Helping Hands Kudos: Thanking Each Other for a Job Well Done
Editors Note: Below is a list of kudos received from faculty, staff, students, and alumni recognizing their colleagues and peers for a job well done during the COVID-19 pandemic. This page will be updated as new kudos are received, so be sure to check back frequently.
Ron Kasl as an essential employee has taken it upon himself to look through the mail for PSC. Not just on one but on two separate occasions, Ron has contacted me about transcripts he has noticed that were in the mail room. I replied asking if he could put them in inter-office mail to the Graduate School, Ron gladly consented. This is valuable in supporting the admissions efforts of the Graduate Programs and truly appreciated. Kudos to Ron!
Submitted by Sharese Essien, Program Manager, MS in Regulatory Science
A very special shout out to all the faculty and instructors that teach labs in the PharmD curriculum — Drs. Tricia Ross, Cynthia Boyle, Heather Congdon, Amy Ives, Jim Trovato, Leah Sera, Erin VanMeter, Ashlee Mattingly, Ray Love, Nicki Brandt, and Rachel Sands. The group has continued to work together and support each other as we quickly transitioned to an online format for Spring lab courses.
Submitted by Deanna Tran, PharmD, Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice and Science
Students in the Master of Science in Palliative Care program are especially grateful to Rev. Cheatham, Rev. Scott, Ms. Blacker and Ms. Lattimer for lightening the load a bit in PALC 604, “Psychosocial, Spiritual, Cultural Care.” Students are also especially grateful to Drs. Kamal, Strassels and Steller for their tremendous guidance in the “Research and Outcomes” course in the program! Thanks!
Submitted by Lynn McPherson, PharmD, professor of Pharmacy Practice and Science
The School of Pharmacy community rallied to support our students during this unprecedented time by contributing over $17,000 to the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy Emergency Fund. Combined with the $15,000 in matching funds granted to the School from the trustees of the University of Maryland Baltimore Foundation, we have over $32,000 to provide financial relief to our students effected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Submitted by Greer Griffith, MS, director of alumni relations and annual giving
Tony Du, PhD ’09 helped to collect thousands of personal protective equipment that will be donated to the University of Maryland Medical Center on behalf of the Howard County Chinese-American Community. These supplies are critical in the protection of our front-line health care workers treating patients with COVID-19.
Submitted by Greer Griffith, MS, director of alumni relations and annual giving
As an essential employee, Phil Johnson in our IT team is at the School periodically to check on the servers. During a recent visit, he noticed that a laptop I ordered back in February had been delivered. Phil is a neighbor of mine, so he offered to bring it home so I can pick it up from his house. I appreciate Phil taking these extra steps to make sure I have the computer I need to do my job remotely.
Submitted by Becky Ceraul, Assistant Dean, Office of Communications and Marketing
Robyn Firmin, PharmD ’17 has been making ear saving headbands for her colleagues at Springfield Hospital Center. These headbands will provide some much needed relief for the ears of health care workers who are now required to wear masks all day long.
Submitted by Greer Griffith, MS, director of alumni relations and annual giving
In response to a request from the University of Maryland Medical System, the School of Pharmacy’s Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) Facility donated N95 masks and nitrile gloves. Special thanks to UMB Environmental Health Services for picking up and delivering the supplies.
Submitted by Gary Hollenbeck, PhD
Mena Gaballah, PharmD ’18, JD ’18, an intellectual and health care associate and his colleagues at Crowell & Moring, LLP have been providing counseling to manufacturers, distributors, and others to ensure that their medical products such as testing kits and personal protective equipment are compliant with FDA and other federal regulations in order to best protect our frontline health care workers.
Submitted by Greer Griffith, MS, director of alumni relations and annual giving
Alum Sheriff Gbadamosi, PharmD ’18, a PGY2 critical care pharmacy resident at Penn Medicine while most of his colleagues are now working remotely, he is working daily in the ICU to care for patients whether or not they have been diagnosed with COVID-19. He has been recruited to staff weekends when others call out. He is doing a fantastic job on the frontline.
Submitted by Greer Griffith, MS, director of alumni relations and annual giving
Faculty have somehow managed to quickly find activities for several new APPE students to do since their alternative rotation sites have canceled. They are delegating tasks to residents and other staff to host topic discussions and other activities remotely.
Submitted by Abby Klutts, PharmD ’18
Staff are still coming into work when needed to keep facilities clean and safe! Others are working remotely to keep the UMSOP community informed and safe. Everyone is stepping up to keep “operations as usual” for the most part, as we navigate this complicated telecommuting world, technological glitches and all.
Submitted by Abby Klutts, PharmD ’18
Students are working diligently from home and following advice from public health officials to stay safe. They’re under a significant amount of stress as 4th years prepare to graduate with or without formal commencement activities and underclassmen who have worked extremely hard to bring annual activities to fruition have needed to cancel events or put them on hold. I really feel for the students during this time but I haven’t heard a single complaint. They know these times are unprecedented and they’re really stepping up to be accountable for themselves and their thoughts/actions during this time.
Submitted by Abby Klutts, PharmD ’18