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College of Pharmacy Pharmacists earn CE credits by broadcast by Chris West Public Relations Lights! Camera! Education? In December of 2000, the College of Pharmacy (COP) Continuing Education Program celebrated the 12th anniversary of its Pharmacy Update televised series, having broadcast more than 40 live, televised lectures to 20 sites across the state. The series began in 1989, as a suggestion by then dean, William Golod, Ph.D., in reference to a similar program done by the College of Dental Medicine. “We saw it as an opportunity to help pharmacists obtain the continuing education needed for annual relicensure,” said Ronald Nickel, Ph.D., and director of continuing education. In 1989, 15 hours of continuing education was mandated for licensing of pharmacists with six of those hours being live. The broadcasts became an outlet for credit towards those live hours.  Broadcasts are segmented into three parts. First, a live introduction to the attending audience, then the pre-recorded presentation by the featured speaker. This then segues into a live question and answer segment, allowing feedback from the attending audience and from the satellite viewing areas. This qualifies the broadcasts for live hour credit. “Combining the efforts of the Medical University’s Division of Television Services and South Carolina Educational Television, we can guarantee access not only to area pharmacists, but those across the state,” Nickel said. Topics for upcoming telecasts are derived straight from those who will benefit from them most— the attending pharmacists. “We take a dual approach into making the telecasts happen,” Nickel said.  “First we conduct needs assessment to discover what the attendees want to learn, then we set forth in putting together a program with an appropriate speaker. Next we have all the behind the scenes work such as funding, a broadcast site, and proper promotion and publicity.” The televised series has even extended its education opportunities to programs outside the college. “Continuing education will co-sponsor programs with colleges outside the COP that we feel are related to pharmacy topics,” Nickel said. “In the past we have co-sponsored presentations with the College of Nursing and the College of Medicine. Usually they will initiate a presentation and we then participate and facilitate.” Although the televised series has enjoyed a loyal audience base since its 1988 beginning, this doesn’t downplay the need for promotion. “We post upcoming broadcast dates on the continuing education Web site, We include a schedule in the MUSC magazine to alumni, all continuing education mail has a schedule of broadcasts and most recently postcards have been mailed out to the South Carolina pharmacists population, around 3,400,” Nickel said. Continuing education also keeps copies of all broadcasts on-hand for rent and sale, making the telecasts available for those interested in home study. “The series provides a relevant, accessible form of continuing education,” Nickel said. “It’s also very affordable and addresses a variety of topics, this is the inherent value of the series.” The next Pharmacy Update broadcast will be from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., March 13 and will feature Wayne Weart, Pharm.D, chair of the Department of Pharmacy Practice. The program's focus will be an “update” on new drugs, which has proven to be one of the series most popular topics. For more information regarding the Pharmacy Update broadcasts, call Nickel at 792-8440.      MUSC poised to participate in Poison Prevention Week In a joint collaboration between the College of Pharmacy (COP) and the Department of Pharmacy Services, many activities have been planned to observe and promote National Poison Prevention Awareness Week from March 18-24.   The effort will begin with presentations to Charleston, Dorchester—District II and Berkeley County elementary school students, grades K-3. The goal is to promote safety and poison awareness through visual presentations, speakers and videos.   A poster contest, with poison prevention as its theme, will be open to the students as well as patients at MUSC's Childrens Hospital. Each school will choose a poster to submit to the contest and those finalists will be judged by a panel of “celebrity” judges with all posters being displayed in the MUSC Hospital during Poison Prevention Week. The school that submits the winning poster will be presented with a new computer, donated by the COP and Department of Pharmacy Services.   During the week, students, faculty and staff will man information tables on campus to answer questions and disperse poison prevention awareness information. And during the weekend of the 18 - 24, pharmacists will staff information tables at the area malls to inform the public on topics of household poisons and prevention methods.   For more information, participation or donation opportunities, contact Charlotte Johnson at 843-953-8492 or by e-mail her at  johnchar@musc.edu.    COP says thanks for support The College of Pharmacy and the Rho Chi Fraternity would like to thank the following companies for their participation in the College of Pharmacy Career Day on Jan. 31: Air Force Health Professions; Bi-Lo Pharmacy; CVS Pharmacy; Eckerd Drug Company; Eli Lilly; Ingles Market Inc.; Kroger; Kerr Drug Inc.; Kmart; Mallinckrodt Inc.; McKesson HBOC MedManagement; McLeod Regional Medical Center; MUSC Pharmacy Services; Novant Health; PETNet Pharmaceuticals Inc.; Pharmor; PPD  ATP; Publix Super Markets Inc.; Syncor International Corporation; United Pharmacy Partners Inc.; Walgreens; Wal-mart Pharmacy Division; and Winn Dixie.