Pharmacist earns national fellowship, Phi Kappa Phi inducts students

The American College of Clinical Pharmacy elects a UMMC pharmacist to a fellowship, while a national honorary initiates several UMMC students into its ranks.   

Clinical pharmacy professor awarded ACCP fellowship

McClendon

Dr. Katie McClendon, assistant dean for student services in the School of Pharmacy at UMMC, was elected as a 2016 Fellow of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP).

The ACCP is devoted to the advancement of clinical pharmacy, which focuses on the science and practice of medication use. Fellowship in the ACCP indicates demonstrated excellence by a clinical pharmacist.

“It's an honor to be elected as a Fellow of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy,” said McClendon. “I've always enjoyed being a member of the college as there are many excellent clinicians who are dedicated to improving clinical pharmacy.”

McClendon has served as a clinical pharmacist for more than 10 years and currently practices in two UMMC clinics. She's been an active member of the ACCP for 11 years, serving on its women's health and ambulatory care committees and in the mentor program. As part of the ACCP, she advocated for including student pharmacists in clinical pharmacy research and scholarship and contributed to several publications.

“We are very proud of Katie, and she is extremely deserving of this award,” said David D. Allen, dean of the School of Pharmacy. “She has contributed mightily to our school and to the overall profession with her dedication and her service.”

McClendon was inducted during the fall meeting of the ACCP on Oct. 23 in Hollywood, Florida.

Phi Kappa Phi honorary inducts UMMC students

The 2016 ceremony for Medical Center initiates of Phi Kappa Phi took place recently. The students were chosen for membership on the basis of superior scholarship and good character.

Inductees and those attending the ceremony included, front row from left, Jakayla Marie Harrell, SOM; Brandi Frances Guyton, SON; Ellen Danielle Husbands, SON; Kyle Arthur Possemato, SON; Lauren Ashleigh Walker, SON; Natalie Kuchman Berg, SHRP; Dr. Scott Gatewood, School of Dentistry; Dr. Loretta Jackson, School of Medicine; Dr. Kim Hoover, School of Nursing; Dr. Jessica Bailey, School of Health Related Professions; Dr. Joey Granger, School of Graduate Studies in the Health Sciences; Dr. Debora Wenger, Phi Kappa Phi president, University of Mississippi Chapter; Dr. Don Cole, assistant provost, University of Mississippi; Dr. Ralph Didlake, associate vice chancellor for academic affairs; Zonzie McLaurin, SHRP; Ashley Denise Newsome, SGSHS; and Edgar Rayner Meyer, SGSHS; and back row, from left, Daniel Patrick Stuart, SON; Lauren Egger Williamson, SOM; Dustin Kyle Reed, SOM; Caitlyn Trotter Reed, SOM; Tara Clare Lewis, SOM; Erin Lynn Peterson, SOM; Katherine Adelle Thaggard, SOM; Margaret Elaine Wester, SOM; Angela Aldridge Beem, SON; Jennie Lea Meredith, SHRP; Luis Victor Castro, SHRP; Janie Mae Turner, SHRP; Zachary Keaton Weber, SHRP; Kellie McAdams Watts, SOD; Jamie Katherine Hargett Howard, SOD; Blake Denton Boleware, SOD; Ryan Kyle Fulford, SGSHS; Edgar Newton Donahoe III, SOD; Antony Lee Fortin, SOM; Gouri Jayant Mahajan, SGSHS; Kacy Elizabeth Houston, SHRP; Kaitlyn Danielle Kilbourne, SHRP; Abigail Sarah Koepke, SHRP; Kynsleigh Amber Parnell, SHRP; Olivia Jean Young, SHRP; Samantha Rose Klein, SHRP; Monte Eric Leuhlfing, SHRP; and Callie Lawson, SHRP.

Phi Kappa Phi is the only national honor society that recognizes academic excellence in all disciplines in the undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. Dr. Deborah Winger, chapter president, from the University of Mississippi, and Dr. Don Cole, assistant provost at the University of Mississippi, presided at the ceremony.

HIIM program receives CAHIIM accreditation

Health informatics faculty, from left, Shelia Bullock, Dr. Angela Morey, Dr. Shamsi Berry and Dr. Lisa Morton.

The Health Informatics and Information Management Department in the School of Health Related Professions received accreditation of its Master of Health Informatics program from the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education Aug. 17 after a comprehensive site visit.

The program is one of six CAHIIM-accredited informatics programs in the nation and one of two to be accredited by CAHIIM's Health Informatics Accreditation Council. The Master of Health Informatics accepted its first class in the fall of 2012.

Because of the federal mandate requiring electronic health record adoption by the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act, health informatics is one of the fastest-growing fields in health care. There is a national shortage of health informaticists, and the Master of Health Informatics program in SHRP provides value for career development for students from a diverse range of professional backgrounds.

The field encompasses a wide range of job functions, including design and development of information systems, implementation support, database management and data analytics. The fully online program can be completed part-time in 24 months.

Faculty duo earn AAMC seminar trip

Didion, left, and Sugg

Dr. Lisa Didion in the Department of Pediatrics and Dr. Rebecca Sugg in the Department of Neurology have been selected by the Office of Faculty Affairs to participate in the AAMC Mid-Career Women Faculty Professional Development Seminar Dec. 10-13 in Austin, Texas.

The office offers funding for two full-time faculty members to participate annually in the seminar, designed for women with medical school appointments at the associate professor level and leadership positions in their discipline, department or institution. The program enhances knowledge and skills needed to support progress along the path to leadership in academic medicine.

The seminar covers leadership topics such as "The Art and Style of Interpersonal Communication,” “Managing from the Middle,” and “Financing the Academic Mission,” and offers skills specifically related to the mid-career faculty member, such as conflict management and negotiation, wellness and strategic planning, which are central to effective collaboration and leadership in various mission-critical activities.