring the locally grown and roasted coffee, then departed with peanut-butter-and-jelly or tuna sandwiches for a bumpy hour-long bus ride to the clinic, where they put in long hours. They then returned for dinner, always with homemade tortillas.

During long workdays, they not only treated conditions they鈥檇 never encounter in the U.S., but also barriers of language and literacy.

While the students knew some Spanish and had translators, none were fluent in all the regional dialects. They sometimes used body language and drawings to show patients how to administer a drug or whether to take it with food.

They also learned what it鈥檚 like to be valued as part of a medical team. Their expertise was sought and advice valued, especially when a preferred drug was in short supply and treatment modifications were needed on the fly.

The former students described the experience as a dream come true. Ben Graham also realized his own dream of having ACPHS students with him on a Guatemala mission trip, his final one鈥攑robably.

鈥淚t鈥檚 been a joke in my family: I鈥檝e been on 12 鈥榣ast鈥� trips,鈥� said Ben, who has been a co-leader of the trip for six of those missions. 鈥淚鈥檝e found a replacement co-leader.鈥�

A collaboration with Francisco Marroquin University Dental School in Guatemala City is being developed to operate the dental portion of the clinic.

Arguments over his replaceability aside, Ben Graham has also inspired a new generation of ACPHS alumni to share their knowledge and compassion around the world. Drs. Rheaume and Jung said they intend for this mission trip to be their first of many.

鈥淚 definitely want to continue this trip,鈥� Dr. Rheaume said. 鈥淚 can see taking students on trips like this and being a preceptor myself, for a college of pharmacy.鈥�

To read more stories about alumni and students, visit .

The post Alumni’s Mission Includes Inspiring Students appeared first on 糖心vlog.

Preceptors play an integral role by helping to shape a student鈥檚 future and launch their careers. There are more than 500 ACPHS preceptors supporting our clinical rotation sites, modeling professional conduct and decision-making, and evaluating students in their settings.听

The Preceptor of the Year not only models that professional role, but also shows leadership and service to the profession, unparalleled clinical knowledge and subject matter expertise, dedication to patient care, exemplary dedication to the student learning environment and highly positive comments in student evaluations.听

APPE Faculty Preceptor of the Year Award听

Alexandra Watson 鈥�14, PharmD, BCACP was named APPE Faculty Preceptor of the Year. Board certified in ambulatory care pharmacy, Dr. Watson received her PharmD degree in 2014 at 糖心vlog and completed a PGY1 at Albany Stratton VA, in Albany, New York.听听

Students consistently described Dr. Watson鈥檚 rotation as 鈥渙ne of the most valuable learning experiences鈥� of their training. Her balance of independence and support allowed students to grow in confidence while knowing they were never alone.

As one student shared, 鈥淒r. Watson allowed us to be independent, but I never felt isolated. I felt incredibly comfortable asking questions or for feedback.鈥� 听

Dr. Watson currently serves as associate professor in Pharmacy Practice at 糖心vlog focused on Cardiorespiratory and GI/Endocrine pharmacotherapy courses as well as a facilitator in Pharmacy Skills courses. She is also a clinical pharmacist for Community Care Physicians working with patients and providers in chronic disease and medication management where she facilitates an ambulatory care rotation for APPE students.听听

APPEs are often the time when everything starts to come together for students, and they truly begin to understand the patient-care process.听听

鈥淚 always try to get the students to understand the 鈥渨hy鈥� and to also provide hands-on experience to begin to gain the confidence to become a pharmacist,鈥� said Dr. Watson. 鈥淎s a preceptor, I enjoy watching students putting together all the skills they have learned throughout the curriculum and applying it directly to patient care.鈥�听

Under her guidance, students developed strong clinical judgment, counseling, and communication skills through direct patient care, from managing diabetes and obesity cases to leading patient appointments and follow-ups. Her rotation was praised for its structure and organization.听

Dr. Watson鈥檚 approachable teaching style, thoughtful feedback, and patient-centered philosophy made a lasting impression. Students described her as 鈥渁n inspiring role model鈥� who showed what it truly means to be a compassionate, knowledgeable, and impactful pharmacist.听

APPE Preceptor of the Year Award听

The APPE Preceptor of the Year award was given to Aaron Salwan, PharmD, MPH, BCPP, a clinical pharmacy specialist of behavioral health at Montefiore Nyack Hospital, in Nyack, New York. In this position, he works closely with psychiatrists in caring for patients with mental health conditions鈥痮n an inpatient psychiatric unit by ensuring that medication choices for patients are individualized and evidence based. He also educates patients receiving treatment via individual interactions, as well as leading group psychoeducation. In addition, Dr. Salwan currently serves as the PGY2 psychiatric pharmacy residency program director at the hospital.

A board-certified psychiatric pharmacist, Dr. Salwan holds a PharmD degree from Ohio Northern University Raabe College of Pharmacy; concluded a Pharmacy Practice Research Fellowship at East Tennessee鈥疭tate University Gatton College of Pharmacy; earned a Master of Public Health degree from East Tennessee State University; and completed a PGY2 Psychiatric Pharmacy Residency at Rutgers Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy.听听

His approach is to provide students鈥痺ith an immersive experience in psychiatry.听听

鈥淲e spend a lot of time speaking to patients directly, giving students an opportunity to observe and interact with psychiatric illnesses firsthand,鈥� he said. 鈥淧recepting allows me to forward the guidance and mentorship I received, support others as they grow into confident practitioners, and work to improve the overall care of patients with mental health and substance use disorders.鈥�听

When the ACPHS Class of 2025 made their APPE, there were multiple nominations for Dr. Salwan and听his听evaluations were 5/5 across the board.听

鈥淒uring this rotation I observed the trust between the patients and the behavioral health pharmacist. It was so refreshing seeing how patients (whom many of them had been struggling with their mental health for many years) would turn to the pharmacist not just for medication management but as a source of guidance and support,鈥� one student shared. 鈥淭his connection made me realize how impactful a pharmacist can be in mental health care.”

Preceptor of the Year Award听

Regina Scott 鈥�15, PharmD, BCPS, clinical pharmacy coordinator at HealthAlliance Hospital in Kingston, New York was named ACPHS Preceptor of the Year. Dr. Scott鈥檚 directs patient care activities and handles administrative tasks including roles such as attending ICU interdisciplinary patient care rounds, overseeing materials for pharmacy & therapeutics (P&T) committee meetings, continuous formulary reviews, and serving as a clinical resource for staff pharmacists, providers and nurses.听

The board-certified pharmacotherapy specialist received her PharmD degree with a concentration in nephrology at 糖心vlog; completed a PGY1 residency at Canton-Potsdam Hospital; and is certified in both SIDP Antimicrobial Stewardship and Pharmacy Informatics.听听

In her role as an IPPE and APPE student preceptor, she strives to provide a balance of support and independence for the students by reviewing their rotation schedule, establishing clear expectations, and providing background on myself and my position at the hospital.听听

听鈥淢y motivation to be a preceptor comes from my desire to be an influence on future pharmacists in the profession. I want to ensure that the students have a meaningful experience to feel confident entering their future career,鈥� she shared.听

During her rotations in IPPE and APPE, she has students attend interdisciplinary ICU rounds which include attending physicians, PAs, family practice medical residents, nurses, respiratory therapists, and a pharmacist. The experience provides great exposure to the students and allows them to demonstrate their knowledge and positively represent the profession of pharmacy. 鈥�听

A student that nominated Dr. Scott reported, 鈥�This rotation site was amazing, and Regina was a wonderful preceptor. She provided a solid schedule for the rotation and outlined expectations at the beginning. The schedule allowed us to observe each part of the hospital pharmacy and the different pharmacist roles available.听I would recommend this rotation to everyone, and it served as a great introduction into institutional pharmacy.鈥�听

Experiential Education Engagement Awards听

The first Experiential Education Engagement Award was given to Christine Zeolla 鈥�99, RPh, who currently serves as a staff pharmacist at Albany Medical Center, in Albany, New York.听听

Zeolla holds a BSPharm degree from 糖心vlog.听听

鈥淔or IPPE students, where this is often their first experience within hospital pharmacy, I like to be able to provide them with experiences on observing various areas within the department and the hospital to show them all the opportunities that could be available to them,鈥� said Zeolla.听听

The second Experiential Education Engagement Award was given to Jeannine Beth Wilkinson Rose 鈥�94, PharmD. Dr. Rose has served for 23 years as a staff pharmacist at Albany Medical Center in Albany, New York, primarily working in anticoagulation services and adult ICUs.听

She holds a BSPharm degree from ACPHS and a PharmD from Campbell University, Buies Creek, North Carolina.听听

Dr. Rose believes in the importance of mentorship and guiding students in a manner that reveals their ability to apply their didactic education in clinical decision making as it strengthens both the profession and improves patient care.听

鈥淚 am equally humbled and grateful to be told, that I am, in large part, responsible for former students鈥� decision to pursue employment as a health-systems pharmacist,鈥� said Dr. Rose.听 鈥淲orking with patients at their most vulnerable stage is a calling that offers as many rewards as challenges, and I am grateful to have been a small part students鈥� choice.鈥�听

There were multiple nominations for both Christine Zeolla and Jeannine Rose, as well as high student evaluations.听

鈥淲e cannot imagine more deserving recipients of this recognition. From the very beginning, Christine and Jeannie created an engaging and welcoming environment that fostered both professional growth and personal development,鈥� shared one student. 鈥淓ach day we arrived genuinely excitedabout what they had planned for us. They ensured that our rotation was not only educational but also meaningful and inspiring.鈥�听

Another student added, 鈥淐hristine and Jeannie continuously encouraged us to explore our interests, ask questions, and take ownership of our learning. Their dedication to tailoring our experiences to our professional goals truly sets them apart. What made our rotation especially impactful was their commitment to mentorship.鈥�听

Distinguished Preceptor Award听

The Distinguished Preceptor Award was presented to Laura A. Rodriguez 鈥�95, RPh, the pharmacy operations manager at St. Peter鈥檚 Hospital, Albany, New York. In her role, Rodriguez serves as pharmacy manager, SPHP鈥檚 drug diversion officer, and an IPPE/APPE preceptor.听

Rodriguez earned a BSPharm degree at 糖心vlog.听听

鈥淏ecause I am in a management role, my students are paired with secondary preceptors for the majority of their rotation so that they can get a feel for all things hospital pharmacy and more clinical knowledge,鈥� said Rodriguez. 鈥淭his gives them a broader exposure and understanding of hospital pharmacy from pharmacy technician duties through the operations of our Cancer Care Center. They can sometimes observe surgeries and work in our clean room. I typically have them do one or two presentations during their rotation.鈥�听

听鈥淪he is extremely knowledgeable, kind, always smiling, willing to provide answers to any questions and professional,鈥� reported one of her students. 鈥淲henever I submitted my assignments, she took her time to review them and provided valuable comments. If she has questions, she asks them very politely. She is perfect and the best person to work with!鈥�听

听Experiential Education Engagement Award听

The Experiential Education Engagement Award was given to Thomas P. Lombardi, PharmD, FASHP, RPh. Dr. Lombardi retired as the systems director of pharmacy for听St. Peter鈥檚 Health Partners in Albany in January 2026. He currently serves as Chair of the Trinity Health New York Institutional Review Board (IRB) and as a parliamentarian for the New York State Council of Health-system Pharmacists.听

He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy from the University of Connecticut, School of Pharmacy and conducted an ASHP Accredited Hospital Pharmacy Residency at Buffalo General Hospital. He then went on to earn a Doctor of Pharmacy at the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University at Buffalo, and completed a fellowship in Pediatric Pharmacotherapy at Hartford Hospital in Connecticut. 听

Dr. Lombardi was a preceptor in Pediatrics/Neonatology, Drug Information, Institutional Pharmacy Practice and Corporate Pharmacy Administration at 糖心vlog from 1987 to 2025 and had oversight of the experiential program for St. Peter鈥檚 Health Partners overseeing over 2,000 students.听 He also educated and students on Pharmacy residencies, pharmacy administration, pharmacy law, vaccines and many other topics.听听

听His approach was that each student possessed the knowledge, and his role was to ask delving questions to allow the student to gain the best understanding of the topic. His motivation to be a preceptor started when he听was a student at the University of Connecticut on a pediatric rotation at Hartford Hospital. 听听

鈥淎s an educational experience, my rotation preceptor, had each student oversee the other students providing education on a topic in which they were interested. This started the profession long guide to educate students to provide the best care possible,鈥� he explains.听 鈥淚 believe that all pharmacistshave the inherent goal to educate patients, families, students and other health professionals.鈥�听

Dr. Lombardi has over 75 professional publications and 300 professional presentations, and he speaks on medication safety and provision of a safe medication environment and legislative and regulatory topics on a local, regional and national level.听

ACPHS Director of Experiential Education, Jennifer Cerulli 鈥�93, PharmD, lauds Dr. Lombardi for his dedicated years of service as a preceptor, adjunct faculty, and coordinator of experiential rotations.听

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The听Civic Engagement and Community Service Award听recognizes听institutions鈥櫶齣nnovative service and deep community collaboration in volunteerism,听fundraising efforts for community causes,听advocacy and public education,听civic participation, voter engagement, and more.听

The听Collaboratory听is听a community health resource center operated by 糖心vlog in partnership with Trinity Alliance鈥檚 Capital Region community health worker (CHW) team.

鈥淭he mission of the Collaboratory is听to听leverage听the talents of ACPHS students, faculty members, and partner organizations to narrow health disparities in听Albany,听New York鈥檚 South End听community,鈥� said ACPHS President, Toyin Tofade. 鈥淲e鈥檙e听proud of听their efforts听in our communities and听grateful to see them recognized for this听important听work.鈥�听

The Collaboratory鈥檚听programs blend ACPHS鈥� Public Health Pharmacy Team (PHPT) and health sciences听students with Trinity Alliance鈥檚听CHW team听to address health inequities by filling gaps in primary medical care and social services.听Wrap-around services听assist听clients with food, housing, transportation, obtaining identification, and insurance and healthcare navigation.听听

Beginning this month, The Collaboratory, in partnership with听Trinity Alliance鈥檚 Food Pantries,听has听also听launched an expanded Food Farmacy food as medicine program which will provide 50 families听鈮執�150 individuals experiencing food insecurity and chronic disease with weekly nutritional food packages for听six听months while monitoring disease states and providing nutrition education.听The program will provide interventions, medication听reviews听and medication adherence counseling.听听听

Additional听programs offered include:听

Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic (CKM) Empowerment: Screening,听education听and maintenance

Opioid Harm Reduction: Naloxone kits and fentanyl and xylazine testing strips – training and distribution

鈥淔ood insecurity, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes are major public health issues in Albany鈥檚 South End communities which听endure disproportionate poverty rates, chronic disease burdens and social determinant of health needs,鈥� said Executive Director of The Collaboratory, Stacy Pettigrew, PhD. 鈥淭he Collaboratory鈥檚 health programs are designed to educate and empower community members to take control of their health and well-being.鈥�

The听team听seeks听to听improve health outcomes for individuals by holding face-to-face visits, providing patient education, managing medications and access, monitoring patient well-being, and following up with the patient’s primary care physician.听The programs target individuals not engaging in the current system, including those that are homebound, disabled, or lack adequate transportation. Many clients experience a range of psychosocial issues as听determined听by their social determinants of health responses that can impede successful health care outcomes.听听

“The Collaboratory shows our students that improving health begins not only in the clinic or laboratory, but in the community. Working with partners like Trinity Alliance, our students address food insecurity, chronic disease, and barriers to care in Albany鈥檚 South End,鈥� said Dean of the School of Health Sciences, Meenakshi Malik. 鈥淭hese experiences prepare our graduates to become not only skilled health professionals, but leaders advancing health equity.鈥�听

鈥淗igher education has听always been a driving force in societal progress.鈥� says听Holly Mendelson,听owner听and publisher of Insight听Into听Academia magazine. 鈥淭hese institutions remind us that听the true measure of higher education lies not only in the degrees awarded, but in the lives听they听uplift.听听Their leadership strengthens communities, inspires students, and sets a standard of excellence for all.鈥�听听

A call for nominations for this award was announced in听October听2025.听The Collaboratory at 糖心vlog will be featured, along with 51 other programs, in the April 2026 issue of Insight听Into听Academia magazine.听For more information about the 2026听Civic Engagement and Community Service Award, visit insightintoacademia.com.听听

About Insight听Into听Academia听听听

For more than 50 years, Insight听Into听Academia has empowered higher education leaders by defining and advancing the best practices that shape the future of the academy.听听Through thought-provoking articles, expert advice, valuable resources,听and听in-depth profiles of top programs at colleges and universities, and much more, Insight听Into听Academia听spotlights the institutional exemplars driving academia and what comes next. When an institution appears in Insight听Into听Academia, it signals exceptional leadership and evidence-based excellence.听听To learn more visit听.听

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The post The Collaboratory Honored with 2026听Civic Engagement and Community Service Award听 appeared first on 糖心vlog.

糖心vlog鈥櫶齈rofessor Tom Lodise, PharmD, PhD,听will conduct a听large,听real-world study focused on the national burden, resistance landscape, and unmet medical needs associated with complicated urinary tract infections (cUTIs) caused by听Enterobacterales.听听

Lodise will collaborate on the study with Basilea, a 25-year-old Swiss-based organization that develops and commercializes innovative pharmaceutical products to meet the medical needs of patients with severe and life-threatening bacterial and fungal infections.听

Rising antimicrobial resistance among uropathogenic Enterobacterales has further complicated management, reducing the effectiveness of many commonly used oral antibiotics and increasing reliance on intravenous therapy, prolonged hospital stays, and outpatient parenteral antibiotic therapy (OPAT).

鈥渃UTIs represent one of the most common and costly infection-related reasons for hospitalization in the United States, accounting for nearly 600,000 hospital admissions annually and billions of dollars in health-care expenditures,鈥� said Lodise, who also serves as the College鈥檚 Rudolph J. and Dorothy A. Blythe Endowed Research Chair for Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.

The听study will听leverage听the听,听a large U.S. hospital听source听which听contains听microbiology-linked data听from听across U.S. hospitals, to听better understand how common and serious urinary tract infections (UTIs) caused by听Enterobacterales听are.听Dr. Lodise and his research team will analyze data from more than 6.6 million adult patients to evaluate antibiotic treatment patterns, resistance rates, and clinical outcomes, and to听identify听where current treatment approaches may be falling听short.听

The goal of the project is to find ways to help patients recover safely with fewer hospital days and to make it easier to switch from IV antibiotics to pills when possible.听听This could help reduce complications, lower costs, and allow more patients to be treated at home instead of staying in the听hospital.听

Key outcomes include听defining听patient populations most affected by resistant听Enterobacterales听cUTIs听and help听identifying:听

• hospital听stays that might be avoidable听

• delays in being discharged from the hospital听

• needing IV antibiotics after leaving the hospital (OPAT)听

• missed opportunities to switch from IV antibiotics to oral medications听

Study results will directly inform Basilea鈥檚 clinical development and value positioning for ceftibuten-ledaborbactam, an investigational oral 尾-lactam/尾-lactamase inhibitor being developed to address these critical unmet needs.听

鈥淒r. Lodise鈥檚 continued leadership and impact within our research community听exemplifies听the level of scholarship and collaboration we strive to cultivate across the institution,鈥� said ACPHS Director of Research, Joseph Carreno, PharmD. 鈥淥ur congratulations鈥痶o him for this important award to advance high-impact research aimed at improving outcomes for patients with serious, drug-resistant infections.鈥�听

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The post Professor Tom Lodise Receives Grant from Basilea to Study cUTIs appeared first on 糖心vlog.

Chow, a Forensic Psychology major, partnered with alumna Shania Jagda 鈥�25 and ACPHS Professors Nancy Dorr and Rob Flint on their research which examined relationships between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and non-criminal deviant behavior, personality and narcissism.听

As part of the scholarly work, college students completed self-reported measures of ACEs, non-criminal deviance, personality, narcissism and criminal behavior. Non-criminal deviance scores were negatively correlated with scores on the personality traits of honesty/humility and conscientiousness and were positively correlated with a measure of criminal behavior.鈥�听

Although the results did not show a statistically significant relationship between ACEs and non-criminal deviant behavior, they did show college students who scored higher on non-criminal deviant behavior also reported lower levels of honesty/humility and conscientiousness, and higher levels of criminal behavior.听 There was not support for the hypothesis that adverse childhood experiences would be related to the personality trait of emotionality, nor that non-criminal deviant behavior was significantly related to agreeableness.听

鈥淔uture research should replicate and extend this study using additional measures of criminal behavior, a larger sample size and a non-college student sample,鈥� said Chow.听听

Morehouse, a Psychology major with pre-health minor, also attended to showcase his research completed with University at Albany Psychology student, Lance Motlagh, and Professor Rob Flint.听

His work explored spatial learning and memory as essential for effective navigation that often relies heavily on our visual system. The purpose of the study was to examine learning and extinction for a more difficult non-visual tactile spatial task that might lend itself to deeper investigation of mnemonic processes.听听

Analyses revealed main effects of trial for the time to complete each trial and the distance traveled on each trial, but there was no main effect of block or any trial by block interaction. These results indicate that participants generally improved at the same rate across trials regardless of the block. The study鈥檚 outcomes contrasted with their previous study which found significant differences between blocks.听听

鈥淥ne possible explanation may be associated with the increase in difficulty of the task and corresponding increase in individual participant performance variability,鈥� said Morehouse. 鈥淔uture studies should focus adjusting parameters to reduce variability.鈥澨�听

The projects presented by current students, recent grads and faculty included:听

• 听Mia McReynolds鈥痑nd Nancy Dorr: Perceptions of Medical Malpractice: How Stigma Can Impact Perceptions of Medical Malpractice
• Angelina Koudriashova,鈥疶amara Alyazjeen,鈥疓race O鈥橞oyle 鈥�25, and Rob Flint: Eyewitness Memory for Central and Peripheral Details of a Robbery
• Priyasha Setia,鈥疊ridget Longden 鈥�25, Lillian Rodriguez Steen and Rob Flint: Mock Jurors鈥� Perceptions of Credibility, Believability, and Guilt: Victim Sex/Age Effects
• Justin Morehouse 鈥�26,鈥疞ance Motlagh and Rob Flint: Tactile Spatial Memory: Implications from Increased Task Difficulty and Detailed Track Plots
• Ada Johnson 鈥�26, Ross Krawczyk and Nancy Dorr: Delayed Disclosure of Sexual Assault: How Timing and Reason Affect Public Perceptions
• Shania Jagda 鈥�25 and Rob Flint:鈥� Effect of Neutral and Negative Images on Galvanic Skin Response
• Kayla Moore鈥痑nd Lillian Rodriguez Steen: Intergenerational Characteristic Transfer of Alcohol Consumption, Criminality, and Mental Health
• Autumn Chow 鈥�26,鈥疭hania Jagda 鈥�25, Nancy Dorr and Rob Flint: Relationships between Adverse Childhood Experiences, Non-Criminal Deviant Behavior, and Personality

鈥淭he EPA Conference provided an excellent venue for ACPHS students to present their research and interact with faculty and students from numerous other institutions,鈥� said Psychology Professor and Program Director, Rob Flint. 听鈥淭he experience was eye opening for many of them and the interest others showed in their research presentations helped to reinforce the importance and value of the research experience they gain at 糖心vlog.鈥�听

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Ballston Spa High School student, Lyla Charlebois, received quite the surprise when ACPHS Senior Associate Director of Admissions, Sarah Ohnsman, visited the school to share the exciting news with her.

Lyla听is听seeking听to pursue a听bachelor’s degree in health sciences听with the goal of becoming a physician assistant.鈥齋he is a听student-athlete, National Honors Society honoree, and community-service committed student.听BSHS Counselor Mara Gallagher and Lyla鈥檚 parents, Frank and Megan, were onsite to听witness听the surprise announcement听at the school.听听

The second student, Ella Foote, is a senior at Norwich High School in Norwich, New York, and a community volunteer. Ella is considering a career in pharmacy because of her past work and shadowing experiences.

ACPHS Assistant Director of Admissions, Grace Higgins, attended听a听reception at the Norwich High School’s听Career听Center with听her parents,听Keri Brewer and Matt Foote,听her school counselor, Mary Carson,听and others.

Both students were chosen for their impressive participation and engagement during Scholarship Day led by ACPHS faculty including Margaret Doll, Public Health; Michelle Parent, Clinical Laboratory & Health Sciences; Stephen Maher, Forensic Psychology, Psychology, & Forensic Science; Eric Yager, Biomedical Sciences; and Tom Lodise, Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences.

The professors laid out the groundwork for an anthrax attack threat discovered by the CIA. By working through the case study, the students learned the roles and responsibilities of various personnel involved in averting or minimizing the effects of a bioterrorism attack.

They also gained听an听appreciation听for the importance of a team approach in听identifying听and responding to health threats.

Congratulations to both Lyla and Ella and welcome to the ACPHS family!听

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