CHSU - CALIFORNIA HEALTH SCIENCES UNIVERSITY CHSU, a privately funded university established in 2012, is committed to health sciences research and improving the access and delivery of quality health care in the San Joaquin Valley. We currently offer a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program and a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) program.

QUICK LINKS

College of Pharmacy 120 N. Clovis Avenue, Clovis, CA 93612 Telephone: (559) 325-3600 info@chsu.edu. College of Osteopathic Medicine 2500 Alluvial Avenue, Clovis, CA 93611

LIBRARY WEBSITE

College of Pharmacy 120 N. Clovis Avenue, Clovis, CA 93612 Telephone: (559) 325-3600 info@chsu.edu. College of Osteopathic Medicine 2500 Alluvial Avenue, Clovis, CA 93611 COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE The CHSU College of Osteopathic Medicine (CHSU-COM) is the Valley’s new medical school. The inaugural cohort of 79 medical students matriculated in July 2020. Aligned with the University mission, the CHSU-COM hopes to recruit, train and retain physicians to serve the Central Valley of California, especially the underserved population. 2021 GRAD STORIES: KAREN CRUZ PELHAM The 2021 Grad Stories is a series dedicated to honoring our California Health Sciences University (CHSU) Doctor of Pharmacy graduates and showcasing their accomplishments throughout their time at CHSU while earning their PharmD degree.

FINANCIAL AID

The Office of Financial Aid at California Health Sciences University is committed to ensuring that CHSU students make informed financial choices. We assist our students in understanding, applying for, and securing financing for a professional education, from the beginning of their academic career at California Health Sciences University to CHSU COLLEGE OF PHARMACY Bridging the Gap for Spanish Speaking Patients in the Central Valley While on his fourth-year clinical rotation in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) of a local hospital, Dr. Raymond Alcaraz, CHSU College of Pharmacy now graduate and Madera native, explains the purpose of a nasogastric (NG) tube is to a young child suffering from jaw cancer and his mother. ADMISSIONS – COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE Requests for advising appointments should be emailed to COMAdmissions@chsu.edu. Please keep in mind that the Admissions Office works diligently to review applications, and responses may not be immediate. For urgent matters, please call (559) 712-4222 and leave a voicemail if you are unable to reach someone. 3. CURRICULUM – COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE California Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine uses a two-pass, systems-based clinical integration curricular model which is based on the premise that a student needs to know and understand normal biomedical and clinical sciences before abnormal or pathological conditions can be addressed. Nutrition, clinical

relevance

COM STUDENT PROGRESS COMMITTEE College of Osteopathic Medicine 2500 Alluvial Avenue, Clovis, CA 93611 Telephone: (559) 712-4200 COMAdmissions@chsu.edu CHSU - CALIFORNIA HEALTH SCIENCES UNIVERSITY CHSU, a privately funded university established in 2012, is committed to health sciences research and improving the access and delivery of quality health care in the San Joaquin Valley. We currently offer a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program and a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) program.

QUICK LINKS

College of Pharmacy 120 N. Clovis Avenue, Clovis, CA 93612 Telephone: (559) 325-3600 info@chsu.edu. College of Osteopathic Medicine 2500 Alluvial Avenue, Clovis, CA 93611

LIBRARY WEBSITE

College of Pharmacy 120 N. Clovis Avenue, Clovis, CA 93612 Telephone: (559) 325-3600 info@chsu.edu. College of Osteopathic Medicine 2500 Alluvial Avenue, Clovis, CA 93611 COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE The CHSU College of Osteopathic Medicine (CHSU-COM) is the Valley’s new medical school. The inaugural cohort of 79 medical students matriculated in July 2020. Aligned with the University mission, the CHSU-COM hopes to recruit, train and retain physicians to serve the Central Valley of California, especially the underserved population. 2021 GRAD STORIES: KAREN CRUZ PELHAM The 2021 Grad Stories is a series dedicated to honoring our California Health Sciences University (CHSU) Doctor of Pharmacy graduates and showcasing their accomplishments throughout their time at CHSU while earning their PharmD degree.

FINANCIAL AID

The Office of Financial Aid at California Health Sciences University is committed to ensuring that CHSU students make informed financial choices. We assist our students in understanding, applying for, and securing financing for a professional education, from the beginning of their academic career at California Health Sciences University to CHSU COLLEGE OF PHARMACY Bridging the Gap for Spanish Speaking Patients in the Central Valley While on his fourth-year clinical rotation in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) of a local hospital, Dr. Raymond Alcaraz, CHSU College of Pharmacy now graduate and Madera native, explains the purpose of a nasogastric (NG) tube is to a young child suffering from jaw cancer and his mother. ADMISSIONS – COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE Requests for advising appointments should be emailed to COMAdmissions@chsu.edu. Please keep in mind that the Admissions Office works diligently to review applications, and responses may not be immediate. For urgent matters, please call (559) 712-4222 and leave a voicemail if you are unable to reach someone. 3. CURRICULUM – COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE California Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine uses a two-pass, systems-based clinical integration curricular model which is based on the premise that a student needs to know and understand normal biomedical and clinical sciences before abnormal or pathological conditions can be addressed. Nutrition, clinical

relevance

COM STUDENT PROGRESS COMMITTEE College of Osteopathic Medicine 2500 Alluvial Avenue, Clovis, CA 93611 Telephone: (559) 712-4200 COMAdmissions@chsu.edu

QUICK LINKS

College of Pharmacy 120 N. Clovis Avenue, Clovis, CA 93612 Telephone: (559) 325-3600 info@chsu.edu. College of Osteopathic Medicine 2500 Alluvial Avenue, Clovis, CA 93611

FINANCIAL AID

The Office of Financial Aid at California Health Sciences University is committed to ensuring that CHSU students make informed financial choices. We assist our students in understanding, applying for, and securing financing for a professional education, from the beginning of their academic career at California Health Sciences University to

CHSU AWARDS

The CHSU Awards are designed to recognize CHSU students, faculty, administration, and staff who exemplify our mission and values. (Integrity, Excellence, Collaboration, Diversity, Innovation, Stewardship and Growth.) Having a culture of recognition and appreciation for excellence while fulfilling our mission and values are very important at CHSU. BILL SMITTCAMP AND LYNNETTE ZELEZNY JOIN CHSU BOARD OF California Health Sciences University (CHSU) is pleased to announce the appointment of two new trustees to their Board: Mr. Bill Smittcamp, President and 2021 GRAD STORIES: KAREN CRUZ PELHAM The 2021 Grad Stories is a series dedicated to honoring our California Health Sciences University (CHSU) Doctor of Pharmacy graduates and showcasing their accomplishments throughout their time at CHSU while earning their PharmD degree.

THE DO DIFFERENCE

What is Osteopathic Medicine? Osteopathic medicine is a distinct branch of medical practice in the United States. Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine, or DOs, are fully licensed physicians who practice in all areas of medicine and can specialize in specific areas of patient care, such as family medicine, internal medicine, emergency medicine, surgery, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, and all GRADUATION – CHSU COLLEGE OF PHARMACY COVID Fully Vaccinated / Negative COVID Test Requirements. All Graduation attendees will need to show proof of either 1) being fully vaccinated or 2) having a COVID-19 test with a negative result taken within 72 hours of Graduation. A photo ID is also required for admission. Fully Vaccinated means a 14-day period following the final dose of COVID-19 Vaccine (2nd dose, if Pfizer or Moderna

TEACHING KITCHEN

teaching kitchen Facilities. The CHSU Teaching Kitchen is located in the CHSU College of Osteopathic Medicine building and is equipped with all of the essentials for a cooking class (including ovens, range, food preparation areas, refrigerator, storage), as well as multiple cameras and viewing screens so culinary techniques can be demonstrated for a large class or recorded for future class review.

CHSU-COM CLERKSHIPS

The College of Osteopathic Medicine partners with several local health care professionals and health care organizations to place students in clinical clerkships during their medical school education. In years three and four, COM students gain hands-on experience through their clinical clerkships based at the sites on this map which are regional

SUNDEEP GREWAL, DO

Degrees:. D.O., Western University of Health Sciences. B.S. in Molecular Genetics, University of California, Davis. Specialty:. Internal Medicine Board Certified CHSU - CALIFORNIA HEALTH SCIENCES UNIVERSITY CHSU, a privately funded university established in 2012, is committed to health sciences research and improving the access and delivery of quality health care in the San Joaquin Valley. We currently offer a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program and a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) program.

QUICK LINKS

College of Pharmacy 120 N. Clovis Avenue, Clovis, CA 93612 Telephone: (559) 325-3600 info@chsu.edu. College of Osteopathic Medicine 2500 Alluvial Avenue, Clovis, CA 93611

LIBRARY WEBSITE

College of Pharmacy 120 N. Clovis Avenue, Clovis, CA 93612 Telephone: (559) 325-3600 info@chsu.edu. College of Osteopathic Medicine 2500 Alluvial Avenue, Clovis, CA 93611 COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE The CHSU College of Osteopathic Medicine (CHSU-COM) is the Valley’s new medical school. The inaugural cohort of 79 medical students matriculated in July 2020. Aligned with the University mission, the CHSU-COM hopes to recruit, train and retain physicians to serve the Central Valley of California, especially the underserved population. 2021 GRAD STORIES: KAREN CRUZ PELHAM The 2021 Grad Stories is a series dedicated to honoring our California Health Sciences University (CHSU) Doctor of Pharmacy graduates and showcasing their accomplishments throughout their time at CHSU while earning their PharmD degree. CHSU COLLEGE OF PHARMACY Bridging the Gap for Spanish Speaking Patients in the Central Valley While on his fourth-year clinical rotation in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) of a local hospital, Dr. Raymond Alcaraz, CHSU College of Pharmacy now graduate and Madera native, explains the purpose of a nasogastric (NG) tube is to a young child suffering from jaw cancer and his mother. ADMISSIONS – COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE Requests for advising appointments should be emailed to COMAdmissions@chsu.edu. Please keep in mind that the Admissions Office works diligently to review applications, and responses may not be immediate. For urgent matters, please call (559) 712-4222 and leave a voicemail if you are unable to reach someone. 3.

DEAN’S WELCOME

Dean’s Welcome. Welcome to California Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine (COM-COM)your medical school journey begins now. The CHSU-COM is making history in the Central Valley and we hope you are inspired to join the Class of 2024 medical students already hard at work and learning in the Valley’s new medical school GRADUATION – CHSU COLLEGE OF PHARMACY CHSU will purchase your graduation regalia from Jostens for the CHSU College of Pharmacy Class of 2021. Graduates need to complete the Regalia Ordering form by February 5, 2021 to avoid arrival delays. The link to the form was included in the Graduation Application Packet

emailed to

COM STUDENT PROGRESS COMMITTEE College of Osteopathic Medicine 2500 Alluvial Avenue, Clovis, CA 93611 Telephone: (559) 712-4200 COMAdmissions@chsu.edu CHSU - CALIFORNIA HEALTH SCIENCES UNIVERSITY CHSU, a privately funded university established in 2012, is committed to health sciences research and improving the access and delivery of quality health care in the San Joaquin Valley. We currently offer a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program and a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) program.

QUICK LINKS

College of Pharmacy 120 N. Clovis Avenue, Clovis, CA 93612 Telephone: (559) 325-3600 info@chsu.edu. College of Osteopathic Medicine 2500 Alluvial Avenue, Clovis, CA 93611

LIBRARY WEBSITE

College of Pharmacy 120 N. Clovis Avenue, Clovis, CA 93612 Telephone: (559) 325-3600 info@chsu.edu. College of Osteopathic Medicine 2500 Alluvial Avenue, Clovis, CA 93611 COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE The CHSU College of Osteopathic Medicine (CHSU-COM) is the Valley’s new medical school. The inaugural cohort of 79 medical students matriculated in July 2020. Aligned with the University mission, the CHSU-COM hopes to recruit, train and retain physicians to serve the Central Valley of California, especially the underserved population. 2021 GRAD STORIES: KAREN CRUZ PELHAM The 2021 Grad Stories is a series dedicated to honoring our California Health Sciences University (CHSU) Doctor of Pharmacy graduates and showcasing their accomplishments throughout their time at CHSU while earning their PharmD degree. CHSU COLLEGE OF PHARMACY Bridging the Gap for Spanish Speaking Patients in the Central Valley While on his fourth-year clinical rotation in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) of a local hospital, Dr. Raymond Alcaraz, CHSU College of Pharmacy now graduate and Madera native, explains the purpose of a nasogastric (NG) tube is to a young child suffering from jaw cancer and his mother. ADMISSIONS – COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE Requests for advising appointments should be emailed to COMAdmissions@chsu.edu. Please keep in mind that the Admissions Office works diligently to review applications, and responses may not be immediate. For urgent matters, please call (559) 712-4222 and leave a voicemail if you are unable to reach someone. 3.

DEAN’S WELCOME

Dean’s Welcome. Welcome to California Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine (COM-COM)your medical school journey begins now. The CHSU-COM is making history in the Central Valley and we hope you are inspired to join the Class of 2024 medical students already hard at work and learning in the Valley’s new medical school GRADUATION – CHSU COLLEGE OF PHARMACY CHSU will purchase your graduation regalia from Jostens for the CHSU College of Pharmacy Class of 2021. Graduates need to complete the Regalia Ordering form by February 5, 2021 to avoid arrival delays. The link to the form was included in the Graduation Application Packet

emailed to

COM STUDENT PROGRESS COMMITTEE College of Osteopathic Medicine 2500 Alluvial Avenue, Clovis, CA 93611 Telephone: (559) 712-4200 COMAdmissions@chsu.edu ABOUT US – CHSU – CALIFORNIA HEALTH SCIENCES UNIVERSITY About California Health Sciences University (CHSU) California Health Sciences University (CHSU) is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). Founded in 2012 and envisioned by the Assemi family, CHSU offers a local option for those seeking to attend pharmacy or medical school and to help remedy the shortage of

STUDENT HOUSING

College of Pharmacy 120 N. Clovis Avenue, Clovis, CA 93612 Telephone: (559) 325-3600 info@chsu.edu. College of Osteopathic Medicine 2500 Alluvial Avenue, Clovis, CA 93611

FINANCIAL AID

The Office of Financial Aid at California Health Sciences University is committed to ensuring that CHSU students make informed financial choices. We assist our students in understanding, applying for, and securing financing for a professional education, from the beginning of their academic career at California Health Sciences University to EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES CHSU plans to open up to 10 post-graduate colleges to train health care professionals in the coming years. The timing and specific discipline for each new school will be determined based on the need and opportunity for job placement within the region. Founded in 2012, CHSU is proud to be the first university of its kind in the Central

Valley!

THE DO DIFFERENCE

What is Osteopathic Medicine? Osteopathic medicine is a distinct branch of medical practice in the United States. Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine, or DOs, are fully licensed physicians who practice in all areas of medicine and can specialize in specific areas of patient care, such as family medicine, internal medicine, emergency medicine, surgery, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, and all LESLIE D. CATRON, M.A.ED, BSN, RN, CHSE Degrees and Certifications: M.A.ED, Fresno Pacific University, Fresno, CA; BSN, University of Dundee, Dundee, Scotland, UK; Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator

SUSAN ELY, PHD

Degrees: Ph.D in Molecular Biology & Microbiology, Tufts University Medical School; B.S. in Zoology, University of New Hampshire; Specialty: Molecular Biology NUTRITION & CULINARY MEDICINE CURRICULUM The Journal of American Osteopathic Association, Vol. 119, 243-249. 2019. Contact Information. Phone: 559-712-4127. Email: skadavakollu@chsu.edu. Curriculum. The CHSU-COM incorporates nutrition into each course taught in the first two years of our Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) program. COM STUDENT PROGRESS COMMITTEE College of Osteopathic Medicine 2500 Alluvial Avenue, Clovis, CA 93611 Telephone: (559) 712-4200 COMAdmissions@chsu.edu

KEVIN STEED, PHD

Degrees: Ph.D. in Neuroscience, Brigham Young University. B.S. in Molecular Biology, Brigham Young University. Specialty: Neuroscience, physiology. Most recent Skip to main content Enable accessibility for

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COLLEGE PROGRAMS

Welcome to California Health Sciences University (CHSU), the first university of its kind in the Central Valley. CHSU, a privately funded university established in 2012, is committed to health sciences research and improving the access and delivery of quality health care in the San Joaquin Valley. We currently offer a DOCTOR OF PHARMACY (PHARMD) PROGRAM and a DOCTOR OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE (DO)

PROGRAM .

RECENT NEWS

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2021 Grad Stories: Raymond Alcaraz Bridging the Gap for Spanish Speaking Patients in the Central Valley While on his fourth-year clinical rotation in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) of a local hospital, Dr. Raymond Alcaraz, CHSU College of Pharmacy now graduate and Madera native, explains the purpose of a nasogastric (NG) tube is to a young child suffering from jaw cancer and his mother. Dr. Alcaraz assures the child that the tube won’t hurt and will help get him the nutrients he needs to withstand the chemotherapy. Dr. Alcaraz is fluent in Spanish and he was tasked with helping this Spanish-speaking patient and his mother understand what this treatment will do to help him survive. Finally assured, the child acquiesces, and his mother expresses her gratefulness and relief. Surprisingly, very few pharmacists are able to connect with Spanish-speaking patients in this way. “Being a bilingual pharmacist, I used Spanish at every single fourth-year rotation I had been at – bridging the gap without even realizing it,” said Dr. Alcaraz. For Dr. Alcaraz, helping break down the language and cultural barriers between Spanish speaking patients and their health care providers has always been his top priority. At the age of 4, he lost his mother due to a heart attack caused by an accidental prescription medication overdose. His mother only spoke Spanish, and her doctor did not. The miscommunication between his mother and her doctor about the amount of medication to take at one time, took Dr. Alcaraz’s mother away too soon and set him on a course to honor her life. At the time, he didn’t understand why he lost his mother or the chemistry behind what the excess medication was doing to her body. He sought answers and decided to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry at UCLA to learn how prescription drugs work. He then turned his sights on earning a Doctor of Pharmacy degree at CHSU, where he learned about the chemistry behind the prophylactic migraine medication that his mother was taking, connecting the dots to her tragic death. “I came to pharmacy school to be the change I wish to see in the world, to be that bilingual clinical pharmacist that can actually communicate the warnings and precautions properly to patients here in the Central Valley and lead by example,” said Dr. Alcaraz. In addition to his studies, he made the most of his extracurricular time at CHSU. He served as a CHSU Lead Student Ambassador and a mentor for the CHSU Próspero Program, a pathway program to prepare high school and undergraduate college students for a career in pharmacy. One of the most rewarding experiences was teaching Madera area middle school students about pharmacy during a field trip to the CHSU College of Pharmacy. “When we had Madera middle school students here for a tour at CHSU and they heard my story, found out I was from Madera, they started realizing that they too could pursue a career in pharmacy,” he said. Dr. Alcaraz was also a part of a multitude of student organizations and volunteer opportunities. He held leadership positions in Phi Delta Chi and Phi Lambda Sigma. He was a member of the California Pharmacists Association (CPhA), the Student National Pharmaceutical Association (SNPhA), the American Pharmacist Association Academy of Student Pharmacists (APhA-ASP), the California Society of Health-System Pharmacists (CSHP) and the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). He also participated in research and presented an evaluative study on an investigational drug called compound 21 that shows promise in helping mitigate the effects of losing alveolar epithelial cells, a major contribution to pulmonary fibrosis and other respiratory illnesses, especially for people living in the Central Valley. After graduation, Dr. Alcaraz will be working as a community pharmacist at a local Walgreens. He hopes to one day pursue further education and apply for a residency program to allow him to work as a clinical pharmacist in a hospital setting. Dr. Raymond Alcaraz will be graduating Cum Laude this Saturday, May 15, 2021 with his Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) from CHSU. The 2021 Grad Stories is a series dedicated to honoring our California Health Sciences University (CHSU) Doctor of Pharmacy graduates and showcasing their accomplishments throughout their time at CHSU while earning their PharmD degree.... Read more...

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2021 Grad Stories: Karen Cruz

Pelham

From Emergency Room Scribe to PharmD, CHSU Grad Leads the Next Generation of Pharmacists Dr. Karen Cruz Pelham, CHSU College of Pharmacy graduate, is widely versed in the health care industry and always knew she wanted to deliver patient care. While completing her undergrad at Fresno State, she worked in emergency rooms as a scribe. She then shifted to working for the Informatics Department at Saint Agnes Medical Center as a Clinical Technology Specialist. She was present during the transition to electronic medical records and was a specialist in the Cerner software, providing training and support to physicians, nurses, and hospital staff. But her ultimate goal was to become a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) and help patients. Dr. Pelham was born in the United States but raised in Mexico until the age of 6. When her family came back to the US, she didn’t know any English. Her parents moved around often, but eventually settled down in Parlier to be near her aunt.  It was in her sophomore year at Fresno State when she lost her father, who suffered from multiple chronic conditions including Multiple Sclerosis and Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. “He had a bucket full of meds and he would have to take those every day,” said Dr. Pelham, “That’s what got me interested in science and medicine. Seeing him taking all those medications and how his disease progression evolved was what got me interested in pharmacy.” She was accepted into the CHSU College of Pharmacy and started seeing all that pharmacists can do in a patient setting. While on a fourth-year rotation at Doctors Medical Center in Modesto, her Spanish speaking skills became very beneficial when she started seeing Spanish-speaking patients by herself to provide diabetes education and train them how to use insulin pens. “Everyone has this picture in their head that pharmacy is just counting pills because that’s what you see in community pharmacy, but in reality, one of the great things about pharmacy is that you can become an advanced practice pharmacist and still provide that medical care to patients,” said Dr. Pelham. While pursuing her goal of becoming a bilingual pharmacist, she faced another unexpected challenge. In December of 2019, she lost her mother to brain cancer. Her mother was a big part in helping her secure financial aid and get into pharmacy school. “I dedicate all my hard work and efforts to my mom and dad and I always want to make them proud. I know they are watching over me everyday,” she said. During her time at CHSU, she was highly involved in student organizations and leadership activities. She was selected as one of 22 collegiate pharmacy students from across the United States to be part of the inaugural Phi Lambda Sigma Pharmacy Leadership Academy. This intensive and prestigious leadership training program was designed to help good leaders become great leaders in the profession of pharmacy. She completes her Leadership Academy training at the end of this month. She also served as the Class President for two years, was involved with the Student National Pharmaceutical Association (SNPhA), Kappa Psi, the American Pharmacist Association Academy of Student Pharmacists (APhA-ASP), served on the CHSU COP Assessment and Co-Curricular Committee and was a mentor for the CVS/CHSU Próspero Program, a pathway program to prepare high school and undergraduate college students for a career in pharmacy. Recently, she presented a poster at ASHP MidYear 2020 in December titled: Cisplatin and Renal Dysfunction; Where Electrolytes Begin and Forced Diuresis Ends. After graduation, Dr. Pelham will be starting the Kern Medical Center’s PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency program in Bakersfield, designed to provide a solid foundation in acute and ambulatory pharmaceutical care, drug policy development, and professional leadership. She plans on earning her teaching certificate while completing her residency and eventually become an adjunct professor and preceptor for future pharmacy students. She also wants to work on obtaining her Advanced Practice Pharmacist Certificate to become authorized to provide more direct patient care. Dr. Karen Cruz Pelham will be graduating Summa Cum Laude this Saturday, May 15, 2021 with her Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) from CHSU. The 2021 Grad Stories is a series dedicated to honoring our California Health Sciences University (CHSU) Doctor of Pharmacy graduates and showcasing their accomplishments throughout their time at CHSU while earning their PharmD degree.... Read more...

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2021 Grad Stories: Poonam Patel Local Grad Hopes to Open Pharmacy in Bakersfield When Dr. Poonam Patel, CHSU College of Pharmacy graduate, moved to the United States in 2016 from India, she had her sights set on a doctoral pharmacy program. She had already earned her Bachelor of Pharmacy in India and moved to Bakersfield, CA with her husband to build a career in pharmacy and health care. One challenge she had to overcome was refining her use of the English language. “In the beginning, I wasn’t very fluent in English and I was self-conscious about speaking in English. My husband helped me refine my English which helped for the interview with CHSU and for the intern pharmacist interview with Kaiser. Now I have no fear of public speaking,” said Dr. Patel. She was accepted into the CHSU College of Pharmacy program and she started working at Kaiser Permanente as an intern pharmacist where she gained further experience in pharmacy. During the last four years at CHSU, she spent a lot of time with her peers working on class projects and would often spend long hours with her team preparing for exams. She cherished that time she had to bond with her classmates and has many fond memories of those late-night study sessions. In addition to her studies, she participated in SAFE (Senior Awareness and Fall Education), a program developed by the Department of Physical Therapy at California State University, Fresno that partners with CHSU to reduce falls among older adults by raising awareness, establishing a network of services and advocating on their behalf. In her pursuit of higher education, Dr. Patel matched with the Kaiser Permanente Residency Program in Bakersfield where she will build experience in ambulatory care. As an ambulatory care pharmacist, she will meet with patients who suffer from chronic conditions and help manage their medications under the supervision of a physician. “I was an intern pharmacist with Kaiser and I love working there, so my goal after completing my residency is to be hired on as an ambulatory care pharmacist,” she said. She also hopes to help her husband, also a PharmD, open an independent pharmacy in Bakersfield or in the Fresno area – a dream of hers since she first moved to the United States. Dr. Poonam Patel will be graduating Summa Cum Laude this Saturday, May 15, 2021 with her Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) from CHSU. The 2021 Grad Stories is a series dedicated to honoring our California Health Sciences University (CHSU) Doctor of Pharmacy graduates and showcasing their accomplishments throughout their time at CHSU while earning their PharmD degree.... Read more...

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2021 Grad Stories: Moneeza Mian From Shadowing Opportunity to Residency, CHSU Grad Serves Patients in Local Hospital Dr. Moneeza Mian, CHSU College of Pharmacy graduate and Fresno native, had an interest in health care from a very young age. Both of her parents work in health care and she was inspired to become a pharmacist by the way her parents cared for people. After shadowing a clinical pharmacist before applying for a doctoral program, she realized that being a pharmacist was a great way to provide patient care to her local community. “I shadowed a clinical pharmacist at Clovis Community Medical Center and really fell in love with what they did and how the physicians and nurses relied on the pharmacist and their knowledge. That is what made me want to pursue pharmacy compared to other professions in healthcare,” said Dr. Mian. A pharmacist can make a great impact on patient care, whether it be through educating patients on medications or catching medication errors, and the ability to work on the health care team with physicians, nurses, and other providers appealed to her. Pharmacists are a great asset to rounds and are a valuable part of the patient care team. During her time at CHSU, Dr. Mian was part of several extracurricular activities including the CHSU Ambassador program, the California Society of Health-System Pharmacists (CSHP), the American Pharmacist Association Academy of Student Pharmacists (APhA-ASP), Kappa Psi and SAFE (Senior Awareness and Fall Education), a program developed by the Department of Physical Therapy at California State University, Fresno that partners with CHSU to reduce falls among older adults by raising awareness, establishing a network of services and advocating on their behalf. She also participated in a research elective, where she worked with a CHSU faculty member to examine nanoparticle drug delivery for ovarian cancer and lung cancer. She spent three semesters working on the research and presented poster and podium presentations at CHSU’s Annual Research Day. While developing a passion for research, Dr. Mian learned some valuable insights that she was able to take with her on a fourth-year Advanced Practice Pharmacy Experience (APPE) while on rotation at Community Cancer Institute. “I developed an interest in oncology from the research I did at CHSU and the oncology course I took during didactics. When I was on my APPE rotation, it was nice to see how all of that came into play for patient care. From the research to textbook learning and seeing it in practice, it was a good learning opportunity overall,” she said. While in her first year of pharmacy school, she started working for Clovis Community Medical Center as an intern pharmacist and has continued to work there since. When the time came to apply for residency programs, she knew Clovis Community was her first choice. “I highly respect the pharmacists that work there and it’s a really amazing hospital. They’re expanding, and I have really enjoyed my time there as an intern. So, when I matched there I was really happy because their program aligns with what I want to do as a clinical pharmacist,” she said. After graduation, Dr. Mian will begin the Clovis Community Medical Center PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency Program and plans on becoming a clinical pharmacist. She also may choose to pursue a PGY-2 residency to specialize in a field. Dr. Moneeza Mian will be graduating Cum Laude this Saturday, May 15, 2021 with her Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) from CHSU. The 2021 Grad Stories is a series dedicated to honoring our California Health Sciences University (CHSU) Doctor of Pharmacy graduates and showcasing their accomplishments throughout their time at CHSU while earning their PharmD degree.... Read more...

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2021 Grad Stories: Brooke Jacobi Kingsburg Native Becomes Pharmacist to Improve the Health of the Community Dr. Brooke Jacobi, CHSU College of Pharmacy graduate and Kingsburg native, always knew she wanted to be a part of the medical field, and she saw the opportunity to become a pharmacist and help provide patient care. She completed her undergraduate requirements at Fresno Pacific University and has now earned a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree. She was born and raised here in the Central Valley and her family is involved in agriculture. Kingsburg is her home and where she plans to practice as a pharmacist. She also has several family members who are pharmacists, who sparked her interest in pharmacy when deciding what career path to take. “I have quite a few family members who are pharmacists and I saw what they did and it was interesting to me. So I decided to do some shadowing,” said Dr. Jacobi. “I always wanted to be involved in the medical field, but didn’t want to become a physician, so pharmacy was a better fit.” Pharmacists have direct contact with patients both in the community pharmacy setting and in clinical settings, like a hospital or clinic. As Dr. Jacobi went through her fourth-year clinical rotations, it became apparent that as a pharmacist she would be able to interact with patients and help them improve their health and overall wellbeing – not only through medicinal therapies, but through developing relationships with patients to promote a healthy lifestyle. One health topic that hits close to home for her is the opioid epidemic. She has had family struggle with opioid addiction and when she had the opportunity to take an elective course at CHSU about pain management and opioid overuse, she jumped on the opportunity. The class taught students how to spot red flags of addiction and other things you can do to help in that situation. She completed the NARCAN training course that reinforced how to recognize the signs of an opioid overdose and administer the opioid overdose reversal drug Naloxone, a nasal spray that can reverse the effects of an overdose. She also was a part of the Lock It Up Project, a campaign to limit youth access to substances in home settings. “I think pharmacists are able to make a positive impact on people’s lives who are addicted to substances or in progress of going down that route. My goal someday as a pharmacist is to promote other measures for pain other than opioids because I know that those can be addicting,” said Dr. Jacobi. And as a pharmacist, especially in the community setting that she will be working in after graduation, developing relationships with their patients can allow them to help spot red flags for prescription addiction. But more than that, it’s an opportunity to help all their patients adopt a healthy lifestyle. “I like that you get to see the patients each month. For any maintenance medications, like hypertension, diabetes, and cholesterol drugs, you get to see them on a monthly basis and just check in on them, form a more personal relationship and encourage them stay on top of their health,” she said. Her favorite memories of her time at CHSU revolved around the friendships she cultivated through working in a team learning environment and working on projects together with classmates. In addition to class time, student teams often spend a lot of time together studying and working on class projects. She also worked as an intern pharmacist at the Kaiser Permanente pharmacy in Fresno. After graduation, Dr. Jacobi will start working at Walgreens and plans to stay in the Central Valley as a community pharmacist. Dr. Brooke Jacobi will be graduating Summa Cum Laude this Saturday, May 15, 2021 with her Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) from CHSU. The 2021 Grad Stories is a series dedicated to honoring our California Health Sciences University (CHSU) Doctor of Pharmacy graduates and showcasing their accomplishments throughout their time at CHSU while earning their PharmD degree.... Read more...

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CHSU Pharmacy

Student is Proud to Help End the Pandemic Raymond Alcaraz is preparing to graduate from the CHSU Doctor of Pharmacy program this May after persevering during the global pandemic. He had the opportunity to see the impact of COVID-19 and participate in the vaccine administration process while on his fourth year Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) rotations. While Alcaraz was on his hospital rotation at Adventist Health Hanford, he got to experience what it’s like to be a clinical pharmacist and see the impact the pandemic has had on our local health care institutions. Clinical pharmacists work directly with physicians, other health professionals, and patients to ensure that the medications prescribed contribute to the best health outcomes for the patient. Alcaraz was a part of patient rounds in the ICU. During these morning rounds, he worked with nurses, dietitians, respiratory therapists, internists, and infectious disease physicians to help evaluate each patient’s progress and assess medication changes, some of them suffering from the COVID-19 virus. Alcaraz is fluent in Spanish, a skill that is critical for the care of many patients here in the Central Valley. In addition to patient care, Alcaraz worked in the hospital’s compounding lab to make IV medications for patients in various units at the hospital. He worked in the IV laminar flow hood to compound Remdesivir saline bags used to treat COVID-19 patients in the hospital. He also spent part of his rotation administering the Moderna vaccine to Adventist Health employees, patients, and local law enforcement. Because Alcaraz has completed continuing education (CE) to administer immunizations, he was able to give the injection to the patient, not just draw the vaccine from the vile. “I feel empowered when I administer the COVID vaccine because I am part of the solution to hopefully end the pandemic,” said Alcaraz. “I am being a part of the change that I wish to see in the world by helping administer the vaccine and I encourage everyone to get it.” While the pandemic posed challenges to many fourth year pharmacy rotation sites, Alcaraz was appreciative of the opportunity to assist at Adventist Health Hanford and build upon the skills that will help him in the industry after graduation.... Read more...

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CHSU Engages Aspiring Health Care Professionals In a patient room of the California Health Sciences University (CHSU) Simulation Center, a high school junior finds a good vein on the IV arm task trainer to insert her IV. Leslie Catron, CHSU Simulation Center Director, nods. The student inserts the canula, removes the needle, attaches the extension, and flushes it with saline to rid the tube of the red distilled water creeping in, successfully completing the simulation. For many high school students, this experience at the CHSU Health Careers Bootcamp is the first time they’ve actually practiced techniques used in health care. With a focus on the next generation, CHSU is educating and engaging aspiring health care professionals at the high school level and introduce them to the various health care careers. Partnering with four local high schools, CHSU introduced the CHSU Health Careers Bootcamp series where students participate in hands-on health care simulations and learn about health careers from professionals in the field. As the pandemic continues, CHSU has innovatively adapted to the needs of the individual school districts. CHSU provided a virtual experience for several high school students at Madera South High School in March and Central High School in April, allowing them to experience a Code Blue situation from a bird’s eye view of the CHSU Simulation Center’s Emergency Room. The Simulation Center team played the roles of EMT, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, respiratory therapist, ECG technician, and physician (who was giving orders over the phone while managing another simulated patient) to help illustrate various health care provider roles during an emergency. The patient was a high-fidelity manikin suffering from severe smoke inhalation after a house fire. Students had the opportunity to direct the CHSU Simulation team on the next steps for treatment and ask questions about the scenario. During the in-person bootcamp for Sanger High School and Sunnyside High School, each student rotated through five simulation stations where they practiced how to insert an IV, administer an intramuscular (IM) injection, perform CPR, take vitals, administer a nebulizer treatment, and respond to a Code Blue scenario – all on CHSU’s high-fidelity manikins. All students, whether participating in the virtual or in-person bootcamps, had the opportunity to hear from various health care professionals, explore the medical school admissions process, and learn how to research medical information and careers with the CHSU Health Sciences Library. Over 75 local high school students have participated in these bootcamps in March and April. The CHSU Health Careers Bootcamps are made possible with funding from a $20,000 grant awarded to CHSU by the National Network of Libraries of Medicine Pacific Southwest Region (NNLM-PSR), who offers Express Outreach Awards to support projects that are designed to increase awareness of health information resources for health professionals, consumers, public health professionals, community centers, and minority health practitioners. CHSU’s goal is to spark high school students’ interest not only in CHSU’s own osteopathic medical and pharmacy schools, but also in collaborating educational institutions offering programs in respiratory therapy, medical assistance, ultrasonography, and dietetics and nutrition through the demonstration of inpatient hospital scenario simulations, as well as outpatient medical office simulation settings. The grant was used to pay for additional simulation equipment and supplies to allow students to actually practice techniques in a safe environment on manikins and task trainers. Students were able to take home their sample PPE kits including yellow isolation gowns, nitrile gloves, surgical masks and face shields. CHSU was also able to invest in task trainers like Multi-Venous IV Training Arms and CPR manikins that can continue to be used for future bootcamps. Led by Joanne Muellenbach, CHSU Health Sciences Library Director, the multi-disciplined CHSU Award team includes: Dr. John Graneto, Dean and Chief Academic Officer of the College of Osteopathic Medicine and Vice President of Health Affairs (COM); Dr. Lisa Chun, Associate Dean, Osteopathic Clinical Education and Simulation (COM); Dr. Samuel Kadavakollu, Interim Department Chair of Biomedical Education, Associate Professor, and Director of MCAT and Preparatory Programs (COM); Joanne Muellenbach, Health Sciences Library Director; Katie Hoskins, Research and Instruction Librarian; Kyle Robinson, Electronic and Technical Services Librarian; Leslie Catron, Simulation Center Director and Instructor; Ralph Herrera, Simulation Specialist, Operations; Thayer Merritt, Simulation Specialist, Mixed Reality; Nanami Yoshioka, Standardized Patient Educator; Sierra Ross, Simulation Center Supply Clerk; Richele Kleiser, Vice President, Marketing and Communications; Kayleigh Bader, Marketing Coordinator; Zea Moullet, Director of Admissions (COM); and Julie Lynes, Education Skills Specialist (COM). For more information about the CHSU Health Careers Bootcamps please contact info@chsu.edu. Madera South High School: Sanger High School: Central High School West Campus: Sunnyside High School:... Read more...

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CHSU Hosts Clovis Police Department for a Prescription Drug

Abuse Workshop

In April, California Health Sciences University’s College of Pharmacy welcomed a small group from the Clovis Police Department and Fresno County District Attorney’s Office on campus for a four-hour workshop about prescription drug abuse and identifying counterfeit drugs. Harish Parihar, PhD, RPh, Associate Dean for Academics and Professor of Social and Economic Sciences (COP) and David Ombengi, PharmD, MBA, MPH, Chair of Clinical Sciences and Associate Professor of  (COP) taught workshop participants about various drug schedules and formulations, types of illicit drugs, and techniques to identify counterfeit drugs. They also received tools and resources to detect prescription drug products when out in the field. CHSU looks forward to developing their partnership with Clovis Police Department and other local law enforcement agencies to educate the community about drug awareness and safety.... Read more...

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CHSU-COM

Volunteers Nearly 500 Hours Giving COVID Vaccines When California Health Sciences University’s College of Osteopathic Medicine heard about the need for volunteer vaccinators to administer COVID-19 vaccinations at the Fresno Fairgrounds, faculty and students were eager to answer the call. First year CHSU-COM students were trained in February on vaccine administration and intramuscular injections (IM). Typically, medical students would be trained to administer these in the second year of their curriculum during their Clinical Skills class. Since February, 57 CHSU-COM students have volunteered, spending many Saturday mornings at the Fairgrounds administering COVID vaccines. While the medical student curriculum is vigorous and many hours outside of class are spent studying, CHSU-COM students saw our community’s need for vaccinators and still wanted to participate in this extracurricular volunteering opportunity. Seven of the CHSU-COM faculty and administrators joined the students to help oversee vaccine administrations. Thanks to John Graneto, DO, MEd, FACOP, FACOEP-dist, FNAOME, Dean, Chief Academic Officer, Vice President of Health Affairs of the CHSU College of Osteopathic Medicine; Lisa Chun, DO, MS.MEdL, FNAOME, CPE, OHPF, Associate Dean, Osteopathic Clinical Education and Simulation; Leslie Catron, M.A.ED, BSN, RN, CHSE, Simulation Center Director and Instructor; Richard Geshel, DO, Associate Professor of Osteopathic Principles and Practices; Pamela Kammen, MD, Assistant Professor of Specialty Medicine; Chhaya Makhija, MD, Adjunct Assistant Professor of Specialty Medicine; and Larry Miller, DO, PhD, Adjunct Assistant Professor of Primary Care for overseeing the CHSU-COM students, accounting for 190 volunteer hours of the 475 hour total. This World Immunization Week, CHSU encourages widespread and early COVID-19 vaccination of all eligible individuals to help ensure the health of our community and restore the activities of our daily lives that have been missed for the past year. Learn more about Fresno County’s vaccination sites at https://www.co.fresno.ca.us/departments/public-health/covid-19  ...

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$1 Million Donation to CHSU Scholarship Fund California Health Sciences University President, Florence Dunn, recently announced that Gerald and Nanette Lyles have gifted another million dollars to the CHSU Scholarship Fund. “Jerry and Nanette have been amazing supporters since the very beginning of our University’s journey; they founded the Scholarship Fund with their first gift of $1 million,” said President Dunn. In 2014, the Lyles’ founded the CHSU Scholarship Fund recognizing that without financial support, many students would not have the opportunity to pursue pharmacy or medical school. The generosity of the Lyles’ has inspired other donors, and as a result, CHSU students have been awarded nearly $2 million in scholarships to date. “We believe that helping Valley students attain local education contributes to improving their lives and futures as well as the health and well-being of Valley residents,” said Jerry Lyles. “We are proud to see that first-hand with the first several classes of pharmacy graduates.” Jerry is an inaugural member of the CHSU Board of Trustees and continues to serve on the board. “His guidance, contributions, and commitment to this community have been invaluable,” said President Dunn. CHSU sincerely appreciates Jerry and Nanette for their generosity and making the difference for many students; helping them to stay local to serve the Valley’s health care needs.... Read

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