Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Commons^™

September 2026, Swosu Rural Health Center

RURAL ROCKS

Introducing Hilltop Health: Connecting Campus, Community & Care

This fall marks an exciting new chapter for SWOSU Hilltop Health as services and partnerships continue to grow within the Jerry & Margaret Hodge College of Pharmacy and Rural Health Center. Designed to create a more connected approach to health and wellness, Hilltop Health brings together healthcare access, prevention, education, and community resources while creating new opportunities for collaboration across SWOSU and western Oklahoma.

Unique Pharmaceutical Laboratories (A Div. of J. B. Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals Ltd.) Issues Voluntary Nationwide Recall of Cetirizine Hydrochloride Tablets USP 5 mg Due to Potential Cross Contamination …

August 2026, Swosu Rural Health Center

RURAL ROCKS

It's been an exciting season at the SWOSU Rural Health Center!

We are thrilled to share that SWOSU Rural Health has been awarded a second grant through Oklahoma's Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), building on the momentum of our Community-Led Wellness Microgrant. This week, we also have the privilege of welcoming representatives from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Oklahoma Rural Health Transformation Program to SWOSU as they visit our Jerry & Margaret Hodge College of Pharmacy and Rural Health Center to highlight the innovative work happening across our region.

• Feds push back HIPAA security rule …

July 2026, Swosu Rural Health Center

RURAL ROCKS

Rural Health Center

As we prepare to kick off our first semester in the new Jerry & Margaret Hodge College of Pharmacy and Rural Health Center, there is a lot to be excited about! It has been incredible to watch this vision become a reality, and we can't wait to welcome students, faculty, healthcare partners, and community members into a space designed to strengthen rural healthcare across western Oklahoma. The opportunities for collaboration, education, and innovation are endless, and we are especially looking forward to creating more hands-on learning experiences for our students while continuing to build strong partnerships that …

June 2026, Swosu Rural Health Center

RURAL ROCKS

Rural Rocks

Second Generation Antipsychotics in the Treatment of Depression

Dr. Debra L. Stevens, Pharm.D., BCPP 

Major depressive disorder (MDD), also known as depression, affects 1 in 5 individuals in their lifetime.¹ Worldwide approximately 246 to 286 million individuals are afflicted with MDD.² MDD may cause significant morbidity and disability. The World Health Organization estimates that MDD will be one of the leading causes of disease burden by 2030.²

A significant number of patients diagnosed with MDD do not respond adequately despite appropriate treatment with antidepressants.² Treatment resistance may occur in up to one-third of patients …

May 2026, Swosu Rural Health Center

RURAL ROCKS

Rural Rocks

Helping to build a better community by building each part of Rural Health Services

As we look ahead to an exciting summer, preparations are well underway for the transition into the new Jerry and Margaret Hodge Pharmacy & Rural Health Center. This state-of-the-art facility will serve as a hub for innovation, education, and expanded access to care across rural Oklahoma. Within the Jerry and Margaret Hodge Building will be the College of Pharmacy, the Rural Health Department, the Center for Health and Well being, as well as the Doctorate of Community Health Program. The Custer County Health …

Swosu Research And Scholarly Activity Fair 2026, Swosu Office Of Sponsored Programs

SWOSU Research and Scholarly Activity Fair Programs

On behalf of the University Research and Scholarly Activity Committee (URSAC) and the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) at Southwestern Oklahoma State University, we are pleased to welcome you to the Thirty-Fourth SWOSU Research and Scholarly Activity Fair.

April 2026, Swosu Rural Health Center

RURAL ROCKS

• Oklahoma Rural Health Transformation Program
• State Immunization Websites
• Tracking Measles Cases in the U.S.
• FDA to Address Unused Opioids in American Homes
• Immune cells may underlie sex differences in chronic pain
• STRESS AWARENESS MONTH

March 2026, Swosu Rural Health Center

RURAL ROCKS

• Understanding the PREVENT Calculator in the 2025 AHA Hypertension Guidelines
• CMS Releases Medicaid and CHIP Beneficiary Profile and Infographic
• FDA Requests Removal of Suicidal Behavior and Ideation Warning from Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonist (GLP-1 RA) Medications
• Walgreens: Flu reaches highest level in U.S. in 25 years
• Walmart boosts pay potential for pharmacy technicians, elevates 3,000 roles
• FDA Launches PreCheck Pilot Program to Strengthen Domestic Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
• Pharmacy undergoes a tech takeover
• President Trump signs landmark PBM reforms into law
• Pharmacy through generations

February 2026, Swosu Rural Health Center

RURAL ROCKS

• Current Indications for Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) Inhibitors
• CMS unveils LEAD, its new 10-year accountable care model
• UnitedHealthcare pauses effort to cut RPM coverage after stating the tech has 'no evidence'
• Walgreens unveils PharmStart to strengthen tech-to-pharmacist pipeline
• Rural Health Transformation Program awards announced—Here's who's getting the most in FY2026
• FDA Grants Two National Priority Vouchers
• 2026 Outlook: Hybrid care companies poised for growth driven by economic, policy tailwinds
• Brain Drain: Retail pharmacy struggles to retain pharmacists, pharmacy technicians
• The 5 biggest challenges facing retail pharmacy
• Retail pharmacy must mine the gaps
• CMS Establishes Office of Rural Health Transformation Nationwide …

2026 Winter Research Symposium Abstract Book, Southwestern Oklahoma State University

College of Pharmacy Winter Research Symposium

Abstract book for the SWOSU College of Pharmacy Inaugural Winter Research Symposium

Wednesday, January 21st

2:00-4:30 PM

CPP 3rd floor

January 2026, Swosu Rural Health Center

RURAL ROCKS

• Age-Friendly Requirements for Hospital Quality Reporting
• APhA secures key congressional win allowing pharmacists to prescribe buprenorphine with specialized training
• "When the hospital leaves town"
• Med Spa Illicit GLP-1s | Supply Chain Safety
• CMS unveils new model aimed at functional, lifestyle medicine

December 2025, Swosu Rural Health Center

RURAL ROCKS

• FDA MedWatch - 20 mEq Potassium Chloride Injection by Otsuka ICU Medical
• Plan to expand Medicare Coverage of GLP-1s
• Pharmacist Interventions in The US Oncology Network Cut Cancer Care Costs by Nearly $9 Million

November 2025, Swosu Rural Health Center

RURAL ROCKS

• FDA's actions to protect children from contaminated cough medicine

• Measles cases and outbreaks (CDC)

• CDC immunization schedule adopts individual-based decision-making for COVID-19 and standalone vaccination for chickenpox in toddlers

• Hypertension pharmacy toolkit--FIP non-communicable diseases

October 2025, Swosu Rural Health Center

RURAL ROCKS

• SWOSU Doctor in Community Health (DCH)

• Hospitals with highest price markups for elective surgeries have worse outcomes, researchers find

• HHS Final Rule Expands Real-Time Prescription Access, Eases Prior Authorization Burdens

• Pharmacologic and Nonpharmacologic Treatments for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: An Update of the PTSD Repository Evidence Base

• Retail pharmacy is adapting to meet local needs

• IZ Express Sept 24, 2025

September 2025, Swosu Rural Health Center

RURAL ROCKS

• The 5 biggest challenges facing retail pharmacy
• FDA Launches Green List to Protect Americans from Illegal Imported GLP-1 Drug Ingredients
• From Dispensing to Decision-Making: How Pharmacists Are Redefining Leadership in Oncology Care
• Check out our virtual tour video of the Hodge Center

August 2025, Swosu Rural Health Center

RURAL ROCKS

• Natural Probiotics: 7 Foods to Eat for Better Gut Health
• The Overlooked Link Between Vitamin D and GI Health

• Colorectal Cancer by Stephen Drinnon, Pharm.D.

• PHARMACIST’S IMMUNIZATION TRAINING PROGRAM

• PHARMACY TECHNICIAN IMMUNIZATION TRAINING PROGRAM

• How Pharmacies Can Address Social Drivers of Health

July 2025, Swosu Rural Health Center

RURAL ROCKS

July 2025 Rural Rocks

• Three Ways Tech Can Help
• Can a Face Mask Diagnose Kidney Disease?
• EXTRA - Chronic Kidney Disease
• Pharmacy Technicians as Community Health Workers Pilot Program in Oklahoma

June 2025, Swosu Rural Health Center

RURAL ROCKS

• PBM Reform Takes Off in 2025
• Tirzepatide as Compared with Semaglutide for the Treatment of Obesity | New England Journal of Medicine
• Know the ABCs of Diabetic Skin Care
• Updated Recommendations for Pneumococcal Vaccination

May 2025, Swosu Rural Health Center

RURAL ROCKS

This is the May 2025 issue of Rural Rocks from the SWOSU College of Pharmacy.

Spring 2025 Edition, Southwestern Oklahoma State University

The Sig

Greetings, COP Community!

We are so proud of our student pharmacists and graduates. Whenever I meet alumni, I am impressed by their accomplishments. To look back and remember their first weeks of pharmacy school and to now hear about their career journey and successes reminds us of how a quality pharmacy education can positively impact the personal and professional growth of young people. It also helps us as teachers, preceptors, and mentors to remember why we have dedicated our careers to pharmacy education. The COP is 85 years young, and we continue to strive to provide a personalized educational experience …

April 2025, Swosu Rural Health Center

RURAL ROCKS

This is the April 2025 issue of Rural Rocks from the SWOSU College of Pharmacy.

March 2025, Swosu Rural Health Center

RURAL ROCKS

This is the March 2025 issue of Rural Rocks from the SWOSU College of Pharmacy.

February 2025, Swosu Rural Health Center

RURAL ROCKS

This is the February 2025 issue of Rural Rocks from the SWOSU College of Pharmacy.

Swosu Research And Scholarly Activity Fair 2025, Swosu Office Of Sponsored Programs

SWOSU Research and Scholarly Activity Fair Programs

On behalf of the members of the University Research and Scholarly Activity Committee (USRAC) and the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) at Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) — welcome to the Thirty-Third SWOSU Research and Scholarly Activity Fair!

This year’s event features 99 poster presentations and 9 oral presentations, showcasing the work of over 170 student and faculty researchers, writers, presenters, artists, collaborators, and faculty sponsors. These presentations represent a wide array of scholarly and academic activity from across SWOSU’s academic community, including the Departments of Art, Communication, and Theatre; Allied Health Sciences; Biological Sciences; Business; Chemistry & …

2025 Apothecary, Southwestern Oklahoma State University

Apothecary

It is with great honor that we present the 2025 Apothecary issue. This year’s Apothecary was made possible by generous financial contributions from many stores, businesses, and Southwestern College of Pharmacy alumni. We greatly appreciate and thank you for your continued support.

January 2025, Swosu Rural Health Center

RURAL ROCKS

This is the January 2025 issue of Rural Rocks from the SWOSU College of Pharmacy.

Winter 2024 Edition, Southwestern Oklahoma State University

The Sig

GREETINGS FROM THE DEAN’S OFFICE
Southwestern Opens Doors to Opportunities Beyond Imagination

Homecoming Saturday on October26th was a wonderful day, and we are grateful to all the alumni, family, and friends who attended. Coming back to the COP to rekindle with classmates and faculty is always a special time, especially after many years. As each 50-year and 40-year graduate was recognized and shared a story or special thought with everyone, I was impressed by the common themes.

October / November / December 2024, Randy Curry, Cindy Brooks

RURAL ROCKS

This is the October - November - December issue of Rural Rocks from the SWOSU College of Pharmacy.

July / August / September 2024, Randy Curry, Cindy Brooks

RURAL ROCKS

This is the July, August, and September issue of Rural Rocks from the SWOSU College of Pharmacy.

Summer 2024 Edition, Southwestern Oklahoma State University

The Sig

GREETINGS FROM THE DEAN'S OFFICE!

Since the last edition of The Sig there has been great progress on the construction of the Jerry & Margaret Hodge College of Pharmacy and Rural Health Center. After calling the third floor of the CPP building home for 50 years, it is exciting to see our new home emerge at the corner of North Davis and Caddo with concrete being poured and steel beams hoisted into place with a crane.