Message from Assistant Dean of Experiential Education

Thank you all for your help, hard work and time in training our Doctor of Pharmacy students during the 2023-24 academic year. Before Commencement, we celebrated our P4 students at their P4 Banquet, where APPE Student of the Year awards were announced and presented. Thank you to you all for your generous nominations. Moreover, we celebrated preceptors who were nominated and subsequently chosen at APPE Preceptors of the Year. Please join me in congratulating the following individuals on their APPE Preceptor of the Year awards:

Community Pharmacy Preceptor of the Year

• Nicholas Stevens, PharmD, Guthrie Binghamton Pharmacy

Institutional Pharmacy Preceptor of the Year

• Kelly Wurzler, PharmD, Guthrie Robert Packer Hospital

Inpatient Medicine Preceptor of the Year

• Karen S. Williams, PharmD, BCPS AQ-Infectious Disease, Guthrie Robert Packer Hospital

Ambulatory Care Preceptor of the Year

• Mitchell Miller, PharmD, BCACP, Bassett Healthcare Network

Research (Capstone) Preceptor of the Year

• Mohammad A. Ali, BPharm, MSc, PhD, SOPPS Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences

SOPPS Faculty Preceptor of the Year

• Keri A. Mastro Dwyer, PharmD, Guthrie Lourdes Hospital

As we enter the 2024-25 academic year, there are already some exciting opportunities to be a part of as a preceptor. Starting in June, the SOPPS welcomed its inaugural class of learners for our pharmacy technician training program. Upon successful completion of the didactic, simulational and experiential requirements of this training program, learners earn a microcredential through Binghamton University. If you are interested in learning more about the pharmacy technician training program and/or becoming a preceptor for the program, please reach out to me!

In this issue of the preceptor newsletter, we are elated to feature a few of our preceptors and their noteworthy accomplishments toward advancing the profession of pharmacy. We have included a story about Sarah Lynch, a local preceptor for Wegmans. Lynch’s efforts and work advance pharmacy practice in New York state, specifically the recent passing of the law for non-prescription dispensing of hormonal contraception. I hope you find this story motivating and stimulating as you consider your role within community pharmacy practices.

We have also highlighted one of our downstate preceptors, Ashley Galla, who was recently inducted as a Fellow of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. Galla is the vice president for clinical operations at Northwell Health on Long Island. Her story provides an inspiring journey through her leadership accomplishments. This issue also highlights one of our recent graduates of the Class of 2024—Eshraq Islam. Islam’s story demonstrates the impact and influence of preceptors on a student’s professional identity formation and career trajectory.

This issue of our preceptor newsletter also contains important information in our “Need to Know” section. This information will be helpful as we progress through the IPPEs and/or APPEs within the University-designated summer and fall semesters. I would like to bring to your attention some important changes in how the P4 curriculum is delivered and to the policies and procedures that impact IPPEs and APPEs. Please reach out with any questions and/or concerns you may have with content in the “Need to Know” section.

The OEE always welcomes any feedback, questions or comments you may have. As a reminder, preceptors can always participate in our Experiential Education Ad-Hoc Committee, where they can interact with other preceptors, SOPPS faculty and pharmacy students to provide feedback. Please contact me if you have questions about participating in this ad-hoc committee. I look forward to another wonderful academic year working with you all. On behalf of the students, the OEE and Dean Nagaraju, we appreciate your service to SOPPS and the pharmacy profession!

With gratitude,

Nick

Nicholas C. Schwier, PharmD

Assistant Dean of Experiential Education

Clinical Associate Professor

School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Binghamton University

nschwier@binghamton.edu