STLCOP Celebrates American Pharmacists Month

Contact: Bryan C. Daniels
Director, Public Relations
(314) 691-3130 – Cell
e-mail: bdaniels@stlcop.edu

St. Louis College of Pharmacy Celebrates American Pharmacists Month

ST. LOUIS (Sept. 29, 2011) – Nationwide, during the month of October, pharmacists showcase their contributions to health care and commitment to serving patients and communities. St. Louis College of Pharmacy (STLCOP) is proud to join pharmacists, professional and educational organizations, and faculty and students from pharmacy colleges nationwide in promoting good health and the profession of pharmacy, along with educating patients about medication safety, medication adherence, and the proper disposal of unused and unwanted medications.

- The American Pharmacists Association (APhA) sponsors American Pharmacists Month. Its theme is: “Know your Medicine. Know your Pharmacist.” It promotes a variety of topics aimed at emphasizing the impact of pharmacists in delivering care and counseling services. APhA provides tips on properly taking medications, eliminating or reducing drug interactions, and understanding the benefits and risks associated with medication usage.

- During the week of Oct. 24-30, the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) will observe American Pharmacy Educator Week. It promotes the importance of pharmacy education at 120 institutions and the role of nearly 6,000 pharmacy educators who contribute to improve public health by providing critical patient care in hospitals, clinics and community pharmacies.
 
In observance, STLCOP will participate in and has planned numerous activities. They include:

- St. Louis Aldermanic Resolution – Friday, Sept. 30 at 10 a.m. (City Hall, St. Louis): The St. Louis Board of Aldermen will present an Aldermanic Resolution to STLCOP President John A. Pieper. The special recognition highlights the contributions of pharmacists in the city of St. Louis as well as STLCOP’s impact on the health and wellbeing of people in the region.

- Emergency Preparedness Pharmacy Task-Force Meeting – Thursday, Oct. 6 at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. (Whelpley Auditorium and Jones Hall – Room 1275): Pat Curtis, an emergency preparedness planner for the city of St. Louis Department of Health, will meet with STLCOP’s Student Pharmacists Association to talk about local and state efforts related to disaster planning if a natural disaster or large-scale public health crisis were to occur in Missouri. After meeting with students, Curtis will brainstorm with STLCOP faculty members and local pharmacy leaders about ways to use pharmacists in an emergency situation.

- Pharmacy Phun – Every Friday, beginning Oct. 7 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. (Saint Louis Science Center – Life Sciences Classroom): STLCOP students will lead visitors (adults and children) through a variety of hands-on, pharmacy-related activities such as using a mortar and pestle, punching medicine capsules and translating prescriptions from Latin to English. Visitors will also learn about safety through activities that focus on the safe disposal of medicine and poison prevention.

- St. Louis Area Residency Showcase and Seminars – Tuesday, Oct. 11 from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Cartwright Student Center): The showcase helps current pharmacy students learn about available post-graduate pharmacy residency programs in St. Louis. Residency programs from Illinois and central Missouri will also participate. Pharmacy students will meet residency program directors, program preceptors, and current pharmacy residents. Also, current STLCOP residents will make clinical seminar presentations throughout the afternoon. More information about the seminars is available upon request. 

- Interview Day/Career Fair – Tuesday, Oct. 11 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Wednesday, Oct. 12 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Cartwright Student Center): During the two-day event, sixth-year students will interview with prospective employers. Also, underclassmen will have an opportunity to gather information and discuss future employment opportunities.

- Health Fair, sponsored by the Mid-East Area Agency on Aging – Friday, Oct. 14 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. (Route 66 Senior Center in Eureka, Mo.): STLCOP faculty and students will answer questions and lead “brown bag sessions” aimed at helping seniors to better manage their medications. They will also conduct fall risk assessments, which indicate a patient’s risk level for falling based on their medications, health conditions, previous fall history, and other factors such as vision and hearing. 

- Health Fair – Tuesday, Oct. 18 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Shalom House Church): STLCOP faculty and students will participate in medication reviews and provide pill boxes to participants. During the event, blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose screenings will be provided by other participating health and community organizations.

- Health Fair, sponsored by the Mid-East Area Agency on Aging – Tuesday, Oct. 20 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. (Northside Community Center): STLCOP faculty and students will answer questions and lead “brown bag sessions” aimed at helping seniors to better manage their medications. They will also conduct fall risk assessments, which indicate a patient’s risk level for falling based on their medications, health conditions, previous fall history, and other factors such as vision and hearing. 

- IdeaBounce – Thursday, Oct. 20 at 5:30 p.m. (Goldfarb School of Nursing): This is a collaborative event between STLCOP, Goldfarb School of Nursing, and the Skandalaris Center at Washington University in St. Louis that brings people together to discuss business ideas openly. Pre-selected idea “bouncers” will have the opportunity to present business ideas to a panel of judges comprised of local business leaders and entrepreneurs. An open-microphone session will give everyone an opportunity to contribute thoughts and suggestions.

- Reunion Weekend – Friday and Saturday, Oct. 21-22: Activities begin with campus tours, a barbeque, and concert on the STLCOP Quad, where alumni can reconnect with former classmates and professors. On Saturday, there will be a trolley tour of St. Louis and alumni will attend the President’s Reception, Gold Alumni Club Reception (honoring the class of 1961), and Reunion Dinner at the Saint Louis Zoo. Visit http://alumni.stlcop.edu/Page.aspx?pid=309 for more information.

- Family Weekend 2011 – Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, Oct. 21-23: The purpose of the three-day event is to assist first-year students with their transition to college. Nearly two months into their college experience, family and friends have been invited to participate in several on-campus and local activities with students.

- Medication Take-Back at STLCOP – Thursday, Oct. 27 from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.: This event is being held to support the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) drug take-back initiative. To encourage participation from the Central West End community, STLCOP and Barnes-Jewish Hospital are collaborating to host a drug take-back prior to the DEA’s national event on Oct. 29. There will be two drop-off locations on the STLCOP campus: the Cartwright Student Center (walk-in drop offs) and the parking lot adjacent to Whelpley Hall (drive-thru drop offs). The DEA will be present.

- Boo Fest – Sunday, Oct. 30 from 3 to 6 p.m. (STLCOP Quad): Each year, the College partners with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and Saint Louis Science Center to create a safe Halloween event for St. Louis-area children with diabetes. Kids will wear their Halloween costumes to the carnival-like event. STLCOP students will present fun activities and provide education information to kids and parents. Activities include the Science Center’s “Creepy Chemistry Lab,” a costume contest, bounce house, face painting and temporary tattoos, and sugar-free snow cones.

About St. Louis College of Pharmacy: Founded in 1864, St. Louis College of Pharmacy is one of the oldest and largest colleges of pharmacy in America. It integrates the liberal arts and sciences with a six-year professional curriculum leading to the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree. The College admits students directly from high school and accepts transfer students from other colleges and universities. Approximately 1,265 students attend, and more than 72 percent of practicing pharmacists in the St. Louis metropolitan area are alumni.

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