What we've accomplished: The college’s most-read stories of 2023
As 2023 reaches its curtain call, we're taking a moment to reflect on our work as a college. Through community engagement, new scholarship fundraising, advocacy and much more, Pharmacy Buckeyes have made their mark.
Here are our top read stories and events from 2023, listed chronologically. Let's celebrate what we've accomplished, and set our gaze on the exciting things to come in 2024.
Happy New Year, Pharmacy Buckeyes!
New Generation Rx scholarship announced at 15-year celebration, honors Nicole Kwiek
January 9, 2023
A new scholarship was established to honor the legacy, leadership and outreach efforts of Nicole C. Kwiek, PhD, during her tenure as director of Generation Rx. The scholarship was announced during Generation Rx’s 15-year celebration, where Dr. Kwiek formally stepped down as director.
Dr. Kwiek, associate dean for undergraduate studies and clinical professor of pharmacy education and innovation at The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy, co-founded the organization with Ken Hale, RPh, PhD, former professor of pharmacy practice, to promote safe medication use.
New medicinal chemistry and pharmacognosy faculty member to develop highly specific prodrugs to reduce the toxicity of chemotherapeutics
January 11, 2023
Jonathan H. Boyce, PhD, joined The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy as an assistant professor in the Division of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy this January.
Dr. Boyce's lab focuses on developing protease-activated peptide prodrugs for cancer, which will contain specialized peptide linkers attached to chemotherapeutics resulting in reduced toxicity. Because peptides often have low cell permeability, peptide linkers will reduce drug toxicity by preventing the chemotherapeutics from entering cells.
BSPS student working in organ transplant research lab prepares for a future in medical school
February 20, 2023
Kavvya Koneru, a third-year Bachelor of Science of Pharmaceutical Sciences (BSPS) student from Louisville, Kentucky is a patient care assistant (PCA) at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center (OSUCCC-The James). She also serves as the president of a food pantry student organization and as a research assistant for Ginny Bumgardner, MD, PhD, transplant surgeon at the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center (OSUWMC) and professor of transplant surgery at the Ohio State College of Medicine.
Koneru’s educational and extracurricular experiences are preparing her for her next step as a PhD or medical school student.
Ohio State appoints new College of Pharmacy dean
March 23, 2023
The Ohio State University selected Deanna L. Kroetz, PhD, BS Pharm '85, as dean of the College of Pharmacy. Dean Kroetz stepped into the role on Sept. 1, 2023.
Dean Kroetz joined Ohio State from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), where she served as professor and chair of the Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences in the Schools of Pharmacy and Medicine.
The beginning of Dean Kroetz's tenure
Dean Kroetz joined the college just in time for the start of Autumn Semester, beginning her (second) first day at Ohio State. Alongside our student body, Dean Kroetz has made a new home on campus, hosting our Alumni Homecoming Tailgate, Alumni Awards and sharing remarks at the PharmD Class of 2027's White Coat Ceremony.
Watch out for dangerous combinations of over-the-counter cold medicine and prescription drugs – two pharmacoepidemiology experts explain the risks
April 21, 2023
Assistant professor Macarius Donneyong, PhD, MPH, and postdoctoral scholar Ximena Oyarzún-González, published their work in The Conversation, advising readers of the potential dangers that cold medications may hold.
When colds, flus and allergies hit, many people automatically turn to over-the-counter medications to push through and treat their symptoms. These include decongestants, painkillers, cough or allergy medicines and combinations thereof. Nearly 70% of adults in the U.S. use over-the-counter medications as a first-line response for treating cold and flu symptoms.
Although these medications are easily accessible and widely used, it might come as a surprise to many people to learn that they are not risk-free.
Riley Evans named recipient of national award for contributions to public health
April 26, 2023
Riley Evans, PharmD '23, received a 2023 Excellence in Public Health Pharmacy Award. Dr. Evans was nominated for the award for his commitment to expanding access to health care for patients across Ohio.
The prestigious award recognizes pharmacy students who have made significant contributions to public health by promoting wellness and healthy communities. To be considered for the award, students are evaluated on their contributions that advance the goals of Healthy People 2030.
Evans has had significant accomplishments throughout his educational career that have been focused on serving underserved communities by enhancing access to care. After being selected as an Albert Schweitzer Fellow in 2020, Evans planned and implemented monthly blood sugar screenings at a local food bank. Through the fellowship, Evans helped to refine a college point-of-care testing program and assist with the development of training resources for pharmacy students.
Building bright futures: Friends start scholarships
July 19, 2023
While visiting the University of Iowa to accredit a community pharmacy residency program, best friends Marialice Bennett ’69 and Anne Burns ’80 traveled to the Field of Dreams. Never mind that the tourist attraction stemming from the 1989 baseball flick was closed for the day, these women were determined.
“It was literally a cornfield in the middle of nowhere,” Anne says. Meetings ran late that day, and it was dark when they pulled up still wearing their business suits. Undeterred, they “broke in” (meaning they stepped over a 2-foot chain). “We ran the bases [in heels], sat in the stands and did the wave.”
Dedicated to their friendship, pharmacy and Ohio State, these women and their husbands found a unique way to pay forward by establishing two scholarship funds in the colleges in which they have strong ties. Their husbands, Jon Bennett ’69, ’71 MBA, and Tom Burns ’80, ’86, have engineering degrees in common and met one another via their wives.
More 2023 scholarships we celebrated
Clinton Osei receives CVS Health Minority Scholarship
Clinton Osei, MS, a first-year Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) candidate at The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy, was selected to receive the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) CVS Health Minority Scholarship. This scholarship is highly competitive; Osei was one of five recipients selected from a pool of over 450 applicants.
P4 student Emilie Barleben receives NCPA Presidential Scholarship
Emilie Barleben, a fourth-year Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) candidate at The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy, received the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) Presidential Scholarship at NCPA’s Annual Conference last month in Orlando. The Presidential Scholarship recognizes active members of the organization who demonstrate strong leadership and academic abilities, in addition to an interest in independent pharmacy.
PhD student Ethan Whipp selected as Presidential Fellowship recipient
Ethan Whipp, a PhD student in the Division of Pharmaceutics and Pharmacology at The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy, was awarded one of Ohio State’s most prestigious awards given by the Graduate School, the Presidential Fellowship.
College of Pharmacy receives AACP Lawrence C. Weaver Award; first to receive honor twice
August 1, 2023
The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy received the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) 2023 Lawrence C. Weaver Transformative Community Service Award for the 2021-2022 academic year during AACP's Annual meeting in Aurora, Colorado, on July 23. This is the first time a school or college of pharmacy has received the honor twice.
The award is presented annually to one college or school of pharmacy demonstrating a major institutional commitment to addressing unmet community needs through education, practice and research.
An extra sentimental hooding experience
August 30, 2023
Parents hooding their children at their pharmacy hooding ceremony can be a heartwarming and meaningful moment. When parents are also alumni of the same college, it adds an extra layer of sentimental value because it reflects a familial tradition of academic excellence and a strong connection to The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy.
The Ohio State College of Pharmacy’s recent hooding ceremony had three students being hooded by their alumni parents, which further signified the culmination of their hard work, dedication and support from their parents while continuing a Buckeye family legacy.
College celebrates accomplished alumni at 2023 Alumni Awards Ceremony
October 25, 2023
The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy held its annual Alumni Awards Ceremony on Oct. 20 at the Grand Event Center in Grandview Heights. The event invited Pharmacy Buckeyes and friends and family to reunite and celebrate the outstanding achievements of eight awardees.
Kristine Cline, PharmD, MS ’19, assistant professor - practice of education and innovation, emceed the ceremony, which was the first held during the tenure of Dean Deanna Kroetz, PhD, BS Pharm '85.