Experiential Update

Save the Date!

The UUSOP will be hosting a CE weekend here in Providence Hall November 6-7, 2015, to coincide with Union University Homecoming Weekend. APhA MTM Certification and Basic Life Support (BLS) courses will be offered on Friday. Four hours of live CE will be offered on Saturday morning. More registration details to come.

Brent Pierce Named 2015 IPPE Preceptor of the Year

This year, Dr. Brent Pierce was selected as the IPPE Preceptor of the Year by the Class of 2017. Dr. Pierce is a graduate of the Union University School of Pharmacy; in fact, he was a member of the inaugural class of 2012. Dr. Pierce is a member of Phi Lambda Sigma Leadership Society as well as the Delta Rho Chapter of the Rho Chi Society. Prior to attending pharmacy school, Dr. Pierce graduated from Lambuth University with a B.S. in Chemistry. Being a UUSOP alum who recently was in the "same shoes" as current students helps Dr. Pierce relate to students and teach them the relevant things they will need to know upon entering their own pharmacy practice.

When asked what he enjoys most about serving as a preceptor, Dr. Pierce replied, "I enjoy getting to know each student. Each student comes from a different background and has different career goals. Creating an individual experience for each student based on their needs and expectations presents an enjoyable challenge."

Dr. Pierce is the first Union University School of Pharmacy alum/alumni to be named IPPE Preceptor of the Year. It is with sincere gratitude for all that he does to serve our students that we congratulate him for this achievement!

Jonathan Hoover Named APPE Preceptor of the Year

The Class of 2015 selected Dr. Jonathan Hoover as their APPE Preceptor of the Year. Dr. Hoover is a 2001 graduate of Union University and a 2005 graduate of the University of Tennessee College of Pharmacy. He completed an ASHP-Accredited Pharmacy Practice Residency at the Veteran's Affairs Medical Center in Memphis in 2006 and has served as a Clinical Pharmacy Specialist in Internal Medicine at the Veteran's Affairs Medical Center in Memphis, Tennessee since 2006. Although he has only served as a preceptor for the Union University School of Pharmacy for two years, he has one of the most highly sought and challenging APPE rotations.

He has made a significant impact on students, which is evidenced in their letters of recommendation for this award. "This preceptor impacted my pharmacy career greatly. While I can write a whole paragraph on how smart and knowledgeable he was, the main reason he was one of the best preceptors I had was because of how humble he was. He truly cared about my learning and never once made me feel like I was inadequate, even though he knows anything and everything. He truly exemplified the kind of preceptor I want to be in the future."

When asked about what makes Union University pharmacy students distinctive, he said, "Several things that I have noticed consistently are how humble, appreciative, and genuine many of the Union students are. They have consistently shown a strong desire to improve clinically and also shown a resounding appreciation for all academic situations that result in knowledge expansion! This is very noticeable and greatly appreciated."

Dr. Hoover is the first Union University undergraduate alumni to be named as a Preceptor of the Year for the School of Pharmacy. Congratulations and thank you!

Preceptor of the Year

Each year, the graduating class has the opportunity to nominate a non-faculty Clinical Preceptor who has done an outstanding job in educating students and serving as a role model for practice. For the first time in the history of the School of Pharmacy, a Union University undergraduate alumni has been selected. I am honored to announce that the pharmacist chosen by the Class of 2015 as the Preceptor of the Year is Dr. Jonathan Hoover, Clinical Pharmacy Specialist at VA Medical Center Hospital in Memphis, TN. Dr. Hoover was unable to be with us today. He received this award at our annual Preceptor Appreciation Banquet on April 14, 2015.

Faculty Preceptor of the Year

The Class of 2015 had the opportunity to nominate a faculty preceptor who has done an outstanding job in educating students and serving as a role model for practice and for life. A record seven different faculty members were nominated for this honor, which is a testament to the faculty that we have at Union University. The top nominees this year were, Jennifer Byrd, David Kuhl, Melanie Michael, and Jodi Taylor.

Excerpts taken from nomination letters describing your honoree included: "[This preceptor] was by far one of the best preceptors I had. [They] challenged me daily and gave me the perfect balance between support and autonomy. [They] really made an effort to ensure I got everything I wanted to get out of her rotation. [They] also showed me the importance pharmacists have … and gave me pointers throughout the month on how to balance clinical and academic responsibilities."

"[This person] invests in the educational life of the student by pushing us to be the best practitioner possible, which has prepared me to better care for another person's family member or loved one. I am a better person and pharmacist for knowing her, and I will be forever grateful for all she has done and continues to do for me. Bottom line: She is a rock star!"

We are proud to congratulate the Class of 2015 Faculty Preceptor of the Year Award recipient, Dr. Jodi Taylor.

Preceptor Development Program

The theme of this year's Preceptor Development Program (PDP) was a "Night at the Movies." The focus of this year's program was taken from the movie "Vantage Point." The movie showed a significant event from the vantage point of various witnesses. We used this same idea to look at potential student-related issues. We looked at issues from the vantage point of the preceptor, student, and from others. The evening featured three video vignettes depicting student issues such as, professionalism, confidentiality, and the impact of feedback and evaluations. Preceptors attending the (PDP) viewed the videos and answered questions in small table groups. Preceptors also learned from the experience of three seasoned and respected preceptors; Michelle Blanton, Chris Larkin, and Kim Lindsey-Goodrich.

Dr. Michelle Blanton is the owner and pharmacists at DuVall Drugs in Humboldt, TN. Dr. Blanton has been a preceptor with the Union University School of Pharmacy since 2008. She teaches students on both IPPEs and APPEs in Independent Community Pharmacy Practice. Dr. Blanton was selected by the Class of 2012 as the Preceptor of the Year.

Dr. Chris Larkin is a Clinical Pharmacy Specialist in ambulatory care at St. Thomas Hospital in Nashville, TN. Dr. Larkin as served as a residency preceptor for many years.

Dr. Kim Lindsey-Goodrich is an Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice. She served as a critical care pharmacist at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital for five years where she trained APPE students in the surgical ICU. She was selected as the Faculty Preceptor of the Year by the Class of 2014. Since that time, she has assumed new responsibilities as the UUSOP Assistant Director of Experiential Education and the Director of Interprofessional Education.

Like us on Facebook

We have launched a Facebook page for our preceptors. You can find us by searching for Union Pharmacy Preceptors, or use this link: https://www.facebook.com/unionpharmacypreceptors Throughout the year, we will post important information for our preceptors, including upcoming events at Union University. We encourage you to post photos of yourself, your pharmacy staff and your Union pharmacy students. We are proud to partner with you! Make sure you "like" us on Facebook!