Welcome to the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy Newsletter for Experiential Partners and Preceptors! Newsletters will share updates about the School and Experiential Programs, recognize our preceptors and students, and provide teaching pearls for preceptors.
Student Spotlight
Congratulations to Emma Ives, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy Class of 2025, recipient of the Translational Research Institute for Space Health (TRISH) Award sponsored by TRISH and the Aerospace Nursing and Allied Health Professionals Society (ANAHPS). The TRISH Award helps support a first-time student attendee at the Aerospace Medical Association (AsMA) conference who demonstrates a passion for pursuing aerospace research, education, and practice as a lifetime career. Emma attended this conference representing the Aerospace Medicine at Carolina (AMC), which she helped found with fellow PharmD candidate, Tom Diaz. This award helped cover the cost of attending the conference, where she was able to meet and collaborate with other health students interested in aerospace medicine as well as form connections with professionals in the field. Emma stated, “It is an honor to receive this award, especially as a pharmacy student in a field populated mostly by physicians. Meeting all the professionals a part of ANAHPS and greater AsMA affirmed my goal to redefine what it means to be a pharmacist. Attending the conference was the push I needed to become more involved with ANAHPS, AMSRO, and greater AsMA.” She didn’t stop there. In September, Emma represented AMC again when she attended the Planetary Society’s Day of Action in Washington D.C. She spoke with lawmakers regarding the future of space exploration in the US and even met Bill Nye.
Emma is originally from Chicago, IL and completed her undergraduate studies at The Ohio State University, where she received a bachelor’s degree in biology with a minor in pharmaceutical science. Currently at Eshelman School of Pharmacy, she works as the Media Intern for the Pharmacy Alumni Association, serves as the outgoing Vice President of Affairs and incoming President of Aerospace Medicine at Carolina, and is a member of the Student Senate MarCom committee.
After graduation, Emma plans to apply for residency, with interest in both infectious disease and emergency medicine. She also wishes to pursue her personal pilot’s license and continue aerospace research in some capacity. Her long-term goal is to be involved with human space exploration in a productive and positive way, either through working at NASA or a private space related company, or through the Armed Forces.
Preceptor Spotlight
Congratulations to the following preceptors awarded as Claude Paoloni Preceptors of the year for 2023.
Congratulations to three exceptional preceptors who were recipients of the 2023 Claude Paoloni Preceptor of the Year Award during the 2023 UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy Golden Mortar Awards Ceremony in April 2023: Dr. Tiffany Barber, Dr. Sophia DeBerry, and Dr. Stephanie Iyer. The recipients of the Claude Paoloni Preceptor of the Year awards are nominated by graduating students to recognize preceptors for outstanding contributions to the educational development of future pharmacists. These individuals have demonstrated high standards of professionalism, ethics, and clinical practice. These awards are given by the Paoloni family in memory of Claude Paoloni and in recognition of his many years of service to the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy. Claude Paoloni was instrumental in the evolution of the clinical pharmacy program and the growth and development of the AHEC system for statewide pharmacy.
 Tiffany Graham Barber, PharmD, RPh, Pharmacy Manager/Owner, attended UNC Chapel Hill for her undergraduate degree and then went to UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy graduating with distinction in 2008. In late 2011, she started at a newly opened independent pharmacy in the small town of Hillsborough, NC and ended up buying the pharmacy in March of 2012. Since then, Tiffany has been the pharmacy manager of Hillsborough Pharmacy & Nutrition and has developed the pharmacy into an integral part of the community, winning Hillsborough Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business of the Year in 2013. Hillsborough Pharmacy focuses on personal service, a wide range of clinical services, and a robust immunization program. Tiffany is a preceptor of pharmacy students, heavily involved in her community, on the CPESN NC luminary board, and was honored to win NCAP’s Community Care Pharmacist of the Year in 2017, Hillsborough Chamber of Commerce’s Small Businessperson of the Year in 2018, and the prestigious Bowl of Hygeia Award in 2022. In her “free time” she enjoys spending time with her kids (Vera, 9yrs and Jonas, 6yrs) and husband, laughing at corny jokes, and taking much needed naps.
 Sophia DeBerry, PharmD, BCSPS is currently the Emergency Medicine Clinical Pharmacy Specialist at CarolinaEast Medical Center in New Bern, NC. Sophie completed a bachelor’s degree in Biology at Wingate University in 2016 and Doctorate in Pharmacy at Wingate University School of Pharmacy in 2019. Following graduation, Sophia completed an Acute Care PGY-1 at Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center in Winston-Salem, NC. After completing residency in June 2020, she stayed on with Novant Health as a clinical staff pharmacist in Salisbury, NC until moving out to New Bern in July of 2021. Sophia started at CarolinaEast Medical Center as the Surgery Clinical Pharmacy Specialist for a year and then transitioned to the Emergency Medicine Clinical Pharmacy Specialist in June 2022. Sophia now works in the emergency department while covering cardiology and behavioral health units for the hospital and is working to restart their ASP programming post-COVID. One of the favorite parts of her job is getting to precept students. “I feel I learn so much from them and I am so grateful to have been considered for this award.”
 After finishing undergraduate studies at UNC – Chapel Hill, Stephanie Iyer, PharmD, CPP, BCACP, completed her PharmD at the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy in 2016. After graduation, Stephanie completed a PGY1 residency in ambulatory care at Atrium Health in Concord, North Carolina. Post-residency, Stephanie practiced at WVU Medicine in Morgantown, focusing on anticoagulation and helping grow their clinical ambulatory care services into internal medicine and transitions of care clinics. Wanting to be closer to home, Stephanie moved back to Chapel Hill and became the clinical pharmacist practitioner at UNC Neurology clinic in 2018. Stephanie shared, “I truly enjoy specialty pharmacy, particularly the intricacies of clinical pharmacy in neuroimmunology, neuromuscular diseases and general neurology.” In addition to Stephanie’s position within the pharmacy department, she has served as an Eshelman School of Pharmacy and residency preceptor since 2018 and is currently the coordinator for the PGY2 Ambulatory Care residency program at UNC Health.
Preceptor Pearl
Charlene Williams, PharmD, BCACP, CDCES
UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy
Podcast Prescription
Many pharmacists and preceptors utilize their commute time to stay up to date on issues facing the profession. Below is a list of 10 pharmacy podcasts with positive ratings (listed alphabetically).
10 Pharmacy Podcasts with Positive Ratings (listed alphabetically)
- ACCP: Clinical pharmacy, clinical pharmacy influencers, and various research topics
- APhA The First Fill: 5-minute segments on pharmacy; CE offered
- ASHP Official: Interviews with pharmacy thought leaders on public health, medication use, and supporting the practice of pharmacists in various settings
- Business of Pharmacy Podcast: Mike Koelzer (independent pharmacist). Discusses insights to improve business
- Happy PharmD Podcast: Alex Barker, PharmD, Chris Baechie PharmD. Explores creating inspiring careers and lives and solving issues pharmacists face
- Mayo Clinic Pharmacy Grand Rounds: Clinical pharmacology topics
- Medication Talk: TRC Healthcare. Discusses current topics that impact medication therapy and patient care (and 30 min)
- Pharmacy Exec Podcast: Offers commercial insights and discusses current trends, key conferences and critical topics in industry
- Pharmacy Fika. Pharmacy educators discuss teaching and learning and other academia topics
- Pharmacy Focus: Pharmacy Times. Gives industry news and info, insights from thought-leaders, clinical updates, patient counseling tools, and solutions for practice and business of pharmacy
References
Preceptor Development Programming
Reminder that preceptor development home study programming and past preceptor pearls are available through links found in CORE Elms/RxPreceptor (external links and in the Document Library in Preceptor Benefits and Resources).
Well-Being Minute
Suzanne Harris, PharmD, BCPP, Director of Well-Being and Resilience
UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy
Seasonal Wellness
With shorter days and colder weather, our mood and energy can feel lower. We may feel less productive at work and even a bit short-tempered with co-workers and peers. By focusing on our well-being, we can counteract some of the effects of the darker, colder months. For example, we can rethink the afternoon coffee break. While caffeine can help counteract the sleepiness we sometimes feel in winter, too much can disrupt sleep patterns. Make sure the break room offers herbal tea and energizing snacks to get past that mid-afternoon slump. Read on for some additional seasonal wellness in the workplace tips.
Career Corner
Steph Olson, MS
Career Services Coordinator
What is career services?
The Eshelman School of Pharmacy Career Services team provides support to all PharmD students throughout their 4-year career journey up to 6 months post-grad. The team provides resources, programming and individual support to students on career exploration, internships, career searching, posting career opportunities.
What’s Going on In Career?
The end of the semester brings the start of internship searching, fellowship interviewing, and the start of residency information sessions. Students have engaged with workshops, mock interviews, and more to prepare for these application cycles.
Career Tips for the End of the Semester:
- Celebrate accomplished goals and encourage continued communication
- Offer suggestions for updates to CVs with immersion-based strengths and information
- As a student what they learned most from their immersion and how they plan to use these skills in moving forward
Save some links:
Important Dates
- 2/12/24: ASHP Residency Matching, Phase 1 ranking starts
- 3/13/24: ASHP Residency Matching, Phase I Results Day
- 3/18/24: ASHP Residency Matching, Phase II Applications Open
- 4/3/24: ASHP Residency Matching, Phase II rankings deadline
- 4/10/24: ASHP Residency Matching, Phase II Match Results day
Office of Experiential Programs Contact Information
Nicki Pinelli Reitter, PharmD, MS, FCCP, CDCES
Associate Dean of Experiential Programs and Interprofessional Affairs
Responsible for building and strengthening strategic partnerships with external constituents for delivery of the PharmD program. Serves as the School Liaison to the NC AHEC Program Office. Oversees administration of the experiential education program for the PharmD curriculum, preceptor, and practice site development, interprofessional education and practice initiatives, student advising and support services for students in the experiential education environment, and career services for professional students.
nickipinelli@unc.edu
Christy Holland, PharmD, BCACP
Director of Experiential Programs
Provides oversight of Immersion and Advanced Immersion experiences and serves as the primary point of contact for guidance regarding experiential policies and procedures. Provides assistance with setting student expectations, structuring learning activities to meet learning experience requirements, and guidance with student evaluations.
christy_holland@unc.edu
Sarah E. Pankracij, MS, MEd
Director of Experiential Student and Career Services
Provides support to students in the experiential curriculum. Advances the strategic goals of the School in the areas of career development, student support, and well-being. Contact for student academic, well-being, professionalism, or discrimination/harassment concerns. Provides Eshelman Care Referral oversight.
sarahsq@unc.edu
Elizabeth Locklear, PhD, MA
Assistant Director, Office of Experiential Programs
Provides oversight of experiential program operations and processes, directs student experiential placements and scheduling, and serves as the primary contact for AHEC housing and CORE/ELMS RxPreceptor.
immersion@unc.edu
Ouita Gatton, BSPharm, FNCAP
Professor of the Practice; Experiential Community Pharmacy Liaison
Assesses community site and preceptor readiness according to accreditation guidelines. Provides ongoing connection between community preceptors and the Office of the Experiential Programs for the purpose of individualized support and development.
ouita@email.unc.edu
Jacqueline Dunn, MA
Provides programmatic support to the Office of Experiential Programs and administrative support to the Associate Dean of Experiential Programs. Serves and the Program Coordinator for the Research and Scholarship in Pharmacy pathway.
Jacqueline.dunn@unc.edu
Kayla Gardner, B.S., COTA/L
Experiential Student Program Manger
Ensures student completion of site-specific onboarding and school requirements (e.g. immunizations, drug screenings, criminal background checks, CPR, HIPAA Training, OSHA Training, TB Status, and other onboarding as required by sites). Develops, manages, oversees, and processes needs related to site affiliation agreements and memoranda of understanding.
esop_compliance@unc.edu
Steph Olson, MS
Career Services Coordinator
Provides oversight of career development and financial literacy initiatives for students throughout the curriculum. Contact for assistance with preparation of career materials, professionalism, job searching, career mentoring, and career exploration.
stephols@unc.edu
Charlene Williams, PharmD, BCACP, CDCES
Director of Preceptor Development
Develops and oversees preceptor onboarding, training, development, and recognition. Point of contact for preceptor training and development needs and preceptor newsletter content.
charlene_williams@unc.edu
Newsletter Content Editor:
Charlene Williams, PharmD, BCACP CDCES
Charlene_williams@unc.edu
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