Grad school dean, CHS chair, pharmacist earn national, state awards

The School of Graduate Studies in the Health Sciences dean receives a national leadership award, the IHL honors a clinical health sciences chair for his diversity efforts and a clinical associate professor of pharmacy practice earns a precepting accolade.

National HTN control organization honors SGSHS dean

Dr. Joey Granger, dean of the School of Graduate Studies in the Health Sciences, received the Consortium for Southeastern Hypertension Control Leadership Award at the 2017 COSEHC Annual Meeting Feb. 3 in Tampa, Florida.

The consortium honored Granger for his service to the hypertension research community.

Granger serves as chair of the American Heart Association's Council on Hypertension. An AHA member for more than 30 years, Granger has served as chair or vice chair of numerous COH committees and is an associate editor of the journal Hypertension. In 2012, he served as president of the American Physiological Society and has served on numerous scientific study sections, most recently as chair of the Hypertension and Microcirculation Study Section at the National Institutes of Health.

A Billy S. Guyton Distinguished Professor in the Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Granger's research focus includes placental ischemia and cardiovascular dysfunction in preeclampsia. He has authored or coauthored more than 275 peer-reviewed publications.

Since 1992, the COSEHC has worked to improve the disproportionate rate of hypertension-related disease and mortality in the southeastern United States. The organization's mission is to empower health care professionals, patients and the public with better knowledge, tools and competencies through continuous quality improvement to secure cardiometabolic health for all people.

CHS chair earns IHL award for diversity excellence

Benghuzzi

Dr. Hamed Benghuzzi, professor and chair of clinical health sciences in the School of Health Related Professions, received the Institutions of Higher Learning Excellence in Diversity Award Feb. 17 at the IHL meeting in Jackson.

The award recognizes campus and community leaders from each member institution for the impact they have made in advancing diversity and encouraging understanding and respect.

Benghuzzi has mentored dozens of Murrah High School students through UMMC's Base Pair program and has served as a mentor for numerous National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health-funded programs at UMMC and at Jackson State University that encourage underrepresented students to pursue careers in biomedical sciences and research.

“I always believe diversity constitutes strength in the academic setting,” Benghuzzi said. “I am honored and grateful and I hope that I serve as role model for my students, who too will see others equally and respect diversity.”

In his letter nominating Benghuzzi for the award, Dr. Ralph Didlake, associate vice chancellor for academic affairs, wrote, “Dr. Benghuzzi's nomination is based on a long-standing career and commitment to increasing diversity in scientific and clinical health disciplines including extraordinary service at state, regional, national and international levels.”

APA lauds UMMC pharmacist for precepting excellence

Fleming

The American Pharmacists Association has recognized Laurie Fleming, clinical associate professor of pharmacy practice at the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy, with its 2017 Community Pharmacy Residency Excellence in Precepting Award.

Preceptors mentor postgraduate student pharmacists in workplace situations. As part of the School of Pharmacy's residency programs, Fleming works alongside students and acts as a role model to teach skills needed to work in an ambulatory care setting.

A pharmacy practitioner, Fleming also was named the School of Pharmacy's 2016 Preceptor of the Year by pharmacy students.