Pharmacy Faculty Members Elected to Lead State Organization

OXFORD, Miss. – Four University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy faculty members have assumed new leadership roles within the Mississippi College of Clinical Pharmacy, the state chapter of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy.

Katie Barber, Sally Earl, Melissa Reilly and Seena Haines, who all have appointments in the Department of Pharmacy Practice, are MCCP’s officers for 2019.

Barber, an assistant professor, took over as president Jan. 1. Earl and Reilly, both clinical assistant professors, became president-elect and secretary-treasurer, respectively, while Haines, chair and professor of pharmacy practice, is past president.

After her involvement in ACCP as a student, Barber began taking on various leadership roles within MCCP as a faculty member at Ole Miss. As president, Barber hopes to further expand the chapter’s membership, provide more educational opportunities for members and support the student chapter.

“I am particularly passionate about the research series that we are in the process of planning,” Barber said. “This will be a multisession educational opportunity to introduce and develop research skills of clinical pharmacists, both in and outside of the organization, with the ultimate goal of improving patient care.”

The Student College of Clinical Pharmacy, the Ole Miss student chapter of ACCP, sponsors events such as clinical research challenges and mock residency interviews. Though separate organizations, the student and state programs often collaborate.

MCCP sponsored the Student College of Clinical Pharmacy Research Symposium earlier this month for students to display their research projects, Barber said.

“All four of these faculty members have positively impacted the pharmacy profession through their dedication and service,” said David D. Allen, dean of the pharmacy school. “It’s exciting to see our faculty giving back to our profession in this manner. I know they will do a great job for MCCP.”