October 08, 2010
One of the most enduring aspects of St. John’s College of Pharmacy
and Allied Health Professions has been its commitment to serving
the healthcare needs of society by educating pharmacy professionals
in accordance with the highest standards of academic excellence. As
the need for pharmacists with advanced patient care skills
increased, the College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions
began a program in 1977 to provide students who had already
earned their B.S. in Pharmacy with an opportunity to earn the
Pharm.D. degree through a post-graduate program of study. In
may ways this program was the predecessor to the current St. John’s
very successful entry-level Pharm.D. program which continues to
enroll outstanding students from all over the country and the
world.
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Known as
the Post B.S. Doctor of Pharmacy Program, this post-graduate
program offered hundreds of practicing pharmacists an exceptional
opportunity to earn their Pharm.D. and go on to leadership
positions as Pharmacy professionals in both industry and academia.
After three decades this post-baccalaureate program has now come to
an end, and so it was with a sense of both nostalgia and
appreciation that many of its graduates gathered on Saturday,
October 2, 2010 on the Queens campus to celebrate the success of
the program that did so much for so many.
Following a cocktail reception and dinner during which guests
mingled and caught up with each other both personally and
professionally, it was apparent that the evening was one of great
joy for alumni, administrators and faculty.
“The
longevity of spirit and the commitment to making our profession the
best it can possibly be really lives on through you [our graduates]
and will live on through all of the people whose lives you’re
touching,” said Robert A. Mangione ’77P, ’79GP, ’93PD, ’99Ed.D,
Dean and Professor, St. John’s College of Pharmacy and Allied
Health Professions. “Every time you see a publication with your
name on it, every time you see a business card, you see the
phenomenal things that you are doing.”
Andrew J. Bartilucci, Ph.D., ’44P, ’98HON, Dean
Emeritus of the College and former Executive Vice
President of St. John’s University agreed, noting that, “The people
who went through this program took advantage of an opportunity that
was presented to them by the University. They deserve much
praise.”
Reflecting on the outstanding accomplishments of the students
who worked long and hard to earn their doctorate in this unique and
highly demanding fashion, Joseph M. Brocavich, Pharm.D., Associate
Dean for Pharmacy Programs and Associate Clinical Professor at
Clinical Pharmacy Practice recalled that he has been involved with
the program throughout his entire career at St. John’s. “I’ve been
associated with the Post B.S. Doctor of Pharmacy Program since I
started here in 1985,” he said, “and the people who have come
through this program have done great things. They’ve become leaders
in pharmacy organizations. They’ve been involved with the pharmacy
industry in all of its many facets. Tonight is really a celebration
of what they’ve been able to accomplish, and of the success of the
program that has now come to a close.”
For many
graduates, participation in the program was one of the most
important factors in determining their path to career
success. “My friends and I went through so much together
while we were in the program,” said Katerina Zouzias ’08Pharm.D.
“We all had fun, it was very exciting but also a lot of work. I
wanted to go back and get my Pharm.D. after so many years of
working in the field, and this program was a great opportunity.
It’s also good to see all of my friends here tonight!”
In his closing words, Dean Mangione remarked that “…the greatest
thing that a Dean can do is to help people do right in the St.
John’s way. You are such exemplary healthcare providers, such
leaders in the profession that you will inspire others to come to
St. John’s, and in doing so, you will give us all the reason to
continue. We need you to stay involved, because this will always be
your home.”
For information about events of interest to alumni from St.
John’s College of Pharmacy and Health Professions, call Patricia
Nolan ’07G, Associate Director of Development at (718) 990-2145 or
e-mail nolanp@stjohns.edu
For information about events of interest to alumni in general,
please call Mark Andrews, Associate Director, Office of Alumni
Relations at (718) 990-5897 or e-mail andrewsm@stjohns.edu