SHARKS RX Spring 2016 Magazine

NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY 10 More recently, the HAART Trans-Caribbean project has been expanded to study adherence among the HIV population of Caribbean descent living in South Florida. Leading this effort in a local HIV clinic is Trinidadian-born Akesha Edwards, Pharm.D., who is a College of Pharmacy Ph.D. student. “She is an emerg- ing scholar because of her excellent research, her work ethic, and her ability to integrate an interdisciplinary group of research assistants,” said Rabionet, who couldn’t be more proud of Edwards’ dedication. Rabionet travels to Puerto Rico multiple times a year to work with fellow researchers and her students. She also uses technology such as Skype and other telecommuting tools to be available on an as-needed basis. Research, student empowerment, innovation, diversity, and community are key pillars within the NSU mission. Last year, NSU received more than $76 million in external funding for research projects. While NSU’s College of Pharmacy began in 1987, public health training was not stressed in the curriculum until 2007. “The role of the pharmacist in public health is critical and optimal,” Rabionet said. “NSU pharmacy students are in a unique position to understand the vulnerable communities they serve so they can eradicate disease and change the world.” Silvia E. Rabionet , Ed.D., is an associate professor in the NSU College of Pharmacy Department of Sociobehavioral and Administrative Pharmacy and an American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy research fellow. She also teaches public health at the Pharm.D. and Ph.D. levels. NSU IS LEADING THE WAY in preparing dental and pharmacy students to be even more effective in the development of community health care. And there is no more challenging chronic health issue than HIV/AIDS. Elizabeth Shepherd, Pharm.D., M.B.A., assistant dean, and Joshua Caballero, Pharm.D., associate professor and vice chair of pharmacy practice, have spearheaded an innovative interprofessional elective—through a collaboration with the College of Dental Medicine and the College of Pharmacy— to place students at an HIV dental clinic where the only patients they see are those who are HIV positive. The focus is on delivering effective health care to a population whose illnesses range from newly diagnosed to long-term maintenance. Oftentimes, sitting in a dental chair provides the perfect opportunity to learn how best to administer and track the effectiveness of the medications the patient is taking. This elective for pharmacy and dental students includes both classroom and clinical experience. Lectures prepare students for interaction with the patients and HIV medications, including psychiatric complications of patients with HIV, before students are introduced to the dental clinic and patients. The clinic is funded through a Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program grant (administered by HRSA) and prepares future clinicians with the experience of dealing with issues as varied and important as HIV medications and their side effects. The pharmacy students, in their role as the medication experts, are able to obtain complete medication profiles for these HIV patients. One of the interesting discoveries the students have learned is that many patients are very knowledgeable about their medications, allowing the pharmacy students to have a deeper discussion about the effectiveness of the drugs. Through reflective exercises, NSU students are able to under- stand their own personal experiences with HIV patients and their role as interdisciplinary team members.