News

2021


August

Mandatory mask and vaccination requirements

Memorial University is requring COVID-19 vaccines for all students, faculty and staff, and as of Aug. 23, masks will be required on all Memorial campuses in all indoor spaces.

June

School of Pharmacy alumna takes the helm

When Christina Tulk took over as chair of the Canadian Pharmacists Association (CPhA) last November, the world was, as she puts it, “knee deep in COVID.”

May

Just one click: Alumni Achievement Awards nominations

Our Alumni Achievement Award is the highest honour we bestow upon one of our graduates. 

April

Cannabis 101

From the green plant to rainbow-hued edibles and from percentage levels of THC and CBD to deciding between indica or sativa, there’s a smorgasbord of choice when it comes to cannabis products.

2020


December

Counting sleep - provincial campaign not "sheepish" on dangers of sleeping pills

When School of Pharmacy-based SaferMedsNL was getting ready to launch its campaign about the potential harms of sleeping pills, project co-ordinator Kelda Newport had no idea they’d have to compete with COVID-19.

Counting sleep - provincial campaign not "sheepish" on dangers of sleeping pills

When School of Pharmacy-based SaferMedsNL was getting ready to launch its campaign about the potential harms of sleeping pills, project co-ordinator Kelda Newport had no idea they’d have to compete with COVID-19.

November

Keynote about COVID-19 anti-viral therapies and vaccines headlines Pharmacy Research Day 2020

COVID-19 antiviral therapies and vaccines are the hot topics for the School of Pharmacy’s Research Day key note address, SARS-COV-2: The Virus That Stops the World, with Dr. Rod Russell of MUN's Faculty of Medicine.

Inspire and be inspired

Are you looking for a way to mentor and be inspired by future pharmacists? The “Call for Preceptors” is open for our Practice Experience Program for 2021.

October

Alumni programming

The face of the world has changed, and with change comes adaptability and reimagined ways to connect.

As such, alumni programming and events have shifted from in-person events, programs and celebrations, amplifying opportunities for alumni to embark on new, exciting, blended ways to build relationships with each other.

June

COVID-19 information links for students

In these challenging times, it's important to stay current with the latest COVID-19 related information. We've included a link to specific information for School of Pharmacy students, and a link to Memorial University's COVID-19 information Hub. 

April

Student emergency funds

Many students are facing a range of stressful disruptions in their lives as a result of the worldwide health pandemic. Cancellation of all in-person classes, a full move to remote learning and having to quickly vacate residences – combined with isolation measures, job loss and travel bans – have created particular hardships for students who lack other supports.

March

Accessible remote teaching and learning guidelines

The Blundon Centre has developed guidelines to assist faculty and instructors with incorporating accessibility into remote teaching and learning approaches.

Message from the President to the University Community

This has been an unprecedented week for our university and our communities. I hope you are each taking care of yourselves, practicing social distancing and hand washing, and doing your part to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Supporting research activities during COVID-19

As Memorial and the world assess the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Memorial is committed to supporting our researchers in continuing their research activities.

Academic updates

Spring semester registration, waived regulations and more information for students

Important message from School of Pharmacy MTS Clinic

Please be advised that the Medication Therapy Services Clinic will be closing indefinitely as of 4 pm on March 18, 2020, in accordance with public health guidance regarding COVID-19.

Update on suspension of classes and change in library hours - 12:55 p.m.

Based on ongoing consultation with units and a determination of their ability to be responsive, and the evolving public health environment, Memorial University has moved up the timeline for suspension of all classes. As of end of day Tuesday, March 17, all classes (in person and online) on all campuses will be suspended. Unless your individual instructor has advised otherwise, all academic programming, including midterms and evening classes, will go ahead today, March 17. Remote delivery of classes is scheduled to resume on Monday, March 23, as previously announced. Students with questions about their classes should contact their instructor.

January

Honorary White Coat recipient encourages students to "embrace opportunities, take chances"

"Embrace opportunities, create them yourself and take chances" former School of Pharmacy Dean and Honorary White Coat recipient, Dr. Linda Hensman, urges first-year School of Pharmacy students during her address at this year's White Coat Ceremony 

Cheers to Memorial alumni successes

MusicNL Industry Award Winners Announced

2019


November

Research Day 2019

Research Day 2019 has been planned.

June

Putt'er up!

The annual School of Pharmacy Golf Tournament is a guaranteed day of fun! Come and play, and help support pharmacy student scholarships.

2018


December

Seeking pharmacist volunteers

Dear Pharmacists,
Share your knowledge, enthusiasm, compassion and contribute to your profession by guiding our first-year students.

August

Research success

The 2017-18 academic year was a research success, drawing in nearly 20 grants.

July

Grad student success

Diverse graduate research is a point of pride in our post-graduate programs. Our students represented the school well during this academic year, receiving a number of awards, publications and acknowledgements.

Summer research 2018

The third annual Summer Research Program is well underway.

January

Dr. Laurie Twells appointed Scientific Lead, NLSUPPORT

In late 2017, NL SUPPORT began the search for a new Scientific Lead when Dr. Brendan Barrett moved into the position of Chief Scientific Officer of the Translational and Personalized Medicine Initiative (TPMI). In early 2018, Dr. Laurie Twells was officially welcomed to the team.

2017


September

Preceptor Pride

Without our preceptors, we would not be able to offer our program. We wish to extend our gratitude to the generous pharmacists from across the country, who contribute their time and expertise to the pharmacists of tomorrow. Each year at our annual Scholarships and Awards Ceremony, we award a community and hospital pharmacist with the Preceptor of the Year Award. This year's community recipient was Selena Corcoran, and the two hospital recipients were Lorie Carter and Sarah Fennell. Thank-you!

July

PharmD for Working Professionals: program approved

A new program for practicing pharmacists will begin in fall 2018.

 

 

June

Golf Tournament - August 17!

The annual School of Pharmacy Golf Tournament is a guaranteed day of fun!

Now hiring! Researcher

We are seeking an ambitious, highly motivated, organized, and results-driven person to join our project team.

May

Notice: DIC temporarily closed

The School of Pharmacy's Drug Information Centre will be temporarily closed beginning May 19, 2017.

 

April

eScript newsletter - issue 2

Research Day wrap-up, becoming a quitter, injections training and four minutes of research focus - these are the highlights of issue two. Subscribe today!

Island fellow Dr. John Weber

Five Memorial researchers will take up residence on historic Fogo Island for month-long research retreats this year.

March

Alumni profile: Greg Batt

Greg Batt (Class of 2010) grew up in his father’s pharmacy in Twillingate knowing, even as a young boy, that he would follow in his father’s footsteps and become a pharmacist. 

 

Alumni profile: Chad Parsons

Chad Parsons (Class of 2003), associate-owner of the Shoppers Drug Mart in the Goulds, always saw himself being involved in the healthcare eld while owning and running a business. 

 

Pharmacy Research Day wrap-up

The third annual Pharmacy Research Day was action-packed on March 16.

On March 24 #quitsmokingNL

Hash(tag) - you quit! 

To promote awareness and support others through the sharing of successful quit smoking stories, the School of Pharmacy is encouraging individuals whose lives improved by leaving their cigarettes in the ashes to share their experiences and photos on social media by using the hashtag #quitsmokingNL.

Four minutes of focus

Snap up a nugget of some of the exciting research being conducted by School of Pharmacy graduate students on March 16.

Public Pill Drop

Members of the public will have the opportunity to safely dispose of their expired and unused medications at the School of Pharmacy’s annual Public Pill Drop, an event that is part of Pharmacist Awareness Month.

 

Pharmacy Research Day Agenda

Pharmacy Innovation Research Day celebrates advancements in healthcare collaboration, drug discovery and delivery, health outcomes and teaching and learning research in pharmacy.

February

Drug misadventures

Deprescribing partnership integral part of holistic view of medication regimens

 

Love your partner, love yourself

Launching on Valentine’s Day, an  APPROACH study will offer free point-of-care, or “rapid”, HIV testing in select pharmacies in Newfoundland and Labrador and Alberta for a six-month period. The aim is to discover whether a community, pharmacy-based rapid HIV screening program is acceptable, feasible and effective in reaching those at high risk and those who have never been tested.

 

 

January

Coming soon: Research Matchmaking!

Six researchers. Seven minutes. Infinite possibilities. On Feb. 2 the School of Pharmacy will hold its second annual Research Matchmaking Game, a speed dating-style forum with the potential for research student-faculty partnerships. 

 

2016


December

Helping Haiti

Dr. Cathy Balsom’s gratitude for the accessibility and quality of health care in Canada was enhanced after a mission to Haiti on a volunteer task force as part of Team Broken Earth recently.

 

November

Upcoming injection training - Dec. 5

The School of Pharmacy will be offering an injection training program on Monday, December 5th.  

Insulin powered

Ten-year-old Colby Ryan has a lot to be proud of.

Despite his diagnosis of type 1 diabetes at age seven, he has embraced a number of opportunities to promote health and wellness for people of all ages who are affected by the disease.

 

September

Pharmacy students benefit from study abroad program

When asked why she chose to study pharmacy at Memorial, visiting student Marina de Assis Florentino replied: “It’s a wonderful university, St. John’s is an enchanting city, and Newfoundlanders are the kindest people I’ve ever met.”

The head bone is connected to the heart bone

Links between stroke and arthritis may need further investigation, according to Dr. Noriko Daneshtalab and her team of researchers.

 

Understanding the potential impact of tongue-tie on infant feeding

Drs. Tiffany Lee and Laurie Twells received $18,800 from the Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR) for their work on the topic of ankyloglossia (tongue-tie) and infant nutrition. 

Welcome Dr. Hai Van Nguyen

Dr. Hai Van Nguyen joined the School of Pharmacy as an Assistant Professor on Sept. 1, 2016.

 

 

July

Seminar: this Thursday

"The Alberta vascular Risk Reduction Community Pharmacy Project (the RxEACH study): Application, Results and Implementation Plan"


Date: Thursday, July 7
Time: 12:00 - 1:00
Location: Lecture Theatre I, Health Sciences Centre (School of Pharmacy) 

June

Upcoming Injections Training session

This program is designed such that pharmacists will feel confident in their knowledge and skills regarding immunization, and intramuscular and subcutaneous injection of medications/vaccines.  Part 2 may be taken alone as a refresher for those who were previously certified.

 

Interim dean appointed

Dr. Lisa Bishop has been appointed acting dean of the School of Pharmacy effective Aug. 1, 2016, until a permanent dean is recruited. Dr. Bishop replaces Dr. Carlo Marra who has accepted the role of dean of the School of Pharmacy at the University of Otago in New Zealand.

 

May

Convocation profile: Lifelong goal, lifelong learning

Amy Randell dreamed of being a pharmacist since junior high school. She will receive her MSc (Pharmacy) on June 2, checking off another goal off on her academia career bucket list.

April

HIV-positive? CIHR awards $150,000 to pharmacy researchers

An estimated 21 per cent of Canadians with HIV are unaware of their infection, possibly because the hurdles for testing are too large to leap over.

March

Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) Senate-approved

The School of Pharmacy’s new entry-to-practice Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program was approved by Memorial University’s Senate on Feb. 16, 2016. 

 

Pharmacy Research Innovation Day

As part of Pharmacist Awareness Month (PAM) 2016, we present our second annual Pharmacy Research Innovation Day on March 23.

 

February

School of Pharmacy gears up for #MUNPAM16

Each year Pharmacist Awareness Month (PAM) is celebrated across Canada to recognize and educate Canadians about the contributions that pharmacists make in the delivery of health care.

The School of Pharmacy has planned a number of initiatives to promote the profession of pharmacy.

 

It's NL's Next Top Pharmacist!

Pharmacy students in top form for #MUNPAM16

Can a pharmacists' white coat scream, “fashion!”? Pharmacists know the names of just about every drug there is, but can they spell them? What are our pharmacy students’ hidden talents? 

 

Matchmaking of a different sort

Completely unrelated to Valentine's Day, the School of Pharmacy recently held a different sort of matchmaking event for February. 

Canada Research Chair presentations - RESCHEDULED

The School of Pharmacy is currently conducting candidate interviews for recruitment of a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair (CRC) in Health Sustainability and Policy Evaluation. The position involves a CRC nomination, and is also a tenure track appointment at the assistant or associate level.

 

January

It's the Pharmacy Research Matchmaking Game!

Wondering if pharmaceutical sciences graduate research could fit you like a glove? Curious about research happening in the School of Pharmacy?

We have just the event for you – it’s the Pharmacy Research Matchmaking Game!

 

Premier Dwight Ball honoured at pharmacy event

Premier Dwight Ball received the first honourary white coat at the School of Pharmacy’s 10th annual White Coat Ceremony on Tuesday, Jan. 12. The ceremony formally welcomes first year pharmacy students into the profession, acknowledging the hard work they have done so far, and instilling the ethical responsibility that comes with being a health care practitioner.

 

Premier Dwight Ball to attend 10th White Coat Ceremony

Premier Dwight Ball will receive an honorary white coat from the School of Pharmacy at the 10th anniversary White Coat Ceremony on Tuesday, Jan. 12. The premier will also bring greetings to the Class of 2019 as they begin their careers in pharmacy.

Pharmacy and psychiatry students: kicking the butt with smoking cessation

Students studying pharmacy and psychiatry will soon be able to refine their communication and collaboration skills by helping patients quit smoking.

 

2015


November

Call for Preceptors 2016!

The “Call for Preceptors” is currently on for the School of Pharmacy’s Structured Practice Experience (SPE) Program for Spring-Summer 2016.

October

Pharmacy seeking rock star researcher

Are you the next Tier 2 Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Chair in Health Care Sustainability and Policy Evaluation? At Memorial’s School of Pharmacy, the search is on.

 

ROMEO AND JULIET: EMPOWERING YOUTH THROUGH THEATRE

The gymnasium is a buzz as parents, family members, students, and friends arrive to take their seats. A head or two can be seen peeking through the thick, dark curtains that separate the stage from the audience as anxious actors scan the crowd for a familiar face. The director and stage crew scurry around to fix a last minute glitch with the sound system.

Pharmacy receives three NLCAHR awards

Dr. J.M. Gamble and two of his graduate students, Jennifer Donnan and Patricia Howse, have received development and research grants from the Newfoundland and Labrador Centre for Applied Health Research (NLCAHR). 

MTS Clinic physician focus group

We are holding a focus group for physicians on October 7, 2015 from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m., pertaining to our new Medication Therapy Services (MTS) Clinic.

Pharmacy students impress at Run for the Cure

The School of Pharmacy CIBC Run for the Cure team raised over $2000 and won the Post Secondary Team Challenge Award.

July

Dr. Chris Loomis establishes undergraduate pharmacy research award

Dr. Chris Loomis, former director of the School of Pharmacy and most recently Vice-President (Research), pro tempore, has established The Loomis Undergraduate Research Award in Pharmacy. The award was established through a generous donation to Dare To: The Campaign for Memorial University – a private sector fundraising campaign which ran from 2007-2013 and raised more than $67.2 million.

 

June

New research awards in memory of beloved pharmacy professor

Dr. Noriko Daneshtalab remembers her father's passion for research and education, which will be immortalized through the creation of two awards for graduate students aspiring to enter pharmacy research programs.

 

May

Class of 2015 feature: Kaetan Waghmare

For Kaetan Waghmare who receives his Bachelor of Science (Pharmacy) this spring, the healthcare community spans far beyond the borders of Newfoundland and Labrador.

 

Hands-on experiences hardening soft skills

Students in the School of Pharmacy are taking the initiative to plan events in the spirit of advocating for pharmacists expanding scope of practice, providing public awareness of the services pharmacists provide, and collaboration amongst their peers.

 

April

National Immunizations Awareness Week

To support pharmacists’ expanding scope of practice and to offer education to the province’s practitioners, the School of Pharmacy has initiated an injections training program for pharmacy students and pharmacists. 

 

ACEnet award; first time for a pharmacy student

A student in the School of Pharmacy has received a coveted ACEnet Undergraduate Research Fellowship Award for Advanced Research Computing (ARC), which involves computer clusters to solve scientific, engineering, business or data analysis problems that are too large or complex for any single computer. 

 

Pharmacy Matters: Experiential Learning

The School of Pharmacy will be holding a forum for pharmacists to discuss the experiential learning component of Memorial’s entry-to-practice Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program. 

March

Public Pill Drop a success

The 2015 Public Pill Drop, part of Pharmacist Awareness Month (PAM) collected over 20,000 pills and capsules, gels and liquids, and inhalers.

Public Pill Drop - March 28

As part of Pharmacist Awareness Month (PAM) 2015, the School of Pharmacy’s Canadian Association of Pharmacy Students and Interns (CAPSI) team in partnership with the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (RNC) and Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) will host the annual Public Pill Drop, where members of the public can safely dispose of their expired medications.

 

Pharmacy Research Innovation Day

To promote awareness of the School of Pharmacy’s research goals and as part of Pharmacist Awareness Month (PAM) 2015, the school will host Pharmacy Research Innovation Day on Thursday, March 19.

February

Pharmacist Awareness Month 2015

From March 1 - 31, 2015, students, faculty and staff in the School of Pharmacy will be contributing to Pharmacist Awareness Month (PAM) by offering several community engagement events to help educate health care practitioners from other health care disciplines and members of the general public about how a pharmacist can help improve the population’s health and well being.

 

Pharmacy launches Strategic Plan

“This is a crucial time for our school and for the pharmacy profession,” said Dr. Carlo Marra, dean. 

January

Students receive national awards

Students in the School of Pharmacy received a number of awards at Professional Development Week (PDW) 2015 - a national conference for pharmacy students.

Annual White Coat Ceremony

The sixth annual School of Pharmacy White Coat Ceremony takes place this Thursay, Jan. 15 from 5:00 - 7:30 p.m.

2014


December

Pharmacy alumnus leads national addictions treatment initiative

In 2013, Mr. Barnes spearheaded an initiative to control the abuse of fentanyl – a powerful narcotic used to treat severe chronic pain.

The drug had quickly replaced the discontinued OxyContin as the prescription narcotic-turned-street-drug of choice.

 

November

Speed dating in the name of research

Whether it’s done in a lab or a clinic, from pharmaceutical sciences to health outcomes to pharmacy practice to teaching and learning – the research conducted in the School of Pharmacy is diverse.

International student leadership to enhance patient care

“Integrative medicine is a growing field – I would love to be in a position to facilitate an exchange of information with the goal of enhancing patient care.  Although westernized medicine is the standard in Canada’s health care system, North Americans are becoming more aware of this type of medicine so I think it’s important that pharmacists have a good understanding of both.”

 

October

Pharmaceutical care = more than medication

“Being a good pharmacist is about making a connection with patients and establishing relationships based on mutual trust and respect,” Dr. Phillips begins her first lecture in Pharmacy 5401: Major Depressive Disorder by using scenes from the 1980 film Ordinary People to highlight the impact of stigma in mental disorders.

September

Dr. John Hawboldt receives PANL award

Dr. John Hawboldt receives the first Pharmacist of the Year Award from the Pharmacists Association of Newfoundland and Labrador (PANL).

School of Pharmacy raises over $1300 for HIV/AIDS

The School of Pharmacy's involvement in the Scotiabank AIDS Walk for Life was once again a success.

Pharmacy Matters Webcast: TONIGHT

Webcast link will be available at 6:30 p.m., NST. 

August

Pharmacists without borders: students travel to Honduras

This summer, four pharmacy students returned from a Global Brigades trek to Honduras with a new perspective on their practice.

July

The School of Pharmacy's new dean talks research, teaching, and the future of pharmacy

“The people were by far and away the most important factor in deciding to come,” says Dr. Carlo Marra, who began his term as Dean on June 1, 2014. “The chance to work with such a vibrant, energetic group of people was something that I couldn’t pass up. Moving from coast to coast and experiencing another beautiful province in Canada was a major draw. I would love to learn as much about Newfoundland as I can and fully embrace the culture here.”

 

June

Artful giving: pharmacy student goes above and beyond

Because pharmacists are the most accessible healthcare professionals, many people choose that career because they love helping others.

Parinita Verma (Class of 2015 and the Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacist [CSHP] Senior Student Representative) is honing her compassion and reaching beyond her role as a future pharmacist, to include philanthropist.

 

Award-winning pharmacy graduate students praise their supervisors

Three graduate students from the School of Pharmacy who were honoured as Fellows of the School of Graduate Studies on June 3 at the Graduate Awards Ceremony say they wouldn’t be where they are if it wasn’t for their dedicated and tireless graduate supervisors.

May

Teaching and learning through role-play

When it comes to fun yet practical and effective teaching and learning tactics, Dr. Leslie Phillips is seriously yet lightheartedly in the game.

As the recipient of the 2010 President’s Award for Distinguished Teaching, she used her award funds and worked with a colleague (Dr. Carla Dillon) to develop and produce “Med Heads” – a role-playing game where students perform as either a patient or pharmacist, and enact patient counseling scenarios.

 

Courting compassion and camaraderie

It’s going to be tough for pharmacy student and award-winning athlete Adrienne Penney (or Mom, as many of her peers and teammates call her) to move to New Brunswick to begin her career.

The emotional investment she has in her time at Memorial – her peers, her professors and her teammates – runs deep.

 

PSA: CIHR funds discussion forum on infant feeding in Labrador

Public Service Announcement: Members of the public and media are invited to attend Breaking the Ice: Let’s talk about infant feeding in Labrador – a Café Scientifique event featuring researchers from Memorial's School of Pharmacy and Faculty of Medicine.

April

Prescription meds as deadly as street drugs

Just because some drugs are legal, it doesn’t mean they can’t be abused.

A goal of the Canadian Pharmacists Association (CPhA) is to educate the public on the importance of drug awareness, and the dangers of drug abuse – not only of illicit drugs, but also of prescription drugs. 

 

Obesity rates a weighty issue

For every green smoothie recipe, there’s a brand new deep-fried, double-patty, fast food phenomenon (with extra bacon) waiting to be snatched up at a drive-thru window near you.

 

Pharmacy students join high ranks

University varsity athletics handed out its 54th round of annual awards on Tuesday, April 3.

Two students from the School of Pharmacy – Adrienne Penney and Matthew Hamlyn – received honours in volleyball and soccer, respectively.

 

March

Support breeds prevention - fostering supportive communities to prevent youth mental health and addiction issues

To say that mental health and addictions issues amongst youth across North America are a troubling trend is like stating the sun is hot or the rain is wet.

 

Pharmacy Golf Tournament

We know it seems like spring will never arrive, let alone summer. But...someday the snow will melt! 

The School of Pharmacy's Annual Golf Tournament in aid of pharmacy student scholarships is on August 14, 2014. We are now accepting registrations and sponsorships! 

For more information, contact Sharon Tucker at 777-7211 or sharont@mun.ca

Dr. Laurie Twells published in Canadian Medical Association Journal

The School of Pharmacy's Dr. Laurie Twells has been published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) for her research in obesity rates in Canada.

February

Pharmacy student wins national award

Adrienne Penney, a fourth-year student in Memorial's School of Pharmacy, has received the CIS Therese Quigley Award for volleyball, academics, and community service.

February is fruitful for School of Pharmacy research awards

A number of faculty members in the School of Pharmacy have recently been awarded prestigious recognitions for their research.

 

Pharmacy student wins Erin Bursey Memorial Award

Memorial fourth-year power Adrienne Penney is the 2013-14 recipient of Atlantic University Sport (AUS)'s Erin Bursey Memorial Award, given to the women's volleyball student-athlete who best exhibits outstanding achievements in three areas: volleyball, academics and community involvement.

 

2013


November

Memorial and Dalhousie partner for student pharmacy conference

MUN and Dal pharmacy students were collaborating and learning together at the Atlantic Pharmacy Advancement Conference (APAC) held Oct. 31 – Nov. 2 at Memorial University. The conference establishes an open forum for Atlantic Canada’s pharmacy students to collaborate on a variety of topics and issues that are focused on advancing pharmacy education and the profession.

October

RDC funding announcement includes School of Pharmacy's Dr. JM Gamble

On Sept. 30, RDC announced $3.7 million in funding for 34 academic-led research projects being conducted in a range of areas at Memorial University. The School of Pharmacy’s Dr. JM Gamble received $100,000 of that funding for his work on the relationship between the use of insulin to treat patients with type 2 diabetes and the risk for heart attacks or stroke.

September

School of Pharmacy celebrates scholarship and award recipients

Students, faculty, staff, members of the pharmacy community and special guests gathered at the Health Sciences Centre auditorium on Sept. 12 for the annual School of Pharmacy Scholarships and Awards Ceremony. The event celebrates student achievement and recognizes those individuals, organizations and corporations who extend their support to scholarships and awards. Fifty-six awards were presented this year.

July

Dr. JM Gamble receives CIHR funding

The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) recently named Dr. Gamble as a successful applicant in the prestigious CIHR New Investigator competition.

Congratulations Dr. Gamble!

June

A reason to celebrate: graduation for the class of 2013

Graduates, families, friends and School of Pharmacy faculty and staff gathered to celebrate the class of 2013 on May 31 at Glendenning Golf Course. Hosted and organized by the graduating class, the evening included the presentation of a number of awards and the unveiling of the class tile.

“This is always a special event,” said Dr. Linda Hensman, dean of the School of Pharmacy. “For me, it’s particularly significant because it’s the last one that I’ll preside over as dean. I’m extremely proud of this group and all those students who have preceded them. It has been a privilege to have played a role in the growth and progress of so many wonderful young professionals.”

May

Just getting started

In a short time, he’s worn a lot of hats: student, researcher, author, volunteer, valedictorian and now pharmacist. If you ask Robbie McCarthy what title suits him best, he doesn’t hesitate in his response.

“I’m ready to get out and work for a while,” he said. “It’s been a great four years but very challenging. I’m ready to officially put my education to the test.”

Graduating with a bachelor of science in pharmacy, Robbie will get to do just that. The national certification exams and completion of his final internship are the only remaining hurdles before he begins practicing as a licensed pharmacist later this summer at the Peninsula Pharmachoice in St. Bernard’s, NL.

April

Student Spotlight: Katie O'Brien - Reflections on Haiti and Team Broken Earth

Team Broken Earth was formed in June 2010 when Dr. Andrew Furey returned from his first trip to Haiti, a country devastated by a catastrophic earthquake that same year. That first trip led to the formation of a group that has completed seven medical support missions to Haiti. Now more than three years after that first trip, the team continues to evolve and has pledged to continue providing clinical care in a country still in desperate need of help.

March

Dr. Noriko Daneshtalab receives funding from RDC

On March 11, RDC announced $1.3 million in funding for 12 health-related research projects at Memorial University. The School of Pharmacy’s Dr. Noriko Daneshtalab received $100,000 of that funding in the form of an IgniteR&D grant for her work: The Study of Cardiovascular Pathogenesis Associated with Autoimmune Disease.

Memorial pharmacy students embrace a changing profession

March is Pharmacist Awareness Month and this year’s theme is Providing More Health Care Than You Know: Ask A Pharmacist. Memorial’s School of Pharmacy is helping deliver that message. The Canadian Pharmacists Association is working with national and provincial pharmacy associations and schools across Canada to improve the public’s understanding of the expanding role of pharmacists.

Students at Memorial have enthusiastically taken up the cause, knowing they will soon be on the front lines of a changing profession.

School of Pharmacy professor named CSHP Fellow

Dr. Debbie Kelly received the highest honour the Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacists (CSHP) can bestow when she was recently named a Fellow of that organization. An associate professor with the School of Pharmacy at Memorial University with a cross appointment to Memorial’s Faculty of Medicine, Dr. Kelly was formally acknowledged with the honour in February at the CSHP Professional Practice Conference in Toronto.

School of Pharmacy's Dr. JM Gamble receives CIHR funding

Dr. John-Michael Gamble is one of two researchers at Memorial University who have received funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) in the most recent competition. Dr. Gamble, assistant professor at Memorial’s School of Pharmacy, received an operating grant of $150,524 over two years.

February

Celebrating research at the School of Pharmacy

The School of Pharmacy at Memorial University held its annual research poster competition on Wednesday, Feb. 13 in the school’s professional practice lab. This year’s competition featured eight posters, with five submissions in the undergraduate student category and three in the graduate student category.

Welcoming students to the profession of pharmacy

A formal recognition of the commitment to embark on a career as a pharmacist, the White Coat Ceremony is held annually to induct the newest class of students into the profession. The 40 members of the Class of 2016 at Memorial University’s School of Pharmacy participated in this year’s ceremony recently at the Health Sciences Centre in St. John’s.

2012


August

School of Pharmacy celebrates Silver Anniversary and Reunion 2012
Amid the Reunion 2012 celebrations that happened at Memorial from Aug. 8-12, the School of Pharmacy had a special reason to celebrate. This month is also the culmination of the School’s silver anniversary year. Two events were held to mark the occasion, a wine and cheese reception for alumni and friends on Aug. 8 and the annual golf tournament on Aug. 9.
CIHR-sponsored Café Scientifique explores range of topics related to HIV
A CIHR-sponsored Café Scientifique titled Going Viral: Keeping HIV/AIDS on the Radar was held at the Gonzaga High School auditorium in St. John’s, NL on Dec. 1, 2011. Scheduled to coincide with World AIDS Day, the Café featured an expert panel that addressed a range of issues and topics related to HIV.

July

School of Pharmacy seeking expressions of interest for the position(s) of Pharmacy Skills Assistant (part-time)
The School of Pharmacy is seeking expressions of interest for several part-time positions (up to 10 hours per week per course) to assist with the delivery of the laboratory component of the Pharmacy Skills courses during the Fall 2012 semester.

June

Celebrating the School of Pharmacy Class of 2012
Graduates, families and friends and School of Pharmacy faculty and staff gathered for the graduation celebration and presentation of awards honouring the Class of 2012 on June 4 at the Capital Hotel.
Career Opportunity – Newfoundland and Labrador Pharmacy Board - applications now being accepted for the position of Secretary-Registrar
The Newfoundland and Labrador Pharmacy Board is currently seeking a Secretary-Registrar to provide leadership and oversee the day-to-day functioning and strategic direction of the Board.