Do you ever wish you could find a reset button for 2020? We understand. And yet with all the challenges we have faced, the SIUE School of Pharmacy has met them with an unchanging commitment to being tough-minded on values and tender-hearted toward people.

If you would like some good news in your life, we hope you will take a few minutes to discover some of the great things our students, staff and alumni continue to accomplish in the midst of uncertain times. 

Shane Taylor
Director of Development

The rapid spread of the novel coronavirus has caused monumental challenges and daily changes across the public and private sector. Intertwined in COVID-19 responses are adaptability and communication. Front line workers are finding that true both at work and at home, as they adjust real-time for the safety of their patients, families and themselves.

From fast-paced hospital settings to crowded pharmacy lines and community checks, School of Pharmacy faculty and alumni are experiencing an array of tense scenarios requiring careful and compassionate service. Learn more about how the following are responding to the challenges.

• Ashley Dicks, PharmD '12
• Dawn Dankenbring, PharmD ’11, and Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice Jared Sheley, PharmD '12

CBS News chief Washington correspondent Major Garrett interviewed Lakesha Butler, PharmD, BCPS, clinical professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice, on his Debriefing the Briefing segment on Wednesday, June 3.

Garrett addressed the nationwide protests about police tactics in the wake of George Floyd’s murder, but also discussed other issues of discrimination and bias, such as the disproportionate exposure to COVID-19 among people of color and their lack of access to healthcare.

Learn more and listen to the interview.

With the May 2020 completion of her doctor of pharmacy degree, Deja Finley has achieved a childhood dream. Since she was 13, the pharmacist has aspired to “impact the world in a positive way through math and science.” The O’Fallon, Ill., native plans to pursue a career in academia, a goal the School of Pharmacy was uniquely positioned to help her achieve.

“SIUE is the only school of pharmacy in the United States that offers a PharmD alongside a specialization in teaching, so I took advantage of that opportunity,” Finley explained. “That gave me a huge advantage and learning experience.”

Learn more about Finley's impressive portfolio and future plans.

The SIUE Graduate School presented the 2020-21 Paul Simon Outstanding Teacher-Scholar Award to Therese (Terri) Poirier, PharmD, MPH, FASHP, FCCP, Professor of Pharmacy Practice and Senior Scholar. The award annually recognizes an SIUE faculty member who has shown significant contributions to original research or creative activities, and has successfully integrated those contributions into their teaching practices.

“I am humbled to receive this recognition for my achievements in what I am passionate about and love,” Poirier said. “I am thankful for all the students and colleagues who have worked with me to advance teaching and learning.”

Learn more about Poirier's recognition.

The School of Pharmacy is one of only a few institutions in the country to have incorporated an important Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training course to its curriculum for first-year (P1) students.

More than 70 students completed the inaugural MHFA training in the spring 2020 semester. The eight-hour skills-based course teaches participants about mental health and substance use disorders. Through active participation, students learn skills such as how to respond if someone is having a panic attack, ask someone about thoughts of suicide, and respond to an opioid overdose. Moving forward, every P1 will complete the MHFA program as part of their Personal and Professional Development course.

The training was facilitated by certified MHFA instructors Kelly Gable, PharmD, professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice and psychiatric clinical pharmacist at Family Care Health Centers, and Misty Gonzalez, PharmD, clinical associate professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice and psychiatric clinical pharmacist at Barnes-Jewish Hospital. Gable and Gonzalez also trained a group of 30 faculty and staff, demonstrating the School's shared emphasis on the MHFA program’s value. 

Learn more about the MHFA training.

Having just completed a doctorate in pharmacy and serving as Class of 2020 student speaker for the School of Pharmacy May commencement ceremony, Austin Dillon, PharmD, of Dixon, Ill., has added another feather to his cap as a 2020 American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) Walmart Scholar.

The AACP Walmart Scholars Program provides a $1,000 scholarship to 85 student-faculty pairs from AACP member institutions to support registration and other meeting expenses for students to attend the AACP Annual Meeting and Seminars. Dillon and his faculty mentor Beth Cady, PharmD, BCPS, clinical assistant professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice, are attending two days’ worth of professional development sessions during the virtual meeting running from July 13-31.

Learn more about Dillon's award.

High school students from Illinois and Missouri received valuable information that answered questions and solidified desires to pursue healthcare career choices during SIUE’s 11th annual collaborative Healthcare Diversity Summer Camp, held virtually in June. 

The camp was hosted by the SIUE Schools of Pharmacy and Nursing, the SIU School of Dental Medicine, and the SIUE School of Education, Health and Human Behavior’s nutrition program. Twenty students, ranging from sophomores to seniors, participated in this year’s online camp, which ran from 9 a.m.-noon each day. Students learned about each field through presentations and videos. 

“The percentage of underrepresented minorities in medical fields continues to be lower than the national average of underrepresented minorities in the general population,” said Lakesha Butler, PharmD, BCPS, clinical professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice. “The need for qualified healthcare professionals, who are culturally competent to treat minority patients, is becoming greater as the minority population continues to grow.” 

Learn more about the camp.

Alumnae Women of Distinction Panel

Thursday, Aug. 6
11 a.m.-Noon CST

Spend your lunch hour with us for a Zoom panel as we honor four alumnae selected as 2020 Alton YWCA Women of Distinction. Hear the amazing successes of these truly inspiring women and get the chance to ask them questions.

Learn more about the 2020 Alton YWCA Women of Distinction, including the following SIUE alumnae.
Wendy Adams, EdD, '98, '05, '17, '19
Angela Gray, '97, '02, '14
Lisa Hayes, '96
Sherry McCrady, '03

Contact Nick Niemerg at 618-650-3630 or [email protected] with any questions.

Registration is required for this free event.

Cougars Unleashed Virtual Homecoming Run

September 20-26

Join fellow alumni and friends from all over the world for the Cougars Unleashed Homecoming Virtual Run. The best part is that you get to decide how you complete your 10K, 5K or one-mile run–inside or outside, walk or run, at your own pace–anytime between September 20-26. All proceeds from this run go toward scholarships for SIUE students.

Want to go the extra mile? Join the Cougar Pack and help raise more scholarship funding. All who raise at least $500 receive an exclusive Cougars Unleashed pullover and a refund of their run registration.

Get more information and register for the virtual run.

Check out the Educational Outreach website to view our upcoming offerings for the summer and fall semesters. Sign up to receive a copy of our catalog by emailing [email protected]. Stay tuned for updates on the fall course and professional development offerings in the upcoming weeks!