The monthlong observation is a national effort to bring awareness to the profession of pharmacy and to highlight the importance of talking to pharmacists about medications.
“American Pharmacists Month provides a broad platform for our faculty and students to engage the community in activities geared toward bettering health and wellness, while simultaneously spotlighting our school,” said Kevin W. Yingling, R.Ph., M.D., dean of the school of pharmacy. “Pharmacists are an integral member of the health care team who offer medication therapy management services and patient education in addition to their traditional pharmacy responsibilities. The types of outreach we have scheduled this month provide services in a variety of settings.”
Activities planned for the month include a career expo and luncheon Friday, Oct. 9, at the Memorial Student Center on Marshall’s Huntington campus.
The luncheon will feature keynote speaker Kenneth M. Hale, R.Ph., Ph.D., clinical professor in the College of Pharmacy at the Ohio State University and founder of the Generation Rx Initiative, a national educational outreach relating to medication safety and prescription drug misuse prevention.
“Dr. Hale has been active in pharmacy education for over 20 years,” said Kim Broedel-Zaugg, R.Ph., M.B.A., Ph.D., chair and professor of the department of pharmacy practice, administration and research at the School of Pharmacy. “Currently, he works tirelessly to promote and provide materials for pharmacy students and others to educate people of all ages about the potential dangers of misusing prescription medications (the mission of Generation Rx.) What started as a school project has become a national endeavor for pharmacy students.”
Other events and activities planned for October include the following:
- Fall Preview Day, noon-3:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 10, School of Pharmacy. High school, college and nontraditional students considering a career in pharmacy will have the opportunity to learn about the field, tour Marshall’s facilities and hear from current students. There is no cost associated with the event, but pre-registration is required because of space limitations. For more information visit: www.marshall.edu/pharmacy/students/prospective-students/preview-day/.
- Drug Abuse Prevention Program, 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 13, and Tuesday, Oct. 20, Spring Valley High School.
- Center for Geri-Olympics and Active Living, 9-11 a.m., Friday, Oct. 16, Midland Meadows Senior Living. Student volunteers participate in senior active living activities.
- Diabetes Healthy Tailgate, 1 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 24, Marshall vs. North Texas, West Lot. Students will offer healthy snacks for diabetes awareness and will be collecting donations to help promote diabetes awareness in Huntington.
Additional plans for the month include several academic competitions, social events and a research forum. Marshall University School of Pharmacy will graduate its inaugural class in May 2016. The school opened in 2012.