Tennessee Health Care Hall of Fame Announces 2019 Inductees

Health Care Hall of Fame inductees announced at McWhorter Society Luncheon
(L to R) Dick Miller, Clara Elam, David and Lynn Barton and Mary Bufwack, Ph.D.

Hall of Fame’s fifth class represents some ofTennessee’s most influential health care leaders

The Tennessee Health Care Hall of Fame announced the seven health care professionals selected as this year’s inductee class at a luncheon on Belmont University’s campus today. With a mission to honor men and women who have made significant and lasting contributions to the health and health care industries, the Hall of Fame was created in 2015 by Belmont University, the McWhorter Society and the Nashville Health Care Council, a founding partner. The seven honorees will be inducted at a ceremony in October.

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Pharmacy Informatics Student Selected for Enterprise Research Pharmacy Internship

Dr. Diaz-Cruz joins Biology Faculty & Students to Publish Research

Their study reported the ability of two drugs to stop the growth of a number of cervical cancer cell lines. The paper, titled “Enoxacin and Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG) Act Synergistically to Inhibit the Growth of Cervical Cancer Cells in Culture,” can be found here.

Belmont, Lipscomb Colleges of Pharmacy Partner to Build, Support Honduran Pharmacy

Jovenes Project

Belmont University and Lipscomb University Colleges of Pharmacy have recently announced a collaborative partnership with Jovenes en Camino to build and support a locally-run pharmacy in El Zamorano, Honduras. A Nashville-based nonprofit, Jovenes en Camino is a boys home and clinic in Honduras that doesn’t currently have access to the essential services provided by a pharmacy. Students and faculty from Belmont and Lipscomb are teaming up to provide a creative solution to that challenge.

This collaborative partnership will allow students and faculty from both pharmacy programs to travel to Honduras throughout the year to provide services to local residents, beginning as soon as Summer 2019. Teams will be comprised in a variety of ways including interprofessional teams that will include students in pharmacy, nursing, nutrition, PA and other health-related disciplines, and inter-university teams, comprised of faculty and students from both institutions. Beyond pharmaceutical care, this interprofessional partnership will also include additional healthcare providers as nursing, medical and other health-related programs will accompany pharmacists for travel.

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Belmont Pharmacy AI Team Project Featured in Internationally Recognized Pharmacy Education Publication

The Belmont University College of Pharmacy student A.I. team’s Artificial Intelligence Software for Amazon Alexa was the subject of an article in the February 2019 issue of Academic Pharmacy Now, the news magazine of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy.

Founded in 1900, the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) is the national organization representing pharmacy education in the United States. The mission of AACP is to lead and partner with members in advancing pharmacy education, research, scholarship, practice and service to improve societal health. The association is comprised of all accredited colleges and schools with pharmacy degree programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education.

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Belmont Pharmacy Graduates Excel on Licensure Exams

The results are in, and graduates of Belmont University College of Pharmacy have beaten the national average once again. After graduating with their Doctor of Pharmacy degree, students must pass the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX) to become licensed to practice pharmacy. This exam is focused on in-depth knowledge of drugs and their proper therapeutic uses. For Belmont graduates taking the NAPLEX in 2018, 93.4 percent passed on their first attempt; the remainder passed on their second attempt. This beats the national average for all first-time takers of 89.5 percent on this exam and the Tennessee average of 90 percent.
The Multistate Jurisprudence Exam (MPJE) is another required licensure exam in most states, including Tennessee. The MPJE is focused on the laws governing the practice of pharmacy. All Belmont graduates taking the MPJE for Tennessee in 2018 passed on their first attempt. Among students taking the exam out-of-state, 89 percent passed on their first attempt. This compares to a national average pass rate of 85 percent, overall.

“We are extremely proud of the hard work put in by our students and faculty,” said David Gregory, dean of the College of Pharmacy. “These results come from many years of careful preparation. Not every school of pharmacy can point to the consistent results we see year after year. We are thankful for that.”

Belmont’s graduates have beaten the national average pass rate on the NAPLEX exam every year since 2013. They have exceeded the average on the MPJE five of the last six years.

Pharmacy Student Presents at Health Information Management System Society Global Conference

Angelina Babakitis, a Doctor of Pharmacy student in the pharmacy informatics focus track at the Belmont University College of Pharmacy, recently presented a poster at the Health Information Management System Society (HIMSS) 2019 Global Conference in Orlando, Florida.

The poster, entitled “Enhancing pharmacist intervention effectiveness by implementing custom clinical decision support,” was authored by Babakitis, PharmD Candidate 2020, Wesley Geminn, PharmD, BCPP and Erica Schlesinger, PharmD. It describes the development of clinical decision support (CDS) tools to aid pharmacists when verifying medication orders for pregnant patients at four state-funded regional mental health institutes.

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Belmont Pharmacy AI Team Featured on ‘Talk to Your Pharmacist’ Podcast

Belmont University College of Pharmacy student A.I. team’s Artificial Intelligence Software for Amazon Alexa was the subject of the “Talk to Your Pharmacist” podcast earlier this month.

The podcast is for pharmacists, student pharmacists and others across the country to hear from industry leaders about their leadership stories and current healthcare topics. Talk to Your Pharmacist was founded and hosted by pharmacist Dr. Hillary Blackburn.

In this conversation, Blackburn and Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Dr. Anthony Blash discuss the intersection of health care and technology, the groundbreaking work done using AI and Amazon Alexa by the Informatics students in Belmont’s program and how current clinicians can successfully transition into an informatics role in their workplace.

The episode can be found on Itunes and Spotify.

Dr. Blash Teaches Final International Health Informatics Management Certificate Program Review Courses at HIMSS 2019 Annual Global Conference

Dr. Anthony Blash, assistant professor in the College of Pharmacy, recently led the facilitation of the last major Certified Associate in Health Information and Management Systems (CAHIMS) Review Course before major changes in the Certification occur. This course was sponsored by the Health Information Management Systems Society (HIMSS), North America Division and held at their 2019 Global Conference at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida.

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College of Pharmacy Nominated for Strobel Award

The College of Psychiatric & Neurologic Pharmacists (CPNP) chapter within the Belmont College of Pharmacy has been nominated by Renewal House to receive the Strobel Award. This award recognizes Middle Tennessee volunteers who dedicate their time and service to improve the community.

Renewal House is a long-term comprehensive addiction treatment and recovery program for women and their children. Since 2010, faculty and students in the College of Pharmacy have supported Renewal House through backpack and diaper drives, painting projects and furniture assembly efforts. Each year, CPNP puts on an Easter egg hunt and Trunk-or-Treat event for the children living at Renewal House.

CPNP President Teresa Zhen said, “ It has been an ongoing privilege serving our community here in Nashville and I look forward to all our future events with Renewal House.”

College of Pharmacy Hosts Annual Antimicrobial Stewardship Symposium

Pharmacy Symposium at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, February 1, 2019.

Belmont University’s College of Pharmacy hosted the Third Annual Middle Tennessee Antimicrobial Stewardship Symposium this morning in the Janet Ayers Conference Room on Belmont’s campus. The event was planned and hosted by Dr. Montgomery Green, associate professor of pharmacy practice, Dr. Erin Behnen, associate dean for assessment and academic affairs, Laura Hyde, continuing education coordinator and Dr. Shaefer Spires, assistant professor with Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.

The symposium was attended by more than 125 healthcare professionals from multiple disciplines including pharmacists, physicians, nurses and those involved with infection prevention and patient safety and quality from 7 states and more than 50 healthcare facilities. Several alumni, preceptors and Belmont faculty were in attendance, as well.

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College of Health Sciences and College of Pharmacy Hosts Inter-Professional Events

More than 200 first year graduate students in the Colleges of Health Sciences and Pharmacy participated in an inter-professional seminar focused on understanding the roles and responsibilities of each discipline as part of an inter-professional team to maximize patient outcomes. As part of this event, students worked on teams to create the tallest structure they could using spaghetti, string, tape and a marshmallow.

Approximately 190 second year graduate students from the Colleges of Health Sciences and Pharmacy also participated in an inter-professional seminar which explored the importance of communication and the risk of medical errors when there is miscommunication. These inter-professional events enable students to learn from and with students from other disciplines who will be their professional colleagues when they graduate.

Pharmacy Students Receive their White Coats

Belmont University’s College of Pharmacy first-year students,82 in total, received their white coats on January 11, a practice that symbolizes their transition into pharmacy practice experiences in institutional and community settings. The Tyler Duke family received the Friend of the College Award in recognition of their sustained support through the Tyler Duke Endowed Scholarship and support of student missions.

Dr. Condit Steil, professor of pharmacy, received the Professional Stewardship Award which recognizes a health care professional who has answered the call to service that comes with professional standing in the community.

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Pharmacy Students Explore Big Data with Microsoft SQL

Belmont University College of Pharmacy third-year students Austin Simmons, Inmar Osi, Angie Babakitis, Mary Lankford, Deamitea’ Johnson and Lanoi Chindavanh chose the informatics program at Belmont University College of Pharmacy because it’s the only pharmacy school in the nation offering HIMSS approved courses and project experiences that prepare Pharm.D. students for advanced knowledge in health IT and healthcare.

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Dr. Blash Teaches International, Virtual Health Informatics Management Certificate Program Review Courses

Dr. Anthony Blash Head ShotDr. Anthony Blash, assistant professor in the College of Pharmacy, recently completed the facilitation of a virtual, 4-part Certified Associate in Health Information and Management Systems (CAHIMS) Review Course facilitated and sponsored by the Health Information Management Systems Society (HIMSS), North America Division.

HIMSS North America positively transforms health and healthcare through the best use of information and technology in the United States and Canada. As a cause-based non-profit, HIMSS North America provides thought leadership, community building, professional development, public policy and events. HIMSS North America represents 70,000 individual members, 630 corporate members and more than 450 non-profit organizations, all working to leverage the potential of digital health to improve both the health status of populations as well as the quality, cost-effectiveness, access and value of healthcare.

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Belmont Hosts Health and Well-Being Fair

Student talks with community vendor at Health and Well-being fair

Belmont University recently hosted its first Health and Well-being Fair, an event sponsored by the University’s Be Well BU initiative to promote a health and well-balanced lifestyle throughout the Belmont community. The fair showcased over 40 organizations focused on sharing information about a variety of topics with students, faculty and staff in attendance. Continue reading

College of Pharmacy Represents Belmont in Nashville AIDS Walk for Seventh Year

2018 AIDS Walk

Belmont University College of Pharmacy raised $2,171 for the Nashville AIDS Walk and participated for the seventh consecutive year, sponsored by Nashville Cares on Oct. 6. Team Captain, Associate Professor Dr. Edgar S. Diaz-Cruz, led faculty and students who joined hundreds of community participants to benefit families impacted by HIV/AIDS in Middle Tennessee. Dr. Diaz-Cruz celebrated the outstanding efforts of his team noting, “This type of event provides a great opportunity for our students to be advocates in the community. I was proud to see dozens of students walking, and many of them volunteering in different capacities at the event including HIV testing.”

A highlight of this year’s event was witnessing the remarkable 1st place female runner medal win by one of our team members, Assistant Professor Dr. Kendall Shultes. The AIDS walk serves as a launch for multiple HIV prevention events including the HIV Testing and Counseling Certificate Program from the Tennessee Department of Health sponsored by Belmont College of Pharmacy and Nashville CARES.

Tennessee Health Care Hall of Fame Inducts 2018 Class at Luncheon and Ceremony

Event efforts collectively raise more than $1 million for student support

The Tennessee Health Care Hall of Fame inducted its 2018 class, made up of seven health care legends from across the state, at a luncheon and ceremony in Belmont’s Curb Event today. Hosted by Partner at DVL Seigenthaler John Seigenthaler, Jr., the Hall of Fame seeks to recognize and honor the pioneers and current leaders that have formed Tennessee’s health and health care community and encourage future generations of health care professionals. Continue reading

Pharmacy Students Compete in ACCP Clinical Pharmacy Challenge

Group of three students who competed in ACCP Clinical Pharmacy Challenge

Three Belmont University College of Pharmacy students recently competed at the The American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP) Clinical Pharmacy Challenge. The challenge is a team-based competition where teams of three students compete against teams from other schools and Colleges of Pharmacy. The competition features teams answering questions in a quiz bowl format.

A total of 112 teams from across the country and a variety of institutions competed in this event’s event. The Belmont University College of Pharmacy team consisted of Nate Berger, Olivia Pardue and Kevin Nofi, all of whom are in their fourth year of pharmacy school. The team made it to the third round of the competition.

Dr. Blash Forms 2018 Healthcare Information Management Systems Society

Anthony Blash forms Healthcare Informatics Group

Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Dr. Anthony Blash and 8 other experts in Clinical Informatics met this summer to form the 2018 Healthcare Information Management Systems Society (HIMSS) Jobs Analysis Workgroup. Using data gathered from hundreds of participants, the group met over two days in June at the HIMSS Global Center for Health Innovation in Cleveland to begin the process of updating the scope and content of the HIMSS Certification Examinations.

In order to keep pace with changes in the industry, the content representing the standard for HIMSS certificate holders must be updated every few years. The Certified Associate in Healthcare and Information Management Systems (CAHIMS) and Certified Professional in Healthcare and Information Management Systems (CPHIMS) are designed to bridge the IT and clinical roles that come together to leverage technology solutions for improved clinical outcomes and business operations. To learn more about the HIMSS Certification programs, visit the HIMSS website.

College of Pharmacy Sends Students, Faculty on Global Missions Trips

Collectively, students served more than 3,300 patients during 18 days of clinics

Belmont University’s College of Pharmacy sent students abroad this summer on medical-related missions trips to both Honduras and Cambodia led by faculty members Dr. Tracy Frame and Adam Pace and College of Pharmacy Dean Dr. David Gregory. Though each trip visited a different place, they sought out a similar goal — to impact the lives of the patients they served. Continue reading

Dr. Steil Honored with Doc E Award for Long Time Service to Diabetes Camp

Professor in the College of Pharmacy Dr. Condit Steil was recently honored with the Doc E Award, a recognition given for long-term service and a strong interest in the welfare of campers that come through Camp Seale Harris, a diabetes camp for children held in Alabama each summer. Steil has been volunteering with the camp for the last 20 years.

As a staff member at camp each summer, Steil is responsible for assisting in the growth and development of young people with diabetes as they acquire the skills and understanding to achieve stronger control of their lives. Continue reading

Belmont University Named as a Most Beautiful College Campus in the South

A glamour shot of the lawn

CountryLiving recently released its list of the 25 Most Beautiful College Campuses in the South, and Belmont University was ranked No. 14 on this year’s list. In honor of summer coming to an end, the list points to the most beautiful campuses in the southern region that will soon be welcoming students back.

Belmont President Dr. Bob Fisher Named to Nashville Health Care Council Board of Directors

Bob FisherBelmont University President Dr. Bob Fisher was recently named as a member of The Nashville Health Care Council’s 2018-2019 Board of Directors. Chairman and CEO of HCA Healthcare and Belmont alumni R. Milton Johnson will begin a two-year term as chairman of the Board.

“This is an exciting time in health care as the industry evolves to face today’s challenges. I welcome each new board member and look forward to working alongside them as the Council continues to serve as a convener for health care thought leaders,” Johnson said in an announcement released by the Council.

In the same release, Council president Hayley Hovious said, “I look forward to the contributions from this diverse group of world-class health care leaders. Along with our dedicated staff, we look forward to meeting the continued need for collaboration and innovation within health care through our suite of programming and initiatives.”

College of Pharmacy Healthcare Informatics Students Create Artificial Intelligence Software for Amazon Alexa

Belmont University College of Pharmacy third-year students Dominic Paolella, David Luong, Abdul Mohammed, Jonathan Ashton and Aziz Afzali recently undertook the challenge of developing a new and exciting telepharmacy access point for patients on the mend, understanding the importance of patients recovering in their own homes. In recent years, a growing body of scientific evidence suggests that patient recovery is more successful when they transition from dedicated healthcare facilities like hospitals, nursing homes and assisted living facilities into their own homes. But many patients require help to facilitate the change.

Amazon Alexa is a new artificially intelligent platform for accessing information and interacting with objects in the home including lights, music and medical devices. As part of the Introduction to Healthcare Informatics III and Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiential (APPE) classes in the Doctor of Pharmacy curriculum at Belmont University, each student developed Continue reading