Monthly Archives: February 2015

Pharmacy faculty member publishes book chapter

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KinninghamSmallAssociate Dean of the College of Pharmacy Dr. Kelley Kiningham recently published a chapter titled, “Manganese Superoxide Dismutase” in the book “Manganese in Health and Disease.” Kiningham’s chapter summarizes studies from the last 30 years on the antioxidant.

The mitochondrial enzyme is one of three superoxide dismutases in humans; however, it is the only one that is essential for life.  The enzyme has been shown to be protective in in vivo models of adriamycin, methamphetamine and taxol toxicity.  In addition various researchers, including Dr. Kiningham, have shown that expression of manganese superoxide dismutase is a tumor suppressor.

Clinical trials based on the work of Kiningham and other researchers in the field have lead to the development of synthetic drugs based on the MnSOD enzyme and are currently being tested in a variety of conditions where oxidative stress is known to occur.

Pharmacy Professors published in American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education

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HobsonSmallSpinelliSmallJohnstonSmall2Professors in the College of Pharmacy Drs. Eric Hobson and Alisa Spinelli and Dean of the College of Pharmacy Dr. Philip Johnston were published in The American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education with their article, “Staging a Reflective Capstone Course to Transition PharmD Graduates to Professional Life.” The article is the scholarly findings from a case study of a Belmont capstone class.

The objective was to develop and implement a course that would allow students to reflect on their development as a professional, assess and share achievement of the college’s outcomes, complete a professional portfolio, establish a continuing professional development plan and prepare to enter the pharmacy profession.

Findings concluded that the course provided an opportunity for student-based summative evaluation, direct observation of student skills and documentation of outcome completion as a means of evaluating readiness to enter the profession.

To read the full journal article, click here.

Tennessee Health Care Hall of Fame Opens Nominations for Inaugural Class

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fountain-2014-105-300x199With a mission to honor men and women who have made significant and lasting contributions to the health and health care industry, The Tennessee Health Care Hall of Fame seeks to recognize and honor the pioneers and current leaders who have formed Tennessee’s health and health care community and encourage future generations of health care professionals.

The nominations process began on February 20 and will continue until April 10 at www.tnhealthcarehall.com. Created by Belmont University and the McWhorter Society, The Hall of Fame is supported by the Nashville Health Care Council, a Hall of Fame Founding Partner. The inaugural class will be announced at the McWhorter Society’s May 5 luncheon.

In addition to recognizing Tennessee’s most influential health and health care leaders, The Hall of Fame will serve as an on-going educational resource to document the rich history that has contributed to Tennessee’s position as a leader for national health care initiatives.

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DNP Students Participate in Tennessee Legislative Boot Camp

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Belmont DNP student James Winegart (right) participates in a role-playing exercise designed to help students communicate effectively with legislators.

Belmont DNP student James Winegart (right) participates in a role-playing exercise designed to help students communicate effectively with legislators.

Five doctoral nursing students recently participated in the Tennessee Action Coalition’s Legislative Boot Camp held in Nashville.  As part of their Health Policy course, taught by Dr. Carrie Harvey, Associate Professor of Nursing, the students joined 80 other nurses and nursing students in learning how to successfully communicate with state legislators. The students had interactive learning opportunities, toured capitol hill, and received training on the Full Practice Authority bill being introduced to the Tennessee Legislature this year.

Participating students included Robin Hopp, Tracy Wilson, James Winegart, Catherine Evans and Christine Hardesty.

Kiningham Establishes Pharmaceutical Endowed Scholarship for College of Pharmacy

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KinninghamSmallAssociate Dean and Professor of the College of Pharmacy Dr. Kelley Kiningham has served the College since 2009 and since then has acquired a number of accolades including the Presidential Faculty Achievement Award in 2013 and the Most Influential Faculty Member designation by the class of 2013.

Most recently, Dr. Kiningham continued her direct contribution to student success by establishing the Warren E. Angel Pharmaceutical Education Endowed Scholarship, named in honor of her late grandfather who significantly contributed to Dr. Kiningham’s life. The scholarship has been designed to support student pharmacists in good academic standing who attended Middle Tennessee State University, Dr. Kiningham’s alma mater.

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PT students visit Tennessee legislature

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Belmont DPT students attended the Tennessee Physical Therapy Association (TPTA) Day on the Hill  on February 11, 2015.  Scott Newton, TPTA President, and Joe Black, TPTA Legislative Chair, provided an orientation to the legislative process and highlighted a particular bill of interest to PTs.  The students were then escorted through Legislative Plaza to the Old Supreme Court Room in the Capitol.  Along with PT students from UTC, the students heard an inspiring talk from State Senator Bo Watson who is also a PT.  He stressed the importance of the legislative arena for PT practice and urged them to be advocates for their profession.

Fourth year Pharmacy student serves on medical mission to Haiti

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Belmont-300x184Fourth year pharmacy student Meghan Duquette and Assistant Professor of the College of Pharmacy Ashton Beggs recently returned from a week-long medical mission trip to Gobert, Haiti. Duquette was selected for this Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience last spring and was the second student in participate in the annual opportunity.

Under Beggs’s supervision, Duquette was involved in all medication-related aspects of the trip planning, which began summer 2014. The duo was responsible for choosing the medications they would take on the trip, all purchased from Blessings International. Medication labeling was developed by Duquette in both English and Creole, the native language of Haiti. While in Gobert, Duquette and Beggs were in charge of aiding the providers in selecting drug therapy, dispensing medications and counseling patients on each prescription.

Additional pharmacy students were involved in trip preparations including counting, packaging and labeling the medications prior to shipment. “It was great to see pharmacy students from all years come together to prepare the medications,” Duquette said. “Caring for patients in a third-world country is eye-opening. This experience has undoubtedly shaped my pharmacy path.”