June 2009 E-News

President's Message

Dear Colleagues,

As I look out my window and see the Montana "big sky", it reminds me that summer has finally arrived. This marks a number of transitions for CPNP and a time to celebrate our successes as well.

July 1st marks the official transition of several board members. I'd like to thank Sheila Botts, outgoing president, for her many years of service and leadership on the board, including the last three years as president-elect, president, and past-president. She has been instrumental in a number of our recent endeavors including laying the groundwork for foundation formation and for continued CPNP journal evaluation. Sheila will remain involved in a number of ongoing projects including the foundation and VA project and we are grateful for all of her work.

I would also like to thank Jayme Trott, outgoing treasurer, for her business expertise and fiscal responsibility. She has been instrumental in keeping CPNP financially viable despite the current economic situation. She has provided us with much good insight and judgment throughout this downturn.

Please help me welcome Mary Borovicka as incoming treasurer and Jerry Overman as member-at-large. Mary has been involved in CPNP for many years, especially in an educational capacity with recertification and the review course. Jerry will bring his expertise in research and as former CPNP annual meeting chair.

And finally, I'd like to welcome Ann Richards as your new president. Ann's integrity and hardwork will greatly benefit CPNP over the upcoming year. I have full confidence that the new board will make 2009-2010 a successful year for CPNP. Thank you for the opportunity to serve CPNP over the past year.

Carla Cobb, CPNP President

CPNP in Action

1. The NAMI RMG will be manning a booth and presenting a session at the 2009 NAMI Annual Meeting starting July 7 in San Francisco. Charles Caley (University of Connecticut) and Gene Makela (University of West Virginia) will be facilitating Staying On Your Medications: a Perspective From Pharmacy. CPNP members will also be manning the NAMI Wellness Center offering information and brochures about different topics related to health and wellness, as well as one-on-one advice and coaching on medication related questions.
2. CPNP is supporting an online education opportunity in Improving Adherence in Schizophrenia Across the Health Care Spectrum: Best Practices. Originally offered as an industry supported symposium at the CPNP Annual Meeting, this ACPE approved, web-based activity features a diverse panel of psychiatric pharmacy clinicians discussing medication adherence and continuity of care in the schizophrenia patient who transitions through the health care system and demonstrates nonadherence with therapy.
3. CPNP 2009 recertification products are still available for purchase. The testing deadline for the Literature Analysis product is Wednesday, August 5 and the testing deadline for the Live Programming is Friday, October 2.
4. The schedule and speakers for the 2010 Annual Meeting to be held April 18-21, 2010 in San Antonio, Texas, is beginning to take shape and will be announced no later than September. Keynote speaker Terri Wise will kick off the meeting with a 90-minute session entitled Inside the Suicidal Mind: Life-Saving Insights & Critical Therapeutic Strategies. Mark your calendars for this exciting event and make your reservations early to secure a room at the host hotel.

Career Achievements

Charles Caley, University of Connecticut, co-presented a paper entitled "Optimizing ADHD Medication Therapy in College Health: Evaluating The Issues" with Dr. Mark Thomas from the University of Alabama at the annual meeting of the American College Health Association in San Francisco. He gave a solo presentation entitled "Psychotropic Drug-Drug Interactions: The Most Important You Should Know About."

University of the Sciences in Philadelphia recently presented the 2009 Lindback Foundation Award for Distinguished Teaching to Laura A. Mandos, BS, PharmD, BCPP, Associate Professor of Clinical Pharmacy and Assistant Dean of Pharmacy Programs, on May 20 at the University's graduation ceremonies.

Eric Kutscher, Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice, received the Distinguished Young Pharmacist award from the South Dakota Pharmacists Association presented by Pharmacists Mutual.

Megan Ehret, Assistant Professor at the University of Connecticut, recently presented a scientific report at the Annual American Psychiatric Association Meeting, "Who Receives Guideline-Based Pharmacotherapy for Bipolar Depression?" The presentation is being included in the international news highlight publication MD Conference Express.

Sheila Botts, Assistant Professor at the University of Kentucky, is the recipient of an NCDEU New Investigator Award to be presented at the 2009 NCDEU meeting in Hollywood, Florida the week of June 29.

Cara Alfaro, a Clinical Analyst with the Food and Drug Administration, is a faculty member at the 2009 NCDEU meeting in Hollywood Florida.

Birth Announcements

Juliana Kaltsounis, her husband Brian Puckett, and daughters Stella (6) and Julia (4) are proud to announce the birth of their son, Vasilios Anastasios Puckett on February 25, 2009.

CPNP staffer Jessica Frink and her husband Jeremy welcomed daughter Elliet Lynelle on Thursday, June 18. Ellie joins brother Owen (4) who reports that she is "GREAT!"