2021 News Archive

Colorful sweets look tasty, but may pose health risks

Many of the colors that make up candy canes, sugar cookies and even roast ham are synthetic. Professor Lorne Hofseth writes that these ultra-processed foods may trigger early-onset colorectal cancer.

Sahin receives cancer research grant

Associate Professor Ozgur Sahin has been awarded a prestigious cancer research grant from the Mary Kay Ash Foundation for his research on drug resistance in cancer therapy.

COP professor to lead participation in medication study

The University of South Carolina has joined the RAPID Alliance Medications 360 Study, aimed at transforming how medications and vaccines are delivered in the U.S.

SNPhA Supports HIV Testing Event

The College of Pharmacy student organizations cosponsored an HIV/STI on-campus testing event last month in partnership with UofSC Student Health Services.

Q & A with Jonathan McFall ('12)

Alumnus Jonathan McFall sees his work as a chance to serve a higher purpose, which he does through both his civilian job and his service in the Army Reserves. Learn more in our alumni Q&A.

KPIC Holds Annual Career Summit

The annual Kennedy Pharmacy Innovation Center Career Summit provides students the chance to explore non-traditional pharmacy career options and to expand their professional network.

COP Alumna's Career Takes Many Roads

Gloria Garner's career in pharmacy has taken her around the world. As a member of the U.S. Army and the U.S. Navy, she turned her degree in pharmacy into an opportunity to serve both her nation and her patients.

Alumna Returns to COP in New Role

Kayla Antosz joined the faculty as a clinical instructor and has taken on the role as lead pharmacist with the Antimicrobial Stewardship Collaborative of South Carolina.

Pharmacy Student on Capitol Hill

Second-year pharmacy student CharLeigh Steverson joined 132 pharmacy professionals in Washington D.C. on November 2 for 'Compounders on Capitol Hill' advocacy day.

A Breast Cancer Survivor and an Oncological Pharmacist

Emily Willett Gorman and Kelsey Shamblen did not cross paths while students at the College of Pharmacy, yet both have been impacted by a single connection – cancer, as a patient and as a care provider.

Class of 2024 Walker Leadership Scholars Named

Each year, through a competitive application and interview process, two pharmacy students from the first-year class are designated as Walker Leadership Scholars.

Alumna Named Woman Pharmacist of the Year

In recognition of her outstanding work as a clinical pharmacist, College of Pharmacy alumna Nicole Bookstaver has been selected as Woman Pharmacist of the Year for Health-Systems.

4MyPharmily Provides Support to Students

As part of its ongoing efforts to support students during the COVID-19 pandemic, the College of Pharmacy has developed a series of open-door sessions as part of its 4MyPharmily campaign.

Q&A with Eduardo "Eddie" Seijo ('11)

UofSC alumnus Eddie Seijo may have stumbled into pharmacy by accident, but he soon found his calling - and his family - within the walls of our college. Learn more in the latest alumni Q&A.

It's Flu Season - Talk to Your Patients

While the level of flu activity last season was low in comparison to previous years, the Centers for Disease Control is predicting this year's flu season will occur sooner and likely be more severe.

2021 PEEP Awards Announced

The Palmetto Experiential Education Partnership is pleased to announce its 2021 PEEP Awards in recognition of the dedication and excellence of the program's outstanding preceptors.

COP Receives Significant Grant

A project developed from a long-running collaboration between the two departments in the University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy received a new five-year NIH R01 award totaling $2.1 million.

Q&A with Montgomery Green ('09)

Montgomery Williams Green credits the top-tier pharmacy education at UofSC with helping her achieve success in both academia and antimicrobial stewardship. Read more in our latest alumni Q&A.

Clinical teaching award: Kathy Quarles Moore

Kathy Quarles Moore, a University of South Carolina alumna and assistant professor in the College of Pharmacy, is the 2021 Clinical Practice Teaching Award winner.

Class of 2025 Receives White Coats

The University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy Class of 2025 received their white coats during a ceremony held Friday, August 20, at the Koger Center.

Ph.D. Graduate Finds Her Path

Ashley Godwin always had an interest in medicine, but when a hand disability became an issue for her in the Pharm.D. program, she channeled her passion and creativity toward a new path.

Pharmacists play key role in Back-to-School health

August is National Immunization Awareness Month, and as a pharmacist, this is a unique opportunity to have an important conversation with patients about immunizations.

Wyatt Named Chair for Drug Discovery & Biomedical Sciences

Professor Michael Wyatt has accepted a 5-year appointment as Chair for the Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences with the UofSC College of Pharmacy.

Diversity and Inclusive Excellence Curriculum Grants Winners

College of Pharmacy Assistant Professor Jordan Cooler was one of ten UofSC faculty members awarded a grant from the Center for Teaching Excellence to develop courses exploring issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Q&A with Ken Couch ('69)

Alumnus Ken Couch turned his teenage drug clerk job into a career delivering technology to pharmacies across the country, bringing in $2.4 billion a year at Smith Drug Company. Read more about his journey from part-time to president in our latest Q&A.

Experiential team recognized by AACP

For their dedication to overcoming the challenges of the past year, the Experiential team at the UofSC College of Pharmacy received the Award for Excellence in Experiential Education from the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy.

Students discover what it takes to become a pharmacist at UofSC

Through the Carolina Master Scholars Adventure Series, high school students spent a week at the College of Pharmacy learning how to read prescriptions, compound medications, and more.

Sease named interim dean of College of Pharmacy

Julie Sease has been selected as the interim dean of the University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy, effective July 1. She succeeds Stephen Cutler, who was announced as South Carolina’s interim provost.

Q&A with Woodrow A. Bell ('87)

As far back as he can remember, UofSC alumnus Woodrow Bell dreamed of being a doctor. Today he lives out that dream providing compassionate care to underserved populations in our state.

College of Pharmacy Participates in Vaccination Education Initiative

The UofSC College of Pharmacy will take part in the Juneteenth Freedom Festival on Saturday, June 19 in Columbia to support an on-site health clinic and answer questions about the COVID-19 vaccine.

Support Pharmacy Students through the White Coat Fund

The White Coat ceremony is an annual tradition and educational milestone for student pharmacists, marking the day they begin their training at the University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy.

Palmetto Poison Center Focuses on Summer Boating Safety

June is National Safety Month, and one hazard in particular that is often forgotten is carbon monoxide poisoning. When heading out for a boating adventure, be aware of the potential for this deadly gas.

Pharmacy researchers work to identify underserved areas in South Carolina

Researchers with the College of Pharmacy are playing a significant role in the effort to provide greater access to health care in rural areas of South Carolina.

Alumni play key roles in vaccination efforts across country

UofSC College of Pharmacy alumni continue to play key roles in COVID-19 vaccination efforts in South Carolina and across the country.

Mims serves South Carolinians as pharmacist, community leader

UofSC College of Pharmacy Alumna Julia Mims has learned over the course of her pharmacist career that the most important thing she can do to serve her community is to give back.

Continuing education program offers valuable learning opportunities

The College of Pharmacy's Continuing Education program helps pharmacists stay on top of the latest trends, evidence-based medicine and updates to disease-state guidelines.

Pharmacy alumni help ease patient concerns over vaccine

UofSC College of Pharmacy alumni share their strategies to help ease patients' concerns about the COVID-19 vaccine.

Passion Leads to Success

Alumna Chloe Lebegue, who earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree in 2020, has quickly made her mark in the field with her research, patents and published works.

Tackling Rural Care Disparities

Associate Professor Whitney Maxwell received a second grant from the South Carolina Center for Rural and Primary Healthcare to encourage student pharmacists to pursue careers in rural settings.

Establishing a Perpetual Legacy

The UofSC College of Pharmacy announced a generous $2 million planned gift earlier this year which will support student scholarships and programs at the college.

10 Years of Blazing Trails

The Kennedy Pharmacy Innovation Center has been a launching pad for initiatives that have pushed the UofSC College of Pharmacy to new heights since September 2010.

Q&A with Melanie Lobel ('99)

UofSC alumna Melanie Lobel found her calling at the intersection of her Doctor of Pharmacy and Doctor of Medicine degrees, specializing in Psychiatry. Read more about her career in our latest Q&A.

Collaboration seeks to improve vaccination rates in rural areas

A project funded by the South Carolina Center for Rural and Primary Healthcare (CRPH) is working to identify areas in South Carolina with limited access to community pharmacies.

Graduates Honored in Convocation and Hooding Ceremony

More than 100 Pharm.D. graduates gathered with a limited number of family and friends at the Koger Center for the 2021 College of Pharmacy Convocation and Hooding ceremony.

Give 4 Garnet Fundraiser Garners Great Success

The College of Pharmacy realized an outstanding outcome during Give 4 Garnet thanks to the generosity of donors, friends, faculty, staff, and students who contributed.

Fabel Honored for Innovative Teaching Practices

Patti Fabel, executive director of the Kennedy Pharmacy Innovation Center, received the Garnet Apple Award for Teaching Innovation, presented by the Office of the Provost.

Cutler named interim provost at UofSC

Stephen J. Cutler, dean of the University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy, has been named the university’s interim provost.

Spring 2021 College of Pharmacy Awards

The culmination of the Spring semester is an exciting moment for our students, faculty and staff. It is a time when we come together to celebrate the many successes of our UofSC pharmacy community.

Freeman Recognized by National Pediatric Pharmacy Association

For her dedication and contributions to pediatric pharmacy, Kennedy Freeman was named a recipient of the John Dice Scholarship award at the National Pediatric Pharmacy Association Annual Meeting.

Pharmacy Student Receives Public Health Pharmacy Award

Michael Deaney was named a recipient of the USPHS Excellence in Public Health Award for significant contributions to public health by promoting wellness and healthy communities.

College of Pharmacy Celebrates Class of 2022 at Pinning Ceremony

As student pharmacists progress from the third to fourth year of professional studies, they transition from classroom-based learning to a year of immersive, hands-on rotations in various areas of pharmacy.

College of Pharmacy Students Once Again Shine on Match Day

Many UofSC pharmacy students are headed for residency following graduation. We asked a few of these students to tell us more about their Match Day experiences.

Pharmacy Students Answer the Call

Students at the UofSC College of Pharmacy have a deep commitment to supporting the community, as demonstrated through their volunteerism at COVID-19 vaccination clinics.

Q & A with Michael Bedenbaugh ('12)

Alumnus Michael Bedenbaugh saw his career come full circle when he returned to Intramed Plus, the same place he had worked as an intern during pharmacy school. Read more in our latest Q&A.

Ph.D. Graduate learns success can come from failure

It has been quite an adventure for Hossam Tashkandi, who will graduate with his Ph.D. in pharmaceutical sciences from the College of Pharmacy this May.

Faculty Honored with 2021 Garnet Apple Innovative Teaching Award

The Garnet Apple Award for Teaching Innovation honors UofSC faculty who demonstrate an ongoing commitment to best teaching practices and innovative learning strategies.

Walker Leadership Scholars Launch New Leadership Initiative

Developing leadership skills is a key component in preparing our students for their future careers, and this year, the Walker Leadership Scholars took on the role of designing a leadership week for students.

Announcing the 2021 Outstanding Alumni Award

This annual award recognizes an alumnus who has demonstrated outstanding commitment to their professional area of service and dedication to the college.

Moving Ahead

Several pharmacy students and first-year residents have already received and accepted offers of fellowships and other post-graduate training ahead of Match Day 2021.

Q & A with Christi Epps ('97)

Alumna Christi Epps' trailblazing spirit comes from her mother, who was one of the first women to graduate from the UofSC College of Pharmacy. Read how she has carried on that legacy in our latest Q&A.

Resilience, ingenuity define UofSC's COVID response

From the classroom to the research lab to the front lines, the UofSC community has taken extraordinary steps over the past year to safeguard its students, faculty and staff in the face of COVID-19.

COVID-19: Overcoming addiction during a pandemic

Assistant Professor Jordan Cooler and students in the Gamecock Recovery program share how COVID-19 has impacted those struggling with addiction.

UofSC Wins Big at Statewide Pharmacy Conference

UofSC faculty and students took home several top awards at this year's annual meeting of the South Carolina Society of Health-System Pharmacists.

Career Expo Achieves Virtual Success

As with most in-person meetings and events over the past year, the third annual Gamecock Pharmacy Career Expo had to make major adjustments.

Almogaber Selected for Inaugural Class of Executive Residency Program

The UofSC College of Pharmacy is pleased to share that fourth-year student Aiya Almogaber has been named to the 2021-2022 class of executive residencies for the American Pharmacists Association.

Q & A with Krishnan Larkin Brown ('17)

Clinical pharmacist Krishnan Larkin Brown shares the serendipitous moment that led her to pharmacy school and some advice for students in our latest alumni Q&A.

Rios Schad Awarded APhA Foundation Scholarship

UofSC pharmacy student Thayra Rios Schad is the recipient of the 2021 Mary Munson Runge Scholarship by the American Pharmacists Association Foundation.

Pharmacy Graduate Students Earn SPARC Grants

Three doctoral students in the College of Pharmacy are recipients of the university's Support to Promote Advancement of Research and Creativity, or SPARC, Graduate Research Grant program.

Virtual Continuing Education Activities Scheduled

To support the training requirements of pharmacists in South Carolina, the College of Pharmacy announces its annual CE activities which will be held as virtual events during March and April.

UofSC, industry partners develop pharmacy manufacturing technology

Researchers and students from the College of Pharmacy are collaborating with industry partners to develop an innovative system that will greatly improve pharmaceutical manufacturing.

Q & A with Caitlin Musgrave Mardis ('11)

Assistant Professor Caitlin Musgrave Mardis shares her path to pharmacy and how she brings a little "magic" to the classroom in our latest alumni Q&A.

College of Pharmacy professor researching ways to expand access to HPV vaccination

While early detection is key to successfully treating cervical cancer, the ability to prevent it from ever developing would improve women’s health and save more lives.

Support the Annual Career Expo

As our students prepare for their future role as pharmacists, a significant part of their professional development includes the opportunity to network with professionals and explore the many possible careers available to them.

Pharmacy Faculty, Staff and Students Share Resolutions for 2021

For many of us, the beginning of a new year brings with it many opportunities - the chance to reflect on the previous year and pronounce goals for self-improvement in the coming year.

Joyner Chosen as Student Intern of Leadership Society

University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy student Leigh Joyner, Class of 2022, has been named as the new student intern for the national office of Phi Lambda Sigma, the Pharmacy Leadership Society.

College of Pharmacy