Arlington, Va. – The National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) Foundation today announced the participants for the 2018-2019 Faculty Scholars Program. Six faculty members from pharmacy schools and colleges nationwide have been selected as members of this year’s class to complete the educational program designed and executed in collaboration with the University of Pittsburgh.

In its sixth year, the NACDS Foundation Faculty Scholars program is designed to engage emerging research faculty at U.S. schools and colleges of pharmacy in meaningful community pharmacy-based patient care research. This year, the Foundation has extended the program from a 12-month to an 18-month timeframe. Each Faculty Scholar will receive a research grant to launch a patient-focused research project conducted in a community pharmacy setting, and will have the opportunity to be mentored by experienced researchers and connect with thought leaders in pharmacy care.

“We are thrilled to have this talented, eminently qualified group of professors as the 2018-2019 NACDS Foundation Faculty Scholars,” said NACDS Foundation President Kathleen Jaeger. “We look forward to the significant contributions we are sure they will make in advancing patient care, while also enhancing their research skills to further the overall goal of improving public health.”

To date, 21 scholars have participated in the program, representing 18 schools of pharmacy nationwide. Each of the prior scholars has developed an initial research project and presented their findings at several American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy Annual Meetings.

The professors of pharmacy who have been awarded this year’s distinction are:

• Wendy H. Updike, PharmD, BCPS, University of South Florida
• Nicole C. Pezzino, PharmD, BCACP, CDE, Wilkes University
• Klodiana Myftari, PharmD, Midwestern University
• Julie Akers, PharmD, BCACP, Washington State University
• Cortney M. Mospan, PharmD, BCACP, BCGP, Wingate University
• Ana Hincapie – PhD, MS, University of Cincinnati

This 18-month program will utilize a variety of teaching methods including web-based lecture content, online discussion forums, conference call discussions, individual mentoring and live meetings.