If you are a diabetic, please ask me about our MTM Diabetes Services. Multiple pharmacists at Main Street Compounding Pharmacy are Certified Diabetes Educators.

Diabetes educators are educated and licensed healthcare professionals including registered nurses, registered dietitians, pharmacists, or work in any one of a number of specialty areas. Additionally, they have the opportunity to earn two different credentials. The CDE credential demonstrates that the certified health care professional possesses distinct and specialized knowledge in diabetes self-management education. This credential is administered by the National Certification Board For Diabetes Educators.

I am a certified immunizer in the state of Massachusetts and am required to perform four hours of continuing education every year (see my CE module for details on my continuing education). At Main Street Compounding Pharmacy, we administer more than 900 immunizations and flu shots per year. Please ask me about our immunization program.

Pharmacy-Based Immunization Delivery is an innovative and interactive training program that teaches pharmacists the skills necessary to become a primary source for vaccine information and administration. The program teaches the basics of immunology and focuses on practice implementation and legal/regulatory issues.

The Board of Registration in Pharmacy provides a code of professional regulations for ensuring the highest degree of ethical and moral practice by pharmacists, pharmacy interns and pharmacy technicians. They also monitor pharmacists to ensure they meet requisite continuing educational requirements. The Board strives to assure consumers are receiving the highest quality prescription drug products from pharmacists who have graduated from accredited colleges of pharmacy. The Board also sets standards of quality assurance and best practices, requiring safe delivery systems in pharmacies licensed by the Board.

MCPHS has a legacy built on the pursuit of excellence in health care education. We take great pride in our past, but we're motivated by a passion for what's ahead. We're driven by a commitment to training professionals for the future of the exciting, ever-expanding health care industry and helping them achieve their true vision of success. 

The students, alumni and faculty of MCPHS are agents of real, vital action. Their impact is felt in countless ways, in countless disciplines across the health care world and beyond.

The University of Rhode Island's rural campus near the sea makes the College of Pharmacy unique among pharmacy programs in the East, where pharmacy is generally taught in urban communities. The URI College of Pharmacy is a professional school, but it is also an integral part of University of Rhode Island.

Graduated valedictorian as well as class president. I lettered in baseball and track.

Immunizations, what has changed? The Update 2013 In this application-based continuing pharmacy education activity and will discuss updated immunization information on several vaccines since the 2012 update. Target Audience: Pharmacists who are interested in immunization information and those who are certified as immunizers who require immunization continuing education to maintain their immunization ability...

In this multi-layered, knowledge/application/practice-based continuing pharmacy education activity the University of Connecticut and Drug Topics will develop pharmacist competence in M^TMand Motivational Interviewing. The activity is designed to expand from knowledge-based activities to practice-based skills by properly scaffolding knowledge, application and practice-based learning opportunities with sound instructional design...

Diabetes is a chronic condition that results when the body produces either no insulin or amounts of insulin that are inadequate to utilize glucose normally. Diabetes can result in serious medical complications that include blindness, kidney failure, amputation, and cardiovascular conditions. Recent advances in endogenous insulin treatment design and clinical studies demonstrating that physiologic...

This activity is designed to meet the educational needs of pharmacy directors, medical directors, clinical pharmacists, quality directors, care managers, and other managed care and payer organization professionals.

Sterile compounding, whether performed in a hospital IV lab, at a specialized compounding pharmacy, or at a home infusion service, requires extensive investments in training, equipment, and systems to prevent harm to patients. USP General Chapter Pharmaceutical Compounding – Sterile Preparations...

http://www.iacprx.org/

Quality is not just a word – it’s a critical component of pharmacy compounding. USP General Chapter provides pharmacists and technicians with a thorough overview of how quality can and should be integrated into daily practice with both philosophical and specific guidelines. This one-hour program highlights the latest revisions to USP Quality Assurance in Pharmaceutical Compounding, that became official on May 1, 2011...

Diabetes is a significant public health problem affecting 8.3% of the United States population. Alarmingly, of the 25.8 million individuals with diabetes, 7 million remain undiagnosed. Uncontrolled diabetes may lead to numerous complications, including kidney failure, nontraumatic lower-limb amputations, and blindness. Historically, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), which accounts for more than 90% of all diagnosed cases of diabetes...

As diabetes now affects 9% of the US population, it is clear that primary care clinicians urgently need to develop additional competence and confidence in implementing the latest guidelines for individualized T2DM glycemic control, and in incorporating chronic disease management and other patient-centered concepts...

LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Recognize the signs and symptoms of diabetes mellitus. Describe the risk factors for diabetes mellitus. Identify guidelines for providing oral health care for patients with diabetes mellitus when performing dental hygiene assessment and treatment. Abstract Diabetes mellitus is a serious chronic disease that has reached epidemic proportions in the United States...

Affecting over 11% of the adult US population, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic and disabling disease that is associated with substantial morbidity from both macro- and microvascular complications. It is the leading cause of kidney failure, nontraumatic lower-limb amputations, and new cases of blindness among American adults, and is a major cause of heart disease and stroke...

The third presentation in a four-part series will provide information and tips for managing patients with diabetes. Each patient with diabetes has individual characteristics that affect goals, treatment choices, and outcomes. Practical tips and tools to achieve the greatest possible outcome for each patient will be presented.

Take your Continuing Education with you on your next vacation! 5 Hours of fully accredited Diabetes continuing education, as the location of your choosing. At the completion of this program, the participant should be able to...

The fourth presentation in a four-part series will provide an opportunity for the application of all that has been learned in the previous presentations to a patient case. This participant will evaluate, modify, develop, and monitor an optimal diabetes management plan for a complicated patient with diabetes. The role of the pharmacist on the healthcare team of a patient with diabetes will also be addressed.

Although the transition from pediatric to adult diabetes care is a challenging process for emerging adult patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), there is little data on how best to prepare patients for this transition. Join Desmond Schatz, MD, as he reviews a recent study that examined the transition process in this vulnerable patient population. This activity is one component of "Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: Tool Kit of Evidence-Based Strategies to Improve Care." Free user account required...

In individuals who are at risk of developing type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), there is variation in the rate of progression to clinical diabetes. This can be predicted, however, by a number of immunologic and metabolic biomarkers. Dr. Philip Raskin reviews the results of a recent study evaluating the prognostic value of biomarkers in a high-risk population. This activity is one component of...

The purpose of this program is to educate primary care clinicians on how to identify patients with psoriasis and to ensure that patients with psoriasis are aware that their condition confers additional risks for a variety of conditions and diseases. Because psoriasis is associated with excessive systemic inflammation, patients with psoriasis, especially those with severe forms, need to be evaluated regularly and monitored carefully...

Legislative Update (LAW): Focus on the new act concerning the administration of vaccines by licensed pharmacists... http://www.iacprx.org/

Immunizations, what has changed? The Update 2012 In this application-based continuing pharmacy education activity, Dr Jennifer Girotto, PharmD, BCBS, will discuss updated immunization information on several vaccines since the 2011 update. Target Audience: Pharmacists who are interested in immunization information and those who are certified as immunizers who require immunization continuing education to maintain their immunization ability in CT...

Immunization Update 2011: “Vaccines in 2011 – What’s New?” Registration In this application-based continuing pharmacy education activity, Dr Jennifer Girotto, PharmD, BCBS, will discuss updated immunization information on several vaccines. Target Audience: Pharmacists who are interested in immunization information and those who are certified as immunizers who require immunization continuing education to maintain their...

Maintaining control of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) may be challenging for young patients as they make the transition into adolescence. Appropriate use of adherence interventions in these patients requires an understanding of the clinical and behavioral changes that occur during this critical period. Join Desmond Schatz, MD, as he reviews a recent study that explored the relationship between adherence and glycemic control...

merica’s number one drug problem is now the abuse and misuse of prescription drugs. Now the drug war is being fought in our local neighborhoods. With the street value of oxycodone between $25 and $75 a tablet and other controlled substances selling for $5 to $20 a pill, it’s easy to see why pharmacies, you, and your team are at increasing risk for armed robbery, break-ins, and other criminal activities. http://www.iacprx.org/

Immunizations are one of the most significant public health accomplishments of our time. Recommendations are ever changing and this lecture will serve as a review of the current adolescent immunization schedule. The illnesses they prevent will be discussed, as well as strategies to improve immunization compliance rates in adolescents.

General Objective To enable family physicians to identify candidates for pneumococcal vaccination and to improve pneumococcal immunization rates in their offices. Specific Objectives At the end of this program, participants will be able to: • Describe the burden of pneumococcal disease in the US population • Review the current ACIP recommendations for administering pneumococcal polysaccharide (PPSV23) and conjugate (PCV13) vaccines to adults and children • Identify high-risk...

2011: Part Two of a Four-Part Series. The responsibility to detect and prevent the diversion of controlled substances is placed on the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) through its Office of Diversion Control (Diversion).

Part One of a Four-Part Series. Today’s compounding pharmacists will need to familiarize themselves with stringent laws and regulations enforced by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) through their Office of Diversion Control (Diversion).

Part Three of a Four-Part Series. Today’s pharmacy staff, including pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, will need to familiarize themselves with the stringent laws and regulations enforced by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) through the Office of Diversion Control (Diversion). The focus of any DEA investigation... http://www.iacprx.org/

EDUCATIONAL OVERVIEW Vaccines have been highly effective in eliminating or significantly reducing the occurrence of many once-common diseases. However, barriers to immunization, particularly in older adults, have played a significant factor in the rising incidence of some vaccine-preventable diseases. Cost, reduced accessibility to vaccines, and complex or changing schedules for adult immunization have contributed to low immunization rates in at-risk adult populations...

It’s a typical Monday morning… phones are ringing non-stop, prescriptions are arriving fast and furious, patients are calling with questions. Just as you grab your mug of now-cold coffee, you look up to see a man in a dark suit with a badge. He’s from the FDA and he’s here to inspect your pharmacy. Do you panic or are you prepared? Do you know your rights as well as your responsibilities? Do you know the right questions to ask and the wrong questions to answer?...

It’s inevitable. At some point, just about every compounding pharmacy is going to receive the dreaded “cease-and-desist” letter about their practice and preparations. Then the questions start. “What should I do? Ignore it? Send it to my attorney? Comply with their request? Why did I get this in the first place? Who are these people anyway?...

Every pharmacist knows that the profession’s “bible” is the USP. For compounders, USP and standards govern our day-to-day practices. But how familiar are you with the role of United States Pharmacopeia (USP), its history, how it interfaces with pharmacy and medicine and the federal government? This comprehensive program, conducted by both USP staff and the leadership of the USP Compounding Expert Committee... http://www.iacprx.org/

This session provides a general overview of third party billing, with the intent of allowing the participant to explore their current processes and exposures. At the conclusion of this program, the pharmacist and technician attendee will be able to: • Accurately define “cost” as it pertains to third party billing. • Recognize the difference between a legally valid rx and a contractually valid rx. • Identify the area of your practice that may be in violation of third...

The Federal government is pharmacy’s biggest customer. Whether through Medicaid, Medicare, Veterans Affairs/Department of Defense, federal employee health plans, 340B programs and others, the government pays for more than 46 percent of all health expenses in the United States. For prescription drugs, that figure is closer to 70 percent! Because Medicaid and Medicare policies drive the behavior of private insurers, compounders need to understand how CMS (the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid... http://www.iacprx.org/

The past year has presented some interesting legal challenges in the pharmacy industry – including within the compounding world. Some of those decisions directly affect your daily practice. This session will provide an easy-to-understand overview of the key court decisions as well as some of the upcoming cases which you need to know about to protect your profession and your business. At the conclusion of this program... http://www.iacprx.org/

The Compounding, Quality Control and Mechanisms of Localization of Radiopharmaceuticals. http://www.iacprx.org/

What is a preceptor? A preceptor is a practitioner who assumes his/her daily work routines in addition to being a role model, socializer and educator for a student:

Role Model

• Demonstrate skill and competence in practice
• Set appropriate examples for ways to problem solve
• Model ethical and professional behaviour
• Demonstrate commitment to self-learning and learning from others

Socializer

• Introduce, orient and socialize the student to the culture and value system of the agency (hospital, clinic, etc.)
• Introduce, orient and socialize the student to the profession's role and the physical work setting
• Ease the student's integration with their co-workers, agency and community
• Orient co-workers to the goals and objectives of clinical practicum / clinical education

Educator

• Discuss the experience expectations with the student prior to/at the beginning of clinical practicum / clinical education course
• Assess and re-assess the student's learning needs, knowledge, skills and motivation
• Assist student in identifying their learning needs
• Plan learning experiences with the student and allow a safe environment to apply new knowledge and skills
• Help transition theory application to practice
• Provide the student with ongoing, timely constructive feedback
• Communicate ongoing student progress with the professor of record (through student log books, emails, faxes and/or phone calls)
• Contribute to the student's summative evaluation
• Evaluate own effectiveness as a preceptor

*Adapted from the University of British Columbia's College of Health Disciplines (2004)

The International Academy of Compounding Pharmacists (IACP) is an association representing more than 2,700 pharmacists, technicians, students, and members of the compounding community who focus upon the specialty practice of pharmacy compounding.  Compounding pharmacists work directly with prescribers including physicians, nurse practitioners and veterinarians to create customized medication solutions for patients and animals whose healthcare needs cannot be met by manufactured medications.

Founded in 1973, the American Association of Diabetes
Educators is the leading association for diabetes educators.
With more than13,000 members, AADE advocates on behalf of
diabetes educators and the patients they serve. We also work
to ensure the professional growth of our members and promote
widespread recognition of the benefits of diabetes education.
Our mission is to drive practice to promote healthy living through
self-management of diabetes and related chronic conditions.

NCPA Mission:

• We are dedicated to the continuing growth and prosperity of independent community pharmacy in the United States.
• We are the national pharmacy association representing the professional and proprietary interests of independent community pharmacists and will vigorously promote and defend those interests.
• We are committed to high-quality pharmacist care and to restoring, maintaining, and promoting the health and well-being of the public we serve.
• We believe in the inherent virtues of the American free enterprise system and will do all we can to ensure the ability of independent community pharmacists to compete in a free and fair marketplace.
• We value the right to petition the appropriate legislative and regulatory bodies to serve the needs of those we represent.
• We will utilize our resources to achieve these ends in an ethical and socially responsible manner.

The mission of the Massachusetts Pharmacists Association is to promote and enhance the profession of pharmacy and the practice standards of its practitioners. Further, the Association shall endeavor to heighten the public’s perception of the profession of pharmacy and pharmacists, and to promote the value of pharmacy services to the health and welfare of the general public.

Founded as the American Pharmaceutical Association on October 6, 1852, APhA today represents more than 62,000 practicing pharmacists, pharmaceutical scientists, student pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and others interested in advancing the profession.

Since its founding in Philadelphia, APhA has been the home for all of pharmacy. Virtually every pharmacy specialty organization traces its roots to APhA, including the National Community Pharmacy Association (founded in 1898 as the National Association of Retail Druggists), the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (founded in 1900 as the American Conference on Pharmaceutical Faculties), and the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (founded in 1942 as the American Society of Hospital Pharmacists).

The Massachusetts Independent Pharmacists Association (MIPA) is comprised of independent community pharmacists and those interested in independent community pharmacy throughout the State of Massachusetts. The Association's mission is to promote the practice of independent community pharmacy.

The 20Ways mission is to educate pharmacy management on products and services that serve to improve patient care or improve a pharmacy’s financial bottom line while distilling and presenting this relevant information in a quick-review format.

The International Journal of Pharmaceutical Compounding (IJPC) is a bi-monthly, scientific and professional journal emphasizing quality pharmaceutical compounding. IJPC is the only publication that covers pharmaceutical compounding topics relevant and necessary to empower pharmacists to meet the needs of today's patients. No other publication features hands-on, how-to compounding techniques or the information that contemporary pharmacists need to provide individualized care.

Known as the "Yellow Pages of Pharmacy," the Pharmacy Platinum Pages is published annually and serves the profession as a comprehensive and relevant buyer's guide. The 2013 Pharmacy Platinum Pages featured more than 220 profiles and enhanced company sponsorships.

America's Pharmacist, the official magazine of the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA).

Pharmacy Today is the monthly medication therapy management (MTM) magazine of the American Pharmacists Association, offering readers profiles of practices that employ unique MTM techniques to effectively serve their patients. Readers can use these profiles as models to develop and improve their own MTM practice, increase patient adherence, and build patient loyalty.

Diabetes publishes original research about the physiology and pathophysiology of diabetes mellitus. Submitted manuscripts can report any aspect of laboratory, animal, or human research. Emphasis is on investigative reports focusing on areas such as the pathogenesis of diabetes and its complications, normal and pathologic pancreatic islet function and intermediary metabolism, pharmacological mechanisms of drug and hormone action, and biochemical and molecular aspects of normal and abnormal biological processes. Studies in the areas of diabetes education or the application of accepted therapeutic and diagnostic approaches to patients with diabetes mellitus are not published.

I have attended the Cardinal Healh RBC meeting annually since 2005.
2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012

Annual meeting in Washington DC.
2067, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012

Attended the annual meeting: 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012

Years I have attended APhA's annual meeting:
1980 (student), 1981 (student), 1985, 1989, 1990, 1993, 1996, 1999, 2003. 2004, 2005, 2009, 2010

I have attended the NCPA meeting on an annual basis since 1992

I have served as a preceptor for pharmacy students since 2007. Students in their final year participate in a six week APPE rotation with a focus on independent pharmacy and compounding.

The objectives of Kappa Psi include:

To conduct a professional fraternal organization for the mutual benefit of its members;

To develop industry, sobriety, and fellowship;

To foster high ideals, scholarship, and pharmaceutical research;

To support all projects which will advance the profession of pharmacy and to actively participate in them;

To inspire in its members a deep and lasting pride in their Fraternity and in the profession of pharmacy;

To render such other services to its members and its profession feasible and in accordance with the constitution and bylaws of the Fraternity.