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 …

Integrating Structural Analysis In The Pre-Appe Curriculum: Experiences From Three Institutions, Jennifer Ko, Sharon E. Connor, Emily K. Frederick, Katherine Foley, Emiline Snook, Ava Romah, Katie F. Leslie

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Background

Educational activity

Evaluation findings

Reality Check: Examining Perceived Stress In Student Pharmacists Using Virtual Reality, Kimberly B. Garza, Channing R. Ford, Kristen L. Helms

The Journal of Advancing Education Practice

The impact of stress on learning is complex and multifaceted, and there is a balance between stress that promotes learning and that which inhibits it. This study presents a qualitative analysis of students’ responses to a questionnaire about their experience using virtual reality (VR) in a perspective-taking task to promote empathy for patients with physical limitations due to arthritis of the hands. Including data collected from a first-year course in 2023, 2024, and 2025, 214 students ranked their stress while experiencing the task, and those who ranked stress as anything other than “no stress” were asked to elaborate on the …

Charity Pharmacies: An Integrative Overview Of Operations: A Continuing Education Program For Pharmacists, Stella Bertram

Honors Theses

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The goal of this activity is to educate pharmacists about Charity Pharmacies by creating an integrative overview of their purpose, laws and regulations, processes and procedures, eligibility, and opportunities for involvement. This course will ensure pharmacists are competent in the operations involved in volunteering or working within a charitable pharmacy.

Additionally, the information provided supports pharmacists in understanding their roles as well as roles of volunteers. They will understand the importance of their role in the community and the depth of their service within Charity Pharmacies.

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

Improving Hba1c And Diabetes Preventative Screening Measures In Spanish-Speaking Patients With Clinical Pharmacist Care: A Quality Improvement Initiative, Jennifer Ko, Tila P. Nguyen, Bonnie K. Chen, Richard Beuttler

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Purpose:

Methods:

Results:

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

Bridging Gaps In Preventative Care: Pharmacy Students' Impact Through Point-Of-Care Testing And Education At Recovery Café Lafayette, Katherine Davis, Jailyn Jones

Purdue Journal of Service-Learning and International Engagement

Final-year student pharmacists Katherine and Jailyn served on the executive committee of Purdue’s chapter of the American Pharmacists Association–Academy of Student Pharmacists (APhA-ASP) as president and patient care vice president, respectively, during the 2023–2024 academic year. After striving for more community-based involvement with the APhA-ASP chapter, Katherine and Jailyn combined efforts and passions to serve the community by providing health services to a local community center. Preventative health services are vital for patients and also provide substantial benefit to students who are able to practice real-world counseling skills through these opportunities. Throughout the Doctor of Pharmacy curriculum at Purdue, Katherine …

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

Reducing Healthcare Spending With Pharmacist Driven Icg Allocation, Rachel W. Wong, Calvin Le, Vanessa Sifuentes, Faith Rutherford, Grace Desrochers, Zuhair Ali, Mike K. Liang

Gulf Coast Division GME Research Day 2026

No abstract provided.

Lost In Translation: How Health Literacy Impacts Pharmaceutical Transactions From Healthcare Professionals To Patients, Grace Nwaege

2025 Fall Honors Capstones Projects - Archive

Health literacy is a core element of public health, involving the ability to access, understand, evaluate, and use information to maintain well-being. In the United States, it aligns with an average reading level of about an eighth grader, which continues to decline over time. As pharmacists serve as the final point of contact in most outpatient settings, their ability to communicate effectively at this literacy level is crucial. This study examines how pharmacies address this challenge using qualitative methods, including health literacy assessments of patient consent forms and stakeholder interviews with pharmacy technicians about resource use. Findings show materials higher …

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

Pcsk-9 Inhibitors Treatment: The Cardiovascular Disparity, Julia Lees, Seana-Pierre Williams, Tahir Razzaq, Michael B. Roberts

The Journal of Integrated Primary Care

Introduction: According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and American Heart Association (AHA), cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. This phenomenon disproportionally affects the African American population, who have a 31% higher mortality rate than non-Hispanic Caucasian individuals. A retrospective review of PCSK-9 medication use, specifically in a patient population that had minimal representation in the large, landmark clinical trials, can lead to better understanding about the therapeutic potential in cardiovascular disease reduction and patient outcomes attributed to medication use. Education regarding this novel drug class, medication access and patient support, …

Over-The-Counter Cold Medication Usage Self-Efficacy Among Undergraduate Students In The United States, Ray Goodwin

Honors Theses

Background

This study looks at the trends in over-the-counter medication usage and self-efficacy among undergraduate college students in the United States. Over-the-counter (OTC) medications serve as the most easily accessible and commonly purchased medications and can be used as a basis to determine this demographic’s attitudes and behaviors towards self-medication. In addition, undergraduates represent a diverse population for analyzing differences among demographic groups.

Methods

A Qualtrics survey was sent out to undergraduates across the US via a panel, and the team received 403 useable responses. As part of a larger study, the survey presented participants with four different scenarios at …

A Local Assessment Of Glp-1 Use For Weight Loss: An Interview Study, Maci Bradley

Honors Theses

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists are a novel class of medications used primarily for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, as well as for chronic weight management. The first GLP-1 medication, exenatide, was FDA-approved in April of 2005 for glycemic control, however, it was not until December of 2014 when liraglutide became the first GLP-1 FDA-approved for weight loss. There are now eight FDA-approved GLP-1s, only two of which are approved for weight loss. GLP-1 use has become increasingly popular in recent years, even extending to the college-aged population. The purpose of this study is to examine the trends in …

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.

Artificial Intelligence (Ai) In Pharmacy, Giang Nguyen, Elizabeth Sartschev, John Reyes, Allie Honigford, Marisa Petrunich, Kiley Devoll, Brianna Lu, Joshua Honaker, T'Bony M. Jewell

Pharmacy and Wellness Review

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has transformed the pharmaceutical field by enabling computer software systems to learn and perform human behavior. Specifically, AI has revolutionized chronic diabetes management through continuous glucose monitoring, showcasing its immense potential in healthcare. However, alongside its transformative impact, AI’s increasing role in healthcare has prompted concerns over privacy and its premature integration. Despite these challenges, AI offers limitless opportunities to improve medication management and treatment regimens, driving advancements across various domains. From improving CT imaging to enhancing adenoma detection in colonoscopies and facilitating medication adherence, AI’s impact on healthcare is profound. Furthermore, AI plays a pivotal role …

Forecasting The Impact Of Artificial Intelligence On Clinical Pharmacy Practice, Adrian Wong Pharmd, Mph, Fccp, Trenton Flanagan Pharmd, Elizabeth W. Covington Pharmd, Elaine Nguyen Pharmd, Mph, Mba, Dustin D Linn Pharmd, Mba, Gretchen Brummel Pharmd, Brian Hoffmaster Pharmd, Mba, Diana Issacs Pharmd, Fccp, Sandra L. Kane-Gill {Harmd, Msc, Fccp

Parkview Pharmacy Department

There is a need to understand contemporary scientific advances as clinical pharmacy evolves. One rapidly expanding area is artificial intelligence (AI), which has grown significantly over the past year because of the public availability of large language models. This commentary reviews published literature describing and evaluating applications of AI to each aspect of the medication use process and forecasts potential future roles for AI in pharmacy practice. Potential challenges in implementation are also described.

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.

Identifying Barriers To Effective Clinical Decision Support Use In Preventing Medical Errors: The Pharmacy’S Perspective, Jonathan Stoliker, Monika Baranek, Megan Park

Annual Research Symposium

The purpose of this research is to understand the perceptions of pharmacy personnel in community and hospital settings concerning their workflows, the Clinical Decision Support (CDS) alerts they interact with, and how their interpretation of these alerts influences patient care. This research aims to begin to investigate pharmacy personnel-voiced factors that influence high rates of alert dismissal. The project also aims to qualify what design factors contribute to more effective CDS Alerts from the pharmacy’s perspective.

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.

Payment Disrupters And Opportunities: Key Trends That Impacted Pharmacy In 2024, Craig Kimble, Thomas Pile, Alberto Coustasse

Management Faculty Research

In 2023, the United States experienced the most significant increase in prescription drug spending (13.6%), totaling $89 billion.1 This was driven by higher utilization and the introduction of new, expensive specialty and biotech drugs. In 2024, other factors continue to drive costs and disrupt the pharmacy landscape, including the implementation of new business models, pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) practices, the rebate system, regulatory changes, advancements in provider status, and potential Federal Trade Commission (FTC) interventions.

Perceptions Of Virtual Reality In Cardiac Pharmacy Education, Morgan E. Mendes

Senior Theses

Background: The reformation of how educational content is portrayed is not a new phenomenon. However, the world of pharmacy has been slow to adapt, particularly considering higher education’s declining attendance rates and less engaging lectures. XR can be a great addition to learners’ curriculum, particularly VR, with various applications including adjunctive pharmacotherapy, patient counseling, pharmacist training, and pharmacological modeling. Despite the various barriers VR integration faces, the benefits of VR necessitate its future implementation into our COP curriculum as an augmentative form of learning.

Methods: An independent study of 11 students at the UofSC COP was conducted in the Spring …

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.