News & Events
College Welcomes Students to Campus for the 2010-11 Academic Year
 |
“As the new president, I’m thoroughly impressed with the quality of STLCOP students,” said John A. Pieper, who began Aug. 1. “In recent days, with students moving into the Residence Hall and starting classes, I’ve enjoyed meeting and talking to them about their aspirations of becoming a pharmacist and contributing to the health care community.”
Students living in the Residence Hall were greeted by a move-in crew comprised of upperclassmen, faculty, and staff on Aug. 19. The following Tuesday, students had the opportunity to learn about STLCOP organizations during the Welcome Back Barbecue and Campus Resource Fair.
View photos of move-in day.
View photos of the Welcome Back Barbecue.
Dr. Ken Schafermeyer Talks With KTVI-TV About Electronic Medical Records
On July 29, Dr. Ken Schafermeyer appeared on KTVI-TV (Channel 2) to discuss health care reform – particularly the adaptation of electronic medical records. The five-year plan will integrate patient health and prescription history from multiple doctors and hospitals to a central electronic records system. The new system will provide health care professionals with the opportunity to access the complete medical history of a patient when administering treatment.
“They’re [the Federal Government] using a stick and a carrot. They carrot is some incentive money. They’re going to increase reimbursement for Medicare and Medicaid providers who adopt electronic medical records,” Schafermeyer said. He went on to say that providers who do not adopt the system by 2015 will see a decline in the amount reimbursed.
When asked about concerns regarding hackers and system security, Schafermeyer pointed to the fact that electronic health records already exist for billing purposes. “The thing people don’t realize is that those records are already out there. What this does is creates a systematic approach with much higher standards, so it should provide more security as well.”
Dr. Terry Seaton Appointed to the American College of Clinical Pharmacy’s Board of Regents
 |
“It’s a high visibility position and a highly respected position within the organization,” Seaton said. “I was very humbled and pleased to learn of my election.” In his role, Seaton will serve as an advocate for members and contribute to the development and implementation of a new strategic plan.
Seaton believes that the new health care reform model will provide a basis for ACCP’s strategic direction by focusing on the role of pharmacy in the health care delivery system. “The key advocacy agenda for the past several years has been provider status. Clinical pharmacists are not recognized by Medicare as health care providers. In other words, pharmacists can’t bill Medicare independently for their clinical services; they can only bill for the medication dispensed. There’s talk of moving reimbursement for all medicine towards the medical home model, which involves billing as an institution rather than individual providers. Reimbursement changes will be the catalyst for a major change in the profession,” he said.
In connection with his role as a regent, Seaton also has been appointed to the ACCP’s political action committee, which will further position him to impact legislative aspects of health care. “I completed a federal government program on political advocacy and primary care, so this fits well with my interests,” he said.
The ACCP is a professional and scientific society focused on providing clinical pharmacists with training and development, support programs, leadership, and networking opportunities that enhance practice and research. STLCOP is home to the largest student chapter of the ACCP, with more than 200 student members.
Dr. John Pieper Named APhA Fellow
The American Pharmacists Association (APhA) has announced Dr. John Pieper, St. Louis College of Pharmacy’s new president, as a 2010 APhA Fellow.
Fellows must have at least 10 years of professional experience and be members of either the APhA Academy of Pharmacy Practice and Management or the APhA Academy of Pharmaceutical Research and Science (APhA-APRS). Additionally, fellows must demonstrate a high level of achievement and service through service to APhA and other local, state, and national professional organizations. Dr. Pieper is a member of the APhA-APRS. In 2006, he received the Outstanding Dean Award from the APhA Academy of Student Pharmacists.
Learn more about Dr. Pieper.
Byron A. Barnes Award Recipients Announced
 |
Margaret Weck, associate professor of physiology and director of the basic and pharmaceutical sciences division, received the Student Enrichment Award, which is presented to a faculty member whose interaction with students outside the classroom go above and beyond the call of duty. Bob Zebroski, associate professor of history, received the College Enhancement Award for improving the College atmosphere to benefit the students’ college experience. Mark Huelsing, database and application developer, was honored with the President’s Staff Excellence Award, which is presented to a staff member whose work consistently exceeds expectations or who has provided exceptional service to the College.
The three awards were created in 1998 to recognize outstanding service to the College community. Funding for the Byron A. Barnes Awards is provided by the BCES Foundation, Loren G. Cunningham ’50 and his wife, Sarah.
BESt Pharmacy Institute Promotes a Diverse Health Care Community
In a unique collaboration, St. Louis College of Pharmacy, Barnes-Jewish Hospital, and Express Scripts are preparing multicultural high school students in St. Louis city and county for careers in pharmacy through the BESt Pharmacy Summer Institute. During a six-week program, students receive instruction in math, science, language arts, and ACT preparation with pharmacy lectures and site visits. The program consists of three levels: BESt I (rising sophomores); BESt II (rising juniors); and BESt III (rising seniors).This summer, 56 students were chosen to participate in the program’s three sessions.
In 2009, the 14 students who participated in the program all received college scholarships to continue their education in health-related fields.
Recently featured on KSDK-TV in St. Louis, participants expressed their dedication to making the most of the opportunity – even if it means sacrificing their summer. “The more knowledge, the more power you have. I’ll always have time to play video games, but it takes a real man to come [to the program], right,” said sophomore Darrin Mosely, who attends Normandy High School.
The goal of the BESt program is to provide multicultural students with the knowledge and skills needed to be successful in pharmacy school. Ultimately, program leaders hope to create a larger, more diverse pool of pharmacists to serve the St. Louis area.
Learn more about the BESt program.
Watch the segment.
St. Louis College of Pharmacy Student Saves Woman’s Life
 |
| Danielle Graham and Laurie Harp meet for the first time since the accident. |
“I have been told my car started veering into the next lane. The young lady behind me decided to change lanes. When she moved next to me she looked over and saw I was shaking … We have since learned I was having a seizure. She said my car was going the perfect speed and at the perfect angle she was able to use her car to steer my car across four lanes of traffic to the median. Once my car hit the median it stopped and she was able to come up and put my car in park and she sat there with me holding my hand until help arrived,” recalled Harp in an e-mail to KMOV News.
The two women have been e-mailing since the incident, and met for the first time on June 14. Graham said that she did not consider her own safety when she noticed that Harp was in danger. “All I could think about was getting her to the side of the road. That’s all I thought about,” Graham said.
Watch the video and view photos.
STLCOP’s Jill Jokerst Named KIAC Athletic Director of the Year
The Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference named Jill Jokerst Athletic Director of the Year. News of Jokerst’s
 |
“STLCOP offers intercollegiate athletics for all the right reasons – not for championships, although that's a perk, but as a means to develop character and provide positive intangibles that help our students as they become community leaders. It feels good to know that the 'little guy' doesn't always come in last!” said Jokerst.
Jokerst is quick to recognize STLCOP coaches and student-athletes who also have claimed their fair share of titles and awards during the 2009-10 season, noting that her award is a reflection on the entire STLCOP athletic program.
“I think I can sum it up by saying that our athletes have the right attitude about college sports. They know that they are here to be pharmacists rather than professional athletes, and are satisfied knowing they give their sport all they've got. Sometimes that means a conference championship, national qualification, All-Conference Teams, or recognition for being scholar-athletes. Most of all, it means they're having fun and growing as adults, which is what the college experience should provide,” she said.
Drs. Sailors and Burke Appear on Fox 2 News
Two St. Louis College of Pharmacy professors recently appeared on KTVI's Fox 2 News in the Morning to answer questions about hot topics surrounding drug abuse and recent Tylenol recalls.
Dr. Jill Sailors, ’01/’02, assistant professor of pharmacy practice, addressed the issue of prescription drug abuse, which has more than doubled over the past decade and costs tax payers billions of dollars every year. Dr. Sailors stressed the need for parents to target prevention by talking with their teenagers and monitoring their medicine cabinets.
Dr. Jack Burke, director of pharmacy practice, discussed the Tylenol recall and FDA regulation of medications. While recent recalls of Tylenol medications have caused a media uproar, Dr. Burke highlighted the ability of pharmacists to help consumers select generic alternatives.
View Dr. Sailors and Dr. Burke's appearances.
St. Louis College of Pharmacy Presents 178 Pharm.D. Degrees
On May 15, members of the STLCOP community gathered at the Millennium Hotel to celebrate the accomplishments of the Class of 2010.
 |
Patrick Harper ’10, reminded fellow graduates that STLCOP not only shapes professional careers, but enables students to grow as individuals. “Our profession is not all that we are. Yes, it is what we have studied for the past six years, but it is not what defines us or our time here. We should be defined not by what we did, but by who we’ve become. And it’s our memories of STLCOP that will continue to shape us throughout our lives. Take note that by memories I mean ‘what we remember’ and not ‘what we memorized.’ There’s a difference.”
The Class of 2010 received an average of 1.66 job offers per student before graduation. Forty-nine percent of graduates intend to work in St. Louis upon graduation.
View photos from 2010 Commencement.
|
|