By: Aleena Cherian, Co-Copy Editor [Graphics-focused] – From December 8th to 12th 2013, over 20,000 student pharmacists, residents, fellows, pharmacy technicians, new practitioners, and seasoned professionals all gathered in Orlando, Florida for the 48th Midyear Clinical Meeting and Exhibition, hosted by the American Society of Health-Systems Pharmacists (ASHP). The schedules were packed with a number…

By: Aleena Cherian, Co-Copy Editor [Graphics-Focused] and Jenny Prakash, PharmD Candidate c/o 2014 – Starting your rotations in 5th year usually brings mixed emotions. On one hand, it’s a relief to finally be finished with labs and D&Ds…imagine, a whole year without any exams! But on the other hand, now you have to test how…

      The Student Society of Health-system Pharmacy (SSHP) seeks to educate pharmacy students on the future of clinical pharmacy practice and the role that health-system pharmacists play as vital healthcare experts. The Society fosters professional and personal development, provides a strong network of pharmacy leadership, and promotes membership in both the American Society…

The Rho Chi Society is an Academic Honor Society in Pharmacy. Pharmacy students in their professional years of study are invited to join based on academic standing. The Mission of the Society is to encourage and recognize excellence in intellectual achievement and foster fellowship amongst its members. Our Beta Delta Chapter at St. John’s University…

By: Hayeon Na, Co-Copy Editor and Sang Hyo Kim, Staff Editor – In Volume 1 Issue1 of the Rho Chi Post, we were honored to have an interview with Sandra Leal, PharmD, MPH, FAPhA, CDE, and Director of Clinical Pharmacy at El Rio Health Center in Tucson, Arizona. She had started a petition to support…

By: Joshua Bliss, PharmD Candidate c/o 2016 – Doctor – a word often utilized by both professionals and the general public alike to describe a physician. “Doctor” finds its origins in the Latin word for “teacher.” The word “physician,” however, carries a more complicated origin. It is derived from Latin’s “physicum,” meaning remedy.1 In Luke…

By: Steve Soman, PharmD Candidate c/o 2013 – Q: I see that you got your PharmD at the University of the Pacific. Looking back, what made you choose pharmacy and how has this changed over the years of your practice (if it has)? A: I became a pharmacist because I like to care for others…

By Beatrisa Popovitz, Staff Editor, Why does that pharmacist have to be two and a half feet higher than everybody else? Who the hell is this guy? “Clear out everybody I’m workin’ with pills up here. I’m taking pills from this big bottle and then I’m gonna put them in a little bottle! That’s my…

By: James Schurr, Stephen Argiro, & Michael Cronin, PharmD Candidates c/o 2014 – This October, we had the privilege of attending the New York State chapter of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP) annual meeting held at the Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.  The purpose of this event was to orient members…

By: Addolorata Ciccone, Student Copy Editor – As a fifth-year pharmacy student researching and ranking advanced pharmacy practice experience (APPE) sites, I felt excited at the prospect of taking the knowledge and skills I obtained in the classroom and applying it to real world patients and scenarios.  My years of work in community pharmacies were…

By Nandini Puranprashad, Pharm D. Candidate c/o 2013 – Felipe Camacho is a 6th year student at the University of Florida College of Pharmacy.  He received his Bachelors of Arts in Music Composition from Rollins College, Winter Park, FL.  After graduation, Mr. Camacho plans to pursue a residency at the Veterans Affairs (V.A.), Lee Memorial…

By: James W. Schurr, PharmD Candidate c/o 2014 – Nutrition Support Pharmacy is a specialized practice pertaining to the needs of patients receiving Parenteral (PN) or Enteral Nutrition (EN).  Nutrition Support Pharmacists (NSPs) are integral members of the nutritional support team and bring valuable skills and knowledge to the clinical practice setting.  The Board of…

By: Mohamed Dungersi & Mahdieh Danesh Yazdi, Associate Student Editors – Each month, the editors at the Rho Chi Post have the opportunity to interview one or more of our faculty members. This month, we had the tremendous opportunity to interview the dean of St. John’s University College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions, Dean…

By: Alissa Karr, Purdue University College of Pharmacy Pharm.D. Candidate c/o 2012 –      Alissa Karr is a PharmD Graduate from Purdue University College of Pharmacy, Class of 2012.  She is the current secretary of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP) StuNet Advisory Committee.  Her post-graduation plans are to obtain a pharmacy practice…

By: Patrick K. Tabon, Washington State University, PharmD Candidate c/o 2012 – As a graduating student pharmacist I am often asked by others, “What piece of advice do you have for other pharmacy students?” My reply will always be, “Go out there and be involved while you can. Once you find where your passions lie…

By: Nandini Puranprashad – This year we had an awesome turnout of 17 attendees representing the American Pharmacist Association Academy of Student Pharmacist (APhA-ASP) chapter of St. John’s University College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions at the APhA 2012 Annual Meeting & Exposition held in New Orleans from March 9th – 12th, 2012. New…

By: Jessica Lee, Pharm.D. Candidate c/o 2013 – Dr. Hira Shafeeq received her PharmD in 2009 from St. John’s University.  After graduating, she went on to do her PGY-1 at the Brooklyn Hospital Center.  Upon finishing her first year of residency, she decided to complete her specialty residency in critical care at University of Chicago…

By Mohamed Dungersi – Last month, I had the immense opportunity to travel to New Orleans to be a part of the biggest pharmacy gathering of the year – APhA 2012.  The spirit, enthusiasm, and positivity for the profession of pharmacy at the meeting were truly inspiring.  Since this was my first ever APhA meeting,…

By: Shannon Tellier – Dr. Tran is an assistant clinical professor at St. John’s University College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions, and a clinical pharmacy manager in Internal Medicine at NewYork-Presbyterian: Columbia University Medical Center.  She received her BS in Public Health and Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of North Carolina at Chapel…

By Dr. Tina Kanmaz – Dr. Kanmaz is the Assistant Dean for Experiential Pharmacy Education and Associate Clinical Professor at St. John’s University College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions. Pharmacy practice residency training is a one-year program that serves as a bridge for the recent Doctor of Pharmacy graduate (with little to no independent…

By: Kate Croegaert, University of Iowa College of Pharmacy, Pharm.D. Candidate c/o 2013 – Kate Croegaert is a PharmD Candidate (Class of 2013) and the current President of the Rho Chi Delta Chapter at the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy.   She believes in the importance of advancing the profession of pharmacy and promoting innovative practices…

By: Sum Lam, PharmD, CGP, BCPS, FASCP – Sum Lam, Pharm.D., CGP, BCPS, FASCP is an Associate Clinical Professor in the Department of Clinical Pharmacy Practice at St. John’s University College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions.  In conjunction with her full time appointment at St. John’s University, she is a clinical faculty at Geriatric…

By: Dr. Regina Ginzburg – Regina Ginzburg is an Associate Clinical Professor of St. John’s University College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions. Her clinical site is at the Institute for Family Health (IFH) where she is an appointed faculty member for the Beth Israel Residency in Urban Family Health. She and Dr. See oversee…

By: Dr. Gregory J. Hughes – Gregory J. Hughes, PharmD, BCPS, CGP is an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Clinical Pharmacy Practice department at St. John’s University College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions.  He completed his pharmacy practice residency at the St. Louis VA Medical Center and the St. Louis College of Pharmacy with…

By Dr. Sharon See, PharmD, FCCP, BCPS – Sharon See, Pharm.D., FCCP, BCPS is an Associate Clinical Professor in the Clinical Pharmacy Practice Department at St. John’s University College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions. In conjunction with her full time appointment at St. John’s University, she is a clinical faculty member in the Beth…

By: Anon, Pharm.D. Candidate c/o 2012 – This year’s ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting took place in New Orleans, Louisiana from December 4 – 8, 2011.  It was a keystone moment for many pharmacy students, and especially for those in their final year and in pursuit of a residency, fellowship, or hospital staffing position around the…

By: Christine Liaw, PharmD Candidate c/o 2012 – The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) Midyear Clinical Meeting and Exhibition is the largest congregation for the pharmacy industry with an attendance of more than 20,000 professionals.  This year’s meeting included the New Practitioner’s Conference, CareerPharm’s Personnel Placement Service (PPS), the Residency Showcase, and an exhibit…

By: Ruby Lin, Pharm.D. Candidate c/o 2013 – Rotation selection begins around mid-October for fifth year pharmacy students.  You may begin to panic about what sites you should choose from the huge selection that St. John’s University offers.  Your upperclassmen may try to help you by sharing their rotation experiences.  Alas, what do you do…

By: Mark Shen, Pharm.D. Candidate c/o 2012 – Adding to Ms. Liaw’s article, my preparation for the ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting included creating and printing my curriculum vitae, printing my transcript, searching for sites that I was interested in, and thinking of questions to ask the residents and residency directors.  I also had to contact…

By: Marie Huang – Each month, Rho Chi Post has the wonderful opportunity to sit down with an inspiring leader among the student pharmacists here at St. John’s University – someone who is not afraid to stand apart from the crowd and can be the change he or she wants to see in the world.…

By: Marie Huang – Each month, Rho Chi Post editors have the wonderful opportunity to sit down with an inspiring leader among the student pharmacists here at St. John’s University – someone who is not afraid to stand apart from the crowd and can be the change he or she wants to see in the…

By: Mahdieh Danesh Yazdi – Dr. Elizabeth Palillo graduated from the University of Connecticut in 2006. She then worked as a manager at CVS for a year and a half, and eventually moved to New York, where she worked at two other CVS stores. Dr. Palillo then left CVS and joined Bronx-Lebanon Hospital as a…

By: Mahdieh Danesh Yazdi – On October 21st, St. John‘s University hosted the annual pharmacy residency and fellowship showcase, where representatives from various institutions provided information about their post-graduate programs. A total of 36 programs from the New York / metropolitan area, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Connecticut were in attendance. Many of these were represented…

By: Neal Shah – As the year comes to a close, many pharmacy students are turning their sights onto the process of residency interviews. Residencies provide a competitive edge and an educational fulfillment to future pharmacists who wish to engage in clinical practice. On October 26th, Rho Chi held its first Mock Residency Interviews, open…

By Marie Huang – On September 22nd, members of Rho Chi gathered in Sullivan Hall Room 306 for the first General Body Meeting of the semester. As President Mohamed Dungersi stepped to the front of the room and reintroduced the executive board, students quietly helped themselves to scrumptious, hot slices of Domino‟s Pizza, and retreated…

By: Ebey P. Soman – During a seminar held by the Career Center on September 30th, 2011, I had the opportunity to hear Mrs. Laura Cranston. She is a pharmacy graduate of St. John‟s University (class of 1984) and a former Executive Resident of the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP). Dr. Robert Mangione, Dean…