February 2010
Dear COPHS Alumni, Students and Friends,
In my last letter I mentioned our new Community Health Resources website and the Butler University Community Outreach Pharmacy. What’s significant about both is that our students were instrumental in their development. It’s practical, hands-on experience that enables our students to develop the leadership skills necessary to shape the future of health care and improve patient care. Here’s more about our student outreach activities.
P2 Janessa Goldberg and P2 Erin Willhelm are working with Butler physical education majors to develop the PE curriculum for Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) 7th and 8th graders. Following a pilot program in fall 2010, the curriculum might be offered throughout IPS.
P2 Krista Hoose developed a 10-week nutrition program – Howe to Be Fit for Life – for IPS’ T.C. Howe Community High School. Each week consists of presentations and an accompanying activity on topics ranging from the food pyramid to healthy snacking.
P4 Laurel Whitlatch is developing a medication reconciliation program for Avon Indiana’s Kingsway Community Care Center (KCCC). The program will assist the Center with keeping up-to-date records of patients’ medication use. COPHS began working with the KCCC earlier this year to provide improved pharmaceutical care to uninsured patients residing in Hendricks and surrounding counties.
For several years now our students have helped Indiana seniors with Medicare Part D enrollment. 2009 marked the 5th year COPHS has organized an enrollment event. Throughout the years, 790 pharmacy and physician assistant (PA) students have been trained on the Part D program. Through their efforts, hundreds of Indiana residents now have access to the medication they require.
A semi-annual, campus-wide Blood Drive is spearheaded by our physician assistant students. Our PA1 and PA2 students plan and execute the event in conjunction with the Indiana Blood Center as part of their annual physician assistant week celebration each October and again in the spring.
Also in October is our Health Screening Fair. The fair was the brainchild of pharmacy and PA students in response to a need they saw in the community to educate people on how to live healthier and identify potential health risks. Students assist faculty with providing screenings for blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, body composition, bone density and eye exams. This event provides students a great opportunity to practice their clinic skills while aiding the community in disease prevention and management.
I encourage you to read more about these projects on our new blog, Dean’s Prescription Pad. On it you’ll not only find information about our programs but notices about upcoming alumni events, how to become a preceptor and more. We’ve also included a comment board for you to tell us what you’ve been up to since you left Butler, or anything else you would like us to know about you. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Dr. Mary Andritz
Dean, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Nominations are now being accepted for new College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Board of Visitors members. Nominations will be accepted from faculty, staff, friends, trustees and the Butler University Alumni Association. If you know of a potential Board of Visitor candidate please download and complete the nomination form.
